Do you have questions?
Need additional advice? No problem! Ask our team of experts. We'd love to hear from you.
Episode 17: mood swings and brain fog - Katja Retsin on the reality of menopause
Menopause remains a taboo, but it's time to open up the conversation. In this podcast episode, Katja Retsin and Amandine De Paepe share their experiences of dealing with menopause and its impact on daily life. Katja talks about her career in television, theater, and her humorous outlook on life. At the same time, she reflects on perimenopause and the surprising symptoms she experienced, such as brain fog and mood swings. Together, they discuss the importance of humor, a healthy lifestyle, and bio-identical hormone therapy during this stage of life.
About founder Amandine De Paepe
Bestselling author and food scientist Amandine de Paepe enjoyed an extensive university education. Among other things, she studied biomedical sciences, nutritional sciences and obtained a European master's degree in nutritional sciences at the universities of Wageningen (NL), Cork (Ireland), Lund (Sweden) and Paris (FR). After her international career in the pharmaceutical sector, she threw herself into medical nutritional advice which she combined with analyses such as specific blood tests, DNA or sugar tests and personalized supplements. Over the years, Amandine turned her passion into her life's work. Today, she is the inspirer behind Insentials, the Belgian brand of vitamins & supplements.
About Katja Retsin
Katja Retsin is a versatile Flemish media personality who has made her mark as an actress, writer, presenter, and entrepreneur. As of 2024, she is primarily active on regional TV channels and as an influencer. Additionally, she hosts her own perimenopausal podcast called 'Opvliegend wild'.
Dryness where you least expect it
Katja shares how she always assumed she would start experiencing symptoms around the age of 48, as her mother had developed typical menopausal symptoms like night sweats at that age. Upon reaching 48 without any complaints, Katja briefly thought she might be luckier than her mother. However, at 49, the first strange ailments began to appear. She suddenly experienced a dry nose and itching in her ears, both symptoms of dehydration. A friend of hers, on the other hand, complains about dry armpits.
The typical symptom: night sweats
In the summer before her 50th birthday, Katja suddenly began to experience the dreaded typical menopausal symptom: night sweats. For three weeks, it felt to Katja as if she had a fever. Eventually, her doctor concluded that hormonal fluctuations were likely the cause of her symptoms. On top of that, she also had dramatic nightmares that kept her from sleeping altogether.
Oestrogel and brain fog
Katja's doctor prescribes her Oestrogel, but she is initially hesitant to use it, leaving the tube in the cabinet. As her symptoms worsen, she consults a gynecologist with whom she feels comfortable. Currently, Katja uses a combination of a hormonal IUD and Oestrogel. Although this combination generally works well for her, she still occasionally experiences mood swings and brain fog. The unpredictability of when these symptoms might strike causes her a lot of uncertainty.
Digestive issues and joint pains
Some ailments aren't immediately associated with (peri)menopause. Katja, for example, suffered from digestive issues and joint pains for a long time. It wasn't until she saw a list of possible menopausal symptoms that she realized her complaints weren't due to diet, lifestyle, or stress, but rather to hormonal fluctuations.
Bio identical hormones
Amandine points out that taking hormones to prevent pregnancy is entirely different from hormonal support during menopause. There are often two camps: pro-hormones and anti-hormones. But taking bio-identical hormones to make the second phase of a woman's life more manageable is very different from taking the pill. There are many benefits to hormonal supplementation during menopause. Not only do symptoms decrease, but there is also a positive aesthetic effect and even protection against cardiovascular diseases.
The importance of a healthy lifestyle
While hormone supplementation can be very helpful, the importance of a healthy lifestyle should not be underestimated. Amandine points out that nutrition and exercise remain crucial during this phase. Women in menopause often have a bit more time on their hands. They go out to eat more often, travel, etc., which doesn't always positively impact their lifestyle. The focus is usually on estrogen and progesterone levels, but one important hormone is often overlooked: insulin. Insulin stabilizes blood sugar levels, which is purely a matter of lifestyle. Another hormone to consider is cortisol. This stress hormone begins to rise years before menopause and continues to do so after menopause. Estrogen also plays a role here, as it influences cortisol production.
The purple perm cliché
Katja jokes about how the typical menopausal woman was portrayed a few years ago: an older woman with a purple perm riding a bike with a leek in the basket. Old, written off, and not sexy. Fortunately, this image has become much more realistic. However, menopause is still unfortunately a taboo topic.
Wall pilates and a dirty wall
Finally, Katja talks about her attempt to exercise more. Wall Pilates only resulted in a dirty wall, and that was the extent of it. Amandine emphasizes the importance of strength training during (peri)menopause. It helps prevent muscle loss, and muscle mass has a positive impact on metabolism.