You deserve to be heard

Menopause, Musculoskeletal Health, and the Power of Being Heard

When I think about menopause, I don’t just think of hot flashes and night sweats. For me, the changes showed up in my joints, muscles, and bones. They showed up in ways I didn’t expect, and they were often misunderstood.

When My Body Changed “Overnight”

 I’ll never forget the day I realized something was wrong. I was simply putting away laundry when my arm froze midair. My elbow locked at a right angle beside my ear, and I couldn’t lift it any higher. No matter how hard I tried, it wouldn’t move. That was the beginning of what I later learned was frozen shoulder, something so painful it touched every part of my daily life. By October 2021, I had a Telehealth visit and was told, “it’s probably adhesive capsulitis, it just takes time.” The pain, however, was unbearable. I tried everything: massage therapy, chiropractic care, injections, physical therapy. Nothing worked, some treatments even made it worse. Eventually, I resorted to a cortisone shot for relief. The doctor who gave it to me looked puzzled and said, “You’re pretty young to have this. Are you sure you’re not diabetic?” That comment shook me. It planted fear, and it also made me realize I needed to go back to my provider and dig deeper.

The Steep Drop in Estrogen

Earlier that year, in May 2021, I had asked to be tested for menopause symptoms because I was having hot flashes. At the time, my estrogen was normal. By August, just three months later, it had dropped to nearly zero. The change was that fast, and it came with consequences. I had a total hysterectomy at a young age with ovarian conservation (my uterus and cervix were removed, but my ovaries were left intact). Because of that, I didn’t go into immediate surgical menopause, but my ovaries stopped producing estrogen earlier than expected. When I went back to my doctor, I was told it was too late for supplements like black cohosh because I no longer had any estrogen to work with. I did try other options, but they didn’t help in the ways I hoped. Eventually, I sought care from a naturopath, and together we explored hormone replacement therapy. The journey was complicated, full of trial and error, and at times discouraging. What worked for one symptom didn’t always help another. At one point, I even developed frozen shoulder again in the opposite arm.

Why I Share This

I’m not a doctor. I’m a psychotherapist who has walked through menopause myself. My role is not to prescribe, but to listen. To hold space. To shine light on what often feels invisible. Here’s what I want women to know:

• Menopause is not one-size-fits-all. Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all decline, and treatment looks different for each woman.

• Your symptoms are valid. Joint pain, stiffness, muscle loss, or mood changes are not “just aging.”

 • You deserve to be heard. If your concerns are dismissed, seek another opinion. Your voice matters.

 • Providers have limitations. Many were given very little education on menopause in their training. That doesn’t mean they don’t care but it does mean you may need to ask more questions, do your own research, and advocate for yourself.

 • Options exist. Hormone therapy may help some women, but it isn’t right for everyone. Nutrition, movement, supplements, and therapy can all play a role.

Why I Chose to Specialize in Menopause

When I was searching for support, I couldn’t find a single group focused on menopause. I also found very few providers who were willing to talk openly about it. At the same time, my own experience was life-changing. I don’t want other women to go through what I did, feeling dismissed, struggling in silence, or trying to piece things together without guidance. That’s why I chose to specialize in menopause. Not because I have all the answers, but because I believe women deserve:

 • A safe space to share their experiences.

 • Providers who listen and take their concerns seriously.

 • Access to real information and real options.

A Quick Hormone Guide:

 • Estradiol (E2): the strongest estrogen, dominant during reproductive years.

 • Estrone (E1): weaker, becomes more common after menopause.

 • Estriol (E3): mostly active during pregnancy.

• Progesterone: balances estrogen, especially important if the uterus is intact.

 • Testosterone: lower in women than men, but still supports energy, libido, and muscle mass.

 The Role of Psychotherapy in Menopause

 As a menopause psychotherapist, I cannot “fix” menopause, and I cannot tell you what medication to take. What I can do is:

 • Help you find your voice when speaking with your provider.

 • Support you in managing the emotional shifts; anxiety, depression, or changes in motivation that can surface.

 • Teach mindfulness and coping strategies for symptoms like hot flashes, sleep issues, or pain.

 • Create a space where you feel validated and not dismissed.

 For me, it’s a privilege to sit with women during this stage of life, to hear their stories, and to remind them that they are not alone.

 Looking Ahead

 My hope is that women’s health continues to be prioritized and studied so that future generations, our daughters and granddaughters don’t have to struggle in silence. I hope they enter midlife with education, options, and support. For now, what matters most is this: you deserve to be heard. You deserve to be validated. And you deserve real options. At Klea Therapy, I created the Menopause Awakening group (dates are coming soon) to provide a space for women to connect, share, and learn tools for navigating these changes together.in my joints, muscles, and bones. They showed up in ways I didn’t expect, and they were often misunderstood.

When My Body Changed “Overnight”

 I’ll never forget the day I realized something was wrong. I was simply putting away laundry when my arm froze midair. My elbow locked at a right angle beside my ear, and I couldn’t lift it any higher. No matter how hard I tried, it wouldn’t move. That was the beginning of what I later learned was frozen shoulder, something so painful it touched every part of my daily life. By October 2021, I had a Telehealth visit and was told, “it’s probably adhesive capsulitis, it just takes time.” The pain, however, was unbearable. I tried everything: massage therapy, chiropractic care, injections, physical therapy. Nothing worked, some treatments even made it worse. Eventually, I resorted to a cortisone shot for relief. The doctor who gave it to me looked puzzled and said, “You’re pretty young to have this. Are you sure you’re not diabetic?” That comment shook me. It planted fear, and it also made me realize I needed to go back to my provider and dig deeper.

The Steep Drop in Estrogen

Earlier that year, in May 2021, I had asked to be tested for menopause symptoms because I was having hot flashes. At the time, my estrogen was normal. By August, just three months later, it had dropped to nearly zero. The change was that fast, and it came with consequences. I had a total hysterectomy at a young age with ovarian conservation (my uterus and cervix were removed, but my ovaries were left intact). Because of that, I didn’t go into immediate surgical menopause, but my ovaries stopped producing estrogen earlier than expected. When I went back to my doctor, I was told it was too late for supplements like black cohosh because I no longer had any estrogen to work with. I did try other options, but they didn’t help in the ways I hoped. Eventually, I sought care from a naturopath, and together we explored hormone replacement therapy. The journey was complicated, full of trial and error, and at times discouraging. What worked for one symptom didn’t always help another. At one point, I even developed frozen shoulder again in the opposite arm.

Why I Share This

I’m not a doctor. I’m a psychotherapist who has walked through menopause myself. My role is not to prescribe, but to listen. To hold space. To shine light on what often feels invisible. Here’s what I want women to know:

• Menopause is not one-size-fits-all. Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all decline, and treatment looks different for each woman.

• Your symptoms are valid. Joint pain, stiffness, muscle loss, or mood changes are not “just aging.”

 • You deserve to be heard. If your concerns are dismissed, seek another opinion. Your voice matters.

 • Providers have limitations. Many were given very little education on menopause in their training. That doesn’t mean they don’t care but it does mean you may need to ask more questions, do your own research, and advocate for yourself.

 • Options exist. Hormone therapy may help some women, but it isn’t right for everyone. Nutrition, movement, supplements, and therapy can all play a role.

Why I Chose to Specialize in Menopause

When I was searching for support, I couldn’t find a single group focused on menopause. I also found very few providers who were willing to talk openly about it. At the same time, my own experience was life-changing. I don’t want other women to go through what I did, feeling dismissed, struggling in silence, or trying to piece things together without guidance. That’s why I chose to specialize in menopause. Not because I have all the answers, but because I believe women deserve:

 • A safe space to share their experiences.

 • Providers who listen and take their concerns seriously.

 • Access to real information and real options.

A Quick Hormone Guide:

 • Estradiol (E2): the strongest estrogen, dominant during reproductive years.

 • Estrone (E1): weaker, becomes more common after menopause.

 • Estriol (E3): mostly active during pregnancy.

• Progesterone: balances estrogen, especially important if the uterus is intact.

 • Testosterone: lower in women than men, but still supports energy, libido, and muscle mass.

 The Role of Psychotherapy in Menopause

 As a menopause psychotherapist, I cannot “fix” menopause, and I cannot tell you what medication to take. What I can do is:

 • Help you find your voice when speaking with your provider.

 • Support you in managing the emotional shifts; anxiety, depression, or changes in motivation that can surface.

 • Teach mindfulness and coping strategies for symptoms like hot flashes, sleep issues, or pain.

 • Create a space where you feel validated and not dismissed.

 For me, it’s a privilege to sit with women during this stage of life, to hear their stories, and to remind them that they are not alone.

 Looking Ahead

 My hope is that women’s health continues to be prioritized and studied so that future generations, our daughters and granddaughters don’t have to struggle in silence. I hope they enter midlife with education, options, and support. For now, what matters most is this: you deserve to be heard. You deserve to be validated. And you deserve real options. At Klea Therapy, I created the Menopause Awakening group (dates are coming soon) to provide a space for women to connect, share, and learn tools for navigating these changes together.