Menopause & Muscle Loss

Why Building Muscle Matters, Especially for Women in Perimenopause

In recent years, the use of weight loss medications has surged, with approximately 33% of Americans now turning to these treatments to shed pounds. While these medications can be effective for weight loss, they often overlook a crucial component of health: muscle maintenance! For women undergoing perimenopause, a phase that can start as early as their 30s but typically begins between ages 40-44 - this oversight is particularly concerning as women begin to lose muscle mass by the day.
Side note: we will add to the conversation an innovative technology brought to Calgary called EMSCULPT. An amazing muscle building program by MAUD, which can be especially beneficial for women preparing for menopause and combatting muscle loss.

The Overlooked Role of Muscle Maintenance

The decrease of estrogen seems to play a huge factor in the mysterious weight gain women experience in perimenopause. Muscle mass is crucial for overall health. Muscle loss can lead to a slower metabolism, increased risk of injuries, fractures and decreased physical function. For women in perimenopause, this issue is amplified. Hormonal changes during this transition significantly impact muscle mass, making muscle preservation even more essential for any women over 40 years old.

Perimenopause and Its Impact

Perimenopause is a transitional phase marked by fluctuating hormone levels. Most notice first signs with changes in menstrual flow. The decline in estrogen, a hormone important for muscle maintenance, accelerates muscle loss during this phase. This muscle breakdown can contribute to various health issues, underscoring the importance of focusing on muscle preservation during perimenopause.

Why Building Muscle is Crucial for menopause

Building and maintaining muscle mass is vital, particularly for women in perimenopause. At MAUD Medical Clinic in Calgary, we help women of all ages with hormone therapy to relieve perimenopause symptoms. Until recently, we did not have any evidenced based technologies to build muscle mass - the best way to build muscle is to lift weights! Weight lifting is still the best way to prevent muscle loss. However, for some, it is not an option. MAUD Medical Clinic brought in EMSCULPT By MAUD Menopause program to help menopausal women with this new lifestyle.
According to the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), increased physical activity offers several benefits:

1. Lean Body Composition: Women who engage in regular physical activity typically have higher skeletal muscle mass and lower fat mass, resulting in a leaner body.

2. Weight Management: Active women often weigh less on average compared to their less active counterparts. Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest, which helps regulate weight more effectively.

3. Reduced abdominal belly fat ( central Adiposity) : Increased physical activity is linked to less abdominal or belly fat, even after menopause. This is crucial for reducing health risks associated with central adiposity, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Benefits of EMSCULPT for Perimenopause and Menopause Women

We brought EMSCULPT to Calgary! MAUD Medical Clinic is excited to add this new advanced innovative technology to our services. In addition to traditional strength training and physical activity (which is still most important) , EMSCULPT is emerging as a powerful tool for women in perimenopause and those preparing for menopause. EMSCULPT is a non-invasive body contouring procedure that uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic technology to build muscle and reduce fat. Here’s how EMSCULPT can be particularly beneficial:

1. Enhanced Muscle Building: EMSCULPT stimulates muscle contractions at a high intensity, which helps build muscle mass more effectively than traditional exercises alone. For women experiencing perimenopause, this can be a game-changer in combating age-related muscle loss. We use EMSCULPT By MAUD program to teach the body and assist in learning a new life habit.

2. Improved Metabolism: By increasing muscle mass, EMSCULPT can help you boost metabolism through learning how to lift heavier weights. Lifting weights is crucial for managing weight, as muscle tissue burns more calories at rest compared to fat tissue.

3. Reduced Fat Accumulation: EMSCULPT By MAUD program can help reduce fat in targeted areas through the Calgary core program and nutrition consultation. This can be particularly beneficial for reducing abdominal fat, which is common in perimenopause and menopause.

4. Time Efficiency: EMSCULPT treatments are 30 minutes and require no downtime. This makes it an excellent option for busy women who may find it challenging to commit to regular, intensive exercise routines. It is not recommend that anyone rely soley on EMSCULPT to build muscle mass. EMSCULPT is best used as a means to train your body, build awareness and pathways, lift stronger and repair muscles in atrophy. Maud Medical Therapist will work with you to set you up for long term, self managed success.

5. Enhanced Physical Function: Improved muscle mass and strength from EMSCULPT can enhance overall physical function, making daily activities easier and reducing the risk of falls and injuries. MAUD Medical physiotherapist will teach you how to maintain this new found strength!

Calgary Menopause: Local Considerations

In Calgary, where cold weather might limit outdoor physical activity, EMSCULPT offers a convenient and effective alternative for women dealing with perimenopause. MAUD Medical clinic in Calgary can provide personalized consultations to tailor EMSCULPT treatments to individual needs, ensuring that Calgary women can combat muscle loss and prepare for menopause effectively.

Practical Tips for Muscle Maintenance while on weight loss pills

For those on weight loss medications or experiencing perimenopause, integrating muscle-building strategies is essential. Here are some tips:

• Strength Training: Incorporate resistance exercises like weight lifting, bodyweight exercises, or resistance bands into your routine at least two to three times per week.

• Protein Intake: Ensure adequate protein intake to support muscle repair and growth by including lean meats, fish, legumes, and dairy in your diet. MAUD Nutrition counselling speciality in hormone balancing and long term health

• Regular Physical Activity: In addition to strength training, include cardiovascular exercises such as walking, jogging, or cycling to support overall fitness. (good excuse to adopt a dog!)

• Consider EMSCULPT: Explore EMSCULPT in Calgary as a complementary option to traditional exercise for building muscle and reducing fat, particularly if you’re facing challenges with conventional methods.

• Consult a Professional: MAUD Medical Clinic Doctors, physical therapist, Nutrition consultants and EMSCULPT specialist can create a tailored program that aligns with your health needs and goals.

Conclusion

Calgary women in menopause have a safe space to talk openly about hormone health, living a more fufilled life with MAUD Medical Team at your side. We cannot stress the importance of muscle maintenance for anyone age 40+.
For women navigating perimenopause, especially those in Calgary, consider building and preserving muscle mass with us using EMSCULPT By MAUD program. The SWAN study highlights the benefits of increased physical activity, while EMSCULPT offers an advanced solution for enhancing muscle mass and reducing fat. By integrating strength training, EMSCULPT, and an active lifestyle, individuals can improve their overall health and well-being during this transitional phase of life. We are in this together.