UBCNews - Business - Why Some Women Feel They Age Quickly After Menopause and What to Do About It

Episode Date: March 11, 2026

Welcome back, everyone! Today we're looking at something so many women experience but don't always have answers for—why does it feel like aging just speeds up once menopause hits? And more importantly, what can we actually do about it? I'm thrilled to have our guest here today to unpack this. So, let's start with the big question—is this rapid aging thing real, or is it just in our heads? Wordsmith World City: Big Spring Address: Texas Website: https://bettyjohansen.com/

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're looking at something so many women experience, but don't always have answers for, why does it feel like aging just speeds up once menopause hits? And more importantly, what can we actually do about it? I'm thrilled to have our guest here today to unpack this. So let's start with the big question. Is this rapid aging thing real? Or is it just in our heads? Oh, it's definitely real, and there's science to back it up. A groundbreaking study from UCLA, led by researcher Steve Horvath, was actually the first to demonstrate that menopause directly accelerates biological aging in women. They looked at over 3,100 women and tracked something called the epigenetic clock, basically chemical biomarkers in our DNA that are linked to aging. The epigenetic clock, that sounds pretty high-tech, so what did they find? They found that menopause speeds up cellular aging by an average of 6%.

Now, that might not sound like a lot, but it really adds up. For instance, if a woman enters early menopause at 42, by the time she's 50, her body could be a full year older biologically than a woman who entered menopause naturally at 50. Wow, a full year. That's significant. And I know sleepless nights are such a common complaint during menopause. Does that play a role to? Absolutely. Insomnia is a frequent companion to menopause, and it's clearly associated with accelerated biological aging. The research showed that postmenopausal women reporting five insomnia symptoms

were nearly two years older biologically than women of the same chronological age without those symptoms. Though I should mention, researchers noted they couldn't definitively conclude that insomnia symptoms cause the increased epigenetic age, but the association is powerful. Right, so the connection is there, even if we need more research on the exact mechanism, sleep quality really matters here? I mean, we all know how terrible one bad night can make us feel, let alone chronic insomnia. Exactly. Good quality sleep is just as vital to overall health during menopause as diet and exercise.

It's often overlooked, but it shouldn't be. Previous research has found that one night of partial sleep deprivation can promote cell damage that increases susceptibility to biological aging. I actually remember when I was going through perimenopause myself, I'd wake up at 3 a.m. most nights and just lie there, wide awake. It felt like my body was aging overnight, and now we know there's real science behind that feeling. Mm-hmm, that resonates.

So if someone listening is struggling with insomnia, what can they do? Well, cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is recognized as an effective treatment for insomnia. It's a behavioral approach that helps you change the thoughts and behaviors that interfere with sleep. And treating insomnia can indirectly help mitigate that accelerated biological aging we've been talking about. That point about sleep and cellular damage really sets up our next piece, what you can do to support your body through this transition. But first, a quick word from our sponsor.

This episode is brought to you by Betty Johansson, author of Dancing Through Menopause. In this thoughtful and empowering book, Johansson offers encouragement and insight for women navigating the physical, emotional, and spiritual changes of menopause. Blending personal reflection with practical wisdom, dancing through menopause invites readers to embrace this stage of life with confidence, faith, and renewed purpose. To learn more about the book and Betty Johansson's work, visit the link in the description. Welcome back. Picking up on that sleep and cellular damage connection, how do you handle the emotional side of menopause? Because mood swings and emotional shifts are just as real as the physical stuff. Great question. An integrated approach is really important here. You know, menopause affects both the body and the mind,

so we need to address emotional wellness alongside the physical symptoms. Mindfulness and meditation practices are increasingly recommended to manage mood swings and emotional shifts during this transition. I love that. Those practices feel so accessible. What about physical activity? Does that help with mood, too? Oh, definitely. Regular physical activity, especially strength training, is vital. It can significantly alter mood dynamics during menopause and contribute to overall well-being. I always tell people, exercise does more than keep you fit. It helps you feel better emotionally. Think of it as a mood reset button, except you have to actually press it yourself. No one else can do it for you. Huh, I like that analogy.

So it sounds like there are three key areas here, sleep, emotional wellness, and physical activity. Are there other strategies women should consider? Yes, nutrition plays a huge role. Making dietary adjustments is part of that integrated framework to manage symptoms. And honestly, prioritizing self-care, engaging in activities you enjoy, setting new personal goals can empower women to embrace aging with confidence. Right, that makes sense. Well, I think the bigger message here is that menopause can be reframed.

Instead of viewing it as something to just endure, we can see it as an opportunity to thrive through a positive mindset and proactive strategies. The concept of thriving through and beyond menopause emphasizes transforming challenges into opportunities for self-discovery and renewal. In other words, menopause doesn't have to be the end of something. It can be the beginning of your best years. That's such an empowering perspective. And, you know, I think a lot of women feel isolated in this experience.

So to everyone listening, have you talked to your friends or family about what you're going through? Because connection and support really matter. Absolutely. Emotional support is part of that integrated approach. Together, we're going to work through this transition. Stress reduction techniques, self-care, and setting new goals. These are essential strategies for women to thrive post-menopause. And looking ahead, is there hope that we can actually slow or reverse some of this biological aging?

That's an active area of research. The idea that biological age can potentially be slowed or even reversed by changing health behaviors, improving sleep, diet, exercise, is really promising. Scientists might even use the epigenetic clock in the future to evaluate therapies, like hormone treatments or behavioral interventions for insomnia, to see which ones offer the strongest anti-aging effects. So there's real reason for optimism. Before we wrap up, what's the one thing you want listeners to take away from this conversation?

Menopause accelerates biological aging. That's the reality. But by adopting an integrated approach with strategies like prioritizing sleep, menopause, managing stress, staying active and taking care of your emotional health. You can adapt to these changes and truly thrive. Menopause can be a vibrant dance of self-discovery and renewal. Beautifully said. Thank you so much for joining us today. And to our listeners, thanks for tuning in. We hope this conversation gave you some practical tools and a fresh perspective on this inevitable part of life. Until next time, take care of yourselves.