Use these science-backed tips based on recent research to inform training decisions for athletes postmenopause..

As women navigate through the transformative phase of perimenopause, characterized by hormonal fluctuations and very real physical changes, the importance of prioritizing health and preventative measures becomes paramount. Multiple changes are happening in our bodies during perimenopause, some of these changes you can see in the mirror but most are invisible to the naked eye.

None of my coaches ever asked me about my menstrual cycle, and none of my training was ever adjusted based on how I was feeling or what phase my hormones were in. None of the female-specific hydration or recovery protocols were mentioned.

In my previous post, I explained and gave sample workouts for a menstruating female athlete. However, this covers only half of the female population.

A general understanding of female physiology is largely missing in the domain of female athlete training. It is essential to know how to work with her body, not against it, to achieve the best possible results. Coach Kat talks about The Effects of Contraception on Female Athletes’ Performance in her TrainingPeaks article.

As the number of women in perimenopause and menopause increases in the triathlon community, it is important that we as coaches, athletes and fitness professionals are prepared to address their specific needs. Coach Kat talks about the best training approach for these athletes in her TrainingPeaks article.