Recently, I had the honour of being interviewed for The Full Stop Podcast—a powerful, inclusive platform for people who are Childless Not by Choice (CNBC), created by people who are CNBC. It’s a rare and refreshing space where our grief, stories, and resilience are not only seen but understood. It was a privilege to share my experience as part of a discussion on Menopause and Childlessness—two life transitions that are often deeply intertwined, yet rarely spoken about together.
This blog is based on the notes I prepared for the episode—a blend of personal insight and professional knowledge from my work in Kinesiology, Counselling, Hypnotherapy, Emotional Frequency Technology, and Chinese Five Element theory at Empowering Health.
Menopause Isn’t Just Hormonal—It’s an Identity Shift
Menopause is so much more than the end of menstruation. It’s a major life transition—often accompanied by a sense of losing control over your body and your identity. Many of the strategies that may have worked for managing your health and emotions suddenly stop working.
For those of us who are childless not by choice, menopause can feel like a full stop in the most confronting way. It’s the moment where the door truly closes on the possibility of bearing children. It can feel like grief all over again—a loss of potential, of legacy, of imagined futures.
And just when you’re needing connection, society often becomes even more isolating. Friends become grandparents. Their worlds shrink around family, and suddenly they seem to have even less time for you. The social gap grows wider.
A Holistic View: Hormones, Emotions & the Five Elements
In my practice, I work with the understanding that hormones are chemical messengers, and as they shift, they impact not only our bodies but also our emotions, thoughts, memory, and sleep.
From the Chinese Five Element perspective, here’s how menopause symptoms can be seen:
| Element | Related System | Emotional Expression | Menopause Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Kidneys/Hormones | Fear | Hormonal decline, fatigue, aging anxiety |
| Fire | Heart/Spirit | Joy | Hot flushes, restlessness, spiritual disconnection |
| Earth | Digestion/Nourishing | Worry | Weight gain, emotional eating, seeking comfort |
| Wood | Liver/Growth | Anger | Frustration, irritability, grief of what could’ve been |
| Metal | Lungs/Grief | Sadness & Letting Go | Deep emotional release, acceptance of endings |
One of the key physical changes is the decline in estrogen and progesterone, which:
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Reduces muscle mass (due to decreased protein synthesis)
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Increases cortisol (our main stress hormone)
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Disrupts sleep, memory, metabolism, and emotional resilience
We’re living longer than ever before—many women in history didn’t even live long enough to reach menopause. So we’re navigating uncharted territory in terms of lifespan and hormonal longevity. No wonder it feels hard.
Childlessness + Menopause = A Second Wave of Grief 💔
Overlay menopause with involuntary childlessness, and you might experience a second, or deeper wave of grief. For many women, it’s the final marker that says, “You will never be a mother.” It’s a reality check that can be devastating.
I remember during my own grief journey, I joined an online CNBC support group—and while I was grateful at first, I soon realised I was surrounded by people who were still identifying with their grief years later, unable to move forward. I didn’t want to be stuck there. I left the group and started taking the steps that eventually led to the creation of Empowering Health—my business and my way of “birthing” something meaningful in the world.
Reframing, Reconnecting & Rebirth
I believe midlife is not a crisis—it’s a rebirth. I came across this beautiful quote recently, which I shared on the podcast:
“The first half of life is about becoming who you needed to be to survive. The second half is about unravelling everything that no longer aligns with your soul’s purpose. That’s not a midlife crisis—it’s a rebirth.”
— Ella Hicks, Moonomens
This is the time to stop chasing validation from others, and instead, tune into what aligns with your own values and energy. Don’t get pulled into other people’s negativity or pain spirals—those can become vortices that drag you down.
Instead, elevate your energy, focus on what’s in your control:
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Your emotions
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Your thoughts
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What you’re eating, when and how
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Who you surround yourself with
If your circle feels small, start rebuilding it:
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Join a hobby group
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Start a monthly CNBC coffee meetup
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Surround yourself with people who see your worth, not just your “difference”
You’re Not Alone
At Empowering Health, I work with women all over the world—including the UK—through online coaching, combining Kinesiology, emotional frequency work, and practical support to help them feel empowered through menopause and beyond. I also offer downloadable resources like:
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66 Ways to Improve Menopause Symptoms
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The Benefits of Exercise Before and After Menopause
Menopause, like childlessness, can feel like an ending—but it doesn’t have to be. It can also be a sacred invitation to reconnect with yourself, your values, your body, and your purpose.
Final Thoughts
“Be gentle with yourself. Know that this is only a short period in time in the grand scheme of things. Focus on what you can control—your emotions, your thoughts, what you eat and when, and how you care for yourself. Get support from your GP, or work with a coach or therapist. You don’t have to do it alone—and you will get through it.”
With love,
Anne x
Click here to book your appointment.
The Full Stop website link to take you to the various podcast options – my interview has not been published as yet. The interview is very different to the above notes. The conversation flowed so well, I didn’t need them lol.
