Go trough menopause naturally!

Just like starting your period is a major milestone for young girls, menopause is just as big of a turning point in a woman’s life! In this post, we’ll be separating fact from fiction on all things menopause, and sharing top tips to help women everywhere navigate this transition. 

What exactly is menopause? 

In this post, we’ll be talking exclusively about natural menopause (which happens to every woman) rather than induced menopause (from surgery, from example). Even though the symptoms of  both are similar, the way we treat them can differ.
Menopause is the name given to the period of time leading to the end of female fertility. The term covers both menopause and perimenopause—the years leading up to menopause when our production of sex hormones starts to decline. 

This perimenopausal period can vary from woman to woman (lasting between two to eight years) and is accompanied by certain menopausal symptoms as well as the onset of irregular periods. Perimenopause officially becomes menopause when you haven’t menstruated for a full year, which typically happens between the ages of 40 and 56.

Why do sex hormones decrease?

The production of sex hormones, mainly estrogen and progesterone, takes place in the ovaries. Every woman is born with a certain number of eggs in the ovaries, and this number decreases with every menstrual cycle. Menopause occurs when your egg count drops to less than 1,000 and, at the same time, the ovaries stop producing the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.

What causes menopausal symptoms? 

The decrease in sex hormones leads to various changes in how the body functions. Probably the best-known symptoms are hot flashes (which affect 80% of menopausal women), night sweats and mood swings.
Here’s a brief overview of the link between female sex hormones and menopausal symptoms to better understand how it works:

• Body temperature regulation → Hot flashes and night sweats 
• Mood regulation → Mood swings 
• The tone and suppleness of mucous membranes → Vaginal dryness or discomfort 

Every woman experiences menopause differently, with varying levels of ease. Thankfully for those experiencing more severe and/or unpleasant symptoms, nature offers some solutions to help  make the transition easier.

Relieve menopausal symptoms naturally

• Homeopathy can provide natural relief without side effects in both the acute phase of menopause and longer term. 
  Lachesis mutus is especially good for relieving hot flashes and mood swings and is included in these H122 menopause drops. These drops are a non-addictive homeopathic solution to support you throughout perimenopause and menopause so make sure you keep them close by at all times!

• Diet: A healthy and balanced diet can help improve your overall well being, including symptoms of menopause. Experts recommend incorporating foods like flaxseed and soy into your diet, and also removing certain things to reduce hot flashes. First, try limiting your consumption of stimulants like coffee and alcohol. Cutting back on fat and sugar can also help. In addition to possible weight gain, menopause can also trigger bad cholesterol. Our top tip: skip the red meat at supper time to avoid hot flashes at night!

• Physical activity: Moving your body offers a bunch of benefits during menopause, like limiting weight gain, improving cardiovascular health, regulating mood and strengthening bones. You don’t need to sign up for a marathon! Just 30 minutes of exercise a day (walking, cycling, housework, etc.) will do.
  The most important thing is to stimulate your muscles, which stimulates your bones and therefore reduces the risk of  osteoporosis. Bonus tip: exercising outside will give you an extra boost of vitamin D!
• pH regulation: The acid-base balance in our bodies is so important. Good balance promotes the absorption of minerals— especially calcium and magnesium, which are essential for bone health. On the flip side, an unbalanced pH can lead to inflammation. Menopause can cause the body to become more acidic, resulting in a drop in pH levels. To maintain good balance, take a urine pH test followed by a pH rebalancing treatment like Alcabase.
  

How about the men?! 

There’s no such thing as male menopause, for two main reasons: 

• Men have less estrogen than women (their main sex hormone is testosterone).
• They never stop producing sex hormones. 

However, some men (2% of 40-80 year olds) will experience andropause, which is a slight decrease in testosterone. This typically occurs between 45 and 65 years old and can lead to a decreased libido, hot flashes, erectile dysfunction and weight gain. 

*Natural alternatives are designed as a complement to medical treatments rather than a substitute.