Menopause is a natural phase of women that manifests itself with some changes. Knowing the symptoms that this phase is starting is ideal to start taking care of ourselves and living it in the best possible way.
- What is menopause?
- Menopause: symptoms
- Hot flashes in menopause: natural aids
- Dryness in menopause: natural aids
- Urinary tract infections in menopause: natural aids
- Weakness in the bones due to menopause: natural aids
- Insomino in menopause: natural aids
- Weight changes in menopause: natural aids
Menopause continues to be a strange stage for many women in the world, being related to the end of childbearing age. Fortunately, every day we are more aware that it is a natural phase in the life of women and that, for various reasons, it can help us in self-knowledge and empowerment. In fact, it can be a precious phase of your life, believe me.
In this article we will present the possible manifestations around menopause (symptoms), the stages of menopause that we can find and how we can face and live this phase of life in the most natural way in the world.
WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?
The term menopause refers to the pause (cessation) of menstruation, hence “Meno”-“pausia“. This cessation of menstruation does not happen overnight, but gradually. In general, we observe ourselves little and believe that when the period no longer comes, “it” is menopause. And no.
Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. The previous phase, the cessation of menstruation and the subsequent phase until the new equilibrium, is called “climacteric”. In some women the transition from their usual menstrual cycles to the final withdrawal of menstruation and stabilization of the new stage can take a few years.
As we approach 40, the ovaries begin to “get older” and react less to hormonal signals from the brain, releasing less estrogen into the blood. It’s as if the ovaries don’t know as much about the orders of the hormones FSH and LH that come from the pituitary. This is due to the decrease in useful receptors that are the ones that receive the messages of these hormones to create estrogen and progesterone.
With the gradual decrease in the level of estrogen in the body, some symptoms or changes are perceived.
MENOPAUSE: SYMPTOMS
Menstruation only “goes suddenly” by a surgical intervention or a pharmacological treatment: that is, when a cessation of menstruation is artificially created.
There are women for whom the changes in a natural menopause go totally unnoticed or with some more or less annoying changes. However, in the same way that when we are still girls little by little the body begins to change and at a certain moment the first menstruation (menarche) arrives, the withdrawal of menstruation, usually occurs along with gradual changes, such as:
- Changes in menstrual cycle length
- Changes in the number and number of days
- Hot flashes or hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal changes
- Skin changes
- Urinary or bladder infections
- Weak bones
- Insomnia
- Mood changes
- Weight gain, change in body fat distribution
HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE
Identifying these changes can sometimes be difficult. These are the most common manifestations of each of the symptoms:
- Changes in menstrual cycle length
The cycle gets shorter, longer, you don’t know when it’s going to come… Change the pattern “with respect to before”. You can notice that for three- or four-months menstruation does not come and suddenly it comes back again.
- Changes in the number and number of days
Some women bleed more, some bleed more and for more days, others hardly bleed at all.
- Hot flashes or hot flashes
Hot flashes are sudden, sometimes very intense, sensations of internal heat that usually spread across the face and upper body. Although they can be very annoying, hot flashes usually last a few seconds or a few minutes.
They can appear several times on the same day, or several times in the same week or month. Some women notice them on specific days of the month and write them down on a calendar seeing a certain frequency pattern. These hot flashes may appear with or without sweating, with or without redness of the face.
It is very important to be aware that sometimes “we feel them”, but no one notices… During hot flashes the heart races and can even scare us a little. That is why it is essential to know what is happening. It is not the first time that a woman has been frightened when she feels her first hot flash.
- Night sweats
These are specific hot flashes or hot flashes that wake you up during the night. You feel very hot suddenly, you wake up, the heart goes faster, you uncover, maybe soaked in sweat, you stop sweating and the heat goes away, and you freeze … It’s like a joke on the body, as if they had turned up the heat suddenly. Sweats and hot flashes are also related to the readjustment of the hormonal system.
We have to remember that estrogen, thyroid hormone, cortisol and other organic functions are coordinated, and, in the face of the decline of estrogen, the body, the brain and the hormonal system in particular is a bit messy.
- Vaginal changes
The mucosa and vaginal wall becomes thinner and may become dehydrated and less elastic due to the decrease in the hormone’s estrogen and progesterone. Dryness and less elasticity can generate, change in libido, discomfort or discomfort during intimate relationships.
- Skin changes
You can begin to notice more dryness; the expression marks are more noticeable.
- Urinary or bladder infections
You may need to go to the bathroom more often or you may have more frequent urinary or bladder infections. This would be related to the change in mucous membranes, possible dryness and muscle response.
- Weak bones
Estrogens facilitate the fixation of calcium in the bones, you have to take care of them to avoid osteoporosis after menopause and to live strong for many years.
- Insomnia
There are women who complain of sleep problems. They notice difficulty falling asleep, wake up easily or earlier than was normal for them.
- Mood changes
Hormonal changes (even those that are not due to menopause) can cause anxiety, irritability, or tiredness. Maybe before you had PMS and you didn’t know it but before each menstruation you felt irritable, more sensitive and angrier with life without knowing why.
Well, I tell you: it is (was) due to the decrease in the hormonal level among other things. So, in menopause it can happen the same, until the body is rebalanced. Putting awareness is more bearable.
- Weight gain, change in body fat distribution
I have left this point for the end on purpose. But what are these lorzas? Many friends tell me: I have done nothing to deserve this! Yes, that’s right. I get it: it’s just a matter of hormonal change.
Estrogen goes down and it feels a little weird that we also have androgens. It is a matter of time, really, but of course, something must be done. We tell you about it below.
MENOPAUSE: NATURAL AIDS FOR EVERY SYMPTOM
There are natural and lifestyle aids to live these changes with gratitude if you allow me for the new stage of life. In many cultures, menopause is welcome because it means that from that moment on the energy used in fertility can be used to increase another “fertility”: yours. Very important in the world we live in.
HOT FLASHES IN MENOPAUSE: NATURAL AIDS
It is known that hot flashes occur because the body’s thermostat is out of tune and the brain in doubt that there is cold or blood is not reaching some area, creates that heat and sudden sweating.
There are several tricks to help us in this case. The first one we have already mentioned: you must remember that it is very possible that only you realize that you have the hot flash but it can give you a bad time. In addition:
- Sageis one of the most used herbs since ancient times for its antisudorific action and has shown benefits in the case of hot flashes due to the change of menopause.
- Some changes in clothing can help: avoid tight clothes and use natural fabrics that allow you to perspire.
- It is preferable to wear more than one piece of clothing on top that allows you to accommodate the room temperature and that your body adapts better. Handkerchiefs, shawls, pasminas are a very useful complement.
DRYNESS IN MENOPAUSE: NATURAL AIDS
As for dryness, flexibility of skin and mucous membranes, there are many things that can help:
- A diet rich in omega 3, 6 and 7 fatty acids (FA) – such as flax seeds, evening primrose or borage oil, or sea buckthorn oil – provides a pattern of FA that improves hydration and inflammation control.
- Some cream or gel products for local use – such as those based on centella asiatica – can help you bring comfort to your intimate relationships. Take it with a sense of humor… do you remember when you were younger than that time that after a very passionate weekend, you had irritation and discomfort? Well, you know what the saying goes… Turn life around and live this new stage with joy.
- Soyisoflavonesare a widespread natural alternative to help in general already during the time of premenopause for its possibility of stimulating estrogen receptors. However, in my experience, women who have had or are based on some imbalance involving functional hyperestrogenia, may not react well to isoflavones and react better to omega 6 FA.
- Skin and mucous membranes are cared for in a similar way, therefore, the recommendations regarding fatty acids are equally important. Check what you phototype is to protect yourself from solar radiation that may be harmful. It is important to use a care and hygiene ritual adapted to your skin type and needs.
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN MENOPAUSE: NATURAL AIDS
Regarding the prevention of urinary tract infections:
- Hygiene and care are very important.
- The contribution of probiotics and prebiotics in our diet helps maintain a good state of the immune system in the mucous membranes.
- Do not forget to drink water, incorporate fruits, vegetables, infusions into your day to day.
- Your usual exercises can now have an extra in pelvic floor care.
WEAKNESS IN THE BONES DUE TO MENOPAUSE: NATURAL AIDS
Natural aids can also help you if you suffer from bone weakness during menopause:
- Incorporating minerals like calcium, magnesium and vitamin D can help. If you choose supplements, choose trusted brands. To fix calcium to the bones well, it is especially important to exercise.
- Do exercising. If you have led a sedentary life, it is not too late. Exercising isn’t just walking or stretching, which is great… It is also to strengthen your muscles, and walk at a good pace. Do you know that the impact of the foot on the ground is transmitted along the bones of the leg to the spine and that vibration helps fix calcium in the bones? It’s like telling your body: hey, I need strong bones!
INSOMINO IN MENOPAUSE: NATURAL AIDS
Insomnia in menopause? Take notes of these ideas:
- It is interesting to lower the heating thermostat by the night and, even keep the window a little open, even if it seems cold, the renewal of oxygen in the room will come in handy.
- Use natural fabrics in your bedding and more than one layer to have the option of not having to uncover yourself completely. Synthetic fabrics do not allow the skin to perspire and promote perspiration by themselves.
- Poppy, lemon balm and hawthorn extracts can help you sleep better, even better cope with those states of anxiety that you may have during the day.
- If you wake up in the middle of the night and feel anxious, put on music, be sure that your body is getting used to it, nothing bad happens. You know? Some very cold women have been quite grateful for the arrival of menopause because their relationship with the cold has changed. Everything has its positive side!
WEIGHT CHANGES IN MENOPAUSE: NATURAL AIDS
Suddenly, don’t your pants fasten or skirts don’t look like you? Don’t worry, you can make some changes that will help you:
- Dietary changes. Check if you are not taking more carbohydrates than you should and at least for a while, reduce bread, rice, cereals, corn … and gives importance to proteins. I’m not saying to cut out carbs. Continue with fruit and vegetables, but reduce the flours (starch).
- Learn to manage stress. Trust that if you do things right and do not saturate your body with worry and cortisol, that of the waist… It will disappear, you will return to your being. Of course, we are not 20 years old, friend. Exercise that involves turning, moving your hips and waist, moving in all directions.
- Keep in mind that you may need professional help in some respect. Menopause usually coincides with changes in work, family … If you need help, that’s okay, really, don’t feel bad. They put us in and put a lot of pressure on us. Menopause is natural, and if you think about it… It’s an effort and energy that the body has been using month after month in case you got pregnant and now… It’s for you. This fact is valued in ancestral cultures.
PREGNANCY IN MENOPAUSE, IS IT POSSIBLE?
Keep in mind that in the first few months until you actually have menopause, ovulate, you can ovulate. By age it is more difficult to get pregnant, but not impossible. If you have doubts, an analysis and consultation in gynecology will help you.
A SECOND YOUTH FOR WOMEN
I propose a reflection: around 50 women already live what we call a second youth. It is a very special moment, for you, with your wisdom, your life experience, with all that remains to be lived. Therefore, take care of yourself, inside and out.
- Maintain social relationships, keep learning, keep alive the flame of curiosity.
- Say “no” to being still. There are many activities that you possibly wanted to do and have not been able to do them because of the demands of life, the logical. And now? What prevents you from being the wonderful woman you are? Luce, live.
