How To Treat Menopause Symptoms Naturally?
From the time women learn about menstruation and all of the trials and tribulations that come with adapting to that new normal, the topic of menopause will inevitably surface. Even with periods, there’s a constant search for pain killers or supplements that will quell the discomfort that comes with this natural phenomenon. And with menopause, it’s no different.
Let’s delve into the natural remedies you can employ if you’re reaching this point in your feminine journey or would like to equip yourself with this knowledge for the future, but first, let’s explore how menopause works.
What is Menopause?
Menopause is simply the end of the menstrual cycle, and the average age at which menopause occurs begins in your 40s and 50s. However, this natural biological event is wrought with various physical symptoms that can prove debilitating or cumbersome for many women who are just trying to go about their day.
Thankfully there are many reliable natural treatments available to help manage these symptoms that will help increase your energy levels, help with lack of sleep, and even improve your mental health.
The Mayo Clinic lists the most common symptoms as follows:
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism
- Thinning hair and dry skin
- Loss of breast fullness
What Are The Signs Of Onset?
The best way to determine if you are nearing menopause is the experience of a process called perimenopause. Seeing as though menopause marks the end of the reproductive cycle, you’ll likely experience less frequent and light periods before they stop altogether.
This is caused by the inconsistent rise and fall of estrogen levels in the body that brings about the shortening or lengthening of your typical menstrual cycle. You may even have a period that doesn’t release an egg. This phase of menstrual irregularity will typically begin during your 40s, but for some women, it may happen as early as their mid to late-30s.
Perimenopause is accompanied by the symptoms customarily associated with menopause, such as hot flashes or vaginal dryness.
Natural Remedies
Now that we know all of the maladies that can come menopause and even perimenopause let’s probe into some natural remedies you can experiment with to manage your menopause symptoms and go through it with a bit more peace of mind. As always, of course, be sure to consult a physician before you begin any course of supplements to avoid any potential interference with existing medication, and make sure they’re a healthy choice for you.
Hot Flashes
Black Cohosh is an herbal remedy that can prove helpful taken as a supplement; for example, Remifemin is black cohosh in capsule form. However, various formulations have shown some potential. Black cohosh was once thought to affect estrogen in the body, but recent research has proven that it does not.
menopause.org explains, “Black cohosh has had a good safety record over a number of years. There have been reports linking black cohosh to liver problems, and this connection continues to be studied.”
Weight Gain
There are no herbal supplements that can help with weight gain, unfortunately, but there are lifestyle adjustments that you can make to prevent yourself from tacking on the extra pounds. The most effective methods are simply adopting a healthy exercise and diet regimen, and this will aid in the slowing down of your metabolism. Exercise, in general, is an excellent habit as it supports your mood, bone health, and even memory function.
In addition to diet and exercise, stress can be an enormous inhibitor to shedding pounds. Not only can stress cause you to overeat to regulate your emotions, but it can also increase cortisol levels in the blood, leading to your body holding on to the weight.
Memory
Green tea has many benefits that include anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties and in recent years has shown some promise in the area of memory. While there is no specific evidence that drinking green tea can improve the fault of your memory, this drink is safe and readily available enough that it’s worth it just to try.
Another great technique to employ when combating memory issues is to practice mindfulness. It involves acknowledging your feelings and the physical experiences that come with them as they’re happening to understand better where they originate. Mindfulness training can help improve anxiety, sleep quality, and depression, all of which can have adverse effects on memory.
Vaginal Discomfort
Due to the loss of estrogen during menopause, it’s normal to experience incontinence, dryness, or discomfort during sexual intercourse. Kegel exercises are perfect for strengthening your pelvic floor. If you make it a consistent practice, doing them several times throughout the day, you’ll begin to notice improvements in both incontinence and sensation during intercourse.If you are suffering from vaginal infections, you can use probiotic supplements to stop recurring BV.
You can also benefit from using water-based lubricants to make the vagina more elastic and reduce friction during intercourse. However, avoid oil-based lubricants as they are more likely to cause an allergic reaction.
