Human body is in a constant state of change, with every second that passes, our bodies age another second. Seconds become minutes which then become hours, days, months, years…. And soon whether it’s our metabolism slowing down or our flexibility, nothing stays the same, unfortunately. For women, the onset of menopause is an indicator of aging. During menopause, the ovaries production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone decrease and it’s this declining production of hormones in the blood that lead to a diagnosis of menopause, signaling the end of her reproductive period. The chart below shows how over time these two female hormones decline as women age.
Menopause is a condition which all women must experience as they age. Many symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, and pain during intercourse, or increased anxiety. A woman’s ovaries have a finite number of eggs which are released every month during their menstrual cycle. These ovaries also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone which control menstruation and ovulation. It’s normal for the production of eggs to cease after the age of 40, therefore starting the process of “natural menopause.” Webmd.com identifies natural menopause as not being brought on by any type of medical or surgical treatment and has three stages:
Perimenopause: This can happen several years before menopause due to a declining production of estrogen by the ovaries. The reduction of estrogen may accelerate in the 1-2 years before the onset of menopause. Many women may experience menopause symptoms at this time.
Menopause: After a woman has experienced a full year since her last menstrual period, this is considered the start of menopause. It is also the time when her ovaries no longer produce eggs and most of the estrogen.
Postmenopausal Phase: In the years after menopause, symptoms such as hot flashes diminish, but other health risks may develop due to the lack of estrogen production.
Women can also experience induced menopause following surgery as well as chemotherapy or radiation treatments. You should discuss any symptoms such as: night sweats, hot flashes, dryness and irritation of the vagina, or pain during intercourse with your doctor. Many times menopause shares the same symptoms of hypothyroidism, so make sure to discuss everything with your doctor.
If a woman’s body no longer produces two key hormones, how do we compensate for this? One option is hormone therapy. This includes medications that contain female hormones in order to replace the ones a woman’s body no longer produces. Problem is some of these hormone therapies come with some health risks. One large study showed an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer. These risks may vary depending upon whether estrogen is given alone or with a progestin. The reputable Mayo Clinic points to two types of menopause hormone therapies that are available and they include:
Systemic Hormone Therapy: This treatment uses systemic estrogen (in pill, patch, or gel form) in order to treat problems such as night sweats as well as treating dryness, itching, or discomfort in the vagina during intercourse.
Low-dose Vaginal Products: These are creams, tablets, or even rings to treat vaginal and some urinary symptoms while minimizing estrogen absorption into the body. Unfortunately, these do not help with hot flashes or night sweats.
Many supplements are available to help women cope with this hormonal shortage. These menopause supplements can use plant-based extracts that can help with hot flashes and night sweats as well as other negative effects of “the change”. Many of these supplements use phytoestrogen which is an estrogen-like substance found in plants. For instance, Estroven Menopause Relief Maximum Strength includes naturally sourced ingredients such as black cohosh, Magnolia bark, and soy isoflavones to provide women relief from hot flashes and irritability associated with menopause. A natural way to deal with hormonal fluctuations is with a transdermal patch. These use natural extracts to calm the emotional and physical responses to hormone changes and can have a regulatory and balancing effect assisting with tension, apathy, and anxiety. These are simply worn on the skin under clothing for a nondescript, covert way to treat symptoms of menopause. Find a natural way to overcome the effects of menopause!!
Hylands Menopause | Natrol Soy Isoflavones For Menopause Relief |
In addition to natural supplements to combat the effects of menopause, vitamins are another weapon in your arsenal to overcome the negative symptoms you may experience. While a standard multivitamin is beneficial, one that is specifically designed with the goal of overcoming menopause can be more effective. The Rainbow Light Menopause One Multivitamin is a good example of a menopause daily vitamin that is designed to help those during menopause. With vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and superfoods such as vitamin B complex which supports energy, stress management, and brain health, it can provide symptom relief as well as added nutrition for natural energy. For instance, to overcome a lack of sexual vitality a woman may opt for something like Liddell Menopause Spray. It can also help with the other symptoms as well. Since menopause cannot be avoided these symptoms must be dealt with and there are plenty of options available. You can work with your OB/GYN or your nurse to come up with a solution to overcome your symptoms.
As every woman ages, they must deal with the effects and symptoms of menopause and these can wreak havoc on your quality of life. Hot flashes and night sweats can make sleeping extremely uncomfortable. Let’s face it nothing will ruin your day faster than a bad night sleep!! To help get a better night’s sleep, the Outlast line of moisture-wicking bedding and pillows can help during these events. From sheets to pillow covers and even mattress protectors, they can allow menopausal women to get the sleep they need. The below-given diagram shows how the Outlast cooling technology works. Pair these bedding options with Cool-Jams line of moisture-wicking pajamas or night shirts and give yourself a cool, comfortable sleep. You can also go for Embr Wave 2 Thermal Wristband to get relief from hot flash, stress, anxiety, and to get improved quality sleep with the press of a button. It provides warm and cooling waves to the body to relieve hot flashes and menopausal symptoms.
Menopause is a natural, unavoidable fact of life for women. Understanding the cause and symptoms of it can help a woman battle the uncomfortable side effects of “the change”. You should consult your OB/GYN for all your available options for treatments and relief, but know that there is a multitude of options available for every woman.
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