Healthy Menopause

February 6, 2024

Empowering Women Through Wellness:

Embarking on a transformative journey, menopause marks a pivotal stage in a woman's life, symbolizing the graceful conclusion of her reproductive chapter. As the rhythmic dance of the menstrual cycle gradually fades, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55, menopause signals a profound shift in biological dynamics. This blog delves into the intricacies of menopause health, exploring the physical, emotional, and holistic aspects of this natural progression. Join us in unraveling the nuances of this transformative phase and empowering women with knowledge for a vibrant and healthy menopausal transition.

What are the different stages of menopause?

This gradual process unfolds over several years and encompasses distinct stages, namely

Perimenopause - Perimenopause can begin in some women as early as their mid-30s, but it most commonly starts in women aged between 40 and 44 years. It is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles or changes in flow, with cycles varying in length and sometimes becoming shorter or longer.
Menopause – it is recognized when an individual who typically menstruates has not experienced a menstrual period for a continuous 12-month period.
Post-menopause - the time after menopause, when a woman hasn't experienced a period for over a year.

What are the changes associated with menopause?

The hormonal shifts linked to menopause can impact physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being. The symptoms encountered throughout and after the menopausal phase differ significantly among individuals. While some may experience minimal or no symptoms, others may face severe manifestations that influence daily activities and overall quality of life. For certain individuals, these symptoms can persist for several years.

Symptoms includes:

Hot flashes - Hot flushes and night sweats are common symptoms during menopause. A hot flush is characterized by a sudden sensation of heat in the face, neck, and chest, often accompanied by skin flushing, sweating, palpitations, and a brief episode of physical discomfort that may last for several minutes.
Irregular cycles -Changes in the pattern and strength of the menstrual cycle eventually led to the stopping of menstruation.
Sleep disturbances – The discontinuation of secretion of hormones can result in insomnia, low-quality sleep, or interrupted sleep for women.
Mood swings - Numerous women in this stage undergo mood swings, irritability, or symptoms of depression, all of which can contribute to or be exacerbated by sleep disruptions.
Bodily changes - Perimenopause can affect different parts of the body, possibly causing weight gain, muscle loss, and extra belly fat due to changes in how the body uses energy. Skin, joints, cholesterol levels, bones, and heart health may also be impacted. Some common experiences during this time include stiffness, aches, and heart palpitations. It's important to remember that some of these symptoms are just part of the normal ageing process.
Bladder control - Certain women may encounter issues such as urinary incontinence, abrupt urges to urinate, or unintentional urine leakage during activities like exertion, sneezing, or laughing.
Vaginal dryness - a decrease in oestrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness and discomfort.
Cognitive changes - Cognitive changes, such as memory lapses and difficulty concentrating, may be experienced.

A healthy approach to menopause

Healthy diet -Incorporate a diverse array of nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods into your daily diet, emphasizing an abundance of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources. Elevate your energy levels for day-to-day activities by boosting your intake of essential nutrients such as calcium, soy, and flax.
Physical workouts – Incorporate moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes each day, which can include activities such as yoga, gym workouts, swimming, or walking.
Lifestyle –Maintain a consistent sleep-wake cycle, avoid tight-fitting clothes, and refrain from using tobacco or alcohol.(Source).

Some of the herbs for healthy menopause

Black cohosh – Assists in alleviating menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, heart palpitations, tinnitus, vertigo, sleep disturbances, nervousness, and irritability.
Shatavari – Is called a female rejuvenator because it contains phytoestrogens, which help combat heat and dryness.
Evening primrose – It is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids, working effectively in both the perimenopausal and menopausal stages.
Chaste tree – Eases symptoms like irritability, mood swings, breast pain & tenderness in both menopause and post-menopausal stage
Flax seeds -They contain potent phytoestrogens called lignans, which help to address menopausal symptoms.
Soy isoflavones -They exert estrogen-like effects that can help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes, support bone health, and improve overall quality of life during menopause

The Co Being Happy Pause - The unique formula containing the specified ingredients helps alleviate menopausal discomfort and facilitates a smoother transition phase

.Key takeaway

Understanding Menopause: Menopause is a natural biological process signifying the end of the reproductive phase, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55, marked by the cessation of menstrual cycles.
Stages of Menopause: The process includes perimenopause, characterized by irregular menstrual cycles; menopause, identified after 12 consecutive months without menstruation; and post-menopause, the period after a year without periods.
Impact on Well-being: Menopause affects physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being. Symptoms vary widely, from hot flashes and irregular cycles to sleep disturbances, mood swings, bodily changes, bladder control issues, vaginal dryness, and cognitive changes.
Healthy Approach: Adopting a healthy lifestyle during menopause involves a balanced diet rich in whole foods, regular exercise, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol.
Herbal Support: Certain herbs, like black cohosh, shatavari, evening primrose, chaste tree, and flax seeds, are known for their potential benefits in managing menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, and hormonal imbalances.