There is much more to menopause than meets the eye. Perhaps you view it as an old-age rite of passage or a temporary inconvenience. It doesn’t have to be either of these things. In fact, menopause marks a new beginning for many women—a time when they are at their peak personally, intellectually, and professionally. A woman’s 40s may well be her fittest, fittest decade yet! Menopause When you reach your mid-40s, your body begins to make less estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones trigger changes in your ovaries that result in no production of eggs (ovulation). This natural step in the aging process is called menopause (END-oh-pays). Menopause can occur naturally between ages 40 and 55, but it can also be induced by removing both ovaries or halting their function with medication. Women Hit The Wall When They Hit Menopause When women hit their 30’s and years thereafter they will experience a variety of physical changes which signal that they are approaching menopause; this is because these physical changes signal the end of ‘fertility’ as a woman knows it from her teenage years onwards.
When Do Women Hit The Wall
Basics of the Menopause
Menopause is the transition from regular menstrual cycles to a time in a woman’s life when she is no longer able to get pregnant due to a drop in her hormone levels. When a woman is in her 40s or early 50s, the amount of estrogen in her body declines. The sudden drop in estrogen causes changes in the ovaries that result in no longer producing eggs. During the menopause transition, a woman may experience a variety of symptoms, including irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, headaches, anxiety, and fatigue. A woman’s body is experiencing a significant shift in hormone levels, and this can be a very confusing and distressing time. The hormonal shifts that occur during the menopause years can cause fatigue, aching muscles, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and other discomforts. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Physical Changes
Hot Flashes – Hot flashes are the most common menopause symptom. About 80% of women experience them, usually starting one to two years before periods stop. Hot flashes are caused by a drop in estrogen, which regulates body temperature. Hot flashes may last a year or more. Sleep Disturbance – Sleep disturbance is common during menopause. Many women report disrupted sleep patterns, including difficulty falling asleep and waking early. Fatigue – Fatigue is a common menopause symptom; about 75% of women experience it. This might be from anemia, which is less common in younger women but common in older adults.
Cognitive Changes
Cognitive abilities, including memory and processing speed, tend to decline gradually as we age, but the drop is more rapid during menopause. Women who experience menopause after age 45 may notice that it is harder to keep up with their kids, cope with workplace challenges, and meet daily responsibilities.
Emotional Changes
Emotions tend to be more intense during menopause. Some women experience more anxiety, depression, irritability, and mood swings.
How To Deal With Hormonal Shifts
1. Eat to support your body.
There are many foods that can help balance your hormones. Some are rich in estrogen, which is needed to balance the drop in estrogen during menopause. These include soy, flaxseed, and sesame seeds. Some are rich in progesterone, which helps with insomnia, mood swings, and other symptoms of menopause. These include pumpkin seeds and avocados. Some foods contain phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens). Phytoestrogens can be found in soy products such as tofu, soymilk, and edamame; flaxseeds; sesame seeds; sunflower seeds; almonds; cashews; peanuts; pecans; walnuts, and some fruits such as apples, pears, and cherries. Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish) also help balance estrogen levels by helping to decrease the amount of fat stored around the waistline.
2. Try a natural supplement for hormonal balance
Many women experience relief from menopause symptoms through dietary changes or nutritional supplements that support their bodies during this time of transition. There are several natural supplements designed to help you through this time:
3. Exercise regularly –
Exercising regularly is an important part of managing your health during menopause because it helps keep your body strong and healthy so it can better cope with hormonal shifts associated with menopause as well as other health issues associated with aging. Exercising regularly will also help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, which is important for your overall health and well-being.
4. Make time for relaxation
As well as exercising regularly, it is important to make time for relaxation. Relaxation can come in many forms, such as reading a book, going for a walk or spending time with friends and family.
Exercise regularly
Make time for relaxation
5. Keep a healthy weight
Keeping a healthy weight during menopause is important because it will help you feel and look better. Being overweight can also put you at risk of developing other health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
6. Sleep well
Getting enough sleep every night is an important part of managing your health during menopause. Getting enough sleep will help you feel more rested and energized, which may help with some of the symptoms associated with menopause, such as fatigue. It may also help to reduce the risk of developing chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
7. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption
Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption are both important parts of managing your health during menopause because they can have both short-term and long-term effects on your body. Quitting smoking can reduce the risk that you’ll developing serious health problems like cancer, heart disease, and lung disease. Quitting smoking can also improve your overall sense of well-being by helping you breathe easier and helping to relieve stress. Reducing alcohol consumption can reduce the number of calories consumed on a daily basis, which may help with weight management. Reducing alcohol consumption may also reduce the risk that you’ll develop certain types of cancer associated with excessive drinking (such as breast cancer).
8. Eat a healthy diet
Eating a healthy diet is an important part of managing your health during menopause because it may help to reduce symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and memory loss. A healthy diet can also help you maintain or lose weight, which is important because being overweight can increase your risk of developing certain chronic health conditions.
9. Stay connected to family and friends
Staying connected with family and friends is an important part of managing your health during menopause because it will help you feel happier and more positive about yourself. Connecting with family and friends can also help you feel less isolated, which is important because isolation can lead to depression.
10. Ask for support from others
Asking for support from others is an important part of managing your health during menopause because it will help you feel less stressed about what’s happening to your body. It may also make it easier for you to accept the changes that are happening, which may reduce the amount of stress that you’re experiencing.
Final Words
Menopause marks a new beginning for many women—a time when they are at their peak personally, intellectually, and professionally. It is important to be mindful of the physical and emotional changes that occur during menopause as they will likely have an impact on each woman’s daily life. It is also important to note that symptoms may not be as severe as expected. Furthermore, symptoms may not happen at all, even in the midst of menopause.
