Menopause is the cessation of hormone production by the ovaries, which leads to the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. This usually happens sometime in a woman’s early 50s and is signified by 12 months without menstruation. Not all women experience the symptoms of menopause to the same extent, but for those with severe symptoms, menopause is a rather unpleasant condition accompanied by side-effects like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, sleep problems, fatigue, and irritability — all of which can contribute to subsequent anxiety and depression.
Fortunately, the symptoms of menopause can be alleviated simply with natural supplements and remedies. Take a look at some of the causes and common signs of menopause below to see if what you’re experiencing is indeed menopause, and then continue on to find out how you can get relief naturally.
The Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause doesn’t come with a specific list of symptoms that every woman experiences in the same way. Some women barely show symptoms, while others get almost all of them. They can also be mild at the beginning, so it can be hard to realize when perimenopause is even starting. If you aren’t sure what to expect or what to keep an eye out for, these are some of the most common signs of menopause:
- Irregular periods: This might be the most obvious sign. You might start missing a period every now and then or have a change in your cycle or flow.
- Hot flashes or night sweats: These are likely due to the fact that estrogen levels are changing in your body. You might all of a sudden feel flushed and get hot and sweaty, only to feel cold soon after. Hot flashes can be as short as 30 seconds or last as long as 10 minutes.
- Vaginal dryness: Also linked to the drop in estrogen levels, vaginal dryness happens when the lining of your vagina gets thinner and secretions diminish. As a result, sex can feel uncomfortable.
- Trouble sleeping: During perimenopause, you might find it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, or go back to sleep if you wake up in the middle of the night.
- Mood swings: It’s not entirely clear why feelings of irritability tend to accompany menopause, but it could be linked to feeling tired because of night sweats, stressed that you’re even going through menopause, or underlying hormonal changes.
- Lower libido: Lower levels of estrogen can reduce how much blood is flowing to your vagina or how sensitive it is, so you might find yourself less interested in sex or less excitable than you were before. You may also find that your vaginal dryness makes you nervous and less excited about intercourse.
Natural Substances That Help With Menopause
As mentioned before, menopausal symptoms occur as a result of a decrease in estrogen production, which can impact women in diverse ways. According to Margaret Apostol, the medical director for LifeSeasons Medical Clinic, “Estrogen has many receptors throughout the body, so a lack of it can cause some women to have vaginal dryness, hot flashes, mood changes, and irritability, decreased libido, and more. It’s a very complex thing.”
That’s where taking a supplement can help. “As you transition from having regular periods to full menopause, you’ll have different kinds of issues,” says Dr. Apostol. “The multiple ingredients in Pausitivi-T can help address them.” Here’s a little more about what some of those ingredients are:
- Sage: Think of this as a cooling agent that can help with night sweats and hot flashes. In one study, researchers followed women who experienced at least five hot flashes every day. They took sage tablets for eight weeks and had a 64% drop in the number of hot flashes.
- Soy Isoflavones: “This is a polyphenol derived from soy products including soybeans and miso,” says Dr. Apostol. “It’s in low doses but can mimic estrogen, so it can help compensate for the drop of estrogen in your body and protect you from experiencing menopause symptoms.” One study showed that after 12 weeks of taking soy isoflavone supplement, women had improved scores on something called the “Menopause Rating Scale,” which measures 11 common menopausal symptoms.
- Black Cohosh: This herb can help with hot flashes as well. Research shows that in eight weeks, it can significantly improve the amount and severity of hot flashes. Other research shows it can improve a variety of menopause symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and sexual desire.
- Wild Yam and Chaste Berry: “These two ingredients can help with low levels of progesterone, which also drop during menopause,” says Dr. Apostol. For example, chaste berry has been shown to improve women’s moods during menopause and reduce hot flashes.
In addition to taking Pausitivi-T, you may also find the following natural remedies helpful:
- Yoga: When menopause causes you depression and anxiety, yoga could be a great relief. Gentle stretches and mindful breathing can put you in a healthier mindset and a more relaxed state, which improves your overall well-being. You can try virtual yoga at home or visit a yoga studio for professional instruction as often as you need.
- Vitamin D: As you age, your body naturally loses its ability to absorb Vitamin D needed to maintain bone density and renewal, hormone balance, and cell growth, which are naturally harder to maintain in menopausal women as it is. In order to get optimal doses of Vitamin D every day, spend at least 15 to 20 minutes in the sun every day (after applying sunscreen). Take a walk, lounge by the pool, or take a Vitamin D supplement if you can’t find the time to spend outside. You can even get your Vitamin D from foods such as salmon, eggs, and other dairy products.
Products you might like:
