While in some ways, there is a lot to rejoice in hitting menopause, there are some side effects that are less than desirable. Here are six tips for natural relief from Menopause symptoms.
Aging is inevitable. We all face it, and the body goes through an adjustment we may, or may not be ready for. Men and women both struggle with hormonal changes as we begin to age. Women, in particular, struggle with the symptoms of menopause. This struggle is real, and up to 80% of women find themselves struggling with depression, weight gain, night sweats, chills, and hot flashes just to name a few. Some women seek prescription intervention to help alleviate some of their menopausal symptoms, while others take a supplemental, natural approach. Here’s a list of supplemental products and natural relief for menopause that may ease symptoms.
What is Menopause?
Simply put, menopause is when a woman stops menstruating. There are different stages of natural menopause. Pre, post and during. All of these stages can produce a variable amount of the symptoms listed above, and none pleasant. All women experience menopausal symptoms differently, and they vary from mild to severe. A woman has a limited amount of eggs in her ovaries. The purpose of the ovaries is to produce both estrogen and progesterone that control both ovulation and menstruation. Menopause symptoms may begin when the ovaries begin to slow this natural process down. Very few women go symptom-free during this process in life, and that can take many, many years to complete.
My Top Natural Tips for Menopause
Black Cohosh
Approximately 30-40% of women achieve decreased symptoms with this herbal aid. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you may have very minimal symptoms while taking black cohosh. Some women can notice slight improvements within a few days, and after a month, full improvements should be noticeable. Black cohosh helps balance hormones and has shown to be most helpful with hot flashes. Black cohosh is also linked to reducing bone loss caused by osteoporosis due to menopause.
Hormone Creams
Typically applied to the inner thigh, breast area, or wrists, natural hormonal creams aid in reducing night sweats, hot flashes, and depression. Some newer studies are also showing heart benefits as well, but more studies are underway on this.
DIM (Diindolylmethane)
This can be a great support system to help with hot flashes, sleep, and weight gain. It can help with symptoms during both perimenopause and menopause. DIM helps produce good estrogen during perimenopause and can help with hormonal balances. During menopause, DIM helps balance the body as well. Fat cells and adrenal glands in women also produce a small amount of estrogen and hormones and DIM helps with menopausal symptoms. You can get DIM in broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.
Diet
Your diet is very important during menopause. Staying away from spicy, greasy, processed foods can help minimize hot flashes and keep symptoms of weight gain in check. Staying well hydrated is also important to flush toxins out of your body. Water, water, water.
Exercise
Strength training and yoga have proven to be most effective for those going through menopause. Strength training helps with onset osteoporosis, muscle building and keeping creeping weight due to hormonal balances in check. Yoga and breathing help with fatigue, sleep, and hot flashes.
(NOTE: If you're struggling with menopause but also struggling to find workouts, try Sunwarrior's Fitness Challenge. You'll have workouts and meal plans designed just for you. Join Today.)
Other Helpful Tips
The use of a fan, sheets that are sweat-wicking, ice water, cool showers, and a gel that can be chilled and placed inside your pillowcase may help alleviate hot flashes and night sweats.
Although the symptoms of menopause may vary as you journey through this stage of life, knowing that there are some natural interventions available to aid in reducing some of your symptoms as you and your body adjust may help!
