Menopause is a crucial time in a woman’s life. This natural progression signifies the end of your menstrual cycle and fertility. This period is usually accompanied by symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and changes in your monthly cycle.
It varies according to the individual, so your symptoms might be milder or worse than your peers. Although these symptoms might cause discomfort, natural remedies for menopause may help support women’s health during this period and potentially reduce symptoms.
In this article, we’ll learn more about this new phase in your life, its symptoms, and what remedies can help make you more comfortable as your body goes through changes. From simple lifestyle changes to innovative nootropic supplements, the choice is yours!
What is Menopause?
Menopause is the period 12 months after a woman’s last period. This natural process typically begins in women aged 45 – 55, but it depends on your genetic factors and lifestyle. Menopause can also be triggered by hysterectomy or surgical removal of ovaries.
When you come close to menopause, you might go through a phase called menopausal transition or “perimenopause.” The transitional period can last 7 – 14 years and is associated with significant changes. Your hormone production might be disrupted, your body might change, and your heart health may also change.
Each person will go through it differently. Some may not have any symptoms and simply feel relieved to no longer have period pains or get pregnant. On the other hand, others may experience a more severe transition that can affect their general well-being. Understanding your journey is crucial so that you’ll be able to handle it properly.
Symptoms of Menopause
As mentioned, the symptoms of menopause vary greatly from one woman to another. These are some of the associated physical and psychological symptoms you may experience.
Physical Symptoms
Some of the symptoms will be physical, and these symptoms may include:
- Hot Flashes: This is a sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of your body. Most of these incidents happen around 30 seconds to 10 minutes several times a day. Hot flashes can last many years after menopause.
- Night Sweats: Night sweats are hot flashes that happen at night, which result in drenching sweats that can soak your clothes or bedding. Unlike regular sweating, this can feel very uncomfortable and is often accompanied by a rapid heartbeat.
- Irregular Periods: This may be one of the first symptoms you’ll notice. Your periods may be longer or shorter, and you might bleed more or less.
- Weight Gain / Slow Metabolism: You may gain some fat around the waist and lose some muscle. This is because your menopausal period usually involves hormonal changes.
- Thinning Hair: Because of a drop in estrogen, you may experience reduced hair growth and thinning hair. Sometimes, there’s also a possibility of growing hair on facial areas.
- Dry Skin: Hormonal changes can also affect your skin, making it thinner and dryer.
- Vaginal Dryness: The decline in estrogen levels can also lead to vaginal dryness, a common symptom. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and using plenty of lubricant can help treat the condition.
Psychological Symptoms
These are psychological symptoms that you may experience during perimenopause:
- Mood swings: You may feel moodier than usual, especially if there are external stress factors such as demanding jobs or family responsibilities.
- Irritability: A common occurrence due to other symptoms you experience, such as lack of sleep or hot flashes.
- Anxiety: Anxiety can happen due to hormonal changes, life changes, and disturbances you’ll experience.
- Depression: Menopause and its mood changes can increase the risk of depression. If your symptoms become more severe and constant, you might want to check with your healthcare provider.
8 Potential Natural Remedies for Menopause
There are many natural ways to potentially help with menopause which you can use and combine according to your needs. While no concrete scientific evidence exists for their effectiveness, it is possible these natural methods may help with symptoms.
Lifestyle Remedies
Regular Exercise
You may experience weight gain during the perimenopause phase. You can maintain a regular exercise routine and stay active to counteract this. Exercise can also help you balance your energy levels and prevent symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes.
Healthy Diet
Another lifestyle remedy that you can adopt is a healthy diet. Consuming a healthy diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to combat the symptoms of aging. A healthy diet during menopause can help keep body weight down and may help prevent heart disease, the risk of which goes up during menopause.
You should also consume foods such as soy products, flaxseed, and sesame seeds, which are high in phytoestrogens and may help naturally balance hormones in the female body during menopause.
Stay Hydrated
Due to changes in estrogen levels, dry skin is a common symptom during menopause. One way to combat this is to stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water daily. Drinking more water can also help you prevent weight gain by making you feel full, so you’ll consume fewer calories.
Herbal Remedies
Red Clover
Red clover is a wild flowering plant widely used in traditional medicine. The plant contains isoflavones, which have effects similar to estrogen that may help reduce night sweats and hot flashes you may experience during perimenopause.
One study from 2015 suggests red clover could potentially be used to help with hot flashes in menopausal women. However, it stressed that further clinical trials were still needed to confirm the findings.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is a plant that grows in North America, and its roots are believed to have potential wellness properties. Although more research is needed and current results are inconclusive, early research suggests that certain black cohosh extracts could potentially help with some menopausal symptoms.
Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the most popular herbal remedies. According to a 2022 study, ginseng can potentially help with menopausal symptoms.
In addition, ginseng can be used to help with relaxation and overall well-being, putting you in a better position to deal with the side effects of menopause.
Calcium
Bone weakening is one of the most common concerns among menopausal women due to hormonal changes, which can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Calcium is one of the most widely used treatments for osteoporosis and is widely known for being a crucial mineral for bone health. You can obtain calcium from supplements or food sources such as dairy products, fish, leafy greens, tofu, or sardines.
Nootropic Supplements
Nootropics are substances that may have a positive impact on your cognitive skills*. While there is no conclusive scientific evidence to support the use of nootropic supplements as an effective treatment for menopause, some of these supplements may help with overall well-being and restore balance in the body.
The Blessed Wellness HerBalance Nootropic Mushroom supplements are designed specifically for women’s overall health. They contain Cordyceps and Reishi, two mushrooms that are renowned for their potential health benefits.
In addition, the supplements also contain B6, B12, A, and D3, which can boost your energy levels, stabilize your moods, and balance your hormone levels.
Final Thoughts
Menopause and perimenopause can be a challenging time in a woman’s life. It comes with a variety of symptoms, both physical and psychological, that can disturb daily activities. From simple lifestyle adjustments to incorporating natural herbal supplements, there are plenty of natural remedies to help counteract menopause symptoms*.
Ready to discover natural remedies that can be tailored to your needs? Explore Blessed Wellness Nootropic supplements for more options to take control of this phase in your life.
*It is important to note that the benefits of these products have not been conclusively proven. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and the NHS has not made any guarantees about the efficacy of such products.