Menopause Symptoms and How to Combat Them

by Jarrett Webster

Uncomfortable menopause symptoms can make it hard to live in the moment, but luckily, we’re here to help you know how to combat them.

Hot flashes, memory loss, and sleep troubles are just some of the many menopause symptoms women suffer through. Fortunately, there are ways to help alleviate these uncomfortable symptoms so you can start enjoying life again.

Menopause 101

Menopause happens around 12 months after a woman’s last period. It signals the end of the fertile reproductive years and is a normal component of aging. Usually, menopause starts in your late 40s or early 50s — however, surgical menopause is experienced "suddenly" among those who have had their ovaries removed (like in an oophorectomy or hysterectomy). In the United States, the average menopausal age is 51 years old.

How Long Does Menopause Last?

The menopause transition is roughly seven years long but can last up to 14 years. The time before menopause can last between eight and ten years and is called perimenopause. Once you've gone 12 months without a menstrual period, you've reached menopause. The time after menopause is post-menopause; this stage will last until the end of your life.

Why Does Menopause Happen?

The reproductive cycle slows down and prepares to stop as you age. Since puberty, this cycle has constantly been running. As menopause approaches, your ovaries produce less estrogen causing your period to shift. It can become irregular and, first and eventually, stop altogether.

The process through which your body adjusts to various hormone levels might also result in physical changes. Your body adjusts to these changes through each transition stage (perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause).

Hot Flashes

A hot flash is a sudden heat sensation in your body's upper region. When this happens, your face and neck might appear red. You might also find red splotches on your arms, back, and chest. Along with profuse perspiration, hot flashes can sometimes be accompanied by chilly shivers. For some women, chills are more common than hot flashes.

Women typically experience hot flashes in the years before and after their period stops. Some rare cases can persist for up to 14 years following menopause. Doctors and scientists are unsure of the exact cause of frequent menopausal hot flashes, but luckily, there are actions you can take to help fight these uncomfortable symptoms:

  • Hormones - Consult your doctor about low-dose hormonal birth control if you still have periods. Menopausal hormone therapy reduces hot flashes and nocturnal sweats in women who have undergone menopause.
  • Track your flashes – Track when you get hot flashes to help determine your triggers. Certain foods, caffeine, and alcohol can sometimes trigger hot flashes. See if you can find a pattern within your flashes.
  • Breathe – When you feel a hot flash coming, stop and relax by taking slow deep breaths. As you tell your body to relax, your body may shorten the hot flash.

Vaginal Difficulties

Around the time of menopause, vaginal dryness can occur or worsen. Your vaginal tissue becomes drier and thinner due to low estrogen levels. As such, you might experience itching, burning, or soreness. This dryness can make intercourse uncomfortable and result in minor vaginal tears and wounds.

Here are some ways to help combat vaginal dryness:

  • Moisturizer - A vaginal moisturizer sold over the counter can help keep your vagina lubricated and improve the comfort of sex. Employ this as frequently as needed.
  • Lubricant - Sex might feel more comfortable if you use a water-based over-the-counter vaginal lubrication. Use this before or during sexual activity to combat dryness and discomfort.
  • Prescription - Other options for treating vaginal dryness that you can discuss with your doctor include hormonal birth control, menopausal hormone therapy, and prescription estrogen cream, gel, or rings that are placed inside your vagina. Since all medications have some potential side effects, consult with your doctor first.

Memory Loss

As you enter menopause, you might start to forget things or have problems concentrating. Approximately two-thirds of perimenopausal women report having memory or concentration issues.  Menopausal hormone therapy does neither treat nor prevent dementia or Alzheimer's disease. In arecent study, estrogen levels were not connected to memory issues, but related depression and sleep deprivation were.

Here are some tips to keep your memory sharp:

  • Live healthily - Refrain from smoking or substance abuse, exercise regularly, get adequate sleep, and eat healthily. These healthy habits can boost your immune system and improve brain function and memory.
  • Social life – Maintaining your social life is the key to an active brain. Become a member of a group or club that specializes in an activity you like, such as a hiking club or a quilting bee. Social engagement can aid in preventing dementia and Alzheimer's disease and delaying memory loss.
  • Mind engagement - By engaging in mental exercises like crossword puzzles or learning a foreign language, your brain will stay alert. Learning new skills can help improve your memory and focus.

Facial Hair

Another change commonly associated with menopause is an increase in facial hair.  One study found that almost 40 percent of women age 45+ have excess facial hair growth, especially on the chin. This physical alteration occurs due to the hormonal shifts your body is experiencing. During menopause, estrogen decreases, and testosterone increases, resulting in more hair production. Waxing or laser hair removal can help if facial hair becomes bothersome.

Find Menopausal Relief With Perennial Life

The symptoms and side effects of menopause can be quite taxing, but with Perennial Life’s hormonal health supplements, you can resume normal life again.

One of the most crucial components of a balanced life is hormonal health. The Healthy Cycles method from Perennial targets hormone balance from three angles: uterine health, uterine circulation, and hormonal balance between estrogen and progesterone.

This combination can help support hormonal balance and reduce menopause symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, excessive bleeding, cramps, breast tenderness, and sugar cravings by utilizing herbs from Europe, North America, and China.

See what healthcare solutions we can provide you by browsing our products! If you have any questions, consult your healthcare professional.

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