What is Menopause?

The problem is that we aren't taught anything about menopause, despite it being unavoidable for all women. But my first message to you is to make clear that there ARE things that you can do to help yourself through it, other than using HRT. 

Through nutrition, nutritional therapy and a strong lifestyle, you can reduce and sometimes eliminate, or avoid, negative symptoms.

But first… what is menopause? It is actually the permanent ending of menstruation, which results in the loss of ovarian follicular activity. Once you’ve gone through 12 months of no periods, this is classed as menopause.

The period leading up to menopause, when most of us women suffer from negative symptoms that they associate with ‘menopause’ is actually known as perimenopause, but we tend to call this period ‘menopause’. And perimenopause can actually start many years before menopause.
Menopause can happen at many different ages for women, but the average is around 50 years of age. Some women reach menopause much earlier, even in their mid 30’s for a few, and some much later. If you look to when your mother reached menopause, this is often a good indicator of when you are likely to reach it to, as there is a hereditary element.

Perimenopause can happen at various ages too, with some women again starting in their mid 30’s, whilst for most, it tends to happen in their early to mid 40’s.

There are many, many symptoms associated with perimenopause.

These are just a few:
Hot flushes or night sweats
Low or loss of libido
Weight gain
Low Mood
Anxiety
Headaches or Migraines
Low energy or exhaustion
Muscular aches and pains
Poor Sleep
Dry skin

There are lots of things that you can do to reduce the chances of getting negative perimenopausal symptoms, as well as alleviating them if you are already in perimenopause. 
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There are foods that can be included in the diet such as cruciferous vegetables (kale, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts), foods that should be eliminated (sugars, caffeine, white carbohydrate foods such as white bread), natural herbs and supplements that can be taken, chemicals that should be avoided, essential oils that can massively help with hormone balance and symptoms ( such as clary sage, lavender and thyme, to name just a few)…. and lots more…

If you'd like to discuss your own symptoms, and find out more about the self-study, group and 1:1 programmes that I offer, feel free to book a no obligation, free Discovery Call with me today.