Womanhood Diaries: 7 Secrets to Menopausal Relief

Being a woman is not easy, especially for those who are in their 40s. During this time, your body starts giving off symptoms, making you feel uneasy, irritable, and not yourself. These signs mostly happen because your body is transitioning before your menopause. This is a point when a woman's last menstrual period ends, making her incapable of natural pregnancy. Unfortunately, its effects go beyond procreation; menopause can adversely influence you physically, mentally, and emotionally.
 
However, these symptoms do not happen in the blink of an eye. Perimenopause is the period before your ovaries stop hormonal production. This transitional phase lasts for several years, which means a longer duration for symptoms to persist. Thus, it is of utmost necessity to reduce these menopausal symptoms as much as possible.
 
What are the most common effects of menopause, and how can you alleviate these bodily changes? Know more about the signs of the menopausal transition and some helpful secrets to ease these symptoms.

 
There are plenty of signs that a woman is undergoing menopausal transition. Below are the most evident symptoms of menopause.

 
If you have experienced abrupt irregularity in your menstrual cycle in your late 40s, it can be an evident sign of menopausal onset. There are months when you won't get your period, and there are those that can last for weeks or even a month. This symptom indicates that your ovaries are gradually lessening their estrogen production. It may sound like good news for most women, but this hormonal decline does have other disturbing symptoms.

 
Sudden warmth on your upper torso is also another sign of menopause, better known as a hot flash. This symptom occurs when hormonal imbalance messes up your brain's temperature control. It mistakenly detects a sudden change in your body temperature, thereby releasing body heat. As a result, you experience palpitations and night sweats, making it more challenging to enjoy your beauty rest during nighttime. Hot flashes can also affect your mood, making you feel more irritated and stressed.

 
Your emotions are on a roller coaster during perimenopause. Your happiness can switch to sadness or anger in a matter of seconds, which isn't good news for your mental and emotional health. Your mood also changes as a result of your erratic hormones. Unfortunately, this irregularity in your hormonal levels also has an adverse impact on your mood since it affects your energy levels. So the next time somebody calls your attention for being a mood killer or drama queen, tell him or her to "blame it on the hormones."

 
Can't your pair of jeans fit you anymore? Or can you no longer close the buttons of your favorite top? Well, these wardrobe malfunctions could also be signs of a weight problem, which happens to be another common menopausal symptom. Estrogen deficiency, especially during perimenopause, can affect your body's metabolism. As a result, it can influence fat distribution in the body, causing fat to be deposited around your chest and abdomen. Weight gain during the menopausal period can also be risky for your cardiovascular health since it poses an increase in your blood pressure.
 

 
For some reason, women become less sexually active by the time they reach the mid-40s. Please don't blame it on your partner, for it is most likely your hormones' liability. The female sex hormones are also responsible for regulating your libido or sex drive for procreative purposes, and when their levels drop, your libido too declines.

 
Are you having some trouble falling asleep? Well, sleep disruption is another common symptom during perimenopause. Hot flashes and stress are some factors that make it more difficult for you to get a good night's rest, making you feel dissatisfied with your sleep. If this symptom persists, you become more fatigued, which can hamper your day-to-day activities.

 
As women get older, they become more conscious of their physical appearance. Unfortunately, you can't evade skin and hair issues during the menopausal transition. You may experience having sparser and dryer hair as an after-effect of hormonal changes. Your skin may also feel dry and appear dull because of estrogen deficiency.

 
The onset of the menopausal transition may take years, which can be agonizing for your part. Don't let these symptoms put you in distress. Do you want to learn the secrets of enjoying womanhood in your 40s and 50s? Check out the following tips for menopausal relief.

 
Mood swings can take a toll on your everyday life, especially at work or at home. So, if you think that you're on the verge of losing your grip, grab a chocolate bar. Scientific studies have found the calming effects of chocolate. It can lighten up one's mood since it can boost your serotonin or 'happy hormone' levels. But of course, eat chocolates in moderation to avoid diabetes and obesity.
 

 
Your dietary choices can determine the intensity of menopausal symptoms. However, during the perimenopause and even after menopause, your diet must consistently include citrus fruits. These plant-based sources are packed with vitamin C, which can mitigate the unwanted signs of menopause. Ascorbic acid is especially essential in collagen production, which is necessary for skin and hair maintenance. For instance, your skin often becomes itchy due to hormonal changes, to which vitamin C can regulate your body's histamine levels.

 
Not many are aware of the positive effects of eating foods rich in phytoestrogens, plant compounds that can copy estrogenic functions. In fact, you can get your fair share of these estrogen-mimicking phytonutrients from apples, carrots, berries, flax seeds, mung beans, tofu, and soybeans. These foods can help you regulate your hormonal levels, thereby reducing menopausal symptoms.
 

 
Stress can get on your nerves, which can further trigger the drop of your estrogen levels. One significant and cheap way to reduce menopausal symptoms is to do some yoga exercises. Yoga is a meditative practice that targets both physical and mental health. Many yoga techniques help you improve your concentration, breathing, and balance. Not only can your mind relax, but you can also keep your skin firm and maintain your body weight. 

You can start exercising by joining yoga classes or watching some yoga video tutorials.

 
Eating fish for menopausal relief is not something fishy. Fatty fishes contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are suitable for reducing stress. Research shows that the fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can alleviate early signs of menopausal depression and anxiety. Fatty acids are also vital in sealing moisture content and keeping your hair and skin protected against sun damage. And of course, your hair gets protected against inflammation-induced hair loss problems.

 
Caffeine is significantly beneficial for improving your mood and concentration, especially during hectic days. However, suppose you find it problematic to enjoy a good night's sleep. In that case, you may have to cut off on caffeinated beverages because caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant that boosts your energy and keeps your brain wide awake. Thus, experiencing hot flashes and consuming excessive caffeine will make it even more difficult for you to sleep peacefully at night. Therefore, avoid drinking coffee, tea, and soda, especially before bedtime, if you don't want your sleeping problem to worsen.

 
Estrogens are crucial for hair growth since these hormones prolong your hair follicles in the anagen or growth phase. Thus, your hair and scalp become overly sensitive during perimenopause because of estrogen scarcity. In turn, you experience scalp issues, strand breakage, and even hair loss. 
 
An effective way to prevent hair growth repercussions is to use 100% safe products for your locks. The ingredients must come from natural sources and must be free from any harmful chemicals. Make sure to use protein-enriched shampoos and conditioners to strengthen your strands against dryness and breakage.

 
As you grow older, your body also degenerates. Thus, you shouldn't be surprised that even your ovaries will let you down after decades of producing hormones. You should not take menopause lightly, but you should not also be afraid of its symptoms. Follow the seven secrets for menopausal relief so that you won't have to suffer from menopause again.

 
Learn more about female alopecia as a menopausal symptom. Then, protect your hair against the after-effects of menopause by using the safest and best shampoo for hair loss. Don't forget to include hair vitamins in your daily diet for hair growth boost and strength.