Menopause Myths and what you should know
Many women that I speak with dread the word menopause, even if they are not even close to that phase.
Menopause has a reputation of everything going wrong in a woman’s body that she doesn't think she can control or avoid. And yes, menopause can be a period of ‘madness’ and does come with some unpleasant symptoms, such as weight gain, especially around the midsection, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, irregular periods, missed periods, changes in libido, etc.
Many of these symptoms can be controlled or managed naturally with diet, lifestyle, adequate supplementation, and essential oils.
However, many women do not know this and have many misconceptions about menopause, which leads to a lot of fear and acceptance that this is the way it is.
And, this is where my work comes in, letting them know that they can take control to reduce and/or alleviate these frustrating menopausal symptoms.
Below are some common myths about menopause and what you can do to better manage menopausal symptoms.
Weight gain is inevitable during menopause. During the period leading up to menopause which can start as early as age 35, estrogen production in the ovaries declines (ending of the reproductive years) and the thyroid becomes sluggish, metabolism slows resulting in weight gain, low energy, mood swings, cravings, etc.
To mitigate weight gain, it is important that you do the following:
Part ways with the processed carbs, sugary snacks, fast foods, which contribute to packing on the pounds.
Adopt a diet consists of whole foods, high quality supplements
Get lots of rest
Choose high quality protein and low carbs
Move for at least 30-minutes, three to four times a week. A brisk walk is just fine, but balance that with resistance training to boost muscle mass and bone density, as muscles work magic on your metabolism!
Every woman experiences hot flashes & night sweats during menopause. While they are very common and have garnered a lot of attention, not every woman experiences them. Some women have very mild flashes and no night sweats that interrupt their life or their sleep.
If your hot flashes are very bad that are disrupting your sleep, start doing the following:
Establishing a clear night time sleep pattern and a set bedtime
Consider adding more rigorous varied physical activity into your daily routine can also help. This shift will task different muscle groups, which gives you a better workout and will make you more tired.
For hot flashes during the day, mix a few drops of peppermint essential oils with water in a spay glass bottle and spritz your face as needed. Peppermint helps to cool the body down.
You no longer produce hormones after menopause. The truth is your body still produces hormones, but there is a shift in the types and quantities that are produced. For example, as you approach menopause, estrogen production in the ovaries diminishes (decline in reproduction) and the production shifts to the adrenals.
You lose your sex drive after menopause. For sure hormonal changes affect your sex drive. Many women also experience vaginal dryness and thinning tissues, which can make sex uncomfortable. Additional factors contributing to low libido could be that many menopausal women have been in stable marriages for many years or decades, they are tired and sleep deprived because they are raising children while holding full time jobs.
Here are the top essential oils that are effective for various menopausal symptoms:
Rose
Clary Calm
Clary Sage
Geranium
Bergamot
Ylang Ylang
Citrus oils
In Good Health,
Deon
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to provide medical advice. The purpose is to provide education and broader understanding to my readers. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. I do not recommend or prescribe, or recommend changing dosage or discontinuing, any prescription medications or pharmaceutical drugs.
Comments