Menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life, marked by the cessation of menstruation and ovulation.
It is defined as the cessation of spontaneous menstruation for 12 consecutive months (although light bleeding may still occur).
It is caused by a decrease in reproductive hormones—most notably estrogen—that occurs naturally with aging.
At what age does menopause begin?
It depends! But, on average, in the Western world, it happens around the age of 50.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Menopause symptoms can vary from woman to woman, but the most common include:
- heat waves;
- night sweats;
- mood swings;
- insomnia and/or sleep-related problems;
- vaginal dryness;
- decreased libido;
- weight gain
In addition, some women may experience irregular bleeding during the transition to menopause, which is considered normal as long as it is not excessive or prolonged.
How to relieve menopause symptoms?
There are several treatment options for menopause symptoms, ranging from lifestyle changes to hormone therapies.
Some non-pharmacological measures that can help relieve menopause symptoms include:
- The regular practice of physical activities;
- healthy eating;
- Relaxation techniques, such as meditation and yoga;
- Use of vaginal lubricants to combat vaginal dryness;
- Kegel exercises using products such as Kegel balls or pelvic floor stimulators can help prevent vaginal atrophy, improve pelvic floor muscle tone, prevent vaginal dryness, improve libido, and prevent pain and/or incontinence, for example.
For women experiencing more intense symptoms, hormone therapy is an effective treatment option. It consists of replacing estrogen and progesterone, thus helping to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
However, hormone therapy is not suitable for all women and may present risks, especially in cases of a history of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, or blood clotting problems.
In addition, there are also several natural supplements that can help relieve menopause symptoms, such as:
- Soy isoflavones: a dietary supplement based on soy extract, containing compounds similar to estrogen, which may help reduce menopausal symptoms: for example, the Estrofito line from Cantabria Labs, which has different formulations for women with different symptoms;
- Evening Primrose Oil : rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which helps maintain hormonal balance;
- Peruvian Maca Root : Maca is a plant native to the Andes that can help reduce menopausal symptoms, improve sexual function, and relieve anxiety.
However, it is important to remember that these supplements should be used under medical or pharmaceutical guidance and do not replace hormone therapy in more severe cases.
In conclusion, menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life that can bring some unpleasant symptoms. However, there are several treatment options and measures that can help alleviate these symptoms, allowing women to go through this phase with more comfort and quality of life. It is important to talk to a doctor to assess the most appropriate treatment options for your case and ensure a healthy transition to menopause.
