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Help Alleviate Menopause Symptoms Naturally
I think we can all agree that being a woman is never boring – between our menstruation, the hormones, the wrinkles, the gray hair, etc – it’s always a party.
The most fun comes between the ages of 45-55 when most women go through menopause. Now most of us know about menopause, but do you know exactly what is going on with your body during this time? And do you know any natural remedies for menopause?
What is Menopause?
Menopause is when you body slows down making estrogen – a woman’s primary hormone. See, as you get older your ovaries stop releasing eggs and this is when your monthly cycle ends and estrogen levels start to decline. The thing about estrogen is that it, not only helps with your reproductive health, it also keeps your vagina moisturized, elastic and maintains the blood levels. Estrogen also increases bone formation, which is why you need pay attention to your calcium intake as you get older.
Natural Estrogen
Like many conditions people experience, there is usually foods that can help (and I have made a career on this!). Phytoestrogens are plant-based foods that mimic estrogen in the body. Some examples of phytoestrogens are:
Flaxseed and other seeds
- Beans and lentils
- Garlic
- Foods rich in vitamin C – tomatoes, kiwi, asparagus, bananas
- Olives and olive oil
- Beets
- Soybeans or soy products
- Mint
- Ginseng
- Yams and sweet potatoes
There are also foods that help with other symptoms of menopause, like cramps, insomnia, hot flashes, mood swings and depression (more fun stuff!).
Maca – not only will this root – which can be found in powder form – give you energy, help restore blood cells and help with sexual function, it also relieves cramps, hot flashes and depression.
Vitamin D – this will help with bone renewal and hormone balance.
Acupuncture – many women, especially those struggling with depression, use this form of Chinese medicine as a healthy alternative to hormone therapy.
Yoga – or any other form of exercise that you enjoy. Movement helps with cramps and any weight loss can relieve symptoms as well.
Herbal supplements – some great herbs that can help include black cohosh, passionflower, chasteberry, wild yam and ashwagandha.
Essential oils – I recommend using the following medicinal-grade essential oils (click here to learn how to order):
- Thyme – shown to increase your body’s production of progesterone.
- Clary sage – increases low estrogen levels.
- Sandalwood – balances testosterone in both women and men.
What Should You Avoid?
Now for the bad news, there are always things you should avoid when going through menopause. These will only make your symptoms worse.
- Refined carbs and sugars – they contribute to fatigue and moodiness.
- Xenoestrogens – these are endocrine disrupters that have estrogen-like effect, but cause estrogen dominance. They can be found in skincare, industrial products, insecticides and some food.
- Hot flash trigger foods – anything spicy, caffeine and alcohol.
- Fatty meats – fat should represent less than 20 percent of your daily menopause diet. Swapping out fatty meats for some grilled chicken can help you keep your weight in check.
Have you have the pleasure of going through menopause? What has worked for you? I’d love to hear what you have to say!
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.
