In order to overcome menopause symptoms, it is important that you understand several phases that occur before, during and after menopause:
Phases of Menopause
This phase happens in the late thirties, and at this point the egg supply begins to decline in number and quality, and as a result your hormone levels change. Symptoms might include a shorter menstrual cycle, as well as PMS symptoms that you didn't experience before.
Next, perimenopause begins, which causes your period to gradually become irregular. These irregular periods might begin as early as your late thirties, or as late as your fifties. Most women experience irregular periods for two to eight years before the menstrual ends all together.
During this time, there are moments when the ovaries are producing too much estrogen or progesterone, and there are other times when the ovaries aren't producing enough. Because the progesterone is more likely to fluctuate more than before, it can cause heavy menstrual bleeding. Within the last 6 - 12 months before your periods stop, your estrogen levels begin to drop. Once the estrogen lowers to a certain point, then your menstrual cycles will stop.
Menopause is reached after you have gone a year without your menstrual cycle, and this is the time when you might experience prevalent menopause symptoms such as irritability and hot flashes.
Post-Menopause Estrogen Changes
During post-menopause, you will continue to experience decreasing estrogen levels for about a year, which in turn lowers your risk for specific types of cancers since estrogen is linked with the cell growth of certain cancer cells.
But, other health concerns arise as a result of low estrogen, which may include:
- Bone loss
- Skin changes
- Vaginal infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Changes in the teeth and gums
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Depression
My Experience With Menopause
My experience with menopause is probably considered a "textbook" case. It began with irregular menstrual cycles and heavy bleeding in my late forties. At the time, I didn't understand the changes that were happening within my body. I was surprised by the changes, because I was a clean eater and my menstrual cycles had always been regular.
After the loss of my teenage son, I found myself in a situation where I was unsure if I was experiencing the symptoms of menopause or grieving the loss of my son. It was difficult to experience happiness on one day, only to awaken to a cloud of depression on the next day.
Because of the roller coaster that I was experiencing, I decided to have a hormone test. This test revealed that I had very few of the three primary hormones left in my body: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Even though I had been a healthy, plant-based eater for many years, I realized that high levels of stress could cause any woman to experience severe menopausal symptoms.
How Diet Impacts Menopause
Diet is an important element for managing menopause symptoms, and it is important that you avoid all types of sugar in your diet. Consumption of sugar has been linked with an increase in hot flashes as well as irritability. Caffeine, meat, and dairy can cause other symptoms, such as swelling of the breasts.
With a healthy, plant-based diet focused on an abundance of vegetables and greens, as well as the right supplementation, it is possible to move through menopause with minimal symptoms that impact many women at this stage in their life.
Luminology is a wonderful supplement that has been formulated to help you through the difficult times of menopause, and it is most effective when paired with a healthy diet and moderate exercise. Try Luminology to see how these supplements can help you to feel better and decrease the symptoms of menopause.
