Youfemism Discovery
Your Menopause Survival Guide
It’s normal! A LIFE STAGE that comes with unique benefits.
No periods, no tampons, no surprise spotting, no pregnancy. No PMS. Less pelvic pain – benign growths that often develop when estrogen levels are high, such as during pregnancy and perimenopause can cause spotting and abdominal pain.
Fibroids, as you may know, begin to shrink, and symptoms subside when you enter menopause. You may also enjoy a fresh outlook on life. In many ways, you peak in later life, but there are measures that can be taken throughout life to optimise health and well-being.
Menopause is normal
Menopause is a normal, natural transition in life. It’s a biological process that occurs in your 40’s or 50’s and marks the time when your menstrual cycle stops.
The Menopause & Perimenopause Stages
You have 3 to go through. Perimenopause from your mid 30’s, menopause early 50’s, & post-menopause. It can take up to 3 years to reach post-menopause. In this time your ovaries become smaller and stop producing the hormones that control your menstrual cycle. Your eggs are depleted and fertility declines. Eventually, you’re no longer able to become pregnant.
The Reality
On average, most women are about 51 to 52 when they enter menopause. Technically, you are in menopause after you’ve missed your period for 12 straight months without experiencing other causes, such as illness, medication, pregnancy or breastfeeding. And technically, it’s just one day. After that you’ve entered post menopause
Menopause, How will I know?
It’s important to remember you are unique and will experience menopause differently. You may experience few, if any symptoms, and they can vary widely. Symptoms that you experienced in peri-menopause can continue through menopause & post-menopause. There’re 34 symptoms of menopause.
Hot Flushes
Night Sweats
Heart palpitations (elevated heart rate)
Poor Sleep
Mood changes – irritability, depression, anxiety
Urinary issues
Vaginal dryness – which leads to discomfort & pain during intercourse
These events result in earlier menopause
- Hysterectomy (uterus removed)- symptoms appear gradually
- Oophorectomy (ovaries removed) – symptoms appear immediately
- Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) – underactive or inactive ovaries due to genetics, surgery, or cancer treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy. POF can also be due to ovarian dysfunction or insufficient follicles, which mature into eggs.
Earlier onset of menopause can occur in your 30’s. About 1 percent of women begin menopause before the age of 40, which is called premature menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency. About 5 percent of women undergo menopause between the ages of 40 and 45. This is referred to as early menopause.
Your journey from a youngster to the woman you are today sees your body change inside and out. Hormones have a lot to answer for: from changing body shapes and acne to menstrual cycles and libido too. Everything you put into & onto your body will influence your hormonal balance.
Healthy eating & exercise will support your mind & body. Foods that support your hormonal balance are most beneficial. Eggs, for example, contain vitamin D and vitamin B6, which are beneficial for oestrogen metabolism. They’re a great source of HDL cholesterol, which is the healthy cholesterol your body needs for creating hormones. Leafy greens, fatty fish, cruciferous veggies, chicken breast, cherries are more examples. Flax seeds are source of phytoestrogens that are excellent for balancing hormones.
Listen to your body. Be mindful of how you nourish it. Eat to live! Very often certain foods & drinks will trigger symptoms like hot flushes. Keep a diary. Make a note of your triggers and avoid them 😊
To sum it all up
It can be a physical, mental, and emotional upheaval with far-reaching effects. Heavy and/or irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, exhaustion, insomnia, mood swings, lapses in concentration, thinning hair, loss of skin elasticity, changes in metabolism, and aches and pains are all common.
Alongside hormonal changes, thyroid problems, diabetes & breast cancer, and cardiovascular issues can begin to surface. With all these challenges, it’s not surprising anxiety and depression can take hold.
You may find you have more resources to lean on during this phase: more time to yourself and a sense of resilience thanks to your life experiences.
While ageing is natural, even a badge of honour for some, exercise and proper nutrition can increase your sense of control and security. Deposits into your ‘health pension fund’ while you’re active and able can help you make the most of the present and set you up for the future. More specifically, it is important to ensure that weight-bearing exercises, such as dancing or hiking, are part of a regular exercise routine to reduce future osteoporosis risk.
External Resources
Other benefits
YOU can take charge of your life! Youfemism is an all-natural alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy – HRT. The symptoms of PMS and Menopause will be a thing of the past. Youfemism gently assists your body in creating and maintaining hormonal balance so you don’t have to worry about surprise flashes!