Am I hitting menopause? What are the signs of menopause?

Menopause is inevitable for women. It can start anywhere from your thirties to your sixties but most commonly begins in your mid to late forties.

What causes menopause?

As a woman ages, her ovaries stop producing the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. It is the lack of these hormones that stops the monthly ‘period’ cycle and contributes to the many symptoms associated with menopause.

What to look out for:

The symptoms of menopause can be different from one woman to another and also vary in degrees. Some women can have rather a difficult time whilst others do not. If you are experiencing any of the following, you may be menopausal:

• Irregular or missed periods. The average woman is around forty-five when she begins to skip periods or they stop completely. In the initial phases, you are considered to be ‘premenopausal’. Once you have had no period for a year you are “officially” in menopause.

• Vaginal dryness. Oestrogen is responsible for vaginal lubrication, thus women experiencing menopause may notice vaginal dryness and discomfort during intercourse. They may have to look for a product such as a lubricant or consider a natural alternative such as our Sea Buckthorn Complete Vitality oral soft gel capsules to ease this unpleasant symptom.

• Low libido. Not only does it cause vaginal dryness and uncomfortable intercourse, menopause and its drop in hormone levels, brings with it a lack of drive in the bedroom. This can creep up over time and cause energy for sex to diminish or disappear altogether.

• Hot flushes. Every woman dreads these because they can be so piublic as well as uncomfortable – a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads all over the body leaving you feeling exhausted and drenched in sweat. Many women are fortunate to experience this heating to a lesser degree. Hot flushes often happen at night, making it hard to sleep. Unfortunately, menopausal woman can experience this uncomfortable phenomenon for periods of up to 5 years while others “sail through it” with minimum discomfort.

• Weight gain. More bad news for some: menopause can cause weight gain, especially around the middle. Again, it’s the changes in hormones that are responsible for this, along with ageing itself, which causes a slower metabolism so continuing to exercise along with a healthy diet can do a lot to minimise this occurrence.

• Mood swings, anxiety, irritability and depression. Emotional symptoms are a big part of menopause. Things that have never typically been upsetting, can become the cause of temper outbursts and tears. A lack of enthusiasm for everyday life is another indicator that the menopause has arrived.

• Some other problems caused by menopause can include:
  • Muscle tension
  • Fatigue Hair loss
  • Osteoporosis
  • Incontinence
  • Itchy skin (see our natural topical products for assistance here Skin Rejuve and Body Glow)

If you are experiencing these symptoms and suspect you are menopausal, it is recommended to follow as healthy a lifestyle as possible and talk to your doctor. There are many natural products on the market that can ease symptoms – for more information on pure Sea Buckthorn oil in soft gel capsules to support tissue health and mucosal tissue health, visit our page Why Use Sea Buckthorn?

We are not healthcare or medical professionals and the information contained here is not to be taken as medical advice. It is recommended that you consult you healthcare professional prior to taking any supplements and always read the label, use only as directed, and if symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.