Have a hard time sleeping because of insomnia and night sweats? Are you also experiencing mood swings, hot flushes, and weight gain? Menopause might be the culprit.

About 40% of women experience hot flushes around age 54 when menopause kicks in. Nearly 20% sweat excessively at night, while 12% develop mood disorders. Although these symptoms are perfectly normal, they can affect your daily life and make it difficult to enjoy the things you love.

But what is menopause in the first place? And what can you do to mitigate its impact on your health and well-being? Read on to find out!

What Is Menopause?

What Is Menopause and Why Should You Care?

What Is Menopause and Why Should You Care?

Many people associate menopause with old age, but that’s not the case.

This natural process marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years, causing a number of hormonal changes in her body. It takes place when the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, the primary female sex hormones.

So when does menopause start?

While it’s true that menopause usually kicks in around age 50, it may also occur at an earlier age or later in life. Genetics play a major role. External factors, such as ovarian surgery, chemotherapy, or cigarette smoking, can delay or speed up the onset of menopause.

Generally, most women notice that their periods become less frequent over a few months before they reach menopause. This phase is called perimenopause. At some point, their menstrual cycle stops altogether.

 

How Does Menopause Affect Your Hormones?

Menopause is a normal part of aging. Men go through a similar process called andropause.

As you age, your ovaries begin to produce less estrogen, which in turn affects your period. Progesterone levels will gradually drop, too. These changes can take place over several months or years.

When Do Women Go through Menopause?

When a woman has no menstrual periods for 12 months in a row, it means that reached menopause.

The following years are marked by postmenopause. Night sweats, hot flashes, and other menopausal symptoms become more bearable during this stage.

Menopause Signs and Symptoms

Every woman experiences menopause differently. In general, hot flashes are the most common symptom, but you may also have joint pain, vaginal dryness, constipation, and brain fog.

Menopause symptoms are due to the hormonal changes that occur at this point in your life. Certain diseases and medications can make things worse.

Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to ease these symptoms and feel like yourself again. A Menolabs coupon, for instance, can save you save big on prebiotic fibers, natural sleep aids, anti-aging supplements, and other products that help relieve the discomfort associated with menopause.

Lifestyle changes, such as increasing your fiber intake, can help too. Regular exercise, especially strength training, may prevent weight gain and keep your metabolism up.

A diet rich in leafy greens will keep your digestive system running smoothly while making it easier to maintain a normal weight. Make sure you also fill up on fatty fish to meet your daily requirements for omega-3s and protein.

Manage Menopause Naturally

Now that you know more about menopause, take the steps needed to manage its symptoms. Clean up your diet, fill up on fiber, and squeeze more exercise into your routine.

If you’re still wondering “What is menopause?” reach out to your healthcare provider. He can help you prepare for this phase in your life and teach you more about the hormonal changes you’ll experience.

In the meantime, check out our discount codes to save on the products you love. Browse the rest of our Health and Beauty section for more tips on how to look and feel your best!