Women have a hard enough time getting accurate information about what to expect during puberty, but getting info on menopause is much harder. You would think that a change that’s just as drastic as puberty would get more notice, and treated more seriously.
If you’re fortunate to live long enough, menopause may last a third to a half of your entire life! Here’s what to expect and how to manage the symptoms.
The Phases of Menopause
Medically, there are three stages to menopause: premenopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause.
Just like puberty, premenopause starts when hormone levels in the body change. Medically, perimenopause is the 12-month period after your final menstrual period. Postmenopause is the time after that.
Premenopause and perimenopause often get lumped together, partly because of bad medical communication and partly because it’s impossible to tell when your last period will truly be the last period!
Some women going through these changes might be without one for eight months then suddenly have one.
What Are The Changes During and Before Perimenopause?
Since menopause happens as an effect of aging, it's hard to untangle which weird body things are caused by menopause and which are caused by a more serious medical condition.
Let’s start with the obvious one. In perimenopause, you won’t have a period. Once you’ve skipped two periods in a row, you have a 95% chance that your final period will be within four years.
By the time you’ve entered perimenopause, you probably know the kinds of menopausal symptoms you’re facing, things like:
- Hot flushes
- Brain fog
- Disturbed sleep
- Vaginal dryness
- Pain with sex
- Lower libido
- Joint pain
These symptoms are part of the natural changes with menopause, but your medical and life history can also have a significant impact on how these affect you. For instance, if you have a history of insomnia, then disturbed sleep could be much worse than before.
Talking With Other Women
Thankfully, science and feminism have pushed the possibilities of how to solve the annoyances of menopause. One of the most important things you can do is to talk with other women in menopause about their experiences and share your own.
When you think that you’re the only person suffering a “weird” set of symptoms, it can make the changes feel so much worse. Talking about what’s happening with other women in their 40s and beyond can help you understand what’s happening to you.
It can also help you sort out the differences between what’s happening to you because of menopause and what’s happening because of aging. Don’t assume that every change happening to you during pre and perimenopause are because of hormones. You could miss a vital sign that points to a disease.
Taking Hormones for Menopausal Symptoms
Menopausal hormonal therapy is a common way to relieve the symptoms of menopause. Estrogen is the best known treatment for hot flushes and night sweats, as well as vaginal dryness. It also protects against some of the bone loss that happens in early menopause. Some women also report better sleep after starting.
However, it has side effects. First, you could continue to bleed or spot monthly for some time while you take it, especially with combined hormone therapy. This often stops within six months after starting the treatment. There are also increased risks of some serious diseases, including some cancers, by taking menopausal hormone therapy.
These risks can make women feel like they’re between a rock and a hard place. Menopausal hormonal therapy works, but is it worth the risks? That’s something to discuss with your OB-GYN.
Natural Solutions From Plant Juice Oils
The symptoms of perimenopause can be rough even with hormone therapy. For women who want a little extra help, or who want to treat their symptoms without hormones, we recommend these products from our lineup:
Simma Down Hot Flash Blend
This roll-on blend is a combination of black spruce, peppermint, geranium, and other essential oils used to reduce the intensity of hot flashes and night sweats. It also contains organic CBD to aid in relaxation and sleep.
Hot flashes, or hot flushes, are one of the most annoying symptoms of menopause. Along with missing periods, it’s the most classic sign you’re going through the process. Try our hot flash blend to help control their intensity.
Zero In Joint Blend
Our joint blend formula is for pain relief. As bones and joint tissue get older, they can start getting more painful. This quick dose of CBD and essential oils can relieve pain without the dangers of over-the-counter pain relievers.
Speaking of joint and bone health, one of the best ways to keep your bones healthy during menopause is to do weight-bearing exercise. This signals your bones that you need them to rebuild stronger. Talk with your doctor about a weight plan that will work for you.
Doze Off Sleep Blend
Insomnia is a risk factor for an incredible number of illnesses. If you are suffering from sleep issues because of perimenopause, make solving that priority one! Start with our Doze Off Sleep Blend. It combines CBD with lavender, cedarwood, and vetiver EOs to help you fall asleep fast.
Check your sleep hygiene as well. Try to sleep in a cooler room with no noise or light and try to sleep at the same time each night. If hot flashes are bothering you, there are cooling blankets you can buy which will make your bed colder. These can balance out the temperature change while also keeping you nice and sleepy!
Speak With Your Doctor
We also want to encourage you to speak with your doctor and let them know you’re entering premenopause or perimenopause. They may have other recommendations for treating your symptoms depending on what they are and your lifestyle.
Finally, take a positive look toward the changes. First, no more periods or a chance of pregnancy! This is an incredibly freeing experience. It’s also a phase where women can turn away from being a mother and start sharing their life experiences with the next generation. This is one idea behind the grandmother hypothesis, which is an idea about why human women have menopause when other animals don’t!