Have you found yourself shocked to be told by your Oby-Gyn that you’re in the years leading to menopause? Coach Bunny was 45yrs old and shocked to hear that news from her doctor, just as her last child turned 4yrs old. On the other hand, Coach Mia suffered from Endometriosis in her late 30s onwards, causing her to menopause way before the expected age of 50+. So both coaches share with you the key signs of menopause because in knowing, you can find ways to alleviate or delay menopause.
Key Signs of Menopause
According to the Mayo Clinic, any of these signs can begin as early as 40 years old and can be all throughout till menopause (51yrs old+)
- Irregular periods leading to dry-spell (12 months without menstruation)
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism
- Thinning hair and dry skin
- Loss of breast fullness
Fluctuating and Changing Hormones
Irregular periods – This skipping of periods between cycles can occur. Also, periods may stop for a few months and then return on a regular cycle. This happens due to changing sex hormone levels.
Vaginal dryness – Dryness causes irritation and painful intercourse. A lowered level of estrogen hormones is one of the culprits of this. To minimize dryness, use a water-based vaginal lubricant.
Hot flashes – Hot flashes are intense bursts of heat emanating from the neck, head, and chest which can cause intense sweating in other women.
Chills – During perimenopause/menopause, the thyroid hormones become imbalanced, causing body temperatures to fluctuate. Having chills can occur even if you’ve had hot flashes.
Night sweats – This is related to hot flashes, but occurring during the evening.
Sleep problems – Many women begin to experience sleep problems or have shortened periods of sleep. Few develop into insomnia. Please speak to your doctor if insomnia becomes chronic. We have an article on Sleep and Hormones here.
Mood changes – Many may not notice their mood swings, but those close to them will. The mood changes are caused by poor hormone balance of cortisol, estrogen, thyroid hormones, aside from other illnesses.
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Weight gain and slowed metabolism: Many women will experience this as their sex hormones change. Also, as they affect other hormones that deal with appetite (Leptin and Ghrelin) and energy.
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Thinning hair and dry skin – Another cause of thinning hair and dry itchy skin is imbalanced estrogen hormones. Dry skin and skin irritations happen more often and some may need treatment. Being well hydrated helps with keeping skin elastic and supple, and including food sources of essential fatty acid omega-3 into your meal.
Loss of breast fullness – Naturally, as your sex hormones needed for child-birth decrease during the years leading up to menopause, your body’s organs necessary for child-birth and child-rearing also begin to lose their optimum structure.
The common driver of these signs: Our body’s changing and fluctuating hormones.
FYFG Solutions to the Key Signs of Menopause
Although hormone therapy and medication pills are commonly recommended to alleviate these symptoms, here in FYFG, we believe we can go through a more holistic approach. Here are Coach Mia and Coach Bunny’s personal tips.
- Cool the hot flashes: Place several damp face towels in the fridge or freezer and place one around your neck or face when hot flashes occur, or pack towelette in your purse or bag. Always have around iced cold chlorophyll water wherever you go. Chlorophyll water acts as an electrolyte that will keep you hydrated and removes blood toxins as well.
- Exercise or include physical movement in your day: Exercise before sunrise or after sunset to keep your body temperature fairly cool. Not only will exercise keep you strong and lean, but it also helps to regulate fluctuating hormones.
- #PlateWell: In our FYFG Programs, we teach the basics and importance of having a balanced meal. This means the right amount of fibrous carbohydrates, lean meats and/or plant proteins, healthy fats, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. #PlateWell for better digestion, rebalanced hormones, and improved cognitive health. Coaches Mia and Coach Bunny supplement with this Omega-3 brand.
- Sleep: Insomnia and sleep problems begin to worsen for many women as they approach menopause. Our melatonin hormone needs time to release, so we share some natural sleep-inducing tips in this article. However, taking supplements can also help with better sleep. Coaches Mia and Coach Bunny take Unicity’s Melatonin or Calcium-Magnesium or Unicity’s Chlorophyll water at night.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: We cannot stress enough the importance of drinking water/Chlorophyll water throughout the day. Coaches Mia and Coach Bunny drink at least 2 Liters + a day, not including increased water intake during their exercise days. Our bones, body organs, blood cells, nerves, hormones, etc.. all need water to function properly. Furthermore, chlorophyll water aids in detoxifying our entire body from harmful toxins.
Conclusion
The signs of menopause may come as early as 30yrs old, just like how Coach Mia experienced it. However, we shouldn’t fear these signs when we are knowledgeable and prepared for them. Many of these key signs of menopause can be naturally alleviated or cured. Most symptoms can be delayed, and some may never show up. How? By paving the way for a healthier sustainable lifestyle. It’s easy enough to rely on hormone therapy with medication or supplements to help balance our hormones. However, the underlying cause of imbalanced hormones is due to mismanaged lifestyle habits.
Find Your FIERCE
It’s never too late to build sustainable healthy habits, no matter what age you’re at. These habits help pave that road to aging strong, to better health and overall wellness. Coaches Mia and Coach Bunny’s basic tips and solutions have worked for them and may likely work for you too. Find out how our FYFG FIERCE Programs work in helping you build sustainable habits to rebalancing hormones. Book a free call or email us. We’d like to help.