The human body’s complex system has always been amazing with the way it works due to its highly organized structure that accomplishes the functions needed by its entirety to the smallest units of cells that work together to sustain life. From the moment someone is born to adulthood, many physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects change and development that happens systematically.
The human body involves eleven major organ systems. And while most of these organ systems are similar to everyone, the reproductive system greatly varies between males and females. While the male’s reproductive system consists of external organs, the female reproductive system, on the other hand, is primarily composed of internal organs.
Females’ bodies are incredibly remarkable and fascinating due to their ability to conceive and bear a child. But that’s not all a female body does. One of the crucial portions of the female body is her hormones which control many bodily functions and responses in the body, including heart rate, sexual function, reproduction, and sleep cycles. In addition, these hormones also have something to do with metabolism, appetite, mood, stress, body temperatures, and growth and development.
All women should be aware of their body’s physical changes and responses, as many of these occur over time while they mature. One of the essential parts of being a woman is the menopausal stage.
What is menopause?
Menopause is perhaps the most common term used for women who are in their late 40s and early 50s. This is a stage in life when a woman stops having her monthly period, which is a normal part of ageing and life cycle. This phase indicates the end of a woman’s reproductive years as the reproductive cycle begins to decline and prepares to stop.
During menopause, many women deal with physical and emotional changes in their bodies. It starts between ages 40 to an average of 51. While the age bracket varies, several studies suggest that women reach the menopausal stage around a similar age as other women in their families.
On average, women who are 40 years of age may experience heavier or lighter periods that can be longer or shorter in duration before they eventually stop. While symptoms vary from person to person, the indication that a woman has reached her menopausal stage is when their menstruation stops, and they have had no period for 12 months.
There are three stages of Menopausal transition:
Perimenopause begins eight to ten years before the actual menopause happens. This can occur as early as the age of 30s and but usually around the age of 40s. This is the period when the ovaries decrease estrogen production. This stage lasts up until the menopause stage, where the ovaries completely stop releasing eggs. It is important to note that menstrual cycles still happen during this stage, and they can still get pregnant.
Menopause is the actual stage familiar to many. At this point, a woman is no longer menstruating, and the ovaries have stopped releasing ova. A woman has gone to the menopausal stage when the menstrual period has not occurred in 12 consecutive months.
Postmenopause is the point after women have not had menstruation in 12 months. Most women in this stage experience menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. Because of the low estrogen levels, postmenopausal women become at high risk of having health problems like osteoporosis and heart disease.
Menopausal Symptoms
Here are some symptoms that a woman can experience during the menopausal stage:
- Irregular periods;
- Vaginal dryness;
- Hot flashes;
- Chills;
- Night sweats;
- Headache;
- Mood swings;
- Fatigue;
- Decreased libido;
- Sleep problems;
- Mood changes;
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism;
- Thinning hair and dry skin;
- Loss of breast fullness;
- Water and gas bloating;
- Digestive problems;
- Joint issues.
Natural Remedies For Menopause Management
Some botanicals help many women going through menopause ease their symptoms. However, as with taking any supplement, caution is always necessary. It is always a safe practice to consult your doctor first if you have an existing medical condition or take any medication. Here are some of the herbs used by women during menopause:
Hemp Plant – Hemp plant is a good source of Cannabidiol or more commonly known as CBD, which became popular due to its wide variety of potential therapeutic effects. CBD is a cannabinoid that provides benefits without the psychoactive and intoxicating effect that THC has. It is said that CBD oil can provide relief for women in perimenopausal and menopausal stages. Furthermore, many women use CBD products for joint and muscle pain, regulation of sleep and anxiety.
Evening Primrose – This flowering plant is said to be used by many women in treating menopausal symptoms. According to a study, approximately 60% of women seeking natural remedies use evening primrose to help them alleviate certain symptoms, including hot flashes.
Korean Ginseng – Korean ginseng, also referred to as Panax ginseng, is one of many ginseng plants out there. The root of Panax ginseng is traditionally used to help improve fatigue, loss of physical stamina and manage menopausal symptoms. It is said that Korean ginseng has the ability to stimulate the biosynthesis of estrogen, which can help in the management of menopausal symptoms and decrease stress.
Black Cohosh – Black cohosh is one of the extensively researched plants for the management of menopausal symptoms. Many native North American women used this plant in the early times to help them ease their menstrual cramps and menopausal symptoms. It is not clear how exactly black cohosh works in the body, but experts believe that it has something to do with modulating oestrogenic pathways in the body.
Passionflower – Many people take passionflower as a tea or tablet to manage insomnia. However, a small study suggests that it can also improve menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, headache, weakness and fatigue, and muscular pain.
Lemon Balm -This herb has been used in the early times to manage digestion problems, improve memory, sleep problems like insomnia and anxiety. The use of lemon balm for menopausal symptoms is said to be related to its ability to ease many psychological symptoms brought about by menopause, such as mood swings, memory loss and anxiety.
Hops – Hop plant, commonly used in beer making, is also used in the management of menopause. It contains phytoestrogens that mimic estrogen’s action and is said to alleviate severe menopausal symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness.
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