Menopause is a completely natural time of life when women simply stop producing eggs, so cannot longer have babies. It’s not an illness, and there is no need to take lots of medicines, for most people. In Japan (where little dairy is eaten) there is not even a translation for ‘hot flushes’ as women there don’t suffer the same huge oestrogen drop, that western women do who consume lots of hormone-laden dairy milk from factory farms.
First of all, try using natural methods to help yourself, without need to buy anything. Gradually reduce dairy from factory farms, and live a simple slow life, to help you feel more relaxed and don’t rush around, to cool down naturally. Failing that, here are some natural remedies that may help.
Most symptoms of menopause are caused by low oestrogen levels, and progestogen also protects the lining of the womb. One main medicine (Premarin) and many others are made from the urine of chained pregnant mares, who are then killed (and their foals taken away) so ask for a change, if you take this. HRT is effective to relieve symptoms but there are better, safer and more humane ways for most women.
Menopausal symptoms tend to be hot flushes, brain fog, joint pain, mood swings and vaginal dryness. Thinner bones is also an issue, but if you keep exercising and eat plant-based easily-absorbed calcium-rich foods, you should be fine, and not taking HRT prevents risks like breast cancer and blood clots (many people with risk factors are not allowed to take it anyway). Some natural free ways to help include:
- Wear light breathable clothing in cotton, hemp or linen.
- Keep your bedroom cool at night.
- Take a cool shower or have a cold drink. Or even use a portable fan.
- Relax! Take up meditation or yoga, get out in nature.
- Avoid triggers like spicy food, caffeine, smoking and alcohol.
Take regular exercise and low excess weight, if you need. Also ensure you get 20 minutes of regular sunlight without sunscreen daily, to ensure your bones get enough vitamin D. You could also try plant-based compostable supplements for menopause and stronger bones.
Some doctors recommend that women take testosterone (the male sex hormone) in case of low sex drive, but this again can have side effects like acne and unwanted hair growth. You can buy organic lubricanst from Yes! and other brands.
- Natural Menopause is a beautiful guide with specialist expert writers for each section including nutrition, exercise, mental wellness and natural remedies. You’ll also find a symptom finder to direct you to the correct section in the book. Explore an extensive collection of remedies including yoga poses to reduce stress and help you sleep, essential oils to manage mood swings and soothe headaches, and natural ways to boost mood and energy and how to use mindfulness to calm hot flushes. Keep essential oils away from pets/children (don’t sleep with essential oils, if pets sleep on your bed or in the bedroom – can be dangerous esp. to cats).
- The Natural Menopause Method shows how to cope with being tired, mood swings and stubburn weight gain along with brain fog and disturbed sleep, through changing what you eat. Find lifestyle tips to tackle hot flushes and tips by a registered nutritionist and lifesetye coach, with over 10 years experience of helping women through menopause. A fresh and friendly approach.
- Feel supplements are plant-based and compostable. Their experts have a good article on why vitamin D (vegan), calcium and vitamin B12 are the best vitamins to ensure you get enough of during menopause and why.
100 Tips to Help You Through the Menopause is a simple guide to find relief from hot flushes, boost your outlook, reduce health risks and learn the truth about HRT to make informed choices.
100 Tips to Help You Through the Menopause is a nice little guide to help you through this natural stage of life, with simple lifestye and diet changes that you can make today. Some HRT medicine (including Premarin) is made by chaining pregnant horses up to drain their hormone-rich urine, so try these natural steps instead:
- Find relief from hot flushes
- Booth your mental outlook
- Reduce health risks associated with menopause
- Beat middle-aged spread
- Look younger!
About the Author
Wendy Green is a health project co-ordinator and health promoter.
