Menopause

Menopause is a completely natural stage of life for women, and nothing to be worried about. When the female body can no longer become pregnant naturally, it stops having periods and produces less of the primary female hormone known as estrogen.

Estrogen is responsible for many things to do with female reproduction, from preparing your body for puberty when you’re a teenager to controlling the growth of the lining of the womb, ready to nourish a baby.

Menopause usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. In fact, the average age to reach menopause in the UK is 51. In rarer cases, it’s possible to go through it in your early 40s or even before you hit 40.  If you start to see signs of the menopause before you reach 45, it’s worth talking to a medical professional.

As every woman tends to go through the menopause at a different age, it can be tricky to predict when you might reach it. Every woman experiences the change differently, although typical symptoms include:

Reduced periods: This is one of the most prominent tell-tale signs of menopause as it’s directly linked to your body’s ability to reproduce. Periods don’t tend to stop altogether, though. Instead, you’ll likely notice that you might skip a month or two and then the gaps will become longer. Once you’ve not had a period for over a year, it usually means you’ve gone through the menopause.

Hot flushes: Hormones can wreak all sorts of havoc with your temperature regardless of whether you’re premenstrual, pregnant, or going through the menopause. Nevertheless, having frequent hot flushes is a significant symptom of the menopause.

Night sweats: Having trouble dropping off to sleep or staying asleep for long periods is also a standard indicator for menopausal women. This is party because of night sweats, which are a common symptom of the menopause. This can often lead to periods of intense tiredness as well as low moods.

Mood swings: As the menopause is directly linked to hormonal changes, it’s natural to experience mood swings and nervous irritability.

If you’re struggling with all or some of the above signs of menopause, know that you’re not alone! Many women experience intense effects which can often be life-changing. Luckily, we sell lots of natural products which could help relieve your symptoms (based on traditional use only). This includes options containing:

- Black cohosh

- Sage leaf