Menopause is a period experienced differently from one woman to another. Contrary to popular belief that there is a relationship between the age of first menstruation and the age of menopause, it would appear that heredity and epigenetics are involved. In order to accompany this transition gently and naturally, here are the main plants that can help relieve various discomforts.
Menaupose: definition.
"A woman is said to be menopausal when she has not had her period for at least 1 year. The peri-menopause on the other hand spans the previous 10 to 15 years. Finally, once the 1-year menstruation-free phase has passed, it is referred to as post-menopause.
On average, women go through menopause at age 52. [...]
Interestingly, in places around the world where the diet is high in saturated fatty acids, sugar, and combined with a sedentary lifestyle, that's where you find the most women with typical menopausal symptomatology: hot flashes, headaches, fatigue... It's sobering! " source: perfecthealthsolutions
The discomforts of menopause
- lengthening of the menstrual cycle, decreased flow
- weight gain
- daytime and/or nighttime hot flashes
- insomnia
- joint pain or tenderness
- vaginal dryness
- fatigue
- short term memory problems, difficulty concentrating
- intestinal problems
- Decrease in lacrimal secretion,
- skin problems: itching, dry skin, accelerated aging...
- fluctuating mood
- urinary tract infection
Usually, all of these symptoms dissipate and disappear when the woman has completed menopause.
When hormonal activity decreases, phytoestrogens take over
The menopause is characterized by a lowering of hormonal activity which leads to the many discomforts noted above. The idea is not to restart this activity but to provide plants with hormone-like effects over a defined period of time to get through this transition smoothly.
Beware of women with a personal or family history of hormone-dependent cancer. Hormone-like plants are contraindicated for you without the advice of your doctor.
The estrogen-like plants or phytoestrogens and progesterone-like plants compensate for the lack of hormonal activity.
- Hops
- Soybeans
- flax seeds
- sage
- the yam (yam)
- chaste tree
Focus on yam
The yam or wild yam was already known by the Aztecs to relieve many ailments.
The diosgenin in this wild plant aids in the synthesis of progesterone and estrogen making it an asset in the fight against hot flashes, mood disorders and other unpleasantness associated with menopause. The wild yam is therefore a phytomodulator that potentiates the capture of the few hormones still produced. It can overcome 80% of menopausal disorders.
You can find it in tablets, capsules or cream. The latter galenic form is applied to the hips or arms and has the advantage of deeply penetrating the active ingredients of yam. Indeed, the effectiveness of tablets and capsules can be altered because of the acidity of the stomach. In addition, the skin offers an exceptional surface for the penetration of active ingredients.
After one month of use, the effects are as follows:
- better vitality
- stabilized mood
- cognitive improvements (concentration, memorization, attention)
- quality sleep
- reduction of hot flashes and all the other disorders mentioned above
In addition, it is important to note that yam facilitates tissue oxygenation and therefore limits cellular oxidation and premature aging. It slows down calcium loss while supporting the immune system.
Taking care of the emunctories
For true effectiveness of hormone-like plants, it is imperative to take care of your emunctories. Indeed, the hormonal upset experienced during this period can be relieved with comprehensive care. The liver, which is responsible for filtering the blood, is often tired. It no longer carries out its purification work properly, and secondary emunctories must then take over. As mentioned above, the skin has a very large exchange surface. It will therefore be an exit door to evacuate the excess of toxins that cannot be eliminated by the liver and kidneys.
To conclude
The menopause is a pivotal time in a woman's life. Micro-nutritional and phytotherapeutic support will be of interest when coupled with psycho-emotional support in order to managemenopausal disorders in a comprehensive manner.