3 Main Types of Menopause Effects & What To Do About Them
There’s no sugarcoating it.
Menopause can really suck at times.
You’re suddenly sweaty all the time…
And there’s a lot of stuff going on down there, too… Like dryness.
But, what are some of the other effects of menopause on the body? And, what can you do to help mitigate those negative effects?
Sexual Effects
Probably one of the most noticeable things are the sexual effects that menopause has on the body.
Vaginal Dryness
One of the main symptoms of menopause is vaginal dryness.
This happens due to a natural decline in estrogen during menopause.
It often leads to painful sex and other symptoms.
What can you do about vaginal dryness?
The Mayo Clinic, a highly recognized and respected medical group, recommends increasing sexual activity (whether this is with a partner or without).
By stimulating your vagina, you increase blood flow to the area. Increased blood flow revitalizes the vaginal tissue.
You can also apply a nourishing and revitalizing personal moisturizer specifically for menopause.
Itching and Burning
Medical News Today states that:
“Itchy skin is a common problem during menopause.”
As you probably know, collagen and natural oils are what makes your skin supple and strong.
But, during menopause, both of these components to skin health can decrease.
What can you do about itching and burning?
One of the best things that you can do is to moisturize daily.
Using a personal moisturizer (one that is chemical free with organically sourced ingredients) can reduce itching. In a lot of cases, it can even get rid of itching altogether.
Painful Sex
Dyspareunia (or painful sex) is a common condition that comes with menopause.
It can be any sort of pain:
- Deep pain during penetration
- Burning
- Aching
- Throbbing
What can you do about painful sex?
Painful sex is, most commonly, attributed to a lack of lubrication.
During menopause, women often don’t produce enough natural lubrication for sex.
So, the first thing to try is using an all-natural, chemical-free sex lube.
To increase natural lubrication, you can also consider masturbating. It sounds weird… But, using a vibrator regularly can stimulate blood flow and contribute to an increase in natural lubrication.
Thinning of Vaginal Tissue
This is also known as vaginal atrophy.
During menopause, nearly 50% of women deal with this.
What can you do about thinning of vaginal tissue?
We’ve already said it:
But, increasing sexual activity can increase blood flow to your vaginal tissue and heal them.
Also, using personal moisturizers can rejuvenate and replenish your vaginal skin.
Lower Libido
Healthline says that menopause can lower libido.
This can cause a lot of problems:
It can damage relationships.
It can lower self-esteem.
And more.
But, there’s a solution to lower libido.
What can you do about lower libido?
“If you’re experiencing a loss of libido, you can try to increase your sex drive with lifestyle changes or sex aids, such as lubricants.”
Of course, there are lots of other things that can contribute to lower libido, such as feeling too tired, emotional disconnection, mood swings, and more.
Physical Effects
Sleep Disturbances
Menopause can have a huge negative impact on sleep:
According to a recent study, “as many as 61% [of women going through menopause] report insomnia symptoms.”
What can you do about sleep disturbances?
In many cases, this is immediately treated with Estrogen Replacement Therapy.
Here at Chiavaye, we prefer to try natural alternatives before going for pharmaceuticals.
Remember, we are not giving medical advice and you should always consult your doctor.
But, there are things that you can do to better your sleep:
- Sleep in a very cool room
- Sleep in a dark room
- Practice mindfulness
- Eat healthy
- Exercise regularly
All of these things have been shown to positively influence sleep.
Hot Flashes
The National Institute on Aging released an article that says:
Hot flashes, a common symptom of the menopausal transition, are uncomfortable and can last for many years.
What can you do about hot flashes?
Again, this is usually immediately treated with Estrogen Replacement Therapy.
But, often, there are other things that you can do to improve hot flashes.
- Eat healthy (remove spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine)
- Try meditation, mindfulness, or yoga
- And others
Weight Gain
Many women experience weight gain during menopause.
And, for some, this can be one of the worst symptoms. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
What can you do about weight gain?
Well, there are two main things that you can do about weight gain during menopause.
Eating a non-processed, low-sugar diet can do wonders for not only weight gain, but for your overall health and wellness.
Getting outside and walking, doing a spin class, or going to yoga will help keep you trim.
Emotional Effects
Mood Changes
Nearly 20% of women experience mood swings or depression during menopause.
This can affect relationships, your work, and your family.
But, most importantly, it can impact your well-being.
What can you do about mood changes?
Many doctors would recommend hormone replacement therapy right away.
While this can benefit mood changes, there are additional things that you can do.
Or, if your doctor agrees, you can forego the hormone replacement therapy and try alternative method right away.
Here are some options that have helped a lot of women:
- Some sort of mindfulness practice: Whether it’s yoga, meditation, or a morning routine, mindfulness can help minimize mood swings.
- Exercising: This has been shown to minimize mood swings, help with depression, and more.
Anxiety
As many as 51% of women aged 40 to 55 years report occasional tension, nervousness or irritability and 25% report frequent irritability or nervousness.
What can you do about anxiety?
See the section above titled “What can you do about mood changes?”
Follow the protocol in that section.