Menopause is a natural period of life that occurs in women, typically happening between the ages of 45 to 55 and is mainly marked by your periods stopping. The exact symptoms can vary from person to person, but women will commonly suffer from mood swings, cramps, hot flushes and irregular periods leading up to and during menopause.
It can be a difficult time in life constantly suffering from these symptoms for possibly years, but there is plenty that you can do to reduce your symptoms and overall have a higher quality of life. The main medical treatment for menopause is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) but women in droves have taken to natural medicine treatments to assist them. Natural medicine is an alternative to traditional medicine, which focuses on using medicinal plants and other natural ingredients to help the body heal itself.
Read on to find out more about HRT, natural medicine and how natural menopause products might be able to help you.
How Do Menopause Symptoms Work?
The symptoms of menopause develop due to the natural reduction of hormones in the body, primarily oestrogen and progesterone. The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) controls bodily functions such as body temperature, circulation, heart rate, sweating and more. The reduction in these hormones will cause the ANS to act differently than usual, producing symptoms such as hot flushes and joint pain.
The ANS can be divided into the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). The SNS represents our body’s fight or flight response, which can cause sweating and anxiety if threats are perceived.
Some of the most common symptoms of menopause include hot flushes, mood swings and anxiety but there are actually a plethora of symptoms people have reported. Each woman will go through a slightly different experience during menopause.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
The most common treatment for menopause is hormone replacement therapy, commonly referred to as HRT. This is a safe and effective procedure that involves using oestrogen to replace the body’s levels. It is a process that varies from person to person, with different doses and types that need to be carefully considered and monitored to get the right one that will help your symptoms. Oestrogen can come in a range of different forms, including skin patches, gels, sprays, tablets and implants.
If you have a womb you also need to take progesterone at the same time to help protect your womb lining from the effects of oestrogen. Progesterone can come in the form of patches, an intrauterine system or tablets. This patch can come as part of a combined patch with oestrogen to make combined HRT easier.
HRT is beneficial as it can help relieve most of the symptoms of menopause, including hot flushes, pains, mood swings and vaginal dryness. You can probably expect to see results for some of the symptoms in the first few weeks, while some might take a bit longer to improve.
While the risks of HRT are relatively small, they are enough to put people off occasionally. The risks include a small increase in the risk of a stroke, blood clots or breast cancer, but these are very minimal.
Alternatives to HRT
While the risks are small, people often look to seek alternative treatments to HRT. This includes looking for natural remedies or other solutions that do not involve adding more oestrogen to your body.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is a species of family plant that is native to eastern North America. First used in traditional medicine by Native Americans, it is now used in herbal medicines or as a dietary supplement. Some herbal medicinal products containing black cohosh extract have been studied and are marketed as safe and effective products for the relief of menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flushes.
Red Clover
Red clover is a prolific flowering plant native to Europe, Western Asia and Northwest Africa, known for its dark pink petals. It has a few uses in alternative and traditional medicine, but is also used as an ornamental plant, an essential oil and is even edible so can be used as a garnish in cooking. For menopause specifically, there has been some evidence to suggest it can reduce the frequency of hot flushes, so many women take red clover supplements.
Non-Hormone Medicines
If alternative medicine isn’t for you, there are still a few traditional methods that may work in helping with menopause. This includes medicine that can help with hot flushes and night sweats that are primarily for different conditions but can help, or antidepressants that can help with mood-related symptoms.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an important mineral that has a variety of positive effects on the body, including supporting bones, regulating mood aiding with hormone levels. Magnesium is vital to healthy bones and can help prevent osteoporosis, also known as low-bone mineral dentistry. Post-menopausal women have a higher chance of having osteoporosis and it increases with age.
During menopause bones are broken down faster due to the oestrogen levels decline, so by taking magnesium supplements you can keep your bones healthier for longer.
Natural Progesterone Cream
Progesterone is a very important female hormone that thickens the lining of the womb every month in preparation for a fertilised egg. If pregnancy occurs, progesterone in high levels is produced to maintain the pregnancy.
There is some evidence to suggest that progesterone can help with hot flushes and night sweats, which are common symptoms that many women face during menopause.
Testosterone Gel
Testosterone gel is commonly used for those suffering from a low sex drive. This is because as you age the testosterone produced by your ovaries will start to lower. It can be prescribed by a specialist doctor if they think it might restore your sex drive. Side effects can include acne and unwanted hair growth.
Magnet Therapy & Benefits
Magnetic therapy is an alternative medicine practice that involves using the weak static magnetic field produced by a magnet. This is similar to electromagnetic therapy but does not involve an electrically powered device, simply a magnet placed on the body.
Magnet therapy products can include wristbands, jewellery or clothes that have magnets incorporated into them. It is a safe therapy but should be avoided by those who have pacemakers, insulin pumps or other devices that may be affected by magnetic fields.
LaBalance Magnet by Sassy La Femme
Here at Sassy La Femme, we are big advocates in the field of magnet therapy, showcased by our product, the LaBalance. The LaBalance is a two-piece moulded magnetic therapy device designed to help with menopause and menstruation. It is believed that magnetism can help to restore equilibrium to the Autonomic Nervous System and minimise the symptoms that go along with menopause.
Wondering how it works? The LaBalance is a small but powerful magnetic device that can be used subtly, leaving no visible bulge or any sign you’re wearing it. You simply pop it on your underwear approximately 4 inches underneath your belly button placing the large, curved part of the device against your skin.
LaBalance works by using magnetism to help relieve symptoms of menopause, perimenopause and period pain. You can wear it all day and night, so it can be used to dull symptoms constantly, or you can choose to put it on when your symptoms are particularly troublesome.
Alternative Therapies For Menopause From Sassy La Femme
If HRT isn’t for you and you’re searching for a natural alternative to help with menstrual and menopausal symptoms, work with Sassy La Femme for our innovative magnetic therapy device. The LaBalance magnet is incredibly popular with our customers, who say that our product has helped them deal with symptoms such as hot flushes.
When ordering with us, we include the device along with two directional device buttons so you have a spare that you can use at all times. It also comes with a handy travel pouch for you to put the device in, such as when exercising. However, once the device is secure it will not move, so you can still use it in these situations.
Our product is recommended by the majority of our customers, with many commenting on the instant relief it offers but also the long-term benefit it has. Visit our FAQ page to find out more information about the LaBalance or get in touch with us today to find out more.