Why Self Care is Your No.1 Go To During Menopause

The menopause will be faced by most women at some point in their lives, but despite this, it’s still a topic that we feel uneasy with. Many women will not even entertain the thought until “The Change” comes knocking!

With the average age being 51 for the menopause to begin, and perimenopause taking place any time from our 30s, we feel it’s important to open up the discussion around this life transition. Recently many women in the media, like BBC breakfast presenter, Louise Minchin have openly talked about their experiences which have helped lift the lid, however, the effects of menopause can be shocking and difficult to grapple with. For many it’s not just physical changes such as weight gain and dry skin that take place, but also brain fog and mood swings. With many women leading busy lives either with families or careers or both in many cases, there’s never been a more important time to care and be kind to ourselves, as we grapple with this natural transition. Of course, menopause doesn’t just appear out of the blue, and many women will deal with the symptoms of perimenopause for months or even years before menopause takes place.

Menopause vs Perimenopause

Another term many of us won’t come across until it starts happening, perimenopause is when your ovaries start to release fewer eggs. Typically, symptoms of perimenopause will include:

Tender breasts
inflamed joints
Heightened PMS
Lower sex drive
Hot flashes
Vaginal dryness
Irregular periods
Mood swings
Trouble sleeping
The urge to urinate more frequently and urgently

As you creep towards menopause, other symptoms may occur as your periods stop including:

Night sweats
Problems with memory and concentration
Insomnia
Vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex
Dry skin

Dietary changes for menopause

Suzanne Adamantos, founder of the Menopausal Vegan instagram account that focuses on vegan recipes to combat the symptoms of menopause, decided to go vegan just over a year ago in a bid to help her symptoms. Recalling the symptom of menopause that she finds most bothering, Suzanne reveals, “The main issue for me is the dryness - everywhere! And the itchy skin! I used the same products but try to remember to use them more. Although I’m not very good at the nighttime routine as I’m so tired. I‘ve always got hand cream in my bag.”

Suzanne - also an independent social work consultant, made the decision to go vegan due to also suffering from IBS alongside many other symptoms of menopause “I still have lots of symptoms, but I did have terrible IBS and was often in excruciating pain which has completely gone.” The most shocking symptom Suzanne admits is “the mental issues such as low mood and anxiety, which I never had before.” Finding solace through her platform and discussing symptoms with others, she feels it’s important to discuss menopause with other women who are suffering with the same ailments and discomforts. “Taking care of other people gives me pleasure and it helps talking to friends who are going through the same thing.”

Aside from dietary changes, she also attributes exercise to helping with many of the symptoms, but gives self care the top vote when it comes to transitioning through menopause… “In general I try to take care of myself the best I can and not beat myself up for my inadequacies.”

Try our edit of some Menopause friendly skin and wellbeing products…

With self care being more important than ever for women going through menopause, we’ve put together a selection of natural skincare and wellbeing products to assist with the symptoms of menopause for both your body and mind.