Many women dread menopause and the symptoms that often accompany it. But menopause doesn't have to mean the end of your sex life or your wellbeing! In this article, we'll explore what happens in the body during this phase of life - and give you tips to get through it with ease.
Menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life. During this time, a number of hormonal changes occur in the body, which can manifest themselves both physically and emotionally.
For most women, menopause starts between the ages of 45 and 55. The period usually lasts for 1-2 years. But for some, it can last for a few months or up to ten years.
You may associate menopause with hot flushes, extra kilos around the waist and mood swings? But menopause is much more than that.
For many, it's also a relief to finally get rid of PMS and the monthly period, and menopausal women often report a greater sense of freedom, joy and self-awareness.
As you approach menopause, your ovaries begin to produce less of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which can cause menopause symptoms.
Your body undergoes several physiological changes as a result of lower levels of:
But it's only when the ovaries stop releasing oestrogen and progesterone completely that you have reached menopause.
READ MORE: Why the Endocrine System is So Important for Women
By taking a blood test to measure your hormone balance, you can find out if menopause is underway.
The most common blood test checks the hormone FSH. This hormone helps control ovarian oestrogen production and increases with menopause, while oestrogen and progesterone decrease.
A little tip: You usually can't get pregnant after menopause. However, it is recommended to use contraception for 12 months after your last period to be on the safe side.
Although all women eventually go through menopause, the transition is experienced differently from woman to woman. But these are the most common symptoms of menopause:
In the period before menopause, it's common to experience irregular periods. Bleeding usually decreases in amount and frequency as you approach menopause.
READ MORE: Red Clover: Making Menopause More Comfortable
Here are the most common menopause symptoms:
READ MORE: Have You Experienced These? 13 signs of Menopause
While we can't stop the natural cycles of life, there are many things you can do to take better care of yourself during menopause.
Here are 12 tips to ease the discomfort and make it easier to cope with this new phase of life:
Unlike the insecure 20-somethings, many women find that sex gets better with age because they know what they want from their partner. Regular sex is also good for increasing blood flow in the vagina.
With menopause, the need for contraception also disappears, which can make sex better for many. A lubricant can increase pleasure and prevent discomfort in a dry vagina.
The benefits of sex after menopause include:
In other words, sex after menopause has a number of benefits. At this age, many are also at the peak of self-esteem and better able to enjoy sex.
4HER Menopause is a dietary supplement created by women, for women, with vitamins and plant extracts - carefully selected to help you through menopause in the best possible way.
Would you like to try it?
*4HER Menopause is a dietary supplement and cannot replace medication or relieve symptoms of illness
ARGH! One day, you're the happiest person in the world; the next, a black cloud looms over your joy like a shadow. In other words, you're experiencing mood swings. So, what’s next?
Miriam Johansen
• 8 min read
After struggling with menopause symptoms for a long time, Jofrid (32) came across the dietary supplement 4HER Menopause. 'I decided to try it, and I haven't regretted it,' she says in this interview.
Astrid Schaug
• 3 min read
Are you constantly hungry, having trouble sleeping, or experiencing period pain? If so, there's a good reason to get to know your hormones better, because hormones control all of these things and so much more!
Tanja Lærke Larsen
• 7 min read