Menopause means the end of menstruation. Most women experience it between the ages of 45 and 55. Unfortunately, symptoms of hormone imbalance can begin long before menopause has officially occurred, and they can make life difficult. A woman is considered to be menopausal when her blood level of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is 20 or above on two occasions, and when she hasn’t had a menstrual period for at least 12 months.

Today the average life span of a woman is over 80 years. You certainly shouldn’t have to spend half your life experiencing symptoms of hormone deficiency. Our cells are constantly renewing themselves and damage in our DNA and cell membranes can be repaired with the correct nutrients.

FemmePhase contains a mixture of herbs to balance the hormones and to provide extra natural estrogens. It also contains wild yam to improve the libido. It contains kelp to provide the mineral iodine which supports thyroid function and this helps the metabolism to be more efficient. Calcium and other minerals are provided to support bone metabolism. Our bodies need extra minerals as due to soil degradation, food processing and digestive disorders, the problem of mineral deficiencies has become widespread. FemmePhase is designed to provide the extra minerals your bones, hair and nails require as you get older. Extra B vitamins are included in FemmePhase to help you cope with stress and fatigue.

Menopause can cause dry skin and mucous membranes

As we get older our body requires more omega 3 fatty acids to keep our cell membranes healthier. If we are low in omega 3 fatty acids we will find that our skin, eyes and hair become dry and we have more aches and pains. So it becomes vitally important to increase the amount of omega 3 fats we consume regularly. Good sources include fish oil, krill oil, walnuts, ground flaxseeds, hemp seeds and chia seeds. I recommend a supplement of fish oil daily to provide concentrated omega 3 fatty acids. Try to eat more oily foods such as mackerel, herrings, trout, sardines and salmon and canned fish is easy and healthy. Purchase these oily fish in water or brine as the vegetable oil found in canned fish is not usually good quality. Coconut oil and coconut milk also provide healthy fats. Try to eat plenty of avocados as they are very high in natural vitamin E, which is anti-aging.

Keep your bones strong

Osteoporosis is a common problem in post menopausal women and can be diagnosed with a DEXA Bone Mineral Density test which measures the density of the bones in the hips and spine. If your bone density is low, you must try to increase it to prevent bone fractures in later life. Check your blood levels of vitamin D and make sure that they are towards the upper limit of the normal range. You can take all the calcium in the world, but if your vitamin D blood level is low, the calcium is useless because it will not enter your bones. Vitamin K is also necessary for keeping calcium in bones and out of undesirable places such as the arteries, kidneys and bone spurs. Many post menopausal women don’t consume sufficient protein to preserve their bone density and muscle mass. Meat, seafood, poultry and eggs all provide first class protein, meaning all essential amino acids are present. Whey protein powder is another source of first class protein and can be used to create a delicious and convenient meal.

Loss of estrogen can cause insulin resistance

Estrogen improves insulin sensitivity. As estrogen declines, the degree of insulin resistance a woman experiences tends to become worse. Insulin resistance is the leading cause of inability to lose weight. It causes fat to become trapped inside your fat cells. Your body is unable to use its fat stores for energy, thus you experience hunger and cravings and the desire to eat more. Insulin resistance promotes fat deposition around the torso and the development of a fatty liver. Berberine is my favourite remedy for addressing insulin resistance. It helps insulin to work more efficiently in your body, thus insulin levels fall back down into the healthy range. Berberine makes it significantly easier to lose weight from the torso.

Stress and anxiety can become worse after menopause

Stress, anxiety and tension can all promote hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes and insomnia.  You can reduce stress by changing the way you perceive situations in your life, learning new coping skills, or making changes to your circumstances.  Taking time out to look after yourself and doing things that make you happy is also important.  In some women, prescription antidepressant medication can be very effective at treating hot flashes and insomnia.  Magnesium supplements can help because magnesium has a relaxing effect on the body.

Menopause can present a new set of health challenges, but there are natural ways to thrive at this time of life.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.