Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause doesn’t mean the end of sex

What is menopause?

As a woman ages, the number of follicles in her ovaries decrease and they produce fewer hormones. Menopause occurs when the ovaries fail to produce enough hormones to stimulate the monthly growth of the endometrium, and menstrual periods stop permanently.

Women experience a variety of symptoms due to the hormonal changes associated with menopause. Around this time, they can also lose bone density and their blood cholesterol levels may worsen, increasing their risk of heart disease. The average age of menopause is 51 years, although this can vary widely.

16 signs and symptoms of menopause

The first symptom of impending menopause is often a change in menstrual bleeding patterns. Periods may become lighter or heavier, longer or shorter, the time between periods may increase and there may be occasional missed periods. These changes may occur gradually in some women but may be more abrupt in others.

There is also a wide range of physical and psychological signs and symptoms associated with menopause. In some women, they are very mild while in others they are more severe. They may last for only a few months or may continue for several years.

Physical signs and symptoms may include:  

1. Hot flushes.
2. Sweats (often at night).
3. Tiredness.
4. Headaches.
5. Joint and bone pain.
6. Palpitations.
7. Unusual skin sensations.
8. Vaginal dryness, incontinence and infections of the urinary tract and vagina.

Psychological signs and symptoms may include: 

9. Anxiety.
10. Reduced interest in sex.
11. Irritability and mood swings.
12. Difficulty concentrating.
13. Loss of confidence.
14. Forgetfulness.
15. Difficulty sleeping.
16. Depression

 

7 ways menopause can affect sex

The most common menopause symptoms are hot flushes and vaginal dryness, or vaginal shrinkage, causing discomfort during sex.

Many women express a strong desire to maintain their sex lives during menopause but are unaware that vaginal shrinkage is related to estrogen deficiency and is readily treated, according to gynaecology professor Dr. Murray Freedman.

Changes in a women’s sexual health at menopause are caused by:

1. Menstrual changes, including disrupted flow and uncertainty about when periods will occur.
2. Discomfort because of vaginal dryness and sensitivity.
3. Lower sex drive.
4. Night sweats, which disrupt sleep, impair self-image and cause irritability.
5. Emotional changes which can affect a women’s outlook, leaving her feeling stressed and unattractive.
6. Urinary tract infections and loss of bladder control.
7. Weight gain.

Menopause does not mean the end of sex

Although hormonal changes associated with menopause can affect women’s sexual health, it is a myth to think all women experience a lack of libido and a decline in active sex at this stage of life – particularly if their menopause is naturally occurring and not as a result of a hysterectomy.

Several studies have shown about half of middle-aged women notice a decline in sexual desire, with 20% of these significantly affected, although a higher number of women (75%) report an unexpected loss of sexual desire after having a hysterectomy. Hormones like estrogen, testosterone and DHEA are believed to play an important role in sexual desire and responsiveness, affecting not just libido but also physical aspects like vaginal dryness.

Menopause is a natural conclusion to a women’s reproductive cycle, and it can be freeing when approached with a positive attitude.  The famous anthropologist Margaret Mead coined the phrase ‘post-menopausal zest’ to describe the freedom women enjoy at this time “free of birth control, PMS, monthly cramps and inconveniences.” It can be a time of new adventures – in the bedroom and out of it.

6 ways herbal supplements can help with menopausal symptoms

Herbs generally take a little longer than Hormone Replacement Therapies to start working, but once they have built up in your system, the results can be very pleasing.

In her book In The Mood Again, Use The Power of Healthy Hormones to Reboot your Sex Life At Any Age, Dr. Genie James recommends waiting four to six weeks for levels to increase.It is good to remember this is a “gradual and gentle approach for rejuvenating your sexuality for life, not for a sexual sprint,” she says.

As an alternative to medications and hormone replacement therapies – which can have negative side effects –women are Increasingly looking to herbal health products like Herbal Ignite for Women. Many years of herbal practice have shown that the herbs in Ignite for Women support women’s reproductive health effectively. It has a number of positive health outcomes, including:

1. Helping to balance hormones.
2. Reducing menopausal discomfort.
3. Improving libido and sex drive.
4. Enhancing sexual arousal and pleasure.
5. Alleviating the side effects of the contraceptive pill.
6. Improving mood and energy levels.

Herbal Ignite’s special formula has helped thousands of women with libido support and an improved sense of wellbeing, with minimal unwanted side effects. However, it’s important to note that herbal treatments like Herbal Ignite for Women do not work instantly, or even overnight. Like many herbal remedies, it’s ideal to continue with Ignite for Women for three months. This is to ensure the best results, even though most people notice benefits within the first couple of weeks.

How Herbal Ignite for Women helps support women’s health during menopause

Herbal Ignite for Women is an over-the-counter dietary supplement taken daily with food to support pre-menstrual tension and menopause and to restore hormone levels to a healthy balance. It also helps reduce stress levels and increase libido.

Herbal Ignite for Women contains four key ingredients:

• Damiana is the key fatigue and stress fighter in Herbal Ignite for Women. Known as the ‘ultimate feel-good herb’ for women, it combats fatigue, relaxes the body, reduces stress and anxiety, lifts mood and enhances sexual response. It also helps balance female hormone levels, control hot flushes and is especially renowned for its libido enhancing qualities.
• Dong Quai is known as ‘the women’s herb’ or ‘female ginseng’ because it is recognised in traditional Asian medicine as an excellent all-purpose women’s herb. It is used to calm nerves, relieve anxiety and mood swings, aid in the treatment of various skin conditions, promote youthfulness, reduce stress and is also considered effective in treating cancer. It also helps restore hormonal balance, improve menstrual regularity and relieves PMS and hot flushes.
• Tribulus Terrestris is a general tonic that supports sex drive, ovulation and reproductive health. It also balances hormone levels, boosts vitality and sense of wellbeing.
• Horny Goat Weed has been used in traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac to increase libido, improve sexual response and function and create a feeling of wellbeing during menopause. It has been used since ancient times to promote physical and mental energy. It stimulates libido by enhancing sexual response and orgasm, relieves symptoms associated with PMS and menopause, balances hormones, relieves stress and aids in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Horny Goat Weed contains a flavonoid called Icariin that assists to increase nitric oxide levels relaxing genital muscles in men and women, promoting erections and orgasms. It also influences the stress hormone cortisol to help relieve stress.

Herbal Ignite has been used successfully by thousands of men and women in New Zealand and Australia to help beat stress and fatigue, boost libido and sexual satisfaction. It is 100% natural and free of unpleasant side effects. It is made in New Zealand to the highest standards, with thorough testing and guarantees of no adulteration or undeclared ingredients.

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Disclaimer. This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not substitute for the advice provided by your medical professional. Always seek specific medical advice for treatment appropriate to you. Individual results may vary and are not guaranteed.