SURVIVING MENOPAUSE: Powerful Supplements, Phyto-estrogens, HRT - Where to Start?
THIS IS YOUR NEED TO KNOW GUIDE TO GETTING STARTED ON ERADICATING YOUR SYMPTOMS - AND YOU CAN DO IT NATURALLY!
I have to think back to the first day I found out I was perimenopausal, and on that day I knew nothing! What I did know is was that I understood what was going on and that I could research it and help myself. It’s misty now as that was a few years ago and I forget that you are most likely back at the start where I was and you don’t know which way to go with supplements.
WHERE TO START?
There are 2 routes through your menopause – quick fixes or resolving your health imbalances for longevity. After all you’re only half way through your time in this body; isn’t this now the time to take stock and evaluate your health and where you are going?
I’m going to take you through some guidance to supplements in a moment but let me explain my way of looking at the menopause and what to do about it.
The hormonal upheaval you’re experiencing is 10-100 greater than being pregnant, did you even know that? And did you take supplements during pregnancy?
This hormonal change has some downsides and one is that it leeches the nutrients you have in your body that you gain from food, and that leaves you feeling exhausted and achy. At this point you choose your path, to resolve your health issues or to stick a plaster on it.
HOW TO RESOLVE YOUR HEALTH IMBALANCE TO ALLEVIATE MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS
Understanding your underlying health imbalance is to understand how your menopause symptoms have got so bad. The first step to start rebalancing your body chemistry is to start taking vitamins and minerals that you are deficient in. These are the building blocks of your health, and then to add in other supplements you may need like essential fatty acids, amino acids, adaptogens, pro-biotic and collagen; depending on what you need individually.
SHOULD I HAVE PHTYO-ESTROGENS (HRT)?
The answer is individual to everyone, but what you should know is that you should not just take Menopause Supplements and HRT in lieu of making any health changes in your life, this would just be a sticking plaster over your symptoms, and may lead to further health issues to be resolved later on. The later you leave improving your health the more difficult it will become to get back into health.
HRT AND PHYTO-ESTROGENS – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
You may have heard of Soya Isoflavones and Red Clover, these are phyto-estrogens. They are plants that naturally contain some estrogen in them; 2 of the richest sources. HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) is also a phyto-estrogen, made from processing wild yam (don’t accept ‘Premarin’) to a very condensed supplement. If you are still on contraception you are taking an even more condensed form of this.
Phyto-estrogens can be also be gained from certain foods like chickpeas, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, this is the weakest form you can take naturally as part of a healthy balanced diet.
So what is the difference?
Only the strength of estrogens involved, and that the higher the amount the more processed it is. As your estrogen declines taking Phyto’s in any form is a level of replenishment. In your food, you get phyto’s in their most natural (and safest form), as you move into tablets the phyto’s will be processed to varying degrees, therefore removing them from their most natural form, this is still a relatively new science and only time will tell whether taking ‘HRT’ will have a positive long term effect on your health.
WHEN TO TAKE PHYTO ESTROGENS?
When you know you are in estrogen decline, this is indicated by scant/ erratic or no periods; plus you maynbe experiencing hot flushes very regularly.
If you take phyto-estrogens in any form at a time when you are estrogen dominant, or fluctuating then you can cause your estrogen levels to spike and it can exacerbate symptoms such as bloating, flushes, and mood swings.
HOW DO YOU KNOW HRT/ PHYTO SUPPLEMENTS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU?
There is only one way – to try and see what the results are. I would suggest you start with the lowest dose – as foods. Then try Menopause supplements, and then discuss with an HRT specialist if it is the right thing for you.
‘MENOPAUSE’ SUPPLEMENTS
If a supplement has ‘Meno’ in the title, it more often than not has a phyto-estrogen in it. This may not be suitable for you if you’re in the perimenopause and you may not require phyto-estrogens. The ingredients you’re are looking for are Soya Isoflavones or Red Clover.
What you do need supplementally is vitamins and minerals. A good multi vitamin plus an additional magnesium supplement will in a couple of weeks alleviate symptoms of achy joints and muscles and you may well feel more energised and sleep better; if your symptoms weren’t too prolonged before you start taking these.
SHOULD I TAKE ANTI- DEPRESSANTS?
All of these options are a personal choice, however I strongly disagree that you should take anti-depressants for a body hormone imbalance; what ever the GP says. Remember your GP, unless they state they are a hormone/menopause specialist they won't know what to suggest to you. They have a limited toolkit, so ADs are their turn too. My recommendation is that you contact a menopause specialist anywhere rather than take this as a default option; you do not know what the effect is going to be on your long term health if you choose a medication route.
ALLEVIATE YOUR SYMPTOMS BY BOOSTING YOUR HEALTH
A healthy person won’t hardly have any menopause symptoms. If you’re experiencing mild to severe symptoms you are not near your optimal health. If you feel ‘just unwell’, fatigued, achy, and have further symptoms this isn’t only because you are in the perimenopause it is because your hormonal change is magnifying that your health isn’t great.
HOW DO I HELP YOU
I explain what is going on in your personal situation, I help you understand exactly what is going on and help you gain back control of your health and ultimately your happiness. When your body is out of health it really affects you mentally and how you feel. Once you’re in overwhelm, and more seriously despairing of your situation you really don’t know where to turn and unfortunately at this time your GP may not be able to help you.
YOU’RE ON A PATH…
And you now choose which way to move forwards – a sticking plaster trial n’ error or rebalancing your body to give you the best possible chance of living a long and healthy life through and after your menopause transition. Which would you choose?
IS THERE A MAGIC PILL?
What if I told you there was, but it was broken into 28 parts and you had to take a little piece everyday? That the accumulative effect is that in a month’s time you’d really start to feel so much better again?
If you’d like to get your health back, feel emotions again, take control and be empowered I can help you! I have a fantastic group experience called ’28 Days to a Happier and Healthier Menopause’. The women who have taken part really can’t believe the changes they have made to their health and happiness in this short space of time:
"I've lost 1 1/2 inches of belly fat in just 3 weeks and I'm nowhere near fatigued in the mornings when I get up" Caroline, Aberdeen "I'm less anxious and overwhelmed, I used to wake up and dread the day, now I get on with it, I've cut down on my training and I get through the day happily now" Emma, Cambridge "I've got more energy, I sleep better and I've lost weight! This group has been life-saving" Sarah, Nottingham
READY TO GET STARTED?
Join my waiting list here and I’ll contact you when registration opens
Then you can have a free menopause clarity call – you can book in here.
I’ll let you know when the next group experience starts, it runs a few times a year and spaces are genuinely limited as I don’t have a big group, but the support the women give one another is fantastic!
If you'd like to get started on reading about how you can help yourself then 'Understanding Your Menopause' is my easy to read book with over 80 pages of information and practical solutions for you to implement.
Take this opportunity to combine my eBook with my new one 'Eating For Perimenopause and Beyond'. Change the way you eat to relieve symptoms of nights sweats, mood swings and the ever irritating belly fat!
Want to get started on Supplements? I have the starter list here.
If you’re suffering from hot flushes and night sweats right now and need support, then I have Blossom cream, designed especially for you to ease your symptoms now. A very specific blend of essential oils that ease the heat symptoms, and calm you down. Purchase here, and used this code BLOSSOMCM for a 15% discount
EXPLORE THE REST OF COTSWOLD MENOPAUSE AND HOW ANDREA CAN HELP YOU HERE
