The chances are, you know somebody who has experienced Menopause, is experiencing Menopause, or MAYBE somebody close to you feels embarrassed about their symptoms and are unsure why it is happening to their body, so they've kept their experience hidden.
So many women go through Menopause struggling in their day-to-day life because they have no idea what is going on. Some Doctor’s will say they’re too young to experience Menopause and prescribe medication that won’t solve their problem… This is why World Menopause Day matters!
With that being said, let’s take a look at what exactly the symptoms are and how to deal with them.
Perimenopause vs Menopause
You may have heard of both terms, and the difference is simply that perimenopause occurs in the period of time right before menopause starts. Your body will begin the transition into menopause as the production of hormones from your ovaries slows. Common symptoms you can experience include hot flashes, irregular periods, mood swings, vaginal dryness and UTIs.
When your period has stopped for 12 consecutive months, you’ve entered menopause. The symptoms of menopause are very similar to perimenopause, however you may find an increase in said symptoms which can disrupt your sleep, lower your energy and affect your overall emotional health.
Battle the Symptoms
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are incredibly common amongst women with perimenopause and menopause - around 75% in fact! When experiencing this, your skin may become hot, red and blotchy on the top half of your body, and you may start to sweat, have heart palpitations and/or feel dizzy.
Avoiding triggers can help reduce the amount and severity of your hot flash! These triggers included eating spicy food, consuming caffeine and alcohol, smoking, stress and heat. Dressing in layers can help reduce the heat of a hot flash and you can remove as many pieces of clothing as you feel you need. Using a fan can also be beneficial to keep cool. Medication is also said to help, but make sure to speak to your GP about this!
Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is another common symptom and can lead to pain, and in some cases bleeding, after penetrative sex. Our vaginas are self-lubricating, however the drop in estrogen from perimenopause and menopause can cause thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls. Some women may also experience UTI’s alongside this
Using a lubricant during sex can help to keep things sliding and red. Our Intimate Lube & Moisturiser in particular is formulated specifically for women experiencing vaginal dryness and UTI’s throughout perimenopause and menopause!
Skin Issues
Throughout menopause you may find your skin losing it’s elasticity and becoming try due to your hormones plummeting. Studies have shown that women lose approximately 30% of collagen during the first 5 years of menopause, with the decline reducing to 2% a year over the following 20 years.
Using an SPF can protect your skin from the sun to help prevent further visible aging as well as keeping your skin moisturised. Our Goddess Body Glow Cream is formulated with Aloe Vera and Artichoke Leaf Peptides to hydrate and increase the elasticity of your skin. It also includes light-reflecting particles and brightening plant extracts that’ll leave you glowing like the goddess you are ✨.
Our Manifesto Range
Ladies, we want you to know that we see you, we hear you, and we’ve formulated our Manifesto range just for you with perimenopause and menopause symptoms in mind. From bath soaks to lube, we’ve got your needs covered.
We hope these products help to give you the relief you need. The fight to raise menopause awareness has only just begun, and we’re fighting with you every step of the way 💪.
“Every woman deserves to look and feel their most confident naked. Our body care is here to liberate skin from discomfort and irritation without shame or taboo.” - Lucy, WooWoo Founder
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/menopause-facts#symptoms
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause
