As much as many try to avoid it, the aging process comes for us all. While there are many positive benefits that come from this new stage of life such as more life experience and increased self-confidence, there is still much that women dread to face during menopause. Aside from the more expected effects, such as wrinkles, there are many other changes that are caused simply by hormone imbalances and varying levels over time. Here are the kinds of hormone-induced aging characteristics and what you can do to adjust well and make your body feel as normal as possible.
During menopause, your body will go through some drastic changes over a period of time, as your body and hormones shift you into the new stage of life. During this process, estrogen levels will be unstable, and progesterone and testosterone levels will keep decreasing. Some of the effects of this transition are more well-known, such as hot flashes, fatigue, or insomnia, but there are many more ways in which a hormone imbalance can manifest. Other “side effects” of menopause can include weight gain, loss of bone density, and even bladder leakage. On top of that, changing hormone levels also affect your mood and emotional state. You may find yourself more irritable or prone to depression as your body uses this time to adjust.
The process of aging, and the menopause that comes with it, is not typically an easy one. However, there are things you can do to help alleviate some symptoms of these changing hormones during this time. Start by keeping a healthy diet that is focused on taking in all of the daily nutrients your body needs. High sugar diets do not mix well with unbalanced hormones. Instead, stick to eating healthy fats, fresh fruits and green vegetables, and vitamins for the nutrients you are especially deficient in.
Additionally, getting enough sleep every night is essential for regulating your hormones. A good tip is to avoid anything before bed that could interfere with your sleep, such as TV or phone screens. It’s best to consistently aim for around 8 hours of undisturbed sleep to reap the most benefits.
When it comes to the emotional and mental effects, there are different steps you can take. Stress can be a major contributor to hormonal imbalance symptoms, so finding ways to manage and eliminate stress in your life is crucial to making it easier to deal with your body’s changing hormones. Practicing meditation can also be a good way to ground yourself and be mindful of what really matters in your life. Finally, taking time to get active exercise daily will help boost not only your metabolism but also your mood with the release of endorphins.
With all of the lifestyle changes, you can make to lessen the effects of fluctuating hormones, sometimes you might need a stronger solution. Hormone treatments prescribed by a doctor can have a greater impact on reducing the effects of menopause. One such treatment is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, in which a pellet is inserted under the skin which releases hormones into the body. These hormones are identical to the ones that the body naturally produces and help to stabilize your body’s hormone levels so for you to have more comfortable menopause and an easier time adjusting to the incredible ways your body is changing. If your symptoms are severe and persistent, this treatment may provide the stability your body needs as you enter the next important stage of life.