Ah, the big change: menopause. It’s the natural and inevitable process that occurs in every woman’s life, typically between the ages of 45 and 55. Before, during, and after menopause, the body undergoes several steep hormonal changes that can affect various aspects of a woman’s life. While most people associate menopause simply with hot flashes and night sweats, the truth is that menopause can affect the body and mind in some crazy and startling ways.
In this article, we’ll explore 4 crazy ways menopause can change your mind and body.
Changes in memory & concentration
I’m sure you’ve heard of “baby brain,” the phenomenon pregnant ladies experience causing them to become forgetful. This is caused by a hormonal imbalance. Menopausal women deal with a different type of hormonal imbalance, but it can affect the brain just the same.
Many menopausal women report experiencing memory problems and difficulty concentrating during menopause. Steep hormonal imbalances and changes can affect the brain’s ability to process information and create neurotransmitters like dopamine.
Studies have shown that estrogen plays a crucial role in cognitive function, and as estrogen levels drop during menopause, women may experience cognitive decline. This can make it difficult to focus, remember things, and learn new information.
What to do about it: Regular exercise is a great way to combat menopausal mental fog. Cardio can oxygenate the blood and brain and produce happy hormones like dopamine and serotonin. Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3s.
Changes in sex drive & arousal
Many women experience lower sex drive during menopause. This is because the hormonal changes caused by menopause can directly affect arousal, sexual functioning, and interest in sex.
It all comes down to the natural decrease in estrogen. This can cause vaginal dryness, low genital sensitivity, and even pain during sex– all of which can make sex simply unenjoyable.
What to do about it: Non-invasive, powerful, and effective arousal aids like vaginal lubricants, arousal creams, and vibrators can help older women overcome common arousal challenges. Some ladies have found relief from topical estrogen creams.
Sleep disturbances
Menopause can seriously affect our ability to get the restorative rest we all need. Besides the dreaded “hot flash” alarm system that constantly goes off, the imbalance of sex hormones may also disturb your circadian rhythm. A decrease in estrogen levels can disrupt the body’s production of the sleep-regulating hormone melatonin, leading to difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
Menopause can also cause body aches, joint pain, increased night urination, anxiety, and depression, all of which may affect the quality of your sleep. Getting low-quality and fragmented sleep can begin to worsen your symptoms.
What to do about it: As people get older, they naturally produce less melatonin than they used to. This hormone is essential for deep REM sleep. It’s recommended that folks over the age of 55 take 2mg of sublingual melatonin 30 minutes before bed. For those with anxiety or worry, a magnesium glycinate supplement may help calm your nervous system and support relaxation.
Weight gain & metabolism slow down
Ahh, the dreaded weight gain. Many women find that they gain weight during menopause, even if they haven’t changed their diet or exercise routine. It can be very frustrating as this type of weight gain is no fault of your own. It’s hormonal.
Hormonal changes can profoundly affect the body’s metabolism, making it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it. For menopausal women, decreased estrogen levels can cause the body to lose muscle tone and store excess fat in the belly, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and other health problems.
What to do about it: Don’t be too hard on yourself about it; after menopause, your body is not going to look or perform the same as it did in your mid-30s. Maintaining a healthy weight comes back to regular exercise and a mindful diet. Some women choose to replace estrogen with hormone replacement therapy. This may curb the changes in metabolism.
Article Summary
Menopause is a natural process that can affect the body and mind in some crazy ways. Women may experience memory problems, sleep disturbances, weight gain, mood changes, and changes in sex drive during menopause. While these symptoms can be frustrating, there are many treatments and lifestyle changes that can help women manage these changes and enjoy a healthy and happy life.
