Davina McCall discusses menopause symptoms on Loose Women
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Years of menstrual cramps, bloating, perhaps tears and taking painkillers might be upstaged by hot flushes, low sex drive and joint aches and pains. Is there anything that can be done to ease the menopause? “Most women will experience some symptoms around the menopause,” warned the NHS.
Menopausal symptoms
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Difficulty sleeping
- Reduce sex drive
- Problems with memory and concentration
- Vaginal dryness and pain, itching or discomfort during sex
- Headaches
- Low mood or anxiety
- Palpitations
- Joint stiffness, aches and pains
- Reduced muscle mass
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
Although the duration and severity is different for each woman, “symptoms usually start a few months or years before your periods stop”.
On average, menopausal symptoms can linger for four years, but some people may have them for as long as 12 years.
The earliest sign of menopause is a change in the normal pattern of your periods.
They may become unusually light, or heavy, and the menses could arrive every two weeks or disappear for months.
Herbal remedies
Liquorice
Researchers from the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran, tested whether or not liquorice could help ease hot flushes in women.
The study involved 90 women who detailed the severity and frequency of their hot flushes in a questionnaire.
Participants were given three capsules daily of 330mg liquorice abstract or a placebo.
Over the eight-week trial, the frequency and severity of hot flushes “decreased significantly” in those taking the liquorice abstracts compared to the placebo group.
Ginkgo bilboba
Another research trial conducted by Alborz University of Medical Sciences in Iran investigated the effects of Ginkgo bilboba.
Eighty healthy female volunteers enrolled in the experiment, who were randomly assigned 120-250mg of Ginkgo bilboba or a placebo.
The women’s sexual desire was subjectively evaluated using the Sabbatsberg Sexual Rating Scale before and after the intervention.
After the 30-day trial, the researchers concluded that sexual desire “was significantly improved” in the Ginkgo bilboba abstract group compared to placebo.
Green tea
Other researchers from the Winthrop-University Hospital in America found that green tea can help prevent bone loss in older women.
Utilising all this research data, Bethan Thomas created the tea brand HotTea Mama, which has a dedicated brew for menopausal women.
Take a Pause is blended with herbal extracts to helps alleviate the symptoms of menopause. Included are:
- Raspberry leaf, which can lessen heavy menstrual flows
- Ginseng, to improve mood changes, and increase length and quality of sleep
- Green tea, to support bone strength and guard against weight gain
- Gingko bilboa, to improve blood circulation and cognitive function
- Liquorice, which can help reduce the occurrence and length of hot flushes
- Valerian, which can reduce stress and anxiety, aid sleep
The herbal blend has been specially blended to support people transitioning from the peri-menopause to post menopause.
What’s the peri-menopause?
The peri-menopause is the term used to describe the transition into menopause.
It’s when bothersome symptoms typically occur for most women who are experiencing period changes.
These changes are hugely influenced by the drop in oestrogen production in the body.
Enhancing your general well-being can also help to minimise symptoms, which can be done by:
- Exercising
- Not smoking
- A good sleep cycle
- Drinking less alcohol
- Maintaining a healthy weight
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