https://tpa.fr/pieces-theatre-aix-marseille/vivement-la-menopause-7517.html
It is a physiological process which corresponds to the cessation of ovarian functions.
For many pre-menopausal or menopausal women this period is quite difficult and trying: Physical discomfort, emotional disorders, reduced libido, weight gain, etc.
How to get through this milestone more easily? In this article, we will take stock of sound advice: Support from aromatherapy (essential oils, hydrosols), diet, activities, etc.
https://fr.dreamstime.com/
This period arrives around the age of 50, this is a middle age. Some women experience warning signs closer to 40 and others much later, between 45 and 55 years old.
Indeed, this transition is a source of upheaval which is more or less marked depending on the uniqueness of each woman. It is characterized by the appearance of different physical symptoms: hot flashes, weight gain, sleep problems, fatigue, urinary incontinence, reduced sexual desire, vaginal dryness, migraine, etc. These symptoms can also be psychological and emotional: irritability, difficulty concentrating, lower self-esteem, bad mood, depression, etc.
This list is not exhaustive and not all symptoms are necessarily experienced and fortunately! What is inevitable is the gradual cessation of periods.
By puberty, you were in the so-called reproductive years, meaning your brain and ovaries worked together to create the hormones that stimulated your ovaries so they could release an egg (ovulation period). ) and prepared your uterus each month for a possible pregnancy. The main hormones linked to this process are estrogen and progesterone.
If the egg was not fertilized, you did not get pregnant, and you had your period, this menstrual cycle would start again every month.
As the years have passed, the ovaries no longer have an egg, and your body gradually stops producing hormones, which is how you enter the menopause phase.
It is the fluctuation and decline in hormone levels that can cause the symptoms of menopause described above.
It is considered that when a woman has gone a year without a period, she has reached what is called “post-menopause”.
https://www.multiplesklerose.ch/
Food
Discussed previously, menopause causes an upheaval at the hormonal level, particularly concerning growth and storage hormones. The body eliminates fat much less easily. Although the metabolism slows down, the body stores it more easily, resulting in weight gain.
It is wise for water consumption to be adapted to your own needs. For example, choose water rich in magnesium in case of constipation. If you suffer from water retention, you should switch to water richer in potassium. For bone fragility, water rich in calcium is recommended, in case of anemia, water richer in iron and diuretic water to help and promote elimination.
Don’t hesitate to give your body a boost by changing your eating habits. Favor white meats, fatty fish, shellfish, starchy foods with a low glycemic index: wholemeal bread, wholemeal rice, quinoa, semi-wholemeal pasta. Favor vegetables rich in water (zucchini, chicory, leeks, etc.) Dried fruits: almonds, walnuts, prunes, etc. and of course dairy products: hard cheeses, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.
* You can flavor your water with citrus essential oils which promote detox and elimination: sweet orange, lemon, grapefruit, small grain of clementine (1 to 2 drops/1.5 l of water – in l sparkling water or diluted in a dispersant).
Physical activity
Obviously, physical activity is essential during this period. Whether by practicing a sport (walking, yoga, swimming, aquagym... or by other everyday tips: taking the stairs rather than the elevator, walking the dog, doing your little shopping on foot rather than 'by car if of course it's in the neighborhood 🙂
https://jogginginternational.net/
Skin care
As we have seen, during this period, hormones take a break. Estrogens and progesterone no longer stimulate skin cells such as fibroblasts, which play a role in the production of hyaluronic acid (a molecule that captures and retains water in the dermis), collagen and elastin ( fibers providing tone and elasticity to the skin). In short, as you will have understood, the skin can suffer from dryness, one of the main causes of thinning of the epidermis, wrinkles and sagging skin. It is therefore essential to hydrate your skin well.
Vegetable oils and/or essential oils, hydrosols provide natural care to the skin rather than turning to cosmetic products or creams with compositions that are not always very clear and quite expensive.
For example :
Rosehip vegetable oil: It nourishes dry and sensitive skin, but also to treat atopic skin. Thanks to its content of essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6 and 9), this vegetable oil has exceptional regenerating, repairing and restructuring properties. Furthermore, its richness in vitamin E and beta-carotenes also gives it softening, antioxidant and anti-aging properties. It thus slows down the premature appearance of wrinkles, spots on the skin and other signs of skin aging, in addition to helping to reduce their appearance. In addition, thanks to its previously mentioned properties, Rosehip oil helps treat and reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Furthermore, it is known for its restorative benefits for the skin on a sunburn or an area dried out by the cold.
Argan vegetable oil: It benefits from many interesting properties. It is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, vitamin A and E (Tocopherol). It benefits from increased elasticity and suppleness, thus constituting a natural anti-aging effect. Antioxidants act against skin aging, which slows the appearance of fine lines and firms the skin. Vitamin E protects against free radicals while preserving the quality of fatty acids. Argan oil is applied to the face and body, it moisturizes and provides softening care. Its absorption is rapid. Its properties make it a healing oil, ideal for chapped skin, eczema, stretch marks but also for dry skin.
Apricot kernel oil: It has several virtues. Revitalizing and regenerating, anti-aging and antioxidant, it effectively fights against skin aging by promoting cell renewal. It is also toning, hydrating, firming, emollient, anti-inflammatory and nourishing. Apricot Kernel oil provides a luminous and radiant complexion thanks to the beta-carotene it contains. It is indicated as a moisturizer to prepare the skin for the sun. Apricot Kernel oil is suitable for all skin types (except for oily skin, for which Jojoba oil is more indicated thanks to its ability to regulate sebum production): young or mature skin, dry or mixed, sensitive and/or atopic. It penetrates the epidermis quite quickly and leaves no greasy film after application.
Le macérât d’Immortelle : Composée d’Hélichryse Italienne, cette huile limite les signes de l’âge. Elle est riche en vitamine E, antioxydant naturel, elle est également idéal contre les coups même ancien, les blessures ou les égratignures. Elle convient aux peaux matures, très prisée et excellente pour les soins de beauté. Elle bénéficie de propriétés régénératrices, pour les peaux abimée mais aussi en cas de rougeurs car elle unifie le teint et apporte une douceur à l’épiderme. Elle stimule la production de collagène qui permet à la peau de rester ferme et de conserver sa vitalité. Le macérât d’Immortelle peut s’utiliser pur à la place d’un crème de jour ou de nuit. Elle peut également servir de démaquillant. Ses propriétés sont anti-inflammatoires et astringentes ce qui va permettre à la peau de retrouver un dynamisme et un bel éclat lumineux.
*You can add 1 drop of Rosat Geranium or Italian Helichrysum or Rosewood essential oil to a neutral moisturizing cream.
Stress
Bergamot essential oil is useful because it has invigorating and relaxing properties. It relieves nervous tension, anxiety and depression.
Sweet Orange essential oil has relaxing and anti-stress properties which also promotes sleep (be careful, it is photosensitizing, so do not expose yourself to the sun in the hours following application (at least 6 hours ).
True Lavender essential oil is renowned for its soothing properties, it calms nervous disorders and promotes sleep.
Atlas Cedar essential oil is recognized for its tonic, soothing and lipolytic (fat elimination) properties. It limits stress and reduces fatigue.
Hot flashes and other disorders
https://weekend.levif.be/societe/psycho/menopause-la-pause-taboue-en-parler-pour-mieux-laffronter/
Clary Sage essential oil has an action that mimics estrogen. It relieves premenstrual disorders, regulates irregular cycles and fights against pre-menopause and menopause disorders.
Rosat Geranium essential oil regulates the hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex. It regulates problems linked to hormonal imbalance such as breast swelling for example.
* Certain essential oils are prohibited for people with a history of hormone-dependent cancers because they are estrogen-like.
Also think about hydrosols
As a reminder, hydrosols (floral water) are aromatic waters obtained after the distillation of an essential oil. During steam distillation, it will pass through the plant, which will allow the volatile compounds of the plants to be extracted, the lighter oily part is the essential oil while the aqueous part , the heavier the hydrosol. Hydrosol is therefore water loaded with a low concentration of essential oils.
Orange Blossom Hydrosol: Nervously rebalancing, it allows you to relax both physically and emotionally. Useful in cases of insomnia thanks to its calming properties, it soothes anxiety, hyperactivity and stress. It is also a rebalancing agent that soothes the skin: tonic, rebalancing the PH and skin flora, revitalizing, it restores radiance to dull skin.
Pistachio Lentisque hydrosol: Pistachio Lentisque hydrosol is useful for relieving discomfort due to the feeling of heavy legs. It also helps with hot flashes.
True Lavender Hydrosol: it has relaxing and soothing properties, it can help relieve stress, anxiety and sleep disorders.
To conclude :
Menopause is an important period of transition in a woman's life, often accompanied, as we have seen, by physical and emotional symptoms that are sometimes difficult to manage. In this context, aromatherapy proves to be a valuable resource. Essential oils, hydrosols or vegetable oils contain natural properties and virtues that bring soothing, relaxation and balance. Real support to alleviate the discomfort relating to this pivotal period in order to regain a better quality of life and significant relief during this transition period.
https://www.essity.fr/le-groupe/initiatives-societales/parlons-de-la-menopause-etude-2023/
*All products are available for purchase online or to order: by telephone, by email or by message.
*Certain essential oils have contraindications and it is important to take note of the precautions for use.
*The information provided in this article is based on scientific literature and the experience acquired over the years in the various training courses. However, they are provided for information purposes only and should in no way replace ongoing medical care or treatment.
Bibliographic and scientific sources:
M. FAUCON (2019), "Treatise on scientific and medical aromatherapy - essential oils", Ed Sang de la Terre
GEA, A. (2022). “Physiology and essential oils, how essential oils act on the different systems of the body”. Ed. Dunod. Malakoff.
STAUB, H. and BAYER, L. (2013). “In-depth treatise on Phyto-Aromatherapy”. Ed. Grancher. Paris
Online : https://www.saintluc.be/fr/service-de-gynecologie-et-d-andrologie-menopause,consulted on 24/04/2024
Online : https://lamenopause.fr/cat/etudes-scientifiques/, consulted on 13/04/2024
Experience menopause as a stage and not as an ordeal thanks to essential oils!