Does something wake you up at 4 a.m. every day? Do you ever feel like a volcano ready to erupt? Does your temperature go up and your bad mood get worse? Do you feel like you're going to explode, you want to scream and, to top it all off, are you starting to experience hot flushes and sweating? We are, of course, talking about menopause, and they have helped us to understand it and understand you.
By they, we mean Eva, Iolanda, Núria and Mercé, along with 18 other women who have openly shared with us, without any reservations, their experiences of menopause, how it affects them and their needs. What's more, we know that sweating, hot flushes and mood swings are not the only things that change in a woman's body, but also the skin, which begins to lose elasticity and firmness, while its hydration levels and radiance are visibly reduced.
But... even if it can sometimes be difficult or annoying, even worrying in some ways, you can rest assured that it isn't the end of the world, despite it feeling like it at times! It's just a somewhat different stage in your life. The good news? There are ways to reduce these effects, and below we'll explain them to you. But first things first, do you want to know what their experiences of menopause are like? Press play!
Let's start by finding out why these changes happen in a woman's body. We have already told you that it has a lot to do with estrogen. As its role is extremely important in our bodies, and, as its level reduces during menopause, it causes many of the symptoms that we have already mentioned. Although it has a lot to do with science, it's still pretty straightforward. Continue reading and see for yourself!
What is estrogen?
It is the main female sex hormone. In summary, it's responsible for sexual organs and female traits. What's more, it affects ovulation and fertility levels, and regulates the menstrual cycle. But there's more...
What is estrogen used for?
It's involved in the metabolism of fats and cholesterol
It reduces blood pressure
It distributes body fat
It protects the bones
It stimulates the libido (together with androgens)
Estrogen is produced by the ovaries and is involved in many more of the body's biological functions than you may think. It's so important in our menstrual cycle that an imbalance or decrease in it (as happens during menopause) can cause our skin and hair to become weaker. It also affects sleep through the hypothalamus and has an influence on mood (serotonin is dependent on estrogen). I suppose that all this must sound a little...
This reduction in hormone levels can also cause headaches, inflammation, increased insulin levels in the blood, localised fat, and even difficulties in concentration and memory - many women even talk about brain fog... Now you understand many of the symptoms you have, right?
"Menopausal symptoms are so distressing that they cause almost 90% of women to seek advice on how to cope with them from their healthcare provider."
But don't worry, you're not the only one going through this. As you can see, menopause isn't just about the infamous hot flushes, but many other things that we are here to tell you about, even though no one else does.
Symptoms and signs of menopause. What happens inside our bodies?
With menopause, the ovaries stop producing estrogen. This is when the levels of this important female hormone start to drop significantly, and the symptoms of menopause begin to appear. We should clarify that each woman experiences menopause differently, and you could be faced with...
Sweating
Hot flushes
Dehydrated skin
Lack of radiance
Weak hair and nails
Localised fat
Loss of libido
Dryness and itchiness in the intimate area
Changes in the colour and heaviness of your flow
Decreased bone density
Insomnia
"My body is like a volcano that suddenly erupts. Hot flushes, dry skin, laughter crying...".
Sound familiar?
Why do you experience dryness during menopause?
When it comes to the skin, what happens is that a series of factors come together to cause this accelerated loss of hydration, firmness and elasticity, which results in wrinkles, sagging and an uneven skin tone. This, together with the drop in estrogen levels and the decrease in the skin's ability to retain water, also leads to dryness and a lack of radiance. Does this also happen to you?
Other important aspects to bear in mind during menopause are the lips and eye contour. The most delicate parts of the face, they tend to suffer the most during this time. And let's not forget about the most taboo part of menopause: changes to the intimate area, which usually lead to dryness and uncomfortable itching.
But... why does my skin appear more dull during menopause?
In the image below you can find a quick and easy explanation of what happens inside your skin and what you see from the outside, so pay attention.
"At this age, what I want to see is radiant, hydrated and beautiful skin, with some wrinkles. And if I get some reassurance along the way, then I'll take that with me too". Eva Morera, 62 years old.
Can you relate to this statement? Then continue reading...
How to mitigate the symptoms of menopause. Make up for the loss of estrogen.
Menopause is part of a woman's life, just like menstruation or pregnancy (in some cases). Admittedly, it brings with it many physical (as we have already mentioned) and emotional changes, to which you must pay attention, understand and accommodate.
To do so, most women who are experiencing or have experienced menopause stress the same thing; you need to adapt your routine to include healthy and specific lifestyle habits for this new stage in life, such as exercising (moving), drinking dairy products to reinforce your calcium levels, including more fruit and vegetables rich in antioxidants in your diet... and above all, LISTENING TO YOUR BODY.
"To counteract the symptoms of menopause, I started to adopt new healthy habits, such as drinking more water, walking, taking better care of my skin etc., and I really do feel a lot better" Mamen, 58 years old
How to prevent skin dryness
The key to increasing skin hydration during this stage is to provide it with extra collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. This will delay and alleviate the effects of menopause on the skin, making it look healthier, hydrated, smoother and more radiant. Discover the best products for you if you experience hot flushes, sweating etc.
"I need a very lightweight cream because I experience hot flushes, sweating, shiny skin etc., but also something that will keep my skin hydrated throughout the day". Angeles Salom, 61 years old
Are you looking for the same? Then continue reading because we have a line of products specifically for menopause. After months of collaboration with Eva, Iolanda, Núria, Mercé and 18 other women going through menopause, the development of this line has allowed for mutual learning and has resulted in the creation of Natural Menopause. Designed by and for all of you!
The beauty routine for menopause you're looking for: Natural Menopause
Ángeles and 21 other women with menopause have asked for lightweight yet powerful formulas. You've asked for a simple and quick, but effective routine. And here you have it!
What's its secret? It compensates for the decrease in estrogen levels thanks to natural, super-moisturising active ingredients particularly suited to this stage of life. Your skin has changed, we know that and it's normal, but you can reduce these effects with a routine that is adapted to your skin's new needs.
This routine includes an eye and lip contour (to care for the most delicate area of the face), a moisturising face cream with a lightweight finish, a super nourishing serum and an intimate moisturising balm to soothe itchiness. Four products that will help you reduce dryness and restore radiance to your skin, all while providing a pleasant sensation of well-being and comfort.
Women who understand, care for and appreciate each other.
"...The more I know, the better I take care of myself and the better I feel". Monica, 58 years old
Freshly wants to tell you something! At Freshly we keep on learning every day how to make decisions that bring us closer to a better future. Sometimes we are called dreamers, but what we really have is an optimistic vision and clear path for reaching that tomorrow. Would you like to join this adventure? If you're here, it's because you are a demanding person when it comes to taking care of your body and the planet. By subscribing to the newsletteryou will receive articles like this one to continue learning, as well as news and exclusive discounts. Are you up for it?
.jpg)
