What should you expect? And how can you alleviate your symptoms so you can still feel your best self?
My body was slowly experiencing a hostile takeover. I did not understand why this was happening. I had gained some weight that I couldn’t lose as easily as I used to. I wasn’t sleeping well anymore, and I generally felt out of sorts. I started Googling Intermittent Fasting because I thought it would easily fit into my lifestyle. I stumbled across some articles about Intermittent Fasting to help alleviate menopause symptoms, but it did not hit home. Only when I started feeling some joint pain did I suddenly put it all together… it hit me: “This is the beginning of menopause!” I knew I needed to figure this out before it would get worse. I wasn’t going to sit by and watch this takeover!
So, what happened next? I Googled and had quiet conversations about what was going on with my mother. I spoke to some close friends and relatives. Honestly, I wished I had an older sister who had been through this. When I asked older friends about their experiences or what to expect, I got many different responses. Some were uncomfortable with the discussion. Many did not even realize that the symptoms were menopausal. Others told me it was “all in my head.” Most just empathized with me and said it was part of life.
I simply was not willing to accept these new unwelcome changes without giving it a fair fight! I wanted to feel better and wasn’t going to just sit by and suffer through it. So, I continued to investigate. I read books, looked at articles, asked stupid questions, and spoke to doctors and others in the medical field.
First, a disclaimer. I am NOT a medical professional, although four gynecologists reviewed this article to ensure it is medically accurate. I am sharing my personal experiences and newfound knowledge on the subject. My goal is to tell you what I learned, what worked for me, and what might work for you.
Menopause can be a frustrating stage of life as you try to navigate and understand what’s happening to your body. Thankfully, lifestyle changes and medical options can alleviate many symptoms and health risks.
Definitions
First some definitions. Menopause is the time that marks the end of your period. The word comes from the Greek mēn (“month,” “moon”) + pausis (“a cessation”, “a pause”). It’s defined by a date, twelve months after your last period.
In contrast, perimenopause is the years preceding menopause. Estrogen generated by the ovaries begins to decline and fluctuate erratically, starting as early as your upper 30s and continuing throughout your 40s. These erratic fluctuations in estrogen can last up to 10 years before you hit menopause.
Symptoms
Each woman experiences perimenopausal symptoms differently. Some women have minor symptoms, while others experience a more severe and broader range of symptoms. The loss and fluctuation of estrogen can cause dozens of different symptoms that manifest themselves in unique ways in each person. It is this variability that makes it difficult to recognize.
The most common symptoms may include:
Period. The change in your period is a symptom of perimenopause. Cycles may become longer or shorter than what is typical for you. You could start skipping periods, and the flow may grow lighter or heavier.
Weight. Many women experience unexplained weight gain during perimenopause. The changing hormone levels affect the metabolism and how and where we store fat, less on the hips and thighs and more in the belly area.
Sleep. You may experience insomnia (difficulty falling asleep), poor sleep quality, or wake up earlier than usual. You may likely chalk it up to stress in your life, but it is the decrease of estrogen.
Hot Flashes. The hallmark symptom of menopause is often surprising when it shows up earlier in perimenopause. Hot flashes are sensations of warmth in the upper torso and face. They might last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. If they occur while sleeping, they are sometimes called “night sweats,” and they further disturb normal sleep patterns. They are also caused by fluctuations in estrogen levels.
Memory Loss/Brain Fog. Cognition and memory problems are common because of the drop in estrogen. Brain changes are often some of the earliest symptoms that people will experience. This symptom is transitory for most women.
Hair Loss/Hair Thinning. Many women suffer from hair thinning, which is linked to decreased estrogen and progesterone production. When these hormones are present, hair grows faster and stays on the head longer.
Vaginal Dryness/Libido. With a decline in estrogen levels, the vaginal lining can become drier and less elastic and can cause discomfort. Many women report a decrease in desire during perimenopause.
Bladder Problems. Lower estrogen levels may elevate the risk of urinary (UTI) or vaginal infections. Additionally, a decrease in tissue tone can lead to urinary incontinence.
Mood Swings. Mood swings are common, and there is an increased risk of depression.
There are many other symptoms, like dry eyes, dry mouth, skin problems, etc., and any new annoying symptom that crops up is probably triggered by perimenopause.
Health Risks
Most of the symptoms above make life uncomfortable and even painful. However, there are also several more serious health issues related to perimenopause and menopause.
Musculoskeletal. Many women will experience new or worsening musculoskeletal symptoms, including joint pain or stiffness, muscle aches, and an increased risk of arthritis or bone pain. It is also harder to build up and maintain muscle. Women going through perimenopause are more likely to experience bone loss due to the lowered levels of estrogen, which increases the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Heart Health/Stroke. Before menopause, estrogen produced by the ovaries protects women from heart attacks and strokes. Women lose a lot of this protection during perimenopause and menopause because of the lack of estrogen. It is also when risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a lack of physical activity, become more prevalent.
In menopausal women, the combination of all these variables raises health risks.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes are the first and least invasive way to reduce menopausal symptoms. The main goal is to reduce inflammation since estrogen offers anti-inflammatory properties. Lifestyle changes might not be a magic bullet. They are strategies to help minimize menopausal symptoms.
Nutrition. Intermittent Fasting is beneficial for hormone balancing, metabolism, and reducing inflammation. It will probably get you the most bang for your buck. Focusing on a Mediterranean-type diet of healthy fats, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting carbs mostly to complex carbs will help significantly. So will reducing sugar, processed foods, and alcohol. Additionally, increasing anti-inflammatory food while limiting pro-inflammatory foods will help.
Exercise. It is vital to incorporate weight-bearing exercises. This can help you develop and maintain strong muscles and bones. Additionally, aerobic exercise strengthens your cardiovascular system.
Supplements. There are over-the-counter products that may help you with your symptoms and your health concerns. However, they are not research-based medicine. They include:
Collagen – for bone health.
Magnesium (Glycinate) – for sleep and cognitive ability.
Fiber – Keeps you full for a longer time as your metabolism changes.
Vitamin D – slows down the bone-weakening process.
While lifestyle changes can help with some symptoms and health concerns, they did not help me enough. I was still not sleeping well. I wanted something more.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
If you are suffering from perimenopause symptoms and lifestyle changes are not doing enough for you, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an option that may be the key. The idea behind this therapy is to replace the estrogen that the ovaries are ceasing to produce. The estrogen is administered via pills, patches, and creams alone or in combination. You will need to discuss this with your doctor since it requires a prescription.
For a while, HRT had a bad rap. It was thought to increase the risk of breast cancer or stroke. Because of this, some doctors discourage women from going on HRT. For the most part, this has been proven to be false. However, many doctors are not current with the latest research and developments in the field.
There are numerous recent research findings on the safety and efficacy of HRT. The benefits of HRT usually outweigh the risks in treating menopause symptoms for most women who are younger than 60 and within ten years of the onset of menopause. Leading experts now endorse HRT.
There are exceptions. Some women are not candidates for HRT. If you had breast cancer, uterine cancer, other estrogen-sensitive cancers, or blood clots, doctors will be more cautious. Sometimes, they might even be careful with a family history of these cancers. However, there ARE other non-hormonal options available.
Your amazing OB-GYN, who has served you well for years and is the one you are comfortable with, may not be an expert in this area. It’s an idea to find a physician knowledgeable in this area or specializing in menopause treatment. There are many hormonal and non-hormonal options that your doctor may prescribe.
I was hesitant to try HRT; I avoid any drug unless I really need it, including Tylenol! I remember thinking when I first read about HTR, “I can deal with the lifestyle changes, but I’ll never get on HRT.” But, eventually, I yielded to my new reality.
To my surprise, my doctor was very encouraging when I asked about HRT. He felt the timing was right and thought it would make a difference. My doctor prescribed a weekly estrogen patch and progesterone pills, and the results have been incredible for me. I get a good night’s sleep and feel refreshed in the morning! Outside of sleep, I feel good all around.
To my disappointment, when I slacked off on my new eating habits while on HRT, I did not sleep as well, nor did I feel as good. The combination of eating well and HRT did it for me.
Going Forward
There is no reason for you to suffer if you have perimenopause symptoms. There are all types of options. Don’t be put off by those who will brush your symptoms aside and tell you it is in your head or to just accept it as a natural part of life.
There’s also a lot of information available. The web is full of online resources. Many informative books are very readable. Here are some recommendations:
- thepauselife.com
- The Galveston Diet – website + book
- The New Menopause – book
- The Menopause Brain – book
- Mary Claire Haver’s Instagram
There are solutions. Go out, find them, and feel better!
I am absolutely shocked and appalled at a site like this would allow this to be posted. I have no problem with this topic or the fact that many women would love to hear more about it, but did you ask Dash Torah instead of just a gynecologist!? “You may lose desire!?” There is a reason frum publications have not had these topics on public forums if you need help with this, talk to your own doctor
I think this was discussed in a dignified and sensitive manner. Thank you, BCP
I agree with you, B. Thank you BCP for handling a sensitive subject in an appropriate way.
This topic needs more awareness, thank you BCP for a sensitive and well written article.
Agree. You guys are the best
Thank you BCP for shedding light on a topic that is not talked about enough. This article was very informative and I’m sure it’ll help others be more aware of what’s happening in their body, what to bring up with their doctor, and most importantly, that there are solutions to be found!
I actually thought it was written in a very appropriate way, while still bringing much needed awareness.
I was shocked as well- but in a good way. Kol hakavod between carpools! I’m sure you were very hesitant to publish this and although I didn’t learn anything new I really thank you for doing so.
In reply to ‘Esty’ above- this is not a publication, this is a website. You can expect a magazine publisher to worry about the teens who might read it if it’s left lying around. I really think it’s okay for adult women to have access to certain topics that effect our lives, without worrying that our teenagers might be surreptitiously signing on to this site.
What a rude comment
With all due respect, I really can’t understand what is shocking about this. This article discusses a vital aspect of women’s health that most readers of this site will experience. As the virtual “older sister” I am so glad that Between Carpools is writing about this in an informative and sensitive manner. Stating facts in a dignified way is not inappropriate. We are all human and we all deal with many unique aspects of being a woman that many people are not aware of. Better that it should be discussed in a sensitive manner than somebody should be feeling like something is wrong with themselves, simply because they were kept uninformed.
If you wouldn’t point it out, it wouldnt be so obvious
And shaming a fellow Jew who wrote this article is acceptable?! That is a straight out Deoraita, just as bad as turning on a light on Shabbat, or worse. Please get your priorities straight if you are so worried about the word “desire” being read. I am so turned off from all the people who are worried about single girls reading this. Who are you kidding, you seriously think they don’t know anything? You need to be the one who introduces “sheltered” topics to them otherwise they’ll get their info from places that can be very different from the way you would have liked. Hashem made teenagers curious by nature, and just like they can technically be married at their age, you need to be the one who introduces them to topics so they don’t have a shock when they get married or hear about it from someone else.
Thanks so much for posting this! This is a few years off for me still (Gd willing) but I feel like this subject is not talked about enough. It’s nice to have some knowledge about what to expect and how to manage it. Thank you!
Thank you BCP for posting about this! Such an important topic. This gives enough info on what to ask further and discuss with doctor.
Wow I didn’t even see this article to begin with but I know for certain that this community can use discussions on topics such as this and done with tremendous respect. Ignorance, secrecy and shame breed dysfunction and I for one am grateful for BCP and the author for “daring” to broach this everyday topic. BCP is the big sister we all need!
Thank you for bringing up this important subject!
Super impt subject!! Thanks for posting!!
I thought that this article was written sensitively and accurately. This website is a perfect place to discuss such a topics, and I’m sure that it benefited many! Yasher Koach!
Thank you for sharing this important article. It seems that most of what’s posted here as well as what’s being published and shared in other forums is focused on the years where we are having children and raising our families but guess what, each and every woman who is juggling that stage of life has menopause to look forward to. It’s hard to think of ourselves as aging but it’s the way of the world and as uncomfortable as it is to think about it, if we haven’t hit this stage yet, we will be at some point, sooner or later. I appreciate the information and the nudge that we’re all aging and whether your biological clock it ticking gently, hammering loudly, or completely spent and done, this article is for you.
Kudos to BCP for posting about these topics that we all need and want to understand better in such a sensitive manner! I agree with the other comments- this is a women’s online forum and it is definitely appropriate to write about a topic like this, so long as it is done the way it has been here. Keep up your great work BCP!
Appropriate and well done. Would like to hear about more about non-HRT symptom management for those of us who can’t take them.
There are many non hormonal prescription drug options that your ob-gyn can prescribe and they are supposed to work well. If you are looking for lifestyle changes, rather than drugs, I would suggest looking at the Galveston Diet linked above.
Great article! Thank you as always!
I think the mirena gave me many of the same symptoms since it also causes low estrogen. Just something to be aware of.
What a terrible article about an important topic for women! Informative, understanding, well researched.
Needs to be talked about and women need to hear about others’ experiences.
Correction: what a TERRIFIC article about an important topic!
Leah Hinda
desire you can skip out- let the person discuss that with their doctor. There are girls that use this site for recipes that are not even married yet, I am shocked that it past through. As well I don’t need to know who used a mirena etc. There is a sensitivity of tznuis of what we speak about, these topics should not be discussed on a forum sorry.
Yes, I agree! Desire should have been left out. My own single girls are on this site looking for recipes! I’m upset that that line was approved to be included in this otherwise informative article!
And so?? Your girls will become wives very soon.
Kudos BCP
Your girls use the internet without you watching what they are doing?! Then you most likely have bigger problems with what they are seeing than a well written, respectful and informative article. Thank you BCP for providing for us moms who still have young kids but are past the baby stage. We matter too!
Thank you BCP for such a well written article.
I was so grateful to see that there are informative options in the frum world, that we don’t have to go search online.
In my opinion- Desire should not be left out!
There are so many women who are suffering in this area and don’t know why. They obviously feel weird to bring it up to their sisters or friends, and they think maybe it’s just them.
Their husbands feel weird to bring it up cuz again- they think- maybe it’s just them and it’s not a usual conversation to discuss with someone else.
Unfortunately in this area- many doctors dismiss the whole desire issue and make like it’s not such a big deal.
So what are we left with. A couple suffering. Unnecessarily.
BCP is for women. And here to help women.
If your young single daughters happen to be on this site- it’s a choice you’re making as a mother that they may be “exposed”
I agree with the point about young girls using this site. I think this is an important topic but not sure how I feel about this level of openess on a site that is used by single girls.
Thank you so much for posting this important article and providing resources for further reading.
If we’re always so scared of the single girls reading stuff- where is a frum woman supposed to get information from? Should we go back to the days when everyone was buying “prevention magazine“? Speaking to a dr only works if you have a dr who understands these issues, which many younger women don’t have and often these discussions are embarrassing and a woman can think she’s the only one having these issues and ignores them. If parents are so nervous- don’t let them use this site- there are plenty of recipes elsewhere and many of these are in dinner done. This site was created for mothers- not teens. If you have an issue with your teen reading this “horrifying“ article then it’s your job to keep her away.
I completely agree!
Why is it menopause YIKES?? its a milestone and a privilege to reach that stage. its a gift!!!
we all hope to merit reaching menopause!!!
it should be -menopause-GREAT! -lets just learn what and how and when…but its a great milestone!
This was so informative! I’m still a number of yrs out but it’s so nice to see a frum publication address this! In an appropriate manner. Please continue to address these important subjects!
Thank you so much for bringing the taboo subject out of the closet! I’d love to see more….
I’m so nervous :). Scared
And for the ones complaining “losing desire” someone not familiar wouldn’t know what it means.
There can be girls in their younger twenties who very likely understand what desire means, don’t think it’s a tznuis part that should be discussed on this AWESOME forum. And if that’s the case that we can discuss it there are many more topics that’s BCP can address but there’s a limit. So I just thought that’s where the limit would be .
Please I’m 20 and have been married for a year. If a girl in her younger 20s can’t read the word desire.l- she’ll have huge issues in kallah classes 🙂
There are girls in their twenties who can use the internet especially even with a filter many people allow BCP because it’s an important site. And they do understand what desire is. Either way I love BCP but there needs to be a line that we draw – otherwise there are many other topic that I would LOVE for them to address but obviously not because it’s not tznuis.
It’s also not good to be so close minded 🙂
Please continue to post articles as such, I’m quite a few years away but I’ve seen first hand what menopause can do and I’m a bit scared. Please don’t let those rude comments stop you from writing more on this topic!! Thank you thank you!!
Thank you, Shayna Leah, for a wonderful article. I am a little young for this, but I printed this article out for future reference.
While most of the comments are positive and full of praise, there are some comments that are simply shocking. The article has one line that all the negative commenters are focusing on “Many women report a decrease in desire during perimenopause.“ Is that really objectionable? Are we children that cannot deal with such a simple idea? Is a scientific fact so frightening? Frum women need a forum where topics that are important to us can be discussed. If we do not have such a forum, then we (and our teenage daughters who steel our phones) will go to other places for this information. Do we really want that?
Last year I had a conversation with a Bais Yaakov teacher about a mutual friend. She told me that this friend “had cancer THERE.” I asked where? In Arkansas? In Piscataway? She could not say. It took time for me to realize that she was trying to say that the friend had breast cancer. She could not let the word “breast” come out of her mouth. That is insane! It is time that we all grew up!
Thank you BCP for being up to date and mature. You are a forum to help us frum women get through our lives. Thank you for not shying away from all the topics that we need addressed.
Sincerely,
Rayna Basya
There is such a concept as people being sensitive with their speech. you have to respect them…you dont have to be like them but please dont label them as immature.
As jews, we value clean speech, now each person can have their own level, however, dont disrespect her because she put her sensitivity there.
The word breast has no vulgar implication at all. In fact the Torah uses the words “shadayim” or “shdei imi” in Tehillim and Shir hashirim, which is called kodesh kedoshim. While we absolutely do need to have lashon nikiya, Hashem created us with bodies and body parts, and we can absolutely use those words! There are numerous vulgar ways to refer to different body parts, which we hopefully do not use, but naming body parts in an anatomically correct way is not vulgar or bad. Thank you between carpools for a beautifully, sensitively written article that will halo many women seek help they need. My kids are too young to read this but if I had a teenage girl who read this article, I would have zero problem with it AT ALL. The Torah tells us “el isheich teshukasech,” do we censor that as well? Do we censor tefillas Zaka on erev Yom Kippur because our teenagers may infer some intimate information? Where do we draw the line?
She put her sensitivity in her breast?!?!
THANK YOU THANK YOU!
If this is not the place to talk about things like this where is? to read not jewish magazines or blogs online?
where else besides a website hosted by and geared to Jewish women?
I have so many questions in marriage and there IS NO ONE TO TURN TO! kalla teacher was no good so now Im on my own
To all the people saying this is not the place, you must know all the answers so please provide your contact info so you can help all of us who are struggling!
THANK YOU BCP!
Malky, there are alot of people out there that can guide you and give you information and tools…there are some fabulous kallah teachers out there who can be there for you free of charge.
I have a list of women that are excellent in Lakewood, Monsey and Brooklyn.
You dont have to be in the dark….you are not alone!
Mikvah.org has podcasts on all the platforms that are address all angles of marriage and relationships. Highly recommend.
Malky, taking the course called heart of Marraige, revitalizing intimacy formula will provide you with a lot of knowledge. It is well worth your time and money. Check out heartofmarriage.org
YES! I took the course- absolutely life transforming! You will gain lots of knowledge and feel empowered and in touch with your feminine self!
I highly recommend this course to ALL married women!
HI Gila, does this course have legit daas torah? please let me know. there are many courses out there that have misconstrued goals and end up causing women a lot of pain.
thanks
Is it Gila Levitt’s course?
Is it Gila Levitt’s course?
Yes and backed by rabbanim though she makes sure to tell everyone to ask their own rav before committing
She has sources for everything she says
I recommend Gila Levitt’s Heart of Marriage course for women who think there is nowhere to find proper, appropriate support for all stages of femininity!
Any good resources for a kosher Mediterranean diet?
I don’t know of any, but I’m sure they exist. I would suggest checking out the Galveston Diet book or website linked above to at least get a feel for the diet.
Kol hakavod to bcp for having the courage to post this article! Where else will frum women learn about very relevant topics in a sensitive and open way? And yes, desire is relevant to frum women as well. To make women feel like they are not the only ones experiencing a symptom is a great chessed.
Malky, I wantedto clarify that I am not Gila Levitt, host of Heart of Marriage who posted yesterday. I am a participant who took the course and found it so informative on so many levels. She does have Daas Torah, I do not remember the names but they were names well known world wide. Please check out her website or email questions to helpdesk@heartofmarriage.org.
Hatzlacha Rabbah!
For all those who had problems with the desire line, see Rivky Slonim and Sara Marazov’s book holy intimacy for the preface.
You would much rather your teenage daughter learn from a kosher site in a perspective of the holiness than from the internet.
Thank you BCP for discussing this very important topic that is hardly mentioned!Information,knowledge and education are very much needed on menopause and perimenopause.
Perhaps you can create a WhatsApp group for women of our age and stage to share and support each other.
Thank you
Great idea! So needed!!
I have much to say in this topic and in response to the comments:
1. Thank you BCP for this article!! We need more if this! So refreshing to be able to receive solid information from a from women’s site than stam Google. I would only like yo see more of a dressing the emotional side of it. Perhaps there can be a part 2.
2. To those who felt the desire part should not have been mentioned- A teenage girl would probably not even get it because it wasn’t written explicitly a desire for what.Hiwever I do think that this site should be primarily for married women who need this forum and need a place where these topics can be discussed in an appropriate manner. I dont think girls should be encouraged to search for recipes on this site. Yes, of course they may look on their own but they can look anywhere. You cannot shelter them.
3. Perimenopause creeps up , many times earlier than expected, as I have learned from personal experience. It us definitely not discussed enough in our circles. I eoulx love to have a place to discuss this either others going thru. There is nothing like hearing from other’s experiences. , not just reading information from a book or site.
4. As mentioned Mikvah.org is an amazing resource of information on anything related to women . Check it out!
5. To the one who wrote that there is no one to turn to. I sympathize with you. I was there too. But today there is help available. There are people happy to help.
Mikvah.org has a helpline where women answer the phones. Trained Kalla teachers. Backed by Ranbonim. They are there to guide women and help them.bring their questions to a Rov when needed .
1-833-4-MIKVAH
(833-464-5824)
The helpline is available in the morning from 10 am -12 pm EST, and again in the evening from 8-10 PM EST, every day.
I hope you find the answers you are looking for. I’m happy to talk.
Thank you again BCP!! Keep it up!!!
Before i even finished reading the article I rushed down to the comments. I was sure people would be horrified. I’m so proud of us that most of us found this to be a great article. You’re not a holier or better yid if you hold on to the shame that was created through generational traumas. Talking about our health in appropriate and necessary ways is vital. Regarding single girls, I’m still traumatized by our system. How do we expect girls to take in so much so fast. Children need to learn from a safe parent as they mature.
I just want to point out that many nursing moms; especially if they are nursing clean; will have many or most of these symptoms as well.
Upon reading this I was amazed that I have so many of these symptoms- in my low twenties 😉
I googled it, and yes, estrogen levels are very low when breastfeeding. Which commonly cause changes in your menstrual cycle, vaginal dryness and loss of libido, weight gain, hot flashes and more.
Thank you BCP!
Thank you for pointing that out! You just connected a few dots for me 🙂
Same! I’m 24 and nursing wondering why I have hot flashes….
Thanks!
(I was a little panicked there for a moment!)
Thank you sonmuch for this informative article!! Kol Hakavd foe being our “big sister”.
Excellent article, so grateful to you. For additional holistic information go to Dr Aviva Romms website https://avivaromm.com/
Thank you for this article . Thanks for being the big sister I wish I had.
Thank you BCP!! You’re the best !! You think of everything!!
I was so happy to see that you posted about this. For a person like me who doesn’t have a social life/ friends to discuss such topics with, this is great!
Btw all you worried moms, which teenager these days doesn’t read the Ami/Mishpacha?? Do you know what shtisim they write there?
To the women saying that young girls are reading this… let me tell you a secret. As a high school teacher I see how many questions girls have that they’re too scared to ask their mothers. I teach in a very open Bais Yaakov school where we don’t shy away from questions. If you don’t answer their questions, they go to the internet. Don’t think that girls can’t access it even if you don’t provide it at home. A post like this is incredibly important and can allow girls to open up conversations with their mothers or other trusted mentors. Speaking from experience as a teacher- the mothers who try to ‘hide’ topics from their daughters are the ones whose daughters are searching in all the wrong places for the answers.
Just to add something crucial: Moms if I may, please do share your personal experiences with your daughters. So much of feminine health is genetic. More than a favor, it is your obligation. Unfortunately my mom is not with us anymore, and my sisters and I will never know. Share while you can.
Thank you for this post.
I’d like to add a couple of things.
First of all, there is another very common aspect of menopause, which is rarely mentioned because it’s not so appropriate or palatable, however, it’s important to at least know about it. We tend to only hear about hot flashes, which comes from lower estrogen, but for many women, their estrogen goes out of balance and actually increases during perimenopause leading to cycles which come twice a month and can be heavy and painful to the point of not being able to get through life normally. The cycle can also last for weeks, and stopped only by herbs like shepherd’s purse (yalkut ro’im). In Israel, health food stores also sell something called “yalkut ro’im plus,” but even though it has no actual yalkut ro’im in it, it puts an end to the event in the same way. The amino acid NAC and also mastik teimani (Yemenite gum) can be a life-saver to stop the sometimes debilitating pain.
It’s really distressing if the high-estrogen symptoms start to happen and hard to know how to handle it, not to mention how it presents a challenge to the marriage.
For hot flashes, red clover (talatan adom) has given many women their lives back.
BTW, I don’t think the high-estrogen issues should be mentioned much in public because it’s obviously less tsnius than hot flashes. However it’s something that should be known in connection to perimenopause in order to understand others and to validate those who unfortunately suffer from it. Most women never even heard of this issue until it happened to them (yes, even non-Jewish women; it’s simply rarely mentioned anywhere).
High estrogen can also be prevented and managed by eating a diet high in veggies and fish, without sugar, simple carbs, poultry and meat.
Anyone who suffers from this needs a lot more info than given in this comment, so should feel free to do her own research.
Finally, mainstream medical websites still mention risks with HRT. It’s not just one of the naturopath fears, as far as I’ve read. So I think it’s better to try herbs first. Having said that, Hashem is in control of everything and if HRT is the only option that gives the woman her life back, then she should just say optimistically “B’ezras Hashem, b’hatzlacha!” along with the HRT, and feel happy bitachon about it.
Thanks again!
I’m very sorry, I forgot to add that mastik teimani (Yemenite gum) should NOT be taken by women who have cysts or growths — according to the woman who owns the company that sells mastik teimani here in Eretz Yisrael. It was irresponsible of me to forget that important contraindication when recommending it. I’m sorry.
Agree that as a single girl there is no one that can answer your questions that come up if you don’t have a mother who is open to these questions. There’s no other way for curiosity and yes then it leads to the internet
I’m super surprised a site lie this would promote intermittent fasting!!! every woman is individual and can make choices for themselves!!! you have a responsibility here to keep dangerous messaging away!!!!!