Menopause Musings

I have no real idea what I'm going to do with this category. Mostly, I just want to encourage other women going through menopause, inform younger women not there yet, and give my two cents. I certainly do not have it all figured out myself, and I have things I am working on still.

The big truth of the universe, outside of God's love for you, is that none of us have it all figured out. Nothing is settled, we are dynamic, not static. I learn try, fail, succeed, try again in perpetuity. Going through menopause and figuring out what works and what doesn't is entirely personal. But knowing there are others out there who have been in the trenches and come out the side helps so much.

For this first post, I'll give you a few of the supplements that helped me deal with hot flashes and sleep issues because of hot flashes. Also some items that are game changers. Remember, I am no medical professional, just a post-menopausal woman. Always do your own research.

The biggest improvement I had in dealing with hot flashes and the sleeplessness that follows came from taking Magnesium Bisglycinate every evening before bed. I took the full recommended dosage on the label. The reason I recommend taking it at night: it relaxes you and makes you sleepy. It's also good for sore muscles.

I used a black cohosh supplement during the day, and that helped a lot, too. I no longer take it though. I found the magnesium helpful enough after a point.

If you're dealing with cortisol, which of course you are, I struggled more with it as I was getting much further along in my menopause journey. In fact, elevated cortisol is still something I am working on. But if you are at that point, I added in two additional supplements, one for day and one for night. The company Integrative Therapeutics has the two I have found success with. I use HPA Adapt in the morning and Cortisol Manager at night. I am not going to do product links, because I want you to go do the research yourself. (You can also purchase them on Amazon.) I take the cortisol manager with magnesium at night. I find I have fewer hot flashes and that I am able to get back to sleep faster when I do have one.

The one item I absolutely love? This was recommended to me by a friend, who went through menopause before me. (We women can be such an asset to each other during this change.) A fan. Yes, you read that right, a fan. Type? Doesn't matter. Multiple. The important part is getting air moving across your face as soon as a hot flash starts. This can be a handheld fan, or any portable battery powered fan, a box fan, a pedestal fan, an oscillating desk fan, heck, even a folded up piece of paper or a magazine you can grab and wave. Just get air moving across your face! It helps the hot flash go away faster, and can keep it from being as severe.

Another thing I keep on hand is a scrunchie or a hair clip of some kind to get my hair up and off my neck. Wave that fan back there a little too.

Wearing a hat to keep the sun directly off your head helps as well.

Dress in layers, so you can add or strip layers as needed. Sometimes after a hot flash comes a cold chill.

The last suggestion I have for dealing with hot flashes, that I use every night: sleeping in a hammock. It's like the cool side of a pillow all night long. It really does help.

I hope you find some of my suggestions helpful as you navigate all that menopause has to offer. Let me know if there's something you'd like me to talk about next. Thanks for being here!