Tana Amen Shares Her Menopause Journey: Finding Health & Balance Naturally
Women today have become much more aware of the disruptions that accompany menopause, the transition once referred to as “the change of life.” This process was previously mysterious and taboo, but we’ve made great strides in educating ourselves more about what happens within the body—and sharing our own experiences with it. We’re now better prepared to face a variety of unpleasant symptoms, from night sweats and irritability to depression and anxiety.
But for some women, these side effects are just the tip of the iceberg as they navigate the menopausal journey. Did you know that symptoms like memory loss, brain fog, and even thinning hair can be part of menopause too? The truth is, even medical experts are still learning more about this complex process. More research is needed, and everyone is affected differently.
So, yes, all the above-mentioned symptoms (and more) can become a problem during menopause, but your journey will be unique to you. These changes can also start presenting themselves earlier than you might expect, since perimenopause can actually start 10 years before menopause. That’s a big chunk of a woman’s life that may be affected by this variety of changes. Here, I’ll discuss some of the major shifts that can take place, including ones I’ve personally faced—and what we as women can do to combat them.
Common Menopause Symptoms
Weight Gain. Studies cite an average of 1 pound per year gained during the menopausal process. A 2021 scientific review¹ published in the journal Menopause noted that several factors can influence menopausal weight gain. First, the body’s composition changes, with a decrease in lean muscle mass and an increase in fat mass. In addition, some women take menopause-related medications that contribute to weight gain—like hormone treatments or antidepressants.
I’ve been affected by menopausal shifts, too. For example, I always enjoyed a high metabolism, and in my younger years I could get away with eating more healthy carbs. But factors like stress and shifting hormones can change all that when you hit your late 40s and early 50s. In my case, switching to a lower-carb, high-fiber diet—with higher fat and protein—helped me get back on track.
It took some effort for me to understand that these changes are part of life, and getting upset over them doesn’t help. Just make adjustments and stay attuned to what your body needs as it evolves with age. I suggest looking at this as an opportunity to grow and get reacquainted with your body. You could make positive changes now that will improve the rest of your life.
Hormonal Changes. Hormone fluctuations are at the root of many menopause symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms women experience include:
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Lowered libido
- Migraines
- Back pain
- Incontinence
- Vaginal dryness/painful intercourse
While this is a long list of potential issues, the good news is that most of them are, if not 100% fixable, at least things you can work on, improve, and get help with. For example, during my perimenopause and menopause journey, I had my hormone specialist on speed dial. I’ve gone so far as to say that progesterone should be in the drinking water for any woman over the age of 40!
While I loved the results of hormone replacement therapy, it’s definitely a personal choice that only you can make. But regardless of what you choose, you can also take a lot of steps that are totally natural. One of my favorite all-natural solutions is supplements.
Introducing Menopause Essentials+
BrainMD just released a supplement called Menopause Essentials+ that I know is going to be a major game changer for so many women who are going through the menopause journey. It supports hormonal balance, overall wellness, and healthier aging with a powerful blend of clinically studied ingredients. Ultimately, it delivers welcome, fast-acting relief from even the toughest menopause symptoms.
The key ingredients in Menopause Essentials+ include:
- EstroG-100®: This blend of 3 herbal extracts is clinically shown to reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and fatigue. (I’ll share more on those clinical results below.)
- Red Orange Complex®:This ingredient is derived from Sicilian blood oranges. As an antioxidant, it fights internal inflammation and boosts your skin’s appearance by reducing wrinkles and promoting radiance.
- Trans-Resveratrol:You may have heard of resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grape skins. It adds several benefits to this supplement—improving circulation, enhancing mental clarity, and promoting a strong, healthy heart.
- Vitamin D3:We know that women lose bone density and mass in the menopausal process. Vitamin D3 helps maintain bone density, reduces inflammation, and boosts muscle strength to keep your body strong and resilient.
- Vitamin K2 (MK-7):Along with consuming calcium, menopausal women need to ensure it’s actually reaching the bones, where it’s needed. Vitamin K2 assists that process, which promotes bone and heart health.
Most importantly, unlike many supplements out there that promise benefits and don’t deliver, Menopause Essentials+ is backed by research and results. In a clinical study on EstroG-100®, the powerhouse ingredient behind this supplement, 50% of women experienced noticeable symptom relief in as little as 7 days, and 76% reported extreme satisfaction with their results.
The 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study on EstroG-100® studied the effects of a 514-milligram dose twice daily, which is the dosage used for Menopause Essentials+. The results were overwhelmingly positive, with women reporting:
- 93% overall satisfaction
- 84% reduction in daytime hot flashes
- 82% reduction in nighttime hot flashes
- 81% improvement in sleep quality
- 82% improvement in mood and emotions
- 89% increased interest in sex
Taking Back Your Life and Health Through Menopause
Having experienced menopause-related setbacks myself, I know how stressful they can be. When your mood and memory is thrown out of whack, your sleep is suffering, and you’re struggling with weight gain or food cravings, it’s hard to feel like your best self.
That’s why the Menopause Essentials+ supplement—used alongside lifestyle choices like a healthy diet, exercise, and sleep hygiene—can truly allow women to thrive once again. Restoring energy levels, fighting fatigue, protecting the health of your bones and heart, and reducing hot flashes and night sweats for better sleep quality are just some key benefits that Menopause Essentials+ offers.
Other benefits, like improved moods and mental clarity, will help you make better health decisions, enhance your closest relationships, and tackle your to-do list with greater ease. Meanwhile, the skin and hair health benefits help boost your confidence—because it’s important to look our best in addition to feeling our best. And with a healthier libido, hormonal balance, and body weight, you’ll be able to more fully enjoy the life you’ve built in your middle-age years. The overall effect is greater vitality, confidence, and vibrancy as you navigate this series of changes in your body.
You need only 2 capsules of Menopause Essentials+ daily, making it an easy addition to your health and supplement routine. And, because it’s a natural and hormone-free solution, you can use Menopause Essentials+ in conjunction with other supplements (try BrainMD’s Omega-3 Power, Smart Creatine+, and Smart Collagen) and even with hormone replacement therapy. Just make sure to discuss with your healthcare provider before adding anything new to your current health and wellness regimen.
Coping with the Natural Changes of Menopause
Menopause occurs as a natural change of life after we pass our child-bearing years. It’s nature’s way of making space for the next generation to ascend and thrive.
But, in today’s world, many of us feel like our lives are just beginning again in our 40s and 50s! I’ve found that it’s best to simply acknowledge and accept certain disruptions during the menopause transition—while making our best efforts to counteract and reduce them through smart lifestyle choices.
References:
¹ Knight, Michael G. MD, MSHP; Anekwe, Chika MD, MPH; Washington, Krystilyn MD; Akam, Eftitan Y. MD; Wang, Emily; Stanford, Fatima Cody MD, MPH, MPA. Weight regulation in menopause. Menopause 28(8):p 960-965, August 2021. | DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001792