When Gwyneth Paltrow openly discussed her perimenopausal journey on her podcast, something shifted about how we talk about menopause. Suddenly, conversations about menopause moved from whispered doctor's visits to mainstream media. These women aren't treating menopause as an ending; they're reframing it as a powerful transition.
If you're reading this, you might be wondering if that brain fog is hormonal, why your periods have become unpredictable, or if there really are natural remedies for menopause that work. We get it. At Glow by Hormone University, we've spent years studying the hormone-skin-body connection, and we're here to share what actually helps.
What Age Does Menopause Start and How Long Does It Last?
Menopause officially happens when you've gone 12 full months without a period. For most women, this occurs around age 51, though it can happen anywhere from your 40s to late 50s 1 But here's what catches many women off guard: menopause isn't just one day or even one year—it's a journey that unfolds in stages.
Perimenopause starts first, usually in your 40s (sometimes late 30s). Your ovaries begin producing less estrogen and progesterone, causing those first signs like irregular periods, occasional hot flashes, or unexplained mood shifts. This phase can last 4-10 years.
Then comes menopause itself, that 12-month milestone without periods. After that, you enter postmenopause for the rest of your life. Each stage brings different challenges and requires different menopause self-care strategies.
The hormonal shifts during this time aren't subtle. Your estrogen can drop by up to 90%, while progesterone production nearly stops. These aren't just numbers they translate into real symptoms that affect your daily life.
What Are the Most Common Menopause Symptoms?
Let's talk about what you're actually experiencing. Up to 75% of women deal with hot flashes during menopause treatment. But symptoms go far beyond feeling suddenly warm:
Physical symptoms include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats (sometimes 20+ times a day)
- Vaginal dryness affecting up to 50% of women
- Sleep disruptions leaving you exhausted
- Weight gain, especially around the midsection
- Bloating and digestive changes
- Joint pain and muscle aches
Mental and emotional symptoms often include:
- Brain fog that makes you forget common words
- Mood swings that feel like emotional whiplash
- Anxiety appearing out of nowhere
- Irritability over things that never bothered you before
Just like the characters in And Just Like That... openly discuss their hormonal journeys, we need to normalize these conversations. Your symptoms aren't "all in your head"—they're the direct result of hormonal changes affecting every system in your body.
Why Do I Feel So Bloated During Menopause?
Bloating during menopause happens for several reasons. Declining estrogen affects your digestive system, slowing down gut motility and changing your microbiome. Your body also tends to retain more water as hormone levels fluctuate.
Plus, decreasing estrogen changes how your body distributes fat, often leading to more abdominal storage. Many women notice their usual diet suddenly causes uncomfortable bloating.
That's why we formulated Bloating SOS specifically for hormonal bloating. The Morosil™ (blood orange extract) helps with metabolism, while digestive enzymes break down food more efficiently. Dandelion leaf naturally reduces water retention without harsh diuretics. Mix one tablespoon in water each morning—the light natural caffeine gives you energy without jitters.
How Can I Stop Hot Flashes Naturally?
Hot flashes happen when dropping estrogen confuses your body's internal thermostat. While you can't stop them completely, you can reduce their frequency and intensity with natural remedies for menopause.
Topical hormone-balancing creams work particularly well because they bypass your digestive system and deliver plant compounds directly where needed. Our Menopause SOS Cream contains Wild Yam with diosgenin, which supports your body's natural hormone production, plus Vitex to help regulate fluctuations.
Apply a teaspoon to your inner thighs or wrists daily. The cream absorbs quickly without the gastrointestinal upset common with oral supplements. Many women report fewer hot flashes within just a few weeks.
For immediate relief during a hot flash, keep our All-Natural Flaxseed and Lavender Pad in the freezer. Apply it to pulse points like your wrists or neck for cooling comfort. The lavender provides calming aromatherapy, which helps since stress often triggers hot flashes.
What Helps With Menopause Sleep Problems?
Sleep issues plague most women during menopause. Night sweats wake you up. Dropping progesterone disrupts your natural sleep cycles. Racing thoughts keep you staring at the ceiling.
Magnesium deficiency makes everything worse, yet it's incredibly common during menopause self-care. This mineral helps your body produce progesterone, calms your nervous system, and relaxes muscles for better sleep.
Our Super Rich Magnesium Body Lotion uses Zechstein magnesium, the purest form available. Combined with collagen for skin support and evening primrose oil for hormonal balance, it addresses multiple concerns at once. Apply to your legs and arms before bed. The magnesium absorbs through your skin, promoting deeper sleep without the digestive issues of oral supplements.
Is Vaginal Dryness Normal During Menopause?
Yes, it's completely normal but that doesn't mean you have to suffer through it. Lower estrogen reduces natural lubrication and changes vaginal tissue. This can make intimacy uncomfortable or even painful, affecting your relationships and self-confidence.
Intimate Hydrator was created specifically for this common but under-discussed symptom. The formula includes:
- Hyaluronic acid for intense, lasting hydration
- Vitamin E to support tissue health
- Aloe for gentle soothing
- Collagen to maintain tissue elasticity
Apply daily to the vulvar area not just before intimacy. Consistent use helps restore comfort and natural moisture. It's pH-balanced and free from harsh chemicals that could further disrupt your hormonal balance.
How Do I Know If My Mood Swings Are From Menopause?
If you're suddenly crying at commercials or snapping at loved ones over minor things, hormones might be the culprit. Estrogen and progesterone influence neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood Menopause related mood changes often:
- Appear suddenly without clear triggers
- Fluctuate throughout the month
- Feel different from previous mood patterns
- Coincide with other hormonal symptoms
The good news? Addressing the hormonal root cause helps stabilize emotions. The combination of Wild Yam and Vitex in our Menopause SOS cream doesn't just help with physical symptoms—many women report feeling more emotionally balanced too.
What's the Best Natural Menopause Treatment Routine?
Creating an effective menopause treatment routine means addressing symptoms systematically. Here's what works for our community:
Morning routine:
- Start with Bloating SOS in water for digestive support and gentle energy
- Apply Menopause SOS Cream to inner thighs for all-day hormone support
Evening routine:
- Use Super Rich Magnesium Body Lotion on arms and legs before bed
- Apply Intimate Hydrator as part of your self-care
As needed:
- Keep the lavender heating pad ready for muscle aches (heat) or hot flashes (cold)
For comprehensive support, our Ultimate Menopause Support Kit includes the Menopause SOS Cream, Intimate Hydrator, and Bloating SOS—addressing multiple symptoms with products designed to work together.
Which Foods Help With Menopause Symptoms?
While our topical products provide targeted relief, combining them with the right nutrition enhances results. Focus on:
Phytoestrogen-rich foods that provide plant compounds similar to estrogen:
- Ground flaxseeds (2 tablespoons daily)
- Organic soy products
- Chickpeas and lentils
Bone-supporting nutrients since estrogen loss affects bone density:
- Leafy greens for calcium
- Fatty fish for vitamin D
- Almonds for magnesium
Anti-inflammatory choices to reduce overall symptoms:
- Berries rich in antioxidants
- Olive oil and avocados
- Green tea instead of coffee
Avoid common triggers like excessive caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods, which can worsen hot flashes and sleep issues.
Can Exercise Really Help Menopause Symptoms?
Absolutely. Regular movement helps with almost every menopause symptom. Weight-bearing exercises like walking or light weights maintain bone density. Yoga improves flexibility while reducing stress, a major hot flash trigger.
Even 30 minutes of daily walking can:
- Reduce hot flash frequency
- Improve sleep quality
- Boost mood naturally
- Help manage weight changes
The key is consistency over intensity. Gentle, regular movement works better than sporadic intense workouts that might actually trigger symptoms.
When Should I Start Preparing for Menopause?
The earlier you understand your hormones, the better you can navigate changes. Women in their late 30s and early 40s benefit from learning about perimenopause before symptoms start.
Early preparation includes:
- Tracking your cycles to notice changes
- Building healthy habits (exercise, stress management)
- Understanding which symptoms to watch for
- Having hormone-safe products ready
Our Menopause Care Essentials bundle provides foundational support with the Menopause SOS Cream and Magnesium Lotion—perfect for starting your hormone-conscious routine.
Is It Safe to Use Natural Menopause Products Daily?
Our products are specifically formulated for daily use with hormone-safe, plant-based ingredients. We avoid endocrine disruptors like parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances that could interfere with your already-changing hormones.
Each product is:
- Formulated by naturopathic experts
- Endorsed by Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, PhD, OBGYN
- Tested by thousands of women in our community
- Free from harsh chemicals
Daily consistency actually improves results. Your body responds better to steady, gentle support than sporadic strong interventions.
How Long Before I See Results From Natural Remedies?
Most women notice some improvements within 2-6 weeks of consistent use. Hot flash relief often comes first, sometimes within days. Hormonal balance and mood improvements typically take 4-6 weeks as your body adjusts.
Sleep quality usually improves within 1-2 weeks of using magnesium lotion nightly. Vaginal tissue health may take 3-4 weeks of daily hydrator use to show significant improvement.
Everyone's timeline varies based on:
- Symptom severity
- Consistency of use
- Overall health habits
- Individual hormone levels
Track your symptoms to notice gradual improvements you might otherwise miss.
Making Peace With Your Menopause Journey
Menopause doesn't define you—it's simply another phase of your remarkable life. Just as we've reclaimed conversations about periods and pregnancy, it's time to own this transition too.
Your experience is unique and valid, whether you're sailing through with minimal symptoms or facing daily challenges. What matters is having the right support and solutions that work with your body's natural wisdom.
At Glow by Hormone University, we believe in empowering women with knowledge and hormone-safe solutions. Because when you understand what's happening in your body, you can make informed choices about your menopause self-care.
Ready to take control of your symptoms? Start with one or two products that address your most pressing concerns. Give them time to work—your body didn't change overnight, and healing takes patience too.
You've got this. And we're here to support you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use these natural menopause products if I'm on HRT?
Always consult your healthcare provider before combining treatments. Our topical products use plant-based compounds that work differently than prescription hormones.
Q: Will menopause symptoms return if I stop using the products?
Since symptoms are caused by ongoing hormonal changes, consistent use provides the best results. Many women continue using products throughout their menopause journey.
Q: Are these products safe for women with sensitive skin?
Yes, we formulate without common irritants. However, always patch test new products and discontinue use if irritation occurs.
Q: Can I use multiple products together?
Absolutely. Our products are designed to work synergistically. Many women use our complete bundles for comprehensive symptom relief.
Q: How do I know which product to start with?
Begin with your most bothersome symptom. Hot flashes? Try Menopause SOS Cream. Sleep issues? Start with Magnesium Lotion. You can always add more products as needed.