How to prepare for menopause naturally: A decade by decade guide!

by Funk It Team

Menopause is a natural phase in every woman and menstruators life, marking the end of her reproductive years. Navigating the myriad changes that accompany this transition can be challenging. If you've wondered, "How can I prepare for menopause naturally?" you're in the right place. In this guide, we'll detail steps you can take in each decade of your life to ensure a smoother, more natural transition into menopause.


Your 20s & 30s: Lay the Foundations

  • Educate Yourself: Start by learning about your hormones. The sooner you become attuned to your body, the earlier you can establish a baseline for what's normal for you. This can help identify potential hormonal imbalances. Familiarize yourself with menopause to support the women around you.
  • Exercise for Bone Health: Research shows that weight-bearing exercises like weightlifting, yoga, and other resistance training can help build strong bones and increase muscle mass.
  • Dietary Considerations: Embrace a nutrient-rich diet focusing on whole foods and blood sugar balance through fats, fiber, and protein. Ensure adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium for bone strength. CycleBites can be a nutritional addition to your diet.
  • Avoid Smoking & Vaping: Research suggests smoking might hasten the onset of menopause.
  • Establish a Baseline: Understand your hormonal norms. While you don’t need all the tests, consider discussing these baseline labs with your doctor: Complete Blood Count (CBC), Lipid Profile, Vitamin D Test, Gut Health Assessment, Thyroid Function Tests, FSH & AMH Test, Micronutrient Assessment, and DUTCH Test.
  • Monitor Menstrual Regularity: In the late 30s, some begin to notice menstrual cycle changes, which might signal perimenopause.

Your 40s: The Perimenopausal Years

  • Tune into Perimenopause: This period sees the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen, leading to biological changes that culminate in menopause. For more on perimenopause, consider consulting specific blogs or resources.  Once you start to notice these cycle changes this is a great time to switch from your Seed Cycling Kit to the Revitalize blend!
  • Stress Management: With hormonal changes affecting emotions and interactions, finding effective stress management practices can ease the transition.
  • Regular Hormone Checks: While hormone levels fluctuate, it's still essential to track them. This can provide insights into the onset of perimenopause.
  • Heart Health: Estrogen protects cardiac tissue. As estrogen levels drop, focusing on heart health becomes vital. Collaborate with your doctor to monitor and maintain heart health.

Your 50s and Beyond: The Menopausal Years

  • Defining Menopause: Menopause begins after a full year without menstruation. Many symptoms attributed to menopause are actually linked to perimenopause.
  • Bone Health: With declining estrogen levels leading to reduced bone density, it's crucial to maintain bone health. Key vitamins & minerals include Calcium, Vitamin D, Magnesium, and Vitamin K. Additionally, limiting alcohol and caffeine is beneficial.
  • Exercise for Bone Health: Engage in weight-bearing exercise, resistance training, flexibility and balance work, and aerobic activities.
  • Understanding Hormones & Brain Function: Some women may face memory lapses, reduced focus, and attention issues due to estrogen's influence on brain regions. Estrogen has neuroprotective effects, so its decline could affect brain aging and risks like Alzheimer's.
  • Brain Health Strategies: Embrace a balanced lifestyle through exercise, diet, stress management, cognitive activities, and social engagement. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) could be considered after discussing with a healthcare provider.
  • The Role of Community in Menopause: Community offers emotional support and buffers against negative psychological impacts. Participating in supportive groups promotes healthy behaviors and reduces stigma. Strong social connections can also encourage effective coping strategies. In essence, robust community ties can normalize the menopausal experience and foster improved emotional and physical well-being.
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