Menopausal Zest

“Menopausal Zest” was first coined by American anthropologist Margaret Mead in the 1950's. It talks about the new passion, vigor , energy that is gifted to women during this time. Chinese Medicine would totally agree. Both men and women have a change of life cycle. With women we label it menopause because we have physiological changes that are easy to classify in one category.

In Chinese Medicine , it's the shift for women from more YIN to more YANG. Women are born YIN energy and men are born Yang energy. Yin is femininity , creation, creativity, soft, gentle, cool temperature. Yang is active, aggressive, passion, warm temperature. As females get older there is a natural progression to more Yang energy and with men a natural progression to more Yin energy .

During menopause there is a biological shift inside as you embrace the peak the Yang energy. In Chinese Medicine it is the best time for women to take charge, to be leaders, Matriarchy. Matriarchy at it’s best will carry the diplomacy and gentleness of Yin and the energy , passion , and vigor of Yang.

In many species it is the grandmother that passes down the wisdom of tribe. In Orcas, the calves are 2x as likely to achieve adulthood by the grandmother still being around. It is time to embrace the leadership role to help your community and tribe thrive.

With more Yang energy there is also more sexual energy. Possibly more sexual energy then you had when you were younger. A craving for adventure , community. It’s more about self pleasure then about creation. Without fertility plaguing the brain with hormones you are able to enjoy intercourse on a different level.

Sounds great , right? Menopausal Zest!

The challenge comes when the body is working hard and your experiencing symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. The monthly cycle of bleeding is your bodies way of letting go of excess inflammation every month. A cleansing monthly. As females there is a built in biological force that allows us to naturally detox every month. The cycle tells us a lot about how the health of our body is doing in general . If you are having discomfort or challenges with your monthly cycle contact your local Doctor of Chinese Medicine or make an appointment with Dr. Brooke Higgins at Spa Longevita to get back into balance.

When the female body stops bleeding monthly you may experience hot flashes, anxiety, and/or vaginal dryness if you still have a lot of inflammation in your system. Again, the body is working for you to live longer. This is the time to look at your what is causing inflammation.

Vaginal dryness in Chinese Medicine comes from the heat consuming all your fluids. The continue inflammation and your body excreting it through hot flashes will dry you out…. EVERYWHERE. You may feel your skin dryer, hair, eyes, mouth and vagina. It’s all due to the excess inflammation. You will live longer because of the hot flashes because it’s reducing the inflammation in your system but how can you support your body to not have to work so hard. Unfortunately , men do not have this natural process of getting rid of excess inflammation other then through sweat or bowels. Typically why men have larger , more odor producing bowel movements and sweat more. It is wise for men to be kind to their body and eat clean as the get older because both bowels and sweat decrease which will increasing inflammation in their system.

Are you experience more Anxiety during menopause? Anxiety in Chinese Medicine during menopause is due to an increase of energy. Women are moving into the Yang energy but have been use to the Yin energy lifestyle. Yang energy is faster, more adventurous , more aggressive , more take charge. Yin is softer, relaxed, chill. Grandpa might be chill, relaxed comfortable as he is experiencing more Yin energy on the other hand Grandma needs to be moving mentally and physically. The excess energy if not expressed will harbor as anxiety. Highly recommend for females to find a hobby that allows you to funnel some of that new passion and energy.

DIET
How is your Diet? Sugar, processed foods, fried foods, artificial sugar, sodas, poor quality flours or processed flour will all create massive inflammation. Please take inventory if you are experience hot flashes and what your diet looks like. Menopause is about appreciating the awesomeness of your body. If you are eating not so healthy, fine… but don’t blame your body. It’s like someone washing your dishes but you dry it off with a dirty mucky towel so the dish has to be washed again. The body is working hard for you.

LIFE
Part of menopause is the change of desire. Your life purpose that once served you during the hormonal times of fertility typically will have changed. With new hormones comes new desires and new direction. Allow yourself to let go of which no longer serves you and embrace the opportunity to discover what does serve you. Happiness decreases inflammation in the system , and stress creates inflammation. What once made you happy might no longer and it could bring stress.

ALTERNATIVE INTERVENTIONS
You might need a little help as your working on your diet and lifestyle if your experience menopausal symptoms. Dr. Brooke recommends the following supplements to help you decrease your inflammation and regulate the new shift of hormones:

Daily Fundamentals - General Female Endocrine
General Female Endocrine Daily Fundamentals provide a protocol of endocrine system support supplements to support a healthy endocrine system and overall well-being.
Excellent source of vitamin D, vitamin B6, and antioxidant vitamin A
Each box includes a 30-day supply of individual packs (taken morning and evening). Each pack contains:

1. Black Currant Seed Oil (one softgel)—supports proper eicosanoid synthesis and the body's normal tissue repair process*
2. Catalyn® (two tablets)—contains vital nutrients, encourages healthy cell functioning, and supports overall well-being*
3. Hypothalamus PMG® (one tablet)—supports healthy hypothalamus tissue and function*
4. Symplex F® (one tablet)—supports healthy function of the ovaries and the adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid glands*
5. Tuna Omega-3 Oil (two softgels)—delivers essential omega-3 fatty acids (including DHA and EPA)*

Last but not least…

SELF CARE
Have you ever tired Acupuncture? Acupuncture helps your bodies natural healing process. With big hormonal shifts acupuncture is a tool to utilize that helps bring the body back to balance. It will help with menopausal symptoms of hot flashes, over all body dryness, and anxiety. Plus, acupuncture is part of Chinese Medicine so your D.OM (Dr. Of Oriental Medicine) will help answer all your questions in regards to this new exciting change of life. Visit or Call Spa Longevita and set your appointment up with Dr. Brooke Higgins.