Menopause brings certain changes to a woman’s body. They often feel emotionally and physically drained due to hormonal changes. When we think of menopausal symptoms, we only consider mood swings, hot flashes, and changes in sleeping patterns. In the whole scenario of menopausal changes, one important aspect that often gets ignored is sexual health and how nutritional changes can play a vital role in supporting or disrupting it during menopause.
Sexual education is vital during the menopausal phase. It helps women understand the importance of lifestyle and diet changes that can affect their hormonal health, libido, and overall well-being. In this article, we explore the importance of sexual awareness during menopause. Its connection with common menopause symptoms, and what foods to avoid, which may worsen the symptoms, disrupt hormonal balance or affect their sexual health.
Why Sexual Education Matters During Menopause
Sexual education isn’t just limited to reproduction or avoiding STIs. It is a lot more than that. It also helps understanding the female body, their hormones and emotions, and the changes they experience during menopause. During menopause, estrogen levels fall, which can lead to:
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort during intimacy
- Lower libido
- Mood changes and anxiety
- Reduced self-esteem or body image issues
How Diet Affects Menopausal Sexual Health
Hormones are sensitive to what women eat during their perimenopausal or menopausal phase. Certain food items promote estrogen production and help balance it, while others may cause inflammation, worsen symptoms of menopause, and negatively affect your mood and sexual well-being.
Now that we understand the importance of the food we eat during menopause. Let’s dive deep into the food items we should avoid during menopause to protect hormonal balance.
1. Processed and Packaged Foods
Processed foods such as chips, pre-cooked packed dinners, instant noodles, and packaged snacks contain a significant amount of refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, additives, and preservatives. These harmful elements can lead to blood sugar spikes, increased inflammation, mood swings, and disrupted hormone function.
2. Excessive Caffeine
It is noticed that excessive consumption of coffee or caffeinated drinks can increase anxiety, worsen hot flashes, and contribute to insomnia. All of these discussed elements can interfere with the sexual interest and mood of women. In addition to these complications, caffeine can also lead to vaginal dryness, making intimacy an uncomfortable experience.
3. Alcohol
Menopausal women often confuse that alcohol consumption can ease their pain and irritability and alcohol can be a temporary solution but in the longer run it can disrupt your sleep, lower libido, trigger mood swings, and cause vaginal dryness. Alcohol can also affect the performance of the liver, which is a key organ in the production of estrogen.
4. Refined Sugar
Sugar acts as a hormone disruptor. It can lead to blood sugar imbalances, encourage yeast overgrowth, and contribute to inflammation. It can also cause energy crashes, irritability, and mood disorders, which disrupt libido and intimacy.
5. Saturated and Trans Fats
Certain food items like fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, and baked goods are high in saturated or trans fats. These fats promote weight gain, heart issues, and hormonal imbalance. Trans fats can disrupt sleep patterns, lower energy, and reduce sexual desire.
Menoveda’s Ayurvedic Approach to Sexual & Menopausal Wellness
Menoveda’s ayurvedic menopause tab includes the following adaptogenic herbs:
- Ashwagandha – it is a well-known herb to boosts libido, reduces anxiety, supports restful sleep.
- Shatavari – Shatavari helps balance hormones and improves vaginal lubrication.
- Safed Musli – A natural aphrodisiac used in Ayurvedic reproductive tonics.
- Gokshura – Gokshura is popular for enhancing energy and sexual vitality.
Final Thoughts:
Knowledge and awareness are power, especially in the case of menopause which is an undiscussed topic in India and women are forced to suffer their pain in silence. Don’t let shame or silence stop you from living your intimate life completely. Understanding the female body during menopause is a form of empowerment. The more you know, the better choices you can make.
