Estrogen plays a crucial role beyond just our fertility - it's responsible for the shaping of our bodies, the quality of our skin, and the shine in our hair. More importantly, it heavily influences our self-esteem. With the decline of this vital hormone, aging signs become more evident – we may notice slow metabolism, changes in skin and hair, and an alteration in self-perception. The physical changes associated with menopause can be tough to navigate and are often shrouded in an undeserved negative social stigma.
They say end of fertility leads to a perceived decrease in societal value, attractiveness, or even lovability. However, we all know from the wiser ones that beauty transcends the physical image – it resides within our self-perception, not just the mirror. Collectively, we have the power to shift this narrative, become inspiring role models, and maintain a sense of beauty and confidence past menopause. Remember, women spend approximately a third of their lives in menopause – let's seize the freedom and liberation it offers and cast aside the narrow confines of societal beauty standards.
Menopause, a natural biological process, marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles. It is a time of significant hormonal changes, which can have a noticeable impact on physical appearance and perceived beauty. And so it's important to talk about this. What exactly happens?
Estrogen Drop
One of the most prominent changes is a decrease in estrogen levels. This hormone plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health, and its reduction can lead to dryness, thinning, and loss of elasticity in the skin.
Hairfall
Another aspect of beauty impacted by menopause is hair. The hormonal changes can lead to hair thinning or loss on the head, while at the same time causing an increase in facial hair. This can be a challenging adjustment for many women, as it alters their familiar appearance and may affect their self-perception of beauty.
Weight gain
Menopause can also affect body composition and weight distribution. Many women experience weight gain or changes in body shape, often with a shift of fat storage to the abdominal area. This change, coupled with a natural loss of muscle mass due to aging, can impact a woman's self-image and societal perceptions of beauty.
I spoke to a lot of friends who advised that the best thing to do, is take charge of your health in your 30s so you have a thorough and comfortable menopause. Nonetheless for the benefit of those who can start now, here's a small to do list on what to eat. And the answer is undoubtedly protein. We are all broadly deficient and depending on your body type, and your health index, you should consider increasing that.
Protein plays a crucial role in the body, especially during menopause. It is a building block for skin, hair, nails, and muscles, all of which can be affected by the hormonal changes that occur during this phase.
A diet rich in high-quality protein can help maintain the health and vitality of these tissues, contributing to a person's overall appearance. Please opt for supplements that can support your intake if you arent eating enough.
Hair is all about keratin and that is a type of protein. Yeah, I hadn't realised this either. Keratin is unique because it's a fibrous protein, meaning it has a complex structure that's both tough and insoluble. This characteristic is what gives our skin, hair, and nails their strength and resilience. When you increase protein intake from within, hairfall sees a drastic reduction over 12 weeks and onwards. I know this for a fact.
I know you don't associate beauty and protein but you must. Menopause is the time to stay fit and pretty from within. Despite the changes you face during this lifestage, it's important to note that beauty is subjective and multidimensional, encompassing more than just physical appearance. Confidence, wisdom, and self-acceptance often increase with age, contributing to a different, but equally valid, sense of beauty. Understanding these changes can help women navigate this transition with grace and self-assurance.
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