How to Delay Menopause

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when hormonal changes cause the ovaries to stop releasing eggs and menstruation ceases. Menopause can occur as early as age 35 and as late as age 59, but the average age for the onset of menopause is 51. Both physical and emotional symptoms occur during menopause, including mood swings, anxiety, irritability, night sweats, depression, weight changes, hot flashes, insomnia and loss of sex drive. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to delay the onset, utilizing diet, supplements and lifestyle changes.

Things You'll Need

• Soy food
• Vitamin E supplements
• Dong quai
• Black kohosh

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Instructions

• 1

  Include more soy in your daily diet. Soy foods contain isoflavones, estrogen-like compounds that can help postpone menopause and lessen perimenopause symptoms. Soy foods, such as tofu, are also rich in phytoestrogens, which mimic many of the biological actions of female hormones.

• 2

  Use herbs to delay menopause. Certain herbs, such as dong quai and black kohosh, are helpful in postponing and alleviating periomenopause symptoms.

  Black kohosh contains natural phytoestrogens and isoflavones. Phytoestrogens work to bind the estrogen receptors in your body.

  Dong quai, or "female ginseng," is a common herb that grows in China and contains high levels of natural estrogen. Dong quai is also filled with phytoestrogens, which increase levels of estrogen in the bloodstream.

  Open two to three capsules of the powdered herbs, empty into a cup and pour in boiling water. Allow the tea to steep for 10 to 15 minutes before straining. Add honey or a natural sweetener. Drink three cups each day on an empty stomach.

• 3

  Try vitamin E supplements. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that acts as an estrogen substitute, helping to delay menopause and ease perimenopause symptoms. Take 800 to 1000 IU each day.

• 4

  Keep active. Physical exercise such as running, walking, swimmin, and other aerobic activities helps keep the body and organs strong and prevents them from prematurely aging.

• 5

  Quit smoking. According to the NYU Langone Medical Center, giving up smoking can successfully delay the onset of menopause.