I don’t know if you’ve watched Girls, the Lena Dunham show on HBO. When I think about menopause, one scene always stands out in my mind: Hannah (Dunham) is visiting her parents back home in Michigan. One morning, her mom Loreen (Becky Ann Baker) storms into Hannah’s bedroom to demand she makes a trip to the drugstore to pick up her menopause prescription. Her hot flashes unbearable, her mood irritable, she cannot let Hannah refuse her. Loreen’s physical discomfort is palpable.

Knowing we will eventually go through this, if we have not already, I have compiled a list of natural remedies to help manage menopause symptoms so we don’t end up like Loreen (that Hannah is so unreliable).

First, women going through menopause are more at risk for osteoporosis because the hormonal changes during menopause cause women to lose bone density. Therefore, it’s very important to eat foods or take supplements high in calcium and vitamin D. Some to add to your grocery list include: yogurt and cheese, kale and spinach, tofu and beans, oily fish and cod liver oil. Some of these are more yummy than others (I’m looking at you, Kale), but bone health is worth it!

Secondly, did you know that certain foods can trigger symptoms? Common triggers of hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings can be caffeine, alcohol, and foods that are either super sugary or super spicy. This is not a comprehensive list, and everyone’s body is different, so keep track of what you eat and your symptoms to look for any commonalities. Look for patterns. Find clues. This is just like Sherlock.

Next, drink more water. This is always going to be on every list about ways to stay healthier, so it must be true! But for menopause in particular, one of the most common effects of menopause is increased dryness. Drink more water, be less dry. Basically.

 Lastly, in the last blog post I touched on the benefits of aromatherapy. In general, herbs have a lot of health benefits that we’ve in general ignored in favor of medicinal creams and pills (and if your doctor prescribes you these, please follow their advice). However, some of the Cookie Blends at The Cookie Jar are created for exactly this purpose: relieve some of the effects of menstrual cramps. For instance, the Cool Cookie blend includes a mix of motherwort, peppermint, and sage. Motherwort is known to help menstrual symptoms. Peppermint relieves nausea and is an analgesic for aches and pains. Sage is used for pain management and cramping. Order online and try it for yourself!