By Sally Mueller & Michelle Jacobs 7-Minute Read
Do you know what happens when Gen X women realize they’re reaching menopause (with Millennials not far behind)?
They become the first generations to speak up and speak out.
They ask questions. Discuss on social media. Write articles, newsletters, and books. Create podcasts and television episodes. Push for more research. Launch businesses. Submit bills to Congress. And dare we say, even celebrate where they are in life?
It’s pretty bad-ass, if you ask us.
As women heading the first company with menopause solutions that go head to toe, a huge part of our job is being open and ready with answers to your questions—because you’re ready to ask and you know you need straight answers.
And while we’re not medically trained (that’s what our Expert Panel is for), we do have some good insight to share with you. That said, here are the top 10 questions we hear from you...and the responses you deserve.
#1. “When is your weight-loss product coming out?"
We hear you. We know this is one of your top concerns. After much discussion, we've come to believe that there is no silver bullet, “one-size-fits-all” solution (no pun intended) for weight issues in menopause, so we won't be creating a weight-loss supplement at this time.
But we have learned a lot along the way. For one, we have learned about the importance of adding weight training to your exercise regime and the huge difference it can make for muscles and bones as you age. We've also learned that HRT can make a difference in weight gain and changes to our body. And finally, we have learned acceptance of who we are today. So needless to say, there is not one answer. Instead, we recommend you work with your physician and your own body to find the solution that’s best for you. We do, however, provide advice from the top experts in their fields—like physical trainers Kim Schlag and Chris Freytag, obesity specialist Dr. Katherine Saunders, nutritionists, and even our menopause specialists—to help you explore what you need. Your first step? Take a look at this article to get started.
#2 “Can you help me understand the stages of menopause and how to know which one I am in?”
In brief, there are three stages. Perimenopause, when your body is prepping for the end of its reproductive years, is usually in your mid- to late 40s. When you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without your period (or if it stops permanently due to a medical treatment), you’re officially in menopause. The average age is 51, but it can happen in your 40s or 50s. Postmenopause begins once you hit that one-year mark from your final period—and is a permanent stage that lasts from that point onward.
#3 “Can Womaness products be used by women in postmenopause?” or “I am not in menopause. Can I still use your products?”
Our clean, plant-based products are formulated to help women with common menopause issues, no matter their stage of menopause—so yes, if you’re in postmenopause, they’re made for you. However, our solutions are also safe for and used by people who are not in any stage of menopause. (And for the record, we’ve also heard several stories of husbands/partners/male friends sneaking our products…because everyone gets dry skin or needs help with their sleep every once in a while!)
#4 “Do your products have hormones in them?”
We review all our ingredients and ensure that our products are estrogen and soy free. We don't add any hormones to our formulas. The sole exception is our Let Me Sleep sleep supplement, which includes melatonin, a hormone produced in your brain.
In our experience, hormone therapy is a choice to be made with guidance from your doctor. To learn if it is right for you, check with your medical professional.
Me.No.Pause.
#5 “I am on HRT. Can I safely take your supplements?”
Because our Me.No.Pause., Active Glow, and Let Me Sleep supplements are estrogen free, they should not interfere with your HRT and can be taken together. As with any dietary supplement, however, it’s smart to check with a medical professional first to make sure it’s the right solution for you.
#6 “How long until Me.No.Pause. starts working? And what is in it?”
In general, women tell us they feel a difference in three to four weeks of daily use of our popular supplement (though some have reported feeling changes in as little as two weeks). It's made with a unique combination of safe, clinically tested ingredients including Pycnogenol® (a French maritime bark extract), Bacognize® (a Bacopa monnieri extract), and the adaptogen ashwagandha. They are bioavailable and will be absorbed and used by your body. Even more important, though, our supplements are “bioactive” in that they’ve shown to produce health benefits in well controlled clinical trials. This is a primary difference between our supplements and others on the market: we use the exact ingredient and dose included in those clinical trials, so you can be sure that when we make a health claim, we’re being true to the science.
#7 “I am having trouble with my libido. What should I try?”
Sexual issues are topics we hear about often…and we know this one can be tough to discuss, so we’re here to offer you clear, non-judgmental info. You are NOT alone!
We have a range of products that can help. If it’s vaginal dryness affecting you, look to Daily V Soothe vaginal moisturizer (good for everyday use and as lubrication for sexy times), Coco Bliss (our most indulgent vaginal moisturizer), and our supplement Me.No.Pause., which includes ashwagandha, an adaptogen with studies showing it to have a positive effect on sexual function in women, including increased vaginal lubrication, desire, and arousal. And the best news? Vibrators can help, too, as orgasms may help menopause symptoms by increasing blood flow to the vagina. Start with our discreet Gold Vibes bullet vibrator with 7 speeds, or up the ante with Curve, a G-spot finding wonder, or Delight, a happy little design shaped like the OG iconic wand.
Sexual Wellness Kit
#8 What should I do for my thinning hair or hair loss?
Thinning hair is one of the most surprising—and stressful—issues that can come up in menopause. Our beauty expert Kym Douglas—a breast cancer survivor who learned first-hand how to overcome hair loss—offers her recommendations here. You’ll notice they include our supplement Active Glow, which we formulated with the B-vitamin biotin. That’s because not only did this 2016 study show that a biotin deficiency was found in 38% of women with hair loss, but another 2012 study showed significantly improved hair thickness and growth among women taking a supplement containing biotin for three months. And it's considered the first line of defense by many professionals for hair issues for their clients
The recommended amount of biotin for hair loss is 3,000mcg/day—which is why we included that amount in Active Glow...which was named “Best Hair, Skin, and Nail Vitamin for Menopause” by Harper's BAZAAR!
However, like so many things during this time in your life, hair loss can be caused by several different things—from diet and exercise, to hormonal changes and illness. It's best to find out why your hair is changing so you can find the best solution for you.
#9 “In what order should I use your skincare products?”
Here’s our recommended AM routine:
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Start with our creamy, hydrating cleanser Clean Slate
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Follow with Eye Opener brightening cream around your eyes
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Add 3 to 5 drops of Fountain of Glow vitamin C serum to your face
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Roll Let's Neck serum on your neck and décolleté
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Follow with your daily moisturizer and SPF
For PM, try this routine:
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Cleanse with Clean Slate
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Moisten a cotton pad with a few drops of our gentle exfoliating toner Brighten Up and swipe over your face, neck, and décolleté; do not rinse
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On alternate nights, roll Plump It Up, our gentle retinol, on fine lines (do not use on the same night as Brighten Up, as retinol does not play well with the AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs in our chemical exfoliant)
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Roll Let's Neck serum on your neck and décolleté
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Follow with Overnight Magic, our luxe night cream with Bakuchiol
#10 “What do you really mean you say your products are ‘clean’”?
This is an important question to ask any company promoting itself to be “clean,” as it’s not a term regulated by a governing body (like the FDA).
At Womaness, we’re committed to clinically effective, science-backed solutions that help you tackle your symptoms in a meaningful way. And we believe what’s left out of our products is just as important as what’s in them.
Here’s what you can count on from Womaness formulations:
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Plant-based ingredients, many of which are organic, but some that are not. That’s because our primary goal was to include ingredients shown to be clinically effective—and many of those ingredients are not yet available in organic form. If an organic, as-effective form becomes available, we will update the formula.
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Formulated free of estrogen, phytoestrogen, or added hormones. They're also free from animal-derived ingredients, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, artificial colors, formaldehyde, mineral oils, and NPE (Nonylphenol Ethoxylate)
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Vegan and certified by Leaping Bunny to be cruelty free
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Soy free and gluten free
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Dermatologist and allergy tested
If you've got questions of your own, drop them in our private Facebook group, The After Party. Along with our expert panel, we are always happy to help you find the answers you need (and deserve)!
With menopositivity,
Michelle & Sally, Womaness Co-Founders
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