Changes in a woman’s body occur from birth through to the later years of life. And even with so many changes throughout life, it is difficult to get used to and especially to understand what is happening to your body. In all these phases, diet is an important factor in relieving symptoms, which can often be bothersome. It is like this at the beginning of the fertile years with the first menstruation, with pregnancy, and with the climacteric. However, this last term is not very well-known or is often confused with menopause. As it is one of the stages in which drastic changes occur in a woman’s life, today we are going to talk about yam for climacteric and how this food can benefit women during this phase. But first, it is necessary to give a brief explanation of what the climacteric is.

What is Climacteric?

Climacteric is the name given to the transitional period between a woman’s fertile and non-fertile phases. It happens due to a decrease in hormones that eventually leads to the end of reproductive life. The climacteric does not happen overnight and may take several years. It consists of several phases, starting with the decrease in hormones and ending with post-menopause. These phases are: Pre-Menopause – Occurs between the ages of 35 and 48 and involves symptoms such as decreased libido, insomnia, irritability, longer intervals between menstrual cycles, among others. Perimenopause – Occurs between the ages of 45 and 50. This period is mainly characterized by menstrual irregularities, which may become longer or shorter and may even vary. Hot flashes and night sweats are also quite common at this time. Menopause – This is the stage when a woman’s fertile life comes to an end, which is why it is the most well-known. It normally occurs between the ages of 48 and 50, and also features symptoms such as hot flashes. The last menstruation confirms menopause and it lasts about a year. As you can see, menopause is nothing more than one of the phases of this larger cycle called the climacteric. And now that you understand what it is and how it works in a woman’s body, it will be easier to understand the benefits of yam for climacteric.

The Benefits of Yam

Yam is a tuber, originally from Asia and Africa, but it adapted very well to Brazilian soil and is now quite popular here, especially in the northern and northeastern regions. It provides various health benefits, but when we specifically talk about yam for climacteric, it has even more benefits. Let’s discuss the two main ones:

  • Yam for Hormone Replacement
  • Yam for Fertility

Yam for Hormone Replacement

The climacteric itself does not require any kind of treatment, but its symptoms can be bothersome and even harm a woman’s life. Because of this, hormone replacement with yam is a great natural option, helping to raise a woman’s levels of estrogen and progesterone.

For Fertility

Yam is also a great ally when it comes to fertility, especially due to its help with hormone replacement. In addition, it is proven to help facilitate ovulation, which greatly helps those who wish to become pregnant.

How Does Yam for Climacteric Help?

But how can these benefits influence the climacteric? Well, first we must remember the symptoms that each phase has. In pre-menopause, for example, symptoms such as irritability and insomnia happen because of a sudden drop in hormones like progesterone and estrogen, and since yam helps produce these hormones, these effects end up being lessened. It is worth remembering that it is not possible to prevent climacteric from happening, it is a natural process every woman goes through. However, many times the body suffers a lot with this change, and that is why hormone replacement with foods like yam for climacteric, for example, can be a great alternative.

Possible Side Effects

The side effects that occur with this kind of natural hormone replacement are not very drastic, but they do exist. Increased menstrual flow or even a thicker, more clotted flow can occur. Another effect that may be felt is some breast tenderness and abdominal discomfort, although this is a bit rarer. No side effect from this type of treatment is concerning, but if the idea is to avoid the woman feeling uncomfortable, you may need to consult a doctor so they can recommend a treatment that won’t cause you pain or discomfort.

Other Types of Treatment

Hormone replacement is the most common treatment when a woman wants to ease the symptoms of the climacteric. However, this kind of treatment can also bring some side effects, which leads many women to look for non-hormonal treatments. Some of the medications that serve this purpose are those based on serotonin, some antiepileptics, and also herbal remedies.

ATTENTION: Never attempt to self-medicate, as this can harm your health and bring worse consequences.

The climacteric is a phase of changes, and even for a woman who has already gone through so many others in life, it is still something strange and new, which causes discomfort and can even disrupt her life. That is exactly why foods like yam for climacteric have been increasingly used, mainly because they are hormone-free treatments. Do your research and find out the best way to relieve your symptoms. And don’t forget to see a doctor whenever necessary. Also read: Can a Woman Get Pregnant During Menopause?