Menopause doesn’t happen all at once. Often, it drifts in quietly, sometimes years before you expect it. A missed period here, a restless night there. A subtle shift in how your body feels, how your emotions move, how your energy flows. The changes may not be dramatic, but it’s deep. And for many women, it’s confusing, isolating, and hard to talk about.
Even though it’s something every woman will face, menopause symptoms are still wrapped in silence. In fact, over 1 billion women worldwide are expected to be in menopause by 2025, yet most say they felt unprepared for what it would feel like. We whisper about the dryness, the mood swings, the sleep that won’t come. We wonder if what we’re feeling is normal, and when we do ask for help, we’re often met with cold facts or products that don’t feel like they were made for us.
At Elshka, we see menopause differently. We believe it’s a sacred transition that must be honoured. With that in mind, this guide will explain everything you need to know about menopause, its symptoms, how to seek help, and how Elshka can help you in this beautiful journey.
What Is Menopause, Really?
Menopause is often described as the end of menstruation, but that definition barely scratches the surface. It’s a full-body, whole-self transition.
This new hormonal experience begins to take shape, usually between the ages of 40 and 58, although perimenopause signs can start much earlier (our founder Summah began at 35!). During this time, estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate unpredictably before gradually declining. These shifts can happen through every system in the body, and may influence everything from mood and memory to metabolism and muscle tone.
Menopause can also impact how you feel in your skin, how you relate to your body, and how you move through the world. Many women describe this phase as a turning inward, where sensitivity increases, emotions deepen, and the need for gentleness becomes more urgent.
During menopause, your mindset starts to shift, too. The pressure to always be busy and prove your worth will fade. You start to care less about what the world expects and more about what feels right for you. As your body slows down, your inner voice nudges you to stop pushing so hard and start taking care of yourself with more softness, rest, and kindness.
Experiencing menopause will make you question the meaning of wellness. You will want to experience and chase different kinds of comfort, care, and connection to your loved ones. As your wisdom evolves, you will begin to seek out rituals that feel nourishing, and you will want to navigate life with greater softness and self-respect. This new feeling is deepening.
Common Menopause Symptoms
No two women experience menopause in exactly the same way. For some, the changes arrive gradually and quietly. For others, they come in unexpected, intense, and hard-to-explain waves. What’s consistent is that these symptoms are all real, valid, and deserving of care.
Below are some of the most common menopause symptoms and the emotional truths they carry.
- Vaginal Dryness and Thinning
When estrogen levels decline, the vaginal tissues lose their natural elasticity and moisture as well. Vaginal dryness and thinning is when what used to feel soft and resilient may now feel dry, tight, or even painful. This may cause pain during intercourse, itching and minor tears when doing normal activities or use of the toilet. You may describe it as a sense of fragility; a state where your body has become more delicate, more vulnerable, and less familiar.
- Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Have you ever experienced a sudden wave of heat that rises from your chest to your face? Followed by profuse sweating and a racing heart? If you have, you’re not alone. Studies show that as many as 85% of women experience hot flashes during menopause. It’s among the most recognised perimenopause signs.
These episodes can strike at any time, whether you’re in a meeting, in the middle of a normal night, or while simply standing still. They’re unpredictable and often emotionally exhausting. Some women frequently feel embarrassed, exposed, or frustrated by how little control they have over these moments. Especially when it occurs at night, it can interfere with your sleep and leave you feeling drained before the day has even begun.
- Mood Swings and Irritability
Hormonal fluctuations affect the body and put the brain in flux. Estrogen helps regulate mood, and when it dips, it can feel harder to stay emotionally steady. You might cry more than usual, feel irritated by things that never used to bother you, or struggle with worry that feels like it’s come out of the blue. You will feel raw, that your emotions are closer to the surface, and your typical coping mechanisms aren’t quite up to snuff. Despite this, please know that this isn’t a weakness. It’s only your nervous system asking for gentler support.
- Sleep Disturbances
Difficulty sleeping can also be an issue during menopause. Whether it’s the struggle to fall asleep, waking up too early, or tossing and turning throughout the night, rest seems disrupted for so many of us. And when sleep is ailing, everything else becomes more difficult. This includes your concentration, patience, energy, and even the process of digestion. Fatigue starts to shape the day, and your body’s natural rhythm is thrown off. This is one of the most frustrating symptoms for many women, as it really encompasses every area of our lives, and it’s not something you can just seem to “fix” with a blanket solution.
- Changes in Libido
Menopause can shift how you experience desire. Some women feel less interested in intimacy, while others notice it feels more tender or emotionally charged than before. In fact, a 2019 research review found that sexual function may noticeably decline as early as 20 months before a woman’s last menstrual period. Vaginal dryness can make physical closeness uncomfortable, adding a layer of hesitation. And as your body changes, confidence might waver.
- Skin and Hair Changes
As collagen production slows, the skin may lose some of its elasticity and hydration. Hair may thin, become more brittle, or lose its previous texture. These changes are subtle but noticeable, and they can affect how a woman feels in her own skin. It’s not just about appearance—it’s about identity, aging, and the quiet grief that can come with watching your reflection shift in ways you didn’t expect.
- Digestive and Pelvic Discomfort
Digestive symptoms worsen after menopause. Hormonal changes can affect digestion, leading to bloating, constipation, or increased sensitivity in the gut. Haemorrhoids, pelvic pressure, and discomfort during bowel movements may also become more common. These symptoms are rarely discussed, yet they impact daily comfort in profound ways. They can make simple routines feel difficult and add to the emotional weight of navigating menopause.
Where to Find Help For Your Menopause Journey
Support for menopause should be holistic, compassionate, and tailored to your needs. Here are a few places to start:
- Medical Care
A reliable healthcare provider can help rule out other conditions, provide hormone therapy if necessary, and help navigate treatment options. You may benefit from integrative approaches that combine conventional medicine with natural support.
- Emotional Support
Therapists, support groups, and even close friends can offer space to process the emotional shifts that come with menopause. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to carry this quietly. It can be therapeutic to talk about your experience, especially when it is received with compassion.
- Lifestyle Adjustments
And if you feel up to it, just a bit of gentle movement paired with nourishing food and stress-reducing practices like breath work or journaling can really take the edge off. These wellness trends are effective ways to have a deeper level of connection with your body. Cleaning up your act, including cutting back on caffeine or establishing a bedtime routine, can also serve to regulate symptoms.
- Holistic Products
Here at Elshka, we believe in natural menopause relief that doesn’t mask symptoms but meets them with care. Our products are crafted to soothe, support, and restore comfort, most especially in the most tender areas. Your body deserves better than a Band-Aid; it deserves devotion, care, and products that truly understand what you're going through.
Divine: A Vulva Oil That Truly Cares
Divine was created for the quiet discomforts women often carry alone. Originally crafted in a family kitchen to soothe the injuries of sexual violence, Divine has evolved into a trusted everyday solution for vulva discomfort.
Formulated with certified organic, cold-pressed plant oils, Divine is designed exclusively for the sacred vulva and bottom. It’s fast-acting, allergy-safe, and free from essential oils, lanolin, and artificial fragrances.
Divine is gentle enough for daily use, yet powerful enough to support even the most sensitive skin. Without discomfort, the softness, comfort, and ease will be restored.
How To Create a Ritual of Care With Divine
The menopausal stage reminds us to slow down, listen, and create new rituals that honor the body’s evolving needs.
Using Divine can be part of that ritual. Here’s how many women incorporate it into their day:
- After showering, gently apply a few drops to the vulva and surrounding areas
- Before bed, use Divine to soothe dryness and support overnight healing
- Before intimacy, apply to reduce friction and increase comfort
- During moments of discomfort, use it as a calming touchpoint and a way to reconnect with your body and offer it kindness
Choose between a dropper and a pump for convenience. If you're new to Divine, we recommend starting with a single bottle before moving on to the bundles. Available in 60 ml and 30ml sizes, with the latter available soon.
A small act of care like this will be beneficial physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They’re how we remind ourselves that we matter.
Navigate Your Menopausal Journey With Elshka
You don’t have to suffer in silence or settle for discomfort. Menopause isn’t an ending, but rather a new relationship with your body. It’s a chance to reclaim comfort, pleasure, and peace on your own terms.
Divine was created for you. It’s for women navigating menopause with grace and grit, who’s tired of being dismissed and wants to feel feminine, comfortable, and pain-free again. Ultimately, it's a product of care, comfort, and a quiet kind of love.