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Menopause is a hormonal shift diagnosed once 12 or more months have passed since the last menstrual cycle. This change occurs in 3 stages, including perimenopause (early stage) and postmenopause (final stage). During perimenopause, you may experience symptoms in the years leading up to menopause before your period stops.
Every woman experiences menopause uniquely. Many women experience menopause sometime between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier or later. It can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as mood swings, depression, and hot flashes. Symptoms of menopause sometimes go away with time, or they can persist for years. Taking the right vitamins and supplements will help give your body what it needs during this transitional time. Keep reading to learn about the best vitamins to take during menopause.
Magnesium
Many adults do not get enough magnesium, a mineral involved in many important body processes such as muscle function, nerve function, blood sugar regulation, and bone formation. Taking magnesium during menopause can benefit your bone health and heart health.
Many people are unaware that the heart is more susceptible to disease when estrogen levels are low (such as during menopause).
Boosting magnesium levels may help combat this increased risk. It can also help to improve sleep, calm anxiety, and even improve hot flashes.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps to support the immune system, vision, and skin. It can be beneficial during menopause as it supports the body through the physical stress of hormonal changes. Natural sources of vitamin A include beef liver, butter, cheese, sweet potato, kale, and carrots.
Too much vitamin A can cause uncomfortable side effects, so you should only take it with the guidance of your doctor.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 helps support metabolism, immune function, and inflammation management.1 During menopause, vitamin B6 is believed to be beneficial because it can help to naturally increase energy and serotonin levels, helping to prevent depression-like symptoms brought on by hormonal changes.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 helps support red blood cell formation and can increase energy levels. It also supports gut health and ensures that the nervous system and eyes work properly. Vitamin B12 can help relieve symptoms of a hormonal imbalance (such as menopause) because it supports cognitive function. Natural sources of vitamin B12 include shellfish, tuna, beef, cheese, and eggs.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K helps with blood clotting and blood vessel health. It also helps to support bone health by ensuring that your body can properly absorb calcium. Bone density declines with age, so getting adequate amounts of vitamin K later in life is incredibly important.
Women are at higher risk of osteoporosis than men, so keeping vitamin K levels high is even more important for women, especially once they begin to experience menopause. You can get vitamin K by eating more dark leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and cabbage.
Vitamin C
Many people take vitamin C for its immune support or as a remedy for the common cold. Vitamin C can also help maintain healthy bones and cartilage, and it helps with iron absorption. The antioxidant properties in vitamin C can help prevent heart disease (which becomes more common after menopause).
It may also help to ease hot flashes. Natural sources of vitamin C include bell peppers, strawberries, oranges, and tomatoes.
Calcium
During menopause, your estrogen levels drop, causing calcium loss to accelerate. So it is very important to take steps to keep your calcium levels healthy during this phase of life. Calcium helps to keep bones strong, and ensures the proper functioning of the muscles and the nervous system.
Natural sources of calcium include dairy products such as milk and yogurt, salmon, spinach, and sardines.
Vitamin D
Many people are vitamin D deficient.2 Your body makes vitamin D by absorbing sunlight, but you may still be deficient even if you spend a lot of time in the sunshine. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, ensuring bone health and proper muscle function. Vitamin D also supports heart health, blood sugar regulation, and the immune system.
Probiotics
The natural bacteria that live in the gut play an incredibly important role in overall health. Gut health can easily be damaged by poor diet, overuse of antibiotics, and even stress. When the “good” bacteria in the gut are weakened or deficient, harmful bacteria can take over, causing various negative side effects.
Probiotics help “good” bacteria repopulate and stay healthy.
Many women experience digestive issues during menopause; taking a probiotic regularly can help address symptoms. Probiotics can also benefit vaginal health because they support the natural bacteria that grow in and around the vagina. You can take probiotics as a supplement or get them from natural food sources such as yogurt, kombucha, and sauerkraut.
Omega 3s
Every cell in the body needs omega-3s, which especially benefit the eyes and the brain. These fatty acids can also support muscle activity, immune function, and digestion. They also play a role in supporting hormonal function and managing inflammation.
Omega-3s help support the body through menopause by keeping triglyceride levels healthy, promoting heart health. They may also help to prevent hot flashes, depression, and other psychological issues.
What’s the best way to take vitamins for menopause?
You can supplement vitamins in many ways, with the most common being an oral supplement. However, getting an IV infusion of vitamins offers your body the ultimate replenishment. IV infusions are absorbed more quickly than oral supplements since they are delivered directly into the bloodstream.
Always work with your doctor when determining what types of vitamins you should be taking. Your doctor can also provide you with dosing recommendations to ensure you take the proper amounts of vitamins or supplements.
Vitamin D Shots with Drip Hydration
Our vitamin D shouts can help ensure that you get enough of this essential vitamin D. We make it easy to get vitamin therapy by bringing your appointment directly to you whether you’re at the gym, office, home, or somewhere else. Our IV treatments are a fast and convenient way to get the benefits of vitamin infusions and generally last between 30 - 45 minutes.
In addition to our IVs, we offer select add-ons such as anti-nausea or anti-inflammatory medications, glutathione shots, and B12 shots to provide further benefits and help you feel your best.
If you want to know more about our treatments or the places we service, give us a call! We’ll be happy to answer anything you’d like to know about vitamin D drips.
Vitamin D Shots - Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take too much vitamin D?
Yes, it is possible to take too much vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that it can build up in the body and potentially lead to toxic levels if it is consumed in large amounts. Vitamin D toxicity can cause hypercalcemia, a buildup of calcium in your blood. This condition can cause symptoms such as weakness, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, kidney problems, and more.
How often do you need vitamin D shots?
Frequency of treatment depends on individual circumstances such as the severity of vitamin D deficiency, medical history, and other factors. However, most people may receive 1 – 3 shots over the course of a year.
Are vitamin D shots better than oral supplements?
Yes. Because vitamin D shots are given intramuscularly, the ingredients bypass your digestive system so that the full dose is available to your body for maximum benefits. Vitamin D shots are rapidly available for your cells to use.
What happens if you don’t treat vitamin D deficiency?
Not treating vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, a rare but treatable condition that causes fatigue, frequent illnesses, depression, and impacts bone and muscle health. In children, vitamin D deficiency can impact normal growth and development.
