9 Drinks That Make Menopause More Miserable
Menopause is a challenging time for many women, bringing a host of uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and fatigue. While we often focus on managing menopause through diet, exercise, and hormone therapy, what you drink can also have a major impact on your symptoms. In fact, certain beverages can make menopause even more miserable!
Here are 9 drinks that could be worsening your menopause symptoms, and why you should consider avoiding them:
1. Coffee
Your morning cup of joe might be contributing to your hot flashes. Caffeine can stimulate the nervous system and increase your body’s temperature, intensifying hot flashes and night sweats. If you can’t cut coffee out completely, try reducing your intake or switching to decaffeinated options.
2. Alcohol
Alcohol is a well-known trigger for hot flashes and night sweats. It dilates blood vessels, causing more blood flow to the skin’s surface and making you feel warmer. Additionally, alcohol can disrupt your sleep, worsening insomnia—a common symptom of menopause. Limiting or avoiding alcohol may help regulate your temperature and improve sleep quality.
3. Sugary Drinks
Sweetened beverages like sodas, fruit punches, and energy drinks can cause spikes and crashes in your blood sugar, which may worsen mood swings and fatigue during menopause. High sugar consumption also contributes to weight gain, which can exacerbate symptoms like hot flashes.
4. Wine
While wine may seem like a relaxing treat, it’s not ideal during menopause. Like other alcoholic beverages, wine can intensify hot flashes, disrupt sleep, and contribute to dehydration, which can make skin issues and fatigue worse.
5. Spicy Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate with a spicy kick may be comforting, but both the heat from the drink and the spice can trigger hot flashes. Spice elevates body temperature and the heat of the beverage itself can exacerbate this. If you’re craving a warm drink, opt for something less stimulating, like herbal tea.
6. Carbonated Beverages
Fizzy drinks like sodas and sparkling waters can cause bloating and gas, which are already common complaints during menopause. The extra gas can make you feel more uncomfortable, particularly if you’re experiencing digestive issues related to hormonal changes.
7. Iced Tea
While iced tea might seem like a good alternative to coffee, many commercial iced teas are loaded with sugar. Sugar can lead to weight gain and cause mood swings, making it harder to manage menopause symptoms. Opt for unsweetened versions or make your own at home to control the sugar content.
8. Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are packed with caffeine and sugar, two ingredients that can make menopause symptoms worse. The high caffeine content can exacerbate insomnia and increase anxiety, while the sugar contributes to blood sugar spikes and crashes. These drinks also often contain stimulants that can raise your heart rate, making hot flashes more intense.
9. Diet Sodas
Diet sodas may seem like a healthier choice due to the lack of sugar, but they contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which can affect your mood and trigger headaches. Additionally, some studies suggest that artificial sweeteners may interfere with hormones, potentially worsening menopause symptoms.
Conclusion
While menopause is inevitable, worsening the symptoms with certain beverages doesn’t have to be. By limiting or avoiding these 9 drinks—especially caffeine, alcohol, and sugary beverages—you can help reduce the intensity of hot flashes, mood swings, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Instead, focus on drinking water, herbal teas, and natural fruit juices to keep your body hydrated and balanced.