As women, our bodies go through a dynamic series of changes throughout life. The journey is intricate and beautiful. From our teenage years to menopause our bodies require different approaches to health at each stage. To feel empowered, we need to understand our body’s needs and nourish it accordingly. Let’s dive into the five foundational stages of women’s health, exploring how nutrition, lifestyle, and wellness practices can support us through each phase.
1. Teenage Years: Laying the Foundation for Health
Teenage years are a whirlwind of growth and development, not just emotionally but physically. Many young women today are beginning their menstrual cycles as early as 12 or 13, which is much earlier than the traditional 16 years of age. This means that we need to start ensuring proper nutrition and supplementation at an even younger age. Along with the hormonal shifts that come with menstruation, this is also a critical time for bone growth and overall physical development.
At this stage, teenage girls often feel disconnected from their bodies. The intricate process of growing into womanhood can feel overwhelming, but it’s also a pivotal time to lay the foundation for lifelong wellness. Ensuring proper intake of macro and micronutrients is key. Female teens need iron, especially since they’re starting their cycles earlier. Additionally, magnesium, vitamin D, phosphorus, calcium, and B vitamins (critical for mental health) are essential during this stage of life.
Parents can help by pre-packing nutrient-dense lunches, as food options in and around schools often leave much to be desired. This way, teenage girls have the fuel they need to thrive physically, mentally and emotionally.
2. Before Motherhood: Preparing for New Life
As women move toward the possibility of motherhood, their bodies face new demands. Fertility challenges affect almost half of the population today! This is often a sign that the body isn’t fully equipped to support the creation of new life. If our nutritional reserves are depleted, it’s our body’s way of saying, “I don’t have enough for me, let alone to create another body.”
Before conceiving, it’s crucial to optimize your nutrient stores. Key supplements such as omega-3s, vitamin D, magnesium, and iron help ensure your body is well-prepared to nourish both you and a future baby. Taking the time to support your wellness now can set the stage for a healthier pregnancy and postpartum experience.
3. Motherhood: Nurturing Both You and Baby
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, your body works hard to prioritize the survival and development of your baby—sometimes at your own expense. If you aren’t getting enough nutrients, your body will pull from its reserves, depleting your own stores to nourish your child. This is why it’s so important to stay on top of your nutrient intake, especially omega-3s. Omega-3s support the baby’s brain, eye, and heart health. Research even suggests that mothers who take higher doses of omega-3s during pregnancy have babies with higher IQs.
You also need to prioritize yourself during motherhood. Did you know that mothers can experience postpartum depression and nutritional deficiencies for up to 10 years after childbirth? To combat this, a strong nutritional foundation that includes omega-3s, vitamin D, and the essential B vitamins can make all the difference. doTERRA’s executive Lauren Busch told a story about when she showed her healthcare professional LLV (Lifelong Vitality) they approved it to be used as a prenatal for her. Be sure to consult with your healthcare practitioner to see if LLV is right for you as a prenatal supplement.
4) Perimenopause: Navigating the Changes
The perimenopausal years can feel like an emotional and physical roller coaster. As hormone levels fluctuate, many women find themselves asking, “What’s wrong with me?” Symptoms like mood swings, weight gain, and hair loss are common, and they’re tied directly to the hormonal shifts happening in your body.
What’s often overlooked is how during this time the hormone changes affect your brain chemistry, influence your stress response, impact your memory, and how you handle everyday life. During this phase, nutrition becomes even more important. Increasing protein intake—aiming for at least 30 grams per meal—can help manage blood sugar levels, which become harder to regulate as estrogen levels drop.
5. Menopause: Embracing the New Normal
As women transition into menopause, the complexity of their health puzzle increases. Your body may not respond to certain routines or products in the same way, which can be frustrating. But it’s important to remember that this is a time of significant change, and what worked for you in the past might not be effective now because the needs of your body have changed.
This doesn’t mean you’re stuck in a health rut—it simply means your body needs time to adjust. Products like, LLV, MetaPWR Advantage and MetaPWR Recharge can help manage stress and hormone-related symptoms. Keep in mind that it takes time to restore what’s been depleted over the years, so be patient with your body and give it the consistent care it needs.
dōTERRA Product Recommendations
Each stage of a woman’s life brings its own unique challenges and rewards. Understanding and supporting your body through these changes, with the right nutrients and self-care practices, can make the difference between surviving and thriving. Here are a 3 key products which help balance some of the nutritional needs I’ve mentioned above:
1. MetaPWR Advantage
MetaPWR Advantage is designed to support metabolic health and energy levels, making it a great option for women at every life stage. Whether you’re a teenager needing sustained energy for growth, a new mom recovering from childbirth, or navigating the hormone shifts of perimenopause, MetaPWR Advantage helps optimize cellular function, so you can feel more balanced and revitalized. There are collagen peptides in it which increase bone density, making it excellent for maintaining strong bones. (It also has an added bonus of having excellent collagen in it giving our skin a supple glow!)
2. MetaPWR Recharge
MetaPWR Recharge is a hydration powerhouse designed to optimize how your body absorbs and uses water. Dehydration is more common than we think—around 70% of us are dehydrated, even when we drink a lot of water. This is often because our cells struggle to transfer water efficiently. MetaPWR Recharge includes baobab, a nutrient-rich extract that helps transport hydration from cell to cell, ensuring your body gets the moisture it needs for optimal function.
This supplement also contains key electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium, which are essential for cellular hydration, muscle function, and overall metabolic health. Combined, these ingredients help your body absorb and retain water more effectively, making MetaPWR Recharge a game-changer for maintaining energy and vitality throughout the day.
3. EO Mega+
EO Mega+ Essential Oil Omega Complex is a premium blend of omega fatty acids sourced from wild-caught fish off the coast of Norway, delivering clean, pure, and traceable fish oil. Infused with CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade® Wild Orange essential oil, it enhances the experience with the added health benefits of limonene. Each serving provides 2,000 mg of fish oil, including 900 mg of essential omega-3 fatty acids—800 mg of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)—renowned for supporting heart health, brain development, and joint function. These vital nutrients also promote cell growth, skin, eye, and metabolic health, muscle activity, and immune function. Since the body can’t produce these essential fatty acids on its own, EO Mega+ fills this nutritional gap, offering a convenient way to support overall health and vitality. This supplement is a product in the LLV system.
Note: xEO Mega was previously in the LLV system, however it has been discontinued.
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