I have been going through menopause for nearly seven years. The symptoms are absolutely awful. I experience frequent hot flashes. My body temperature skyrockets without warning, causing profuse sweating, discomfort and sometimes embarrassment. The flashes occur most often at night, making it difficult to sleep. I am also dealing with insomnia. Most nights, I toss and turn for hours. If I manage to fall asleep, I typically wake up five or six times per night and remain awake for long stretches. I’m exhausted the next day. It’s difficult to be productive at work. I’ve also noticed that I’m more prone to moodiness and even a bit of depression since beginning menopause. I have more problems with migraines and dehydration. I never had a UTI in my life until these past few years. I now test positive for UTIs every six to nine months. Weight gain is another aggravating side-effect. I workout everyday for approximately sixty minutes. I focus heavily on high-intensity cardio such as jumping rope, lunge jumps, burpees or running. I am a vegetarian and very careful about what I eat. I avoid fast foods, processed foods and caffeine. Unfortunately, my metabolism has slowed down and created a softness around my middle that I’m not happy with. I’ve read up on various medicines available to treat menopause symptoms. They all come with really nasty side-effects that are worse than the symptoms. Instead, I’ve found relief through plant-based medicine. I shop at the local cannabis dispensary for a variety of natural products. The bund tenders are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. There are different strains that are targeted at combating insomnia, aches and pains, anxiety and all sorts of issues. I prefer vapes because they are easy, discreet and provide rapid onset of effects. I focus on those strains that are higher in CBD and lower in THC.