Menopause is not the end of the road for all women. Rather, it is a
beginning of another journey towards self-realization. Many changes
occur in a woman’s physical, emotional and psychological aspects
during menopause. Many of these changes often cause stress and
depression among women.
Medically, menopause is defined as the time after 12 months have
passed since your last period. Some women may experience a number of
physical and emotional changes, including hot flashes, sleep
disturbances and night sweats, vaginal changes, irregular
menstruation, decreased fertility, insomnia, mood changes, changes
in sexual desire, changes and appearance.
A woman's experiences during menopause may also be influenced by
emotional, life changes such as children leaving home, divorce or
widowhood, retirement, changes in domestic, social, and personal
relationships, changes in identity and body image, or anxiety about
loss of independence, disability or loneliness.
Here are a number of steps to help reduce or prevent the more
negative effects of menopause.
Cool those hot flashes.
Hot flashes are sudden or mild waves of body heat that rise from the
chest to the face causing facial redness and sweating. Eat enough
calcium and other nutrients necessary for calcium absorption. Also
try to have at least one food rich in phytoestrogens which are found
in soy products (soy milk, tofu, miso), legumes, and certain fruits
and vegetables (squash, yams, carrots, papayas). Taking in Vitamin
B-complex and Vitamin E supplements are also helpful. Limit
caffeine-intake found in coffee, tea, alcohol, chocolate, along with
alcohol, sugar and spicy founds.
Decrease vaginal
discomforts. Because of certain shifts in hormonal production, women
may experience burning, itching and discomfort during sexual
intercourse. Use over-the-counter water-based vaginal lubricants or
moisturizers.
Exercise regularly.
Exercising helps release endorphins which in turn help reduce stress
and promote well-being. Physical activity can relieve hot flashes,
improve sleep, and protect you against cardiovascular disease,
diabetes, osteoporosis, and weight gain. Try a combination of
strength-training exercises and aerobic exercises such as walking,
jogging and dancing.
Optimize sleep. Avoid
caffeinated food and beverages and try to exercise right before
bedtime. Practice a number of relaxation techniques such as deep
breathing or yoga.
Don’t smoke. Smoking
poses a lot of health problems. It increases the risk of heart
disease, stroke, cancer, and a range of other problems. Smoking may
also increase hot flashes and bring on earlier menopause.
Have regular check-ups.
Always see your doctor and schedule for mammograms, Pap tests and
other screening tests. Remember prevention is always better than
cure.
Disclaimer: All Information is provided for
educational purposes only and not intended
to be used for any therapeutic purpose, neither is it intended to diagnose,
prevent, treat or cure any disease. Please consult a health care
professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
While all attempts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this information,
The Health Information Network does not accept any responsibility for any errors or
ommissions. Disclosure, Terms and Conditions.
