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Education About Menopause

Menopause happens to almost all older women and surprisingly, many men. It’s important to be educated about different menopause conditions, symptoms and treatment options. There’s a lot of things your doctor may not tell you. Understanding what your body might be going through can make this challenging time a bit easier.

The word “menopause” literally means “last period”.  The term is typically used to describe the years when a woman’s ovaries begin to create less and less eggs and fewer female hormones.  These reductions cause periods to become less frequent and more irregular.  These things together causes’ hormonal and emotional changes for the woman experiencing these inner changes. 

After menopause the risk of heart disease becomes greater for a woman.  Menopausal women should be aware of the risks and symptoms of heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke and take preventative measures to avoid these health risks.

Menopause typically occurs for women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can sometimes affect younger or older women.  Natural menopause occurs when the levels of estrogen and progesterone become less.  Some women who have destruction or removal of ovaries surgically will experience menopause symptoms and often times are more severe than other types of menopausal situations. 

Physical symptoms of menopause include:

• Hot flashes
• Sweats
• Tiredness
• Headaches
• Joint and bone pain
• Heart palpations
• Unusual skin sensations
• Vaginal dryness

Psychological symptoms of menopause include:

• Anxiety
• Reduced sexual interest
• Mood swings/irritability
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Lack or loss of confidence
• forgetfulness
• Disrupted sleep
• Depression

If you’re having difficulty with the effects of menopause, there are some things you can do you make the transition easier:

• Avoid smoking
• Stay active and exercise regularly
• Eat a healthy well balanced diet
• Avoid high stress situations
• Control your weight
• Take your vitamins
• Get a massage or participate in other relaxation techniques
• Consider a chiropractor
• Consider acupuncture
• Try homeopathic treatments

Treatment options may include Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), alternative treatments and life changes.  Alternative changes typically include natural hormones, herbal preparations, vitamins, minerals, homeopathic remedies, and massage.

Life changes might include a change to the diet, exercise and sleep.  Women who are going through menopause need a higher intake of calcium and should be getting at least 1,000 mg of calcium daily. 

Vitamin D is also very important and can be gotten from eating foods high in Vitamin D.  Menopausal women are also recommended to have limited alcohol and caffeine intake and to avoid smoking. 

Participating in stress relieving activities and getting enough rest is also very important during this time.

Tags: Menopause, Physical symptoms, Psychological symptoms, Treatment options

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