How To Manage The Symptoms Of Menopause

According to the Office on Women’s Health, 51 is around the average age for most women to officially begin menopause, or experience stopped periods. But the symptoms of this can begin early, with many women reporting experiencing the symptoms of menopause long before their periods actually end. Throughout perimenopause and menopause, the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body start to fluctuate as the ovaries try to keep up with normal hormone production levels. It is this fluctuation which causes common menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, problems concentrating, sleep problems, and more. Learning more about these symptoms and how to effectively deal with them can help improve your quality of life during this time.

Managing Hot Flashes:

Women going through the menopause can experience a range of different physical symptoms and changes. Hot flashes are a common symptom, causing a rise in temperature and even sweating for some women. Making dietary changes can be helpful for managing hot flashes, with soy-based foods being the most effective as they contain plant-derived hormones which can partially reverse the hormonal changes occurring due to menopause. Avoiding foods which can cause your temperature to rise such as alcohol or spicy foods is also recommended.

Tender Breasts:

Tenderness and swelling of the breasts are common symptoms of going through the menopause. Both swelling and pain can be relieved by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as naproxen or ibuprofen. If you are suffering from severe breast pain or swelling, you may need to visit a doctor to be prescribed stronger anti-inflammatory drugs or pain relief. Bioidentical hormone therapy (available here at rosewellness.com) is also an effective method of relieving severe pain in and around the breasts during menopause. There are also a range of herbal supplements which could provide some relief, for example evening primrose oil or flaxseed. Speak to your doctor before trying any herbal supplements, especially if you are using any other prescribed drugs.

Managing Your Sex Life:

During perimenopause and menopause, a number of both physical and emotional changes can seriously interfere with your sex life. Vaginal dryness is a common symptom of menopause which can potentially interfere with your sex life as well as being uncomfortable. Thankfully there are a number of remedies to this issue which you can obtain such as over-the-counter lubricants or sesame seed oil which can be used as a topical ointment regularly. Estrogen cream and sustained-released estrogen rings can both be used as an effective way of treating dryness, but you should be careful as they can also increase your risk of certain dangerous health conditions. Along with this, menopause can also halt the production of testosterone, a hormone which is important to your libido. If you find that your sex drive has diminished, there are a number of therapies and treatments which you can try including hormone replacement therapy or even sensual massages.

Managing the menopause is no easy task, but with the right treatment and help, you can make this time of life easier to get through.