Menopause is not a disease. It is actually a phase that occurs in woman’s life at the average age of 45-55 and it becomes official when you did not experience menstrual period for 12 successive months.
When a woman is at the menopausal stage, her ovulation starts to cease and her menstrual cycle stops. Normally, the ovaries start to produce hormones like estrogen, testosterone and progesterone slowly. Estrogen is an important hormone for many non-reproductive organs and it is used for many other body functions like bone formation, heart, liver, breast and bladder function, and it also used to regulate body temperature. On the long run, low level of estrogen can contribute to developing heart disease, cardiovascular problems, vaginal difficulties, osteoporosis, and tooth decay.
There are a number of side effects of menopause and treating menopause symptoms would not be that difficult. Healthier diet, using of herbs, regular exercises and taking supplements can help to ease symptoms of menopause. Basically, changes in lifestyle along with alternative medicines can really help.
The following are the common menopause symptoms:
Hot flashes – This is the most common symptom of menopause. Body’s thermostat stops working properly which may cause you to suffer tremendously hot or cold feeling. It is a feeling of warmth that spreads all over your body which lasts around 30 seconds to a minute. This generally occurs because of insufficient estrogen level. Reddened skin, strong heartbeat or palpitations and sweating often go with hot flashes. Vaginal changes – Estrogen affects the vaginal lining, thus menopausal women may experience pain during intercourse and a change in vaginal discharge. Bladder problems – Bladder problems starts when the bladder tissue lacks estrogen. In effect, bladder infection, frequent urination because of low bladder capacity, and sometimes inability to contain urine may rise. Bone loss – Most women reach their peak bone density at the age of 25 to 30 years. And during the menopausal stage, bone loss will increase. Rapid bone loss is not good for every woman. It can actually cause osteoporosis (risk of bone fractures) or it can increase the risk of death. Personality and emotional changes – As a woman gets older, she can become irritated and depressed most of the time. A loss of sexual desire can also be a result from depression. These problems are related to the shortage of estrogen in the body or perhaps caused by the psychological impact caused by the other symptoms of menopause like mood swings. Skin problems – Collagen production also changes when there is a deficiency of estrogen in the body which affects hair, nails, skin, and tendons. Collagen fibers are very much sensitive to the level of estrogen. Low level of estrogen can make the skin dry, thinner, and look aging.
Here are the ways on treating menopause symptoms:
For Hot flashes:
Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine. Live a stress free life and as much as possible, don’t go near hot places. Use fan in your home or workplace. Take slow deep breaths when you feel that hot flashes start.
To reduce the severity of the symptoms:
Eat soy foods.
Take foods or supplements rich in Calcium, magnesium and vitamin D. Try to meditate and other relaxation techniques. Maintain a good nutrition to help your body control hormone levels and reduce the risk of any disease. Eat plenty of whole wheat bread, vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts and seeds. It is also important to drink enough water. Herbs (tea or tincture) can help to reduce menopause symptoms. Become more active throughout your life. You can do some sports if possible. Walking, swimming and yoga can also improve your situation.
Some of the recommended medications include:
Antidepressants
Vaginal tablets, rings or creams are used to release estrogen. They can relieve vaginal dryness. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a quick and strong treatment for menopause symptoms which fights hormonal imbalance. However, it can bring about serious side effects. Birth control pills can reduce hot flashes, vaginal dryness and moodiness. Acupuncture is another alternative for treating menopause symptoms. It can relieve pains like migraines, cramps, and can also reduce the intensity of hot flashes.
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