Every woman will have to go through the menopause. It typically takes place between the ages of forty-five and fifty and is the process that occurs when the female body stops menstruating. It is a natural process and not threatening to a woman’s health. However, some of the symptoms can be difficult to cope with. Many women experience night sweats, hot flushes, and reduced sex drive. However, if you follow the following self-help tips, you will find this change in your body much easier to handle.
Exercise Regularly
Some studies show that women who are active tend to have fewer problems with their symptoms. You don’t need to be overdoing it at the gym, but three workout sessions a week should do the trick. Or head out for a walk three times a week. There are many health benefits of exercise for older women. As well as helping with menopausal symptoms, it can help to strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis. However, if the menopause is causing you sleeping problems, try not to exercise too close to bedtime. This will wake your body up, and you’ll find it even harder to drop off.
Spot Triggers
There will be certain things that trigger your hot flushes. The most common triggers are caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol. Once you start to notice what is triggering your hot flashes, you should try to stay away from them. You will find that doing so greatly reduces the amount of flushes you suffer from.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Some women benefit from hormone therapy. If you think you could use this to control your symptoms, see your family doctor. He will talk you through the best course of action. He may prescribe you with tablets or skin patches that can replace estrogen in your body. As well as regulating menopause symptoms, hormone therapy can help to prevent cancers and other illnesses.
Mental Exercises
Some women find that they suffer from loss of memory and other mental health problems during the menopause. One of the best ways to deal with memory issues is to do puzzles such as crosswords and word searches on a daily basis. This can help to improve your concentration and memory skills. If you think that your mood swings are getting particularly bad, or you develop depression, visit your doctor. He will be able to give you medication to regulate your moods and emotions.
Keep Cool
Many women find that keeping cool helps them greatly, especially with sleep problems. Ensure that you wear light pajamas in bed. You should also try and keep your bedroom cool by leaving a window open throughout the night. Relax before bed and go to sleep feeling completely de-stressed. You will then find that your body is able to stay cool throughout the entire evening. If you need to, keep a wet flannel on your bedside table in case the hot flushes get particularly bad.
You may be anxious about the menopause. But if you relieve your symptoms using the above ideas, you will find it easy to cope with.