Every woman will go through the life changing menopause. Each woman is unique, which means each menopause that is experienced differs. Some woman travel through this stage of her life without any problems while others suffer from a very difficult time, which can affect their life and the lives of those closest to them.
Thankfully today there is lot of help out there for those women of a certain age, and any woman experiencing problems should reach out for help and explore the different options on offer.
Some women use herbs to help combat the unpleasant symptoms, other choose to use Hormone Replacement treatment (HRT). The Herbal route can offer fewer side effects than medical drugs, which make them popular.
The menopause can take years to complete and is heralding a new stage of the woman's life. Once it is known that menopause has started it is important to take control. A nutritious diet is important as too is exercise.
It is quite possible to combine both conventional hormone replacement treatment and alternative therapies. The important thing is to become educated and to make choices that suit you.
During the menopause the ovaries stop making estrogen and progesterone. As part of the menstrual cycle the ovaries also make androgens and testosterone. So with the hormone levels changing many ladies need help in replacing them. This is where Hormone Replacement Treatment comes in. HRT can relieve the unpleasant symptoms sometimes suffered, for example hotflashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and loss of libido and can give protection against osteoporosis, heart disease and stroke but on the down side HRT does present some risks which should be discussed with your physician.
HRT can be very useful for those women who have a surgical pause where the ovaries and usually her uterus and fallopian tubes are removed. When this is done there is a much more sudden drop in sex hormone levels than when the menopause takes its natural course. This sudden drop can cause many health problems especially in younger women.
Some women choose to use herbal treatments to help them through the difficult times. If this route is chosen than a physician should still be consulted as some herbal products can have side effects and may react with other prescribed medication.
It is also believed that Soy and soy products can help with the symptoms of menopause but there is some controversy over this.
During the menopause stage of life it has been found that regular exercise offers huge benefits in aiding with the discomfort of symptoms. I am not talking about a punishing routine but gentle exercising that aids with mobility and relaxation. Just by choosing to use the stairs and not the elevator is a start. Practicing yoga stretches is also a good way of exercising.
One of the hardest things for women and their families during this time is the emotional problem that can come along. Leading a woman to act or react in ways alien to their normal behavior patterns. Anger and depression are emotions commonly seen amongst menopausal women. It is so important to nurture yourself during this time. Spend time doing relaxing things. Make this a way of life. Treat yourself to massages, manicures, aromatherapy treatments, anything to help you feel good.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Menopause | |
