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RPW posted on November 10, 2014 12:00Remember when puberty hit, back when you were in your teens? Remember the mood swings or feelings you had, like everything in your body was changing and you weren’t sure what to do or how to cope with it?
Women who go through menopause may have similar feelings. Most women may experience this through their late forties and into their fifties, but it can happen to younger women as early as their thirties.
All jokes aside, menopause affects the woman who is experiencing it, as well as any family members she lives with. The first signs usually occur when a woman begins skipping or missing some of her menstrual cycles. It can take about four years before the menstrual cycles disappear altogether, but there may be changes within a woman’s body that she experiences. Some include mood swings, hot flashes, insomnia, sweating, headaches, vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, heart racing or pain during intercourse.
These symptoms do not typically occur all at the same time, although they can. Typically there are a few phases before the menopausal period is over with. Peri-menopause, menopause and finally, post-menopause.
Some women breeze through menopause with very little discomfort, while others truly suffer in agony and/or pain. Everyone is different. Some ways you can cope with the symptoms include:
Getting enough sleepGetting enough relaxation/meditation timeExercise – particularly yogaReaching out for friendship & supportDress in layers to deal with the “hot and cold” temperature fluctuations in your bodyDrink lots of water/stay hydratedEat a nutritious diet that is well balanced throughout the dayStay away from hot or spicy foodsSearch for alternative vitamins, such as flaxseed, vitamin E, black cohosh and yam extractsRelax with a bath before bed to prevent insomniaBe proactive about stress management
Of course, if you dig or do some research online, you may find even more solutions that will be beneficial to menopause. September is National Menopause Awareness Month! Visit the MAM website to share your story, instead of dealing with menopause all alone.