How to lessen the effects of Menopause

The word menopause is from the Greek word ‘mens’ meaning monthly and pause meaning to stop. Before the advent of menopause women undergo something called the perimenopause that is prior to menopause. This happens 3-4 years before the menstrual periods stop completely. Click to continue…

Perimenopausal symptoms

Also known as pre-menopause, this is a phase just before the actual ending of periods, when ovulation declines or varies, resulting in various symptoms. Perimenopause is a time when periods are erratic and discomforts like hot flushes, insomnia etc occurs. Although according to research, perimenopause occurs almost a decade before actual menopause, medically this happens just 2-3 years before the actual time. Also, since it occurs in women who are just 35, symptoms are ignored. Click to continue…

How to manage menopause

Fortunately, we’re in an era when medical facilities are available and we have alternatives to choose from. Drugs and hormone therapy are in vogue, enabling women to cope with menopause. However, a healthy nutritious diet, comprising leafy vegetables, soy, fruits, brown bread and rice and an intake of calcium supplements are more beneficial. Regular exercise, yoga, meditation and stretches can also work wonders. Actually these cheap, natural remedies are advantageous than the common HRT-Hormone Replacement therapy, which although helps prevent bone loss, also has side effects! Click to continue…

Hormone patches – pros and cons

Although menopause is inevitable, one can minimize its effects effectively. The trick is to start early. Women in their 20’s and 30’s must examine their lifestyle and make changes. Adolescence marks the beginning of a carefree lifestyle, where consuming junk food, starving to maintain a slim figure, changing partners, a sedentary lifestyle are all common, the results of which will be reflected during menopausal years.

Surgical menopause occurs when the ovaries along with the uterus is surgically removed. While you stop menstruating when the uterus is removed, you will still ovulate when ovaries are not removed. When both are removed, it’s surgical menopause. One main culprit can be the use of contraceptive pills. Avoiding these prevent the occurrence of fibroids etc.

Adopting a healthful diet, rich in fiber, calcium, potassium and iron will work wonders for your skin, muscles and bones. Start at age of 20 itself. Diabetes during menopause can worsen matters, so cut down on sugar. Most women at this stage have a sedentary lifestyle. Thus, it’s wise to work out in a gymnasium or try yoga. If you don’t have the time for exercise, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park your car a little away form home or office and walk it up. This way you’ll get your needed exercise. Avoid binging in between hours. Limit intake of alcohol and caffeine. Opt for a salt fat diet to prevent bloating.

If all the above doesn’t work, hormone patches are a good alternative:

HRT (Hormone replacement therapy) is known to decrease incontinence, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, itching and even osteoporosis, although there’re reported case of breast tenderness and uterine cancer. Hormone patches are available in all drug stores across the country. Do consult your doctor before using it. These patches are safer than pills. These are discreet patches which are quite effective than creams and pills. These are estrogen patches which induce more estrogen into our body which has been reduced due to menopause.

Risks cannot be ruled out as hormone therapy has side effects. Patches and gels are already known to be effective for relieving the hot flashes and sleeplessness and night sweats that plague many women. No one knows whether they will prove safer than pills in terms of breast cancer, heart attack or stroke risk.

Oral pills have to pass through your liver and stomach that may have effect on these organs. But a hormone skin patch is directly absorbed into the bloodstream, and therefore can be given in far lower doses to be effective. So stick a patch and feel free from menopausal blues.

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