Archive for November, 2009
by Hannah Cooke
For most women under the age of 45, the menopause or “the change,” has little importance. But as the years pass and you find yourself nudging 50 you are faced with the inevitable transition that we all eventually go through. This is the time when information and options become vital to your success in making the journey progress as smoothly as possible. Yet how much do we actually know about menopause and the effect that it has on our bodies?
For most women, menopause begins around the age of 51 (give or take a few years). When a woman under 45 goes through it, it`s called premature menopause. This is very rare and only happens to one percent of women under the age of 40. Although women who smoke have an earlier menopause than non-smokers, they also have worse hot flashes. It’s never too late to stop smoking.
As a woman ages, the level of the hormone estrogen – which regulates our monthly period – drops. Overtime, periods will become less frequent, until they stop altogether. Once a year has passed with no period, the woman is described as post menopausal. . However, it is still possible to become pregnant for up to two years after the last period if under 50, and for one year over 50. So it is important to continue with contraception until this time has passed.
Symptoms of menopause include, bloating, difficulty sleeping, hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, depression and vaginal dryness. But there are many, many ways that a woman can help herself alleviate, if not cure some or all of her symptoms.
Healthy eating, regular exercise, limited caffeine and alcohol, will help women cope with changes and improve their general health and well being. Include unrefined food wherever possible rather than convenience foods and sugary snacks.
Many of our diets may be deficient in some minerals and vitamins, vegetarians for instance may be lacking in the B group of vitamins. Speak with a nutritionist if you think that you may be lacking and either include a wider variety of foods in your diet or perhaps take a vitamin supplement to make up the shortfall.
Menopause is a time of many changes for a woman and with the erratic levels of hormones, it may be that she finds herself subject to rapid mood changes and perhaps even times of depression. It is important that any woman who is struggling to cope with the symptoms that often accompany menopause, seek professional help.
By looking upon menopause as a time of freedom from menopausal cramps, monthly periods and birth control, women will begin to see this as a positive change. The progression signals a whole new chapter in the life of a mature woman and one that will be happier if she embraces it without fear or regret.
Surround yourself with people who will support you when you need it and cheer you if you feel teary….and you will find the entire experience a whole lot easier.
About the Author
After failing to find somewhere that had all of the answers she desperately wanted about menopause, Hannah Cooke spent almost one year compiling the most up to date information for her amazing new book: The Complete Menopause
Menopause Solutions 