Managing Menopause
Women approaching their 50’s
usually are expectant of menopause. What
they don’t know is that as early as their mid 30’s, they’re probably
experiencing it already except that the symptoms don’t directly point to them
being part of the menopausal stage. For
instance, at this point in their lives, they’re already probably experiencing
slight changes and variations in their menstrual cycle. Before, when they usually have a 4-5 day
menstrual cycle, when they reach their mid 30’s, this period can become shorter
or longer. The menstrual flow can even
become lighter or heavier. Some may
attribute it to childbirth, stress or health reasons, which in some cases may
indeed be a factor. But, generally these
changes are a precursor to menopause.
In a few more years, your
menstruation will eventually stop and this condition is the actual menopause
that most people commonly know. With
this event, your ovaries will no longer be producing eggs and so will it no
longer produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The changes in your body are due to the
loss of these hormones.
One of the more common symptoms
is hot flashes or hot flushes. This is
usually characterized by a sudden feeling of intense heat that starts from the
upper body and then extends to the lower extremities. This can be very uncomfortable especially if
they happen at night. They can sometimes
cause you to lose sleep. However, these
symptoms are treatable or at least you can try to lessen the frequency with
which they occur by taking vitamin supplements or herbal medication, whichever
you prefer. These medications may come
in the form of teas, pills or tablets.
Another side effect from losing
estrogen and progesterone hormones is having mood swings. Associated with this, women also tend to
become more irritable at unpredictable times.
Just like hot flashes, you may also take herbal medications like
hawthorn and damiana tea.
But, in general, doctors tend to
prescribe Hormone Therapy as a way to alleviate most of the symptoms in one
go. You have a choice of taking in
synthetic estrogen or progesterone (depending on your needs) in either cream,
pill or patch formulations. Although
some women have reported experiencing PMS-like symptoms when taking these
pills, they still prefer to take them because these mild symptoms far outweigh
the severity of their hot flashes and mood swings. You also have to be aware that taking these
pills may increase your propensity for heart disease and breast cancer. Also, if you have a history of blood
clotting, you may have to think twice before taking these pills because this
also increases your chances for deep vein thrombosis.
As an alternative therapy to
synthetic Hormone, there is now a newer type of treatment called bio-identical
hormones. Based on plant extracts, these
are more similar to the body’s natural estrogen and progesterone hormones. Treatment is tailor-fit based on your body’s
needs. The drug is prepared depending on
your required strength and dosage and has fewer side effects, if none at all,
compared with taking synthetic hormones.
At the very least, you need to
take calcium to prevent osteoporosis which is also a disease related to the
loss of estrogen hormones. Daily
exercise will boost your body’s defense against heart disease and the
endorphins released from the exercise will help your mental health as
well.
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