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Posts Tagged ‘after menopause’

Now that you have entered the final stages of menopause, or have been told by your doctor that your body is preparing for this hormonal change, you may be wondering how your life will be after menopause. After you get past the uncomfortable symptoms associated with this change, you may find that your life is especially enjoyable and fulfilling. Here are some of the things you can expect after menopause, as well as some tips on how to organize your life.

Menopause, until recently, was a subject that many women did not discuss, even with their doctors. ‘The Change’ was seen as ugly and embarrassing, and many women saw it as a time in their life when they were becoming less feminine. Now, due to new studies and changes in the mindset of society, life after menopause has become especially fulfilling for most women.

Many women wonder about their physical and mental well-being after menopause, since bouts of depression and severe mood swings can occur during the change. Hot flashes are also a symptom of the transition, and after your body has gone through menopause, you will find that these conditions will subside substantially, and you may find that your moods will be much more regulated after menopause; you just have to care for your body during the change so that you can reap the benefits afterwards. A balanced diet that is rich in the B vitamins is recommended, and it is also a good idea to eat foods that are rich in soy during menopause. Taking supplements both during and after menopause may also prove to be helpful; herbs like valerian root will help with insomnia, and St. John’s wort will improve your mood and reduce headaches and recurrent depression.

Some women may also wonder about how their bodies will look after menopause. Since estrogen is the hormone that gives women the fat distribution in their hips, buttocks, and thighs, many postmenopausal women wonder if they will still be able to maintain their feminine figures. With the right type of exercise, women can still be shapely and feel great in their clothes; this may be a good time to hire a personal trainer to learn which cardio and weight training exercises will help to tone the waist and hips, and which exercises will help to lift the breast and chest muscles. Staying active will also reduce the risk of experiencing depression after menopause.

If you want to know more about how to live and organize your life after menopause, you can refer to a number of helpful websites, such as www.familydoctor.org or www.ivillage.com for tips on how to prepare the right meals and take the best herbal supplements for your health.

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post menopausal

When women are officially diagnosed as being “post menopausal,” there is often the elated thought that the discomfort of menopause is finally over. Unfortunately, this is not often the case! Hormone levels will continue to fluctuate and different problems triggered by the lack of estrogen can start to occur. In this article, we’ll examine some of the most common symptoms that women experience once they are past the “change of life” and simple ways to combat them.

Hot flashes are related to the low levels of estrogen in your body, but studies show that medication may not always be effective. There are some products that you can avoid to minimize the onset. Alcohol, caffeine, diet pills, spicy or hot food, and overly warm environments all can trigger hot flashes. Studies have shown that changes in diet and relaxation therapy can have a significant impact. Try breathing exercises and yoga and meditation. If your symptoms persist, speak to your doctor about antidepressants, mild sedatives and estrogen therapy. The good news is that once you have reached the post menopausal stage, they should become a distant memory.

Facial hair growth is a result of a change in the levels of estrogen and testosterone. Women also have low levels of testosterone, albeit in smaller amounts than men. Another complaint that women may experience is vaginal dryness. With the significant drop in estrogen after menopause, the membranes of the vagina thin, lose elasticity and decrease their production of lubricating fluids. Sexual intercourse may be uncomfortable or even painful. Pain with intercourse may be largely a result of soreness of the vulva, the area right outside your vagina. Try avoiding harsh soaps or using a barrier cream like Eucerin or Bag Balm.

While it can feel like you’re at the mercy of your body, there are things you can do to minimize the impact of hormone fluctuations. Nutrition and exercise play a pivotal role in the health of women after menopause. It may mean being disciplined enough to make a significant change in your lifestyle, but you’ll feel the results of your efforts. You should also start taking a multivitamin that is rich in Vitamin D, magnesium and folic acid. Vitamin D will help your body to absorb vitamins and minerals, especially bone building calcium that is so important. If you are battling night sweats, then take a cool shower before bed, wear cotton clothing to absorb sweat and keep yourself comfortable and dress in layers so you can remove clothing as you get hot. It may sound funny, but standing in front of the freezer or refrigerator will make you feel better.

There are many things to love about being post menopausal. There is a light at the end of the tunnel of hot flashes and night sweats. Try to think of this time as an opportunity to make positive changes in your life. Take a class, become more physically active, learn to paint or play an instrument. There are so many good things about no longer having “the curse.” Work with your doctor to control your physical symptoms and depend on the support of your family and friends to cushion the emotional symptoms. You’ll find that this could be the time to make your life everything that you want it to be.

menopausal

While this “change of life” called menopause was once a life stage dreaded by many women, today’s woman can refer to numerous health guides for a variety of treatment options. The one thing that everyone can agree on is that women have to play an active role in managing the symptoms that they may experience. Diet and exercise are critical to good health during menopause. In this article, we’ll discuss these techniques that can significantly improve your quality of life.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, pre menopausal women should consume about 1,000 mg of calcium daily. Women after menopause should consume 1,200 mg of calcium per day. Other guides recommend up to 1,500 mg of calcium per day. Vitamin D is also very important for calcium absorption and bone formation. According to a 1992 study, women with post menopausal osteoporosis who took vitamin D for three years significantly reduced their risk of spinal fractures. This issue is controversial, however, as vitamin D can cause kidney stones, constipation or abdominal pain, especially in women with kidney problems.

A well balanced diet that is rich in nutrients and low in fat is also recommended. However, women going through menopause have special dietary concerns that may require changes in the way they eat. Eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grain cereal products, especially those high in vitamin C and beta carotene. Avoid foods and drinks with processed sugar, as many of these products contain empty calories and promote weight gain, which is a big concern for menopausal women. Avoid salt-cured and smoked foods such as sausages, smoked fish, ham, bacon, bologna and hot dogs. These foods are high in sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure. You should eat a diet containing foods high in calcium, including milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products; oysters, sardines and canned salmon with bones; and dark-green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli.

As you age, your body requires less energy because of a decline in physical activity and a loss of lean body mass. According to health guides, raising your activity level will increase your need for energy. Aerobic activities such as walking, jogging, swimming, biking and dancing will help to prevent some of these problems and also raise HDL cholesterol levels, commonly referred to as the “good” cholesterol. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking and running, as well as moderate weight training, will help to increase bone mass. In post menopausal women, moderate exercise helps preserve bone mass in the spine and prevent fractures.

The good news is that a regular program of physical activity can help manage many of the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, as well as the related health concerns, such as heart disease and osteoporosis. The mood-elevating, tension-relieving effects of aerobic exercise help reduce the depression and anxiety that often accompanies menopause. Aerobic exercise also promotes the loss of abdominal fat, which is the place where most women readily gain weight during menopause. Health guides and your doctor can help you create a diet that’s right for you so that you can be as healthy as possible.

hormone replacement therapy

Heart health is a other major concern for women as they go through menopause and enter their post-menopausal years. At the same time that your estrogen levels decline, your risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, as well as in men. However, there are things that women can do to reduce the risk. In this article, we’ll discuss your heart health and what you can do to protect it.

A woman has a reduced rate of heart disease before menopause compared with men her own age. After menopause, however, a woman’s rate of heart disease increases considerably, until by the age of 65, her risk is equal to that of her male peers. Recent research has found conclusively that there is no coronary health benefit for women with a history of heart disease, who take estrogen alone, or estrogen plus a progestin. Research has also found that women without a previous history of heart disease may also face an increased risk for heart disease when taking hormone therapy. Estrogen therapy is still a safe, short-term option for some women, but numerous other therapies also are available to help you manage menopausal symptoms and protect your heart during this important phase of your life.

There are many things that menopausal women can do to reduce their risk of heart disease. First, quit smoking and reduce your alcohol intake. This will almost immediately reduce your blood pressure. Secondly, eat a diet low in saturated fats and plentiful in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in cold water fish, can prevent heart disease. Cold water fish include salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring and halibut. Fish oils high in omega-3 fatty acids can also help to prevent blood clots, can decrease inflammation in the blood vessels, and can promote a regular cardiac rhythm. Increasing dietary fiber by eating a whole foods diet high in vegetables can lower cholesterol levels and can have a positive effect on the health of your heart.

With regard to your heart health, regular exercise has long been shown to reduce the risk for coronary heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and osteoporosis. Women often exercise less when they enter menopause, which can lead to weight gain. Exercise can help create a calorie deficit, which is what you want when it comes to losing body fat. Some research has found that exercise increases estrogen levels, which can decrease the severity of hot flashes. Strength training can help strengthen the bones and prevent osteoporosis.

Since women often struggle with insomnia and fatigue during menopause, the last thing they may be thinking about is going out for a walk. However, besides improving your heart health, regular exercise has a number of other benefits. Once you get into the habit of exercising, you’ll notice that your body feels more relaxed, your mood will improve, and you’ll even feel more alert. You don’t have to get an expensive gym membership and pump iron until you drop. A brisk walk several times a week is all you need. Before you know it, exercise will become a part of your routine that you will look forward to every day.

night sweats

During menopause, a woman can experience a myriad of symptoms like depression, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, hot flashes and weight gain. Since health experts have not been able come up with a “magic pill” to erase these symptoms, women have to take an active role in managing the discomfort of menopause. This may mean making significant changes in the way you live. In this article, we’ll show you some simple ways to make changes that will improve your quality of life while your body adjusts to the changes associated with menopause.

Hot flashes are related to the low levels of estrogen in your body, but studies show that medication may not always be effective. There are some products that are recommended to help minimize the onset of hot flashes and night sweats. Alcohol, caffeine, diet pills, spicy or hot food, and overly warm environments all can trigger hot flashes. Studies have shown that changes in diet and relaxation therapy can have a significant impact. Try breathing exercises and yoga and meditation. If your symptoms persist, speak to your doctor about antidepressants, mild sedatives and estrogen therapy.

Lack of sleep is a common short-term problem associated with menopause. Sleep loss can cause lack of concentration, memory loss, irritability, fatigue, and joint and muscle pain. Experts suggest that women experiencing these symptoms should try to maintain a regular schedule, abstain from caffeine and alcohol, stop smoking and exercise. You should also examine your sleeping environment to make sure that is as comfortable as possible. Make sure that it is quiet, dark and free of all distractions. Consider wearing earplugs and a sleep mask. Wearing cotton nightclothes and using cotton sheets will help to keep you cool and comfortable.

A balanced diet is very important during and following menopause. Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grain cereal products, especially those high in vitamin C and carotene. These include oranges, grapefruit, carrots, winter squash, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and green leafy vegetables. These foods are good sources of vitamins and minerals and the major sources of dietary fiber. Fiber helps maintain bowel mobility and may reduce the risk of colon cancer. For women who can’t eat an adequate diet, health experts recommend supplements that are high in vitamins and minerals, especially calcium. However, you should seek the advice of a dietician before you begin taking these supplements. Vitamins A and D in large doses can be particularly dangerous.

In addition to eating a healthy diet, there are certain products that you should avoid or consume in moderation during menopause. Most health experts find that caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods can trigger menopause symptoms. Since many menopausal women are concerned about weight gain, it is also important to get regular exercise. Strength-training exercises may offer special help in maintaining muscle mass and controlling weight. By working with your doctor, you may even find yourself in better health than you were in prior to menopause.

Many women going through menopause secretly hope that their uncomfortable symptoms will end when their menopause officially does, but sometimes that isn’t the case. Although your body will have adapted to a new levels of hormones, ensuring you now have a good night’s sleep, and a stable core temperature that doesn’t fluctuate like clockwork at certain times of the day, you may still have some unwanted post menopause symptoms to deal with.

The close of menopause is the end of ovulation and menstruation, and it usually finishes about eight to 10 years of symptoms first appearing. However, you can still continue to have post menopause bleeding up to 6 months or so afterwards. Periods after menopause aren’t common, and there’s an increased likelihood you’ll experience them if you’re on HRT or if you are significantly overweight. If you do experience bleeding after menopause, consult your doctor because it may be a sign of a serious disease such as endometrial cancer.

Other Annoying Nuisances

Post menopause bleeding is not the only symptom to watch out for. Other bothersome post-menopause symptoms is vaginal itching and dryness, which is both irritating and potentially embarrassing.  However, the most distressing of all post menopause symptoms is stress incontinence, which is the release of urine resulting from the strain of lifting heavy objects, sneezing, laughing or even coughing.

Once menopause finishes, there is an increased likelihood of health conditions such as hypertension and osteoporosis. And because the reduction in estrogen dries out your skin, you may notice more wrinkles and a loss of skin tone on your face. Post menopause symptoms are not pleasant, but they are a natural part of the cycle of every woman’s life. Fortunately medications are available to mitigate many of the symptoms you may experience. This can include face creams, lubricants, prescription medications and panty liners which can make dealing with the post menopausal phase of life somewhat less inconvenient.

It’s good to remember that not all women experience post menopause symptoms. And of those that do, most are not serious. In addition to conventional remedies, there are plenty of vitamins and supplements that can be very effective.