Posts Tagged ‘for menopause’
Your Health And Menopause Perimenopause
While menopause is a familiar term to most women, perimenopause isn’t. It is the process of change that leads up to menopause. It can start as early as your late thirties or as late as your early fifties. How long this phase lasts varies, but it usually lasts from 2 to 8 years. You may have irregular periods or other symptoms during this time. In this article, we’ll examine menopause perimenopause and the impact it has on your health.
Women often began to notice their symptoms between the ages of 35 and 45. Pre menopause and menopause and hormonal changes seem to go hand in hand. Most pre menopausal women experience changes in their menstrual cycle. When estrogen levels begin to drop, the follicular phase of the cycle may be shortened, and this can shorten the total cycle from 28–30 days to 24–26 days, resulting in more frequent periods. However, other women begin having longer cycles because they are not ovulating as frequently. This declining or fluctuating estrogen level can produce a host of symptoms like hot flashes, increasing vaginal dryness, sleep problems, mood swings, breast tenderness and many other complications.
Sudden mood changes are an extremely common sign of menopause perimenopause. You may notice yourself feeling sad, anxious or depressed. Doctors believe that this is related to a drop in the body’s estrogen levels. Other factors like diet, sleep habits, physical inactivity and smoking can also influence your mood. While it is perfectly normal to get a case of the blues, depression that continues for more than two weeks can indicate a problem. If you do experience these symptoms on a continuous basis, then see your doctor. He can recommend a course of medication and lifestyle changes that can help you to feel better. It is important to describe all of your symptoms to your physician so that an accurate diagnosis can be made.
Specific treatment for menopause, perimenopause and hormone fluctuations will be determined by your physician based on your age, overall health and medical history. Your doctor will also take into account your specific symptoms and your treatment preferences. Typically, treatments can include low-dose birth control pills to keep hormone levels more constant, antidepressants to stabilize mood swings, and lifestyle changes. This could include dietary modifications, regular exercise, and abstaining for smoking and drinking. You may also choose to consult a homeopathic doctor or a dietician for natural treatments.
If you are having abnormal periods, frequent mood swings, and are extremely fatigued, it may be time to see a doctor. A number of illnesses can cause these symptoms, so be upfront with your doctor about your concerns and describe as many symptoms of your menopause perimenopause as you can. Work with your doctor to determine a course of treatment best suited to you. Diet and exercise are factors that can greatly influence how you feel, so trade fatty, salty or sugary foods for fruits, vegetables, grains, and foods rich in calcium, like leafy green vegetable and dairy products. You should also step up your physical activity. Not only will you look better, you will feel better as well.
Pointers To Help You Deal With Menopause
Menopause can be an extremely difficult and painful time in a woman’s life. As her hormone levels fluctuate, a woman can experience a variety of symptoms that can make life seem unbearable. However, times have changes and menopausal women don’t have to suffer the way they once did. In this article, we’ll look at some treatment options that may reduce the stress of menopause.
This change of life is a natural process that happens to every woman as she grows older, and is not a medical problem, disease or illness. It is the absence of menstrual periods for 12 months, and the average age for menopause is 52. Some women experience difficulty during this time because of the changes in hormone levels. While some women have few or no symptoms, others have many moderate or severe symptoms. The clearest sign that the change has started is irregular periods, and when blood flow becomes lighter or heavier.
The symptoms of menopause are different for every woman. The symptoms can include weight gain, hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, vaginal dryness, joint pain, fatigue, short-term memory problems, bowel upset, dry eyes, itchy skin, mood swings, and urinary tract infections. Most of the time, these symptoms will lessen or go away after a woman is post-menopausal. Research has shown that symptoms can be related to many things, including genetics, diet, and lifestyle.
There are treatment options if your menopause symptoms begin to adversely affect your quality of life. Menopause itself is a normal part of life and not a disease that requires treatment. However, treatment of associated symptoms is possible if these become substantial or severe. The most common treatment used is hormone replacement therapy, yet HRT was halted when it was discovered that it increased the risk for heart attack, stroke and breast cancer. Oral contraceptive pills are another form of hormone therapy often prescribed for women in perimenopause to treat irregular vaginal bleeding. Antidepressant medications have been shown to be effective in controlling the symptoms of hot flashes in up to 60% of women. Some women report that vitamin E supplements can provide relief from mild flashes.
The key to getting through menopause is taking care of you. Take the time to treat yourself well both physically and mentally. Instead of chomping on chips, opt for some yummy fresh berries or some frozen yogurt. Instead of plopping down in front of the TV after dinner, grab a friend or family member and go for a walk. The endorphins released during exercise are a natural antidepressant, so you’ll feel better immediately. Most importantly, treat yourself like you would your best friend. Give yourself compliments, encourage yourself to enjoy life and be your own best support. You’ll find that not only will your discomfort flag, but you’ll enjoy life a lot more.