menopause and menopause and

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.

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.