Tolerating Menopause
Menopause and perimenopause can be a very difficult time for women. Of course anyone who has lived with someone going through menopause knows it can be difficult for family members as well. Because it can affect women both emotionally and physically it comes with a range of side effects.
There isn’t a way to stop it from happening so it is best to prepare for it as much as you can. It’s good to do some research so you know what to expect. For many the difficult most difficult time is the phase before menopause officially begins.
Menopause and pre-menopause begin at different ages for different women. Most commonly it starts in a women’s mid 40’s, but for some women it can begin as early as 35 years of age. The length of the transition varies as well; for some it may only last a couple years and for others it can last up to 10 years. The severity of the side effects varies as well.
This is when hormones start to fluctuate and changes start to begin. Weight gain is one of the unwanted changes during this time. The weight usually settles in the thighs, buttocks and lower abdominal area. This is the body’s way of trying to store estrogen.
Another common symptom, probably the most well know symptom, is the onset of hot flashes. A hot flash is a sudden increase in body temperature that is caused by decreasing estrogen levels. For some women these hot flashes can feel pretty intense and they can cause sweating or weakness.
Mood swings are another challenging symptom faced during this time. Women who have not had a problem with mood swings before may suddenly experience these swings or depression. These emotional challenges can be worsened by the fact that they are reaching that stage in life where they are experience direct signs of aging. Menopause is a direct sign to some the time is marching on and more quickly than they would like.
Low energy and lack of sleep are other symptoms that can exacerbate emotional side effects and just make day to day life a little more difficult. Anyone who has suffered from fatigue knows it’s harder to function when you’re feeling tired. Many women have a hard time sleeping through the night during menopause, partly because of the hot flashes.
When women are feeling the effects of a combination of these symptoms it can have a snowball effect causing greater feelings of frustration. It’s not uncommon to feel a loss of control.
Talk to your doctor if your symptoms are becoming difficult to handle or if you feel you need help. If you want to learn about natural treatment options or if you want to blend natural and conventional you may also want to talk to a naturopath. Naturopaths are specifically trained for using natural remedies.
Other things that can help you through this time include eating healthy, drinking plenty of water and exercising regularly. Limit sugary, fatty and salty foods, instead focus on eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and essential fatty acids.
