Coping With Menopause

Many women have been leading a healthy life after their menopause. It is not a disease. With just a little care one can easily cope up with the physical and mental changes due to menopause.

Most common symptoms of menopause are weight gain, vaginal dryness, hot flushes and increased emotional sensitivity.

Simple Things Big Changes

Daily walk of 20 to 30 minutes will strengthen your bones. Maintain flexibility of the body by doing low-sweat exercise called Pilates. Other non-sweat exercise are yoga and swimming. Keep an eye on what you eat. Avoid binge eating. Alcohol will worsen symptoms of hot flashes. A glass of wine is just fine for a day. But it is better to avoid alcohol during menopause.

Increase consumption of calcium in your diet. These can be found in low fat dairy products, fortified juices and cereals. You may even supplement with a 1000 mg calcium tablet. Consult your physician before supplementation.

Smoking increases the risk of early onset of menopause. So try staying away from it. It also increases risk of development of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. You will need 10 mcg of vitamin D. Sunlight, fortified foods and dairy products are good sourcing of vitamin D.

It would be better that these dietary changes are made much before onset of menopause so that one does not suffer much.

Women should be free to experiment with Hormonal replacement therapy. It is a myth that it is dangerous to start and then stop a HRT.

To combat sleeping troubles follow simple and best remedies of drinking warm milk or taking a warm bath at bedtime. Sexual life may face a set back due to severe vaginal dryness. Start using a lubricant. Some yoga exercises help in increasing lubrication.

When to See Doctor

You must consult your doctor if you experience irregular bleeding, bleeding after sex or heavy onset of periods even after menopause. The reasons that may lead to bleeding may not always be very serious but they may indicate development of cancer.

Menopause is a natural phenomenon. But if it is affecting your physical, social and emotional health then it must not be ignored.

It is important to maintain a positive attitude to deal with menopause.