Many women hear the word menopause and start to freak out.  Although this is a phase of life for every woman experiences, there is often a sense of embarrassment and dread. Women typically think that they are now considered old.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Think back to High School health class and it teaches us that menopause ends one’s fertility, but it tends to leave out that a woman can still remain healthy, sexual and vital after they go through menopause.  Like any other milestone in our life, menopause is just another phase. How we manage that phase physically, mentally, and socially impacts how well the transition and outcome will be.   

Menopause occurs when a woman stops menstruating and usually happens when they are in their 40s or 50s.  Illness or surgery can alter the onset of menopause for some women. When a woman starts to go through menopause, her body undergoes a series of changes that bring on a variety of symptoms. Some women don’t need treatment for their symptoms, because they go away on their own, but almost all complain of how uncomfortable they can be. 

Here are a few ways to deal with symptoms of menopause: 

Hot Flashes 

Women experiencing hot flashes suddenly become very hot out of nowhere and they’ll start to sweat. Sometimes hot flashes can be triggered by something, so it’s good to notice what those triggers are so that they can be avoided. Such triggers include: stress, caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol or just being in a very hot place. It’s recommended to dress in layers so that they can be removed if a hot flash happens and to use a fan at home or at work. Also, taking deep, slow breaths when a hot flash starts can prevent one from becoming too hot and bothered.  

 Vaginal Dryness 

During menopause women tend to be more self-conscious of their bodies, it is important to keep your romantic and sexual life comfortable and ongoing as it will also help with your self-esteem. Menopause can make a woman’s vagina become unusually dry and the tissue becomes thinner, so if you are experiencing discomfort discuss it with your doctor.  

 Sleeping Problems 

Sleep seems to evade most women during menopause. The lack of sleep only worsens the other symptoms you may be experiencing. Some suggested ways to help get some rest is to be physically active throughout the day. Also, avoid large meals before bedtime and try drinking something warm before sleeping like warm milk or caffeine-free tea. If you wake up at night and can’t go back to sleep, do something relaxing like reading a book until you are sleepy again. But if you can’t get to sleep on your own, you might have to talk to your doctor about these sleep problems.  

Mood Swings 

Some women feel crankier and moodier than usual when menopause hits them, so it’s important that they get enough sleep and rest to feel their best. Also, avoid stress and look for positive ways to ease any stress you might have. Women often find themselves very depressed during menopause. If you feel yourself unable to function, you should contact a medical professional for assistance.  Hormonal imbalance during this time can wreak havoc with your moods and emotional stability. Having support with friends , family, or group can help in dealing with some of the symptoms.  

 Memory Problems 

When going through menopause, a common complaint is of memory trouble. The best thing to do is to stay physically active and get enough sleep to improve these symptoms. Also, mental exercises can keep memory lapses at bay.  

Women can always do something to lessen their symptoms when going through menopause, but they can also talk to their doctors about taking bio identical hormone therapy that can ease or even eliminate the symptoms caused by menopause.