As young ladies, we often dread that time of the month when pre-menstrual syndrome kicks in. Many of us hold on to our pillows for hours crying over what we can’t really tell. We wish that menopause could come earlier without the knowledge that it is a phase that comes with its unique tribulations. Every woman at some point has to go through menopause. To some, it is a smooth phase, while for other women, it is a problematic stage that affects every aspect of their lives.
Many women consult each other regarding menopausal symptoms without understanding that these may differ from one person to the other. Myths such as menstrual flow stopping all of a sudden remain stereotypes that you have probably heard about regarding this phase. Today, we will look into the diverse symptoms that women face as they transit to menopause as well as how to cope with each condition.
Symptoms of menopause
These vary from mild to severe symptoms according to individuals. The common ones include:
Irregular menses
Unlike what people believe, very few women experience a sudden stop of menses. Most cycles reduce or increase in length. Your period may go for three days while your friend experiences one week of the menstrual cycle.
Hot flashes
More than 70% of women during menopause cannot stand the heat in a room. It gets worse during the night when they experience excess sweating that may interfere with sleep patterns. In some women, this can go on for a couple of years as the body tries to adjust to menopause. Even though there is no telling why this happens, some theories suggest that the brain triggers a thermoregulator which causes hot flashes.
Mood swings
Just like premenstrual syndrome, menopause may affect your moods. The decline in estrogen and progesterone hormones cause emotional imbalance. They can lead to episodes of anger, sadness, and irritability. The smallest issues may seem like mountains, and you may spend hours crying if you can’t find a solution.
Migraines
Your vascular system becomes unstable during menopause. It leads to constant headaches that can affect your performance. It may affect a particular area of your head or cause the entire head to feel too heavy to bear. Some women develop constant neck pains while others have a tender scalp.
Insomnia
Apart from the night sweats, neurological excitability can also affect how you sleep. Most menopausal women get sleep deprivation due to feeling unsettled for long hours in the night. Other factors such as stress also affect how you sleep.
Dry vagina and lose bladder
Production of less sex hormone can cause dryness of your vagina during menopause. You are more prone to get infections at this stage than a younger lady. Your urethra and vagina walls become dry and your bladder less flexible. Some women have a problem with controlling their urination during menopause.
Change in weight
Less estrogen also slows down your metabolism affecting your weight during this phase. More fat is likely to get deposited in the wrong places if you don’t maintain an active lifestyle. The abdomen area, as well as your legs, may become less toned due to a drop in your sex hormone.
Depression
Menopause can bring depression due to change of moods and lack of enjoying life’s pleasures. Some women feel hopeless and turn to harmful behaviors when they don’t know how to deal with the changes in the body.
How Do You Cope with Such Symptoms?
Watch the surrounding temperatures.
Control hot flashes by maintaining temperatures below 60 degrees especially at night. Sleeping naked can help you not sweat excessively. Slow and deep breaths can also lessen hot flashes so that you enjoy a peaceful night. You can even sleep next to a jar of water to regulate internal temperature when it is too hot to sleep. During the day, avoid spending too much time sunbathing if you experience hot flashes.
Improve your sleeping patterns
Many menopausal women experience sleep apnea that prevents them from breathing properly at night. Your doctor may recommend CPAP device to clear your air passage at night. Sedatives can also regulate your sleeping patterns. Bathing before sleep will make you more comfortable between your sheets.
Take estrogen
Supplements that contain estrogen can increase the level in your body to help you balance out your hormones. They can improve your cognitive skills and prevent memory loss. Estrogen also prevents you from experiencing hot flashes and regulates your mood swings. Go for natural supplements that do not contain chemicals to avoid adverse side effects.
Take control of your sex life
Most menopausal women report cases of pain during sex due to vaginal dryness. This leaves them sexually frustrated and affects one’s sex life. You can reverse this situation by making use of vaginal lubricants. Most of these are natural devices that are water-based to avoid tearing your vaginal wall during sex. Yam cream and flaxseed oil are also useful in reducing dryness to help you enjoy sex.
Deal with stress constructively
Some women use drugs to reduce menopausal symptoms such as depression. The transition to menopause can take longer than expected, and lack of knowing how to deal with the changes can cause substance abuse. Find professional help from VT drug rehab resources to prevent tolerance and get therapy for stress.
Instead of such habits, you can start a life inventory as you reflect on your goals in life. Evaluate the things that make you stressed and find solutions. Meditating is also an effective mechanism for reducing high-stress levels. Maintain relations with other women going through menopause.
Strength training
If you have gained weight from menopause, start increasing your metabolism through strength training. It prevents osteoporosis and enhances your sexual libido. You will burn calories, build muscle mass and achieve emotional balance. Kegel exercises are crucial for flexibility of your pelvic muscles and give you boosted sensation during sex.
Final thoughts
Each phase in a woman’s life comes with its own challenges. Transitioning to menopause calls for you to understand your body so that you can cope with each situation. Feel free to consult a professional if you are having severe symptoms before listening to your friends. Our tips will help you love the transition and make you comfortable while at it. We wish you good health!
