10 Ways Every Women Should Prepare For Menopause

When women enter their forties and fifties, things start to change. Mood swings, hot flashes, and weight gain are a few of the many symptoms of menopause and the years leading up to it. This transition can be a difficult and challenging one, both physically and emotionally, but there are things women can do ahead of time to be prepared. Strategies can begin in the thirties to ensure a strong and healthy body through the change.

Reduce Stress

Stress wreaks havoc on the body and mind at all stages of life, but during menopause, a woman can be hit with even more intense anxiety. It is important to take the time to slow down, unwind, and participate in enjoyable activities. Methods of reducing stress and relaxing are different for everyone, but some healthy tricks to try include unplugging from technology, yoga, knitting, taking a walk, aroma therapy, or reading a good book.

Beat Irritability

It can be confusing for women when they find themselves getting upset, angry, or cranky for apparently no reason. Hormones are transitioning at this time, and it can take a toll on mental health. One way of reducing or eliminating irritability to get enough sleep. The number of hours varies among individuals, but getting the amount one needs helps. Over-the-counter medications are also available and may be of use when times get tough.

Cool Hot Flashes And Night Sweats

One of the most well-known symptoms of perimenopause is the infamous heat wave. Hot flashes can occur at any time day or night and can impede work and leisure activities. Women find themselves stripping layers of clothing and opening windows when others do not find the room too warm. Besides doing that and using cooling packs, the herb, black cohosh has been used around the world and is available in convenient pill form, as well as tea.

Vanish Brain Fog

Some women feel like they are losing their mind when they cannot remember where they put their keys or think they have lost important papers. Brain fog happens to most people at some point and for menopausal women, lack of concentration is a real thing. One of the best ways to sharpen the mind is to get enough sleep each night. The brain requires rest, and when a person is tired, mental focus suffers.

Stimulate Pleasure

Lack of sex drive or painful intercourse can put a damper on relationships, as well as a woman’s confidence and self-esteem. It is important to remember the cause is likely the drop in estrogen. Lower levels of the hormone lead to vaginal dryness. The good news is that it can be remedied with a little over-the-counter assistance in the form of relief products like moisturizers and lubricants. Alternately, consuming soy or using a wild yam supplement can help.

Ease Joint Pain

It remains a bit of a mystery why some women experience joint pain during or prior to menopause, but it occurs in approximately forty percent of females in their forties. Before this time, it is important to bone up on enough calcium through food and supplements. Some evidence concludes omega-3 fish oil supplementshelp reduce pain by minimizing inflammation. Weight-bearing exercise at all ages ensures healthy bones for life, not to mention all of its other benefits.

Lose Weight

No one likes to hear he or she needs to lose weight, but a woman entering menopause who is overweight or obese can have a better quality of life by shedding some pounds. The excess weight causes symptoms to worsen or show up more intense. Belly fat, in particular, is detrimental to a woman’s health, so the best defense is the scientifically-proven method of healthy eating and physical exercise. Finding an enjoyable activity and experimenting with new foods help.

Check Cholesterol

It is best at this stage of life to make certain cholesterol levels are in check and not allow the LDL, or “bad” cholesterol to skyrocket. It tends to rise about ten percent within two years of menopause. Lowering cholesterol can be accomplished by regularly choosing food without the saturated and trans fats, eating fiber-rich food, switching from meat to more plant-based protein, shedding excess pounds, and taking plant sterol and psyllium supplements.

Quit Smoking

The chance of a woman having an early menopause rises about sixty percent if she is a smoker. By quitting ten years prior to impending menopause years reduces that risk significantly. Since estrogen levels decrease at this time, younger women may experience fertility problems at an age they still want children. Luckily, smokers have a plethora of stop-smoking aids ranging from patches, lozenges, and gum. Other risks associated with premature menopause include osteoporosis, colon and ovarian cancers, periodontal disease, tooth loss, and cataracts.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

There has been contradicting information about the benefits and harmful effects of hormone replacement therapy. Initially, women were told it would increase their risk of having a heart attack, blood clots, breast cancer, and strokes. Then, experts said it was safe. These days the conclusion appears to suggest short-term use at low-dosage can be a safe route for those under the age of fifty-nine, without a history of breast cancer, and whose symptoms are moderate to severe.