Menopause Treatment
You probably had irregular periods and hot flashes before this, but now you have reached a stage of the aging process where menopause kicks in. You need to make yourself aware of the fact that menopause is not a disease. It is something that happens naturally and will cause changes in your body. These changes may or may not accompany unpleasant physical conditions and emotional issues.
Just because you are in menopause, it doesn’t mean the end to intimacy, romance, or your femininity. As a matter of fact, a good number of women discover a new found freedom in not having to deal with pregnancy issues and menstruation. So, depending on how you look at it, you might consider yourself in a fortunate circumstance. On the other hand, you might have to deal with some less than desirable menopause systems. The good news is, there are several methods available to deal with this situation, and a few of the methods are completely natural. If it’s not your cup of tea to opt for such dramatic things as hormone replacement therapy, some simple lifestyle changes may give you the help you need.
What Causes Menopause
As you get older, it starts to produce less hormones. These hormones are estrogen and progesterone, and they help regulate menstruation and fertility. The process of ovulation becomes less regular, and therefore, your periods might become unpredictable. Eventually, your ovaries will stop the ovulation process entirely and menstruation will come to an end. In your situation, you might find that you have normal menstrual cycles and then all of a sudden have no more. Or, you might start to menstruate less frequently, perhaps skipping weeks or even months, until everything stops completely. There is no one outcome, and if you find yourself in the latter category, like most women, it may take several years to get through it.
Once menopause kicks in, what you will experience will vary, and may include vaginal dryness, hair thinning, hot flashes, and mood swings. Most of these are caused by the change in your hormone levels, and now, many doctors prescribe hormone replacement therapy for women undergoing menopause. Keep in mind though that this type of therapy has been linked to increases in heart disease and cancer, so if you can try something more natural, you’ll probably be better off.
Natural Treatments
Here are some things you can do that don’t require prescriptions or doctor visits and are completely natural.
If you are suffering from hot flashes, try putting your clothes on in layers, so you can remove a layer if and when you start feeling a hot flash coming on. Soy products are also good for this, as they are a natural source of estrogen, which is why soy-based formula products are not considered a good idea for infants anymore.
Attack tiredness with good sleep. If at all possible, try to get a decent amount of sleep at night. Also, get some form of regular exercise. Be wary not to exercise too close to bedtime, and this can prevent the increase of your melatonin levels. Melatonin can naturally help you fall asleep at night. Eat as best you can. Nutritional foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help a lot. Also, a good source of calcium may help, as your bone structure tends to get more fragile as you age.
If you smoke, this may be the best time for you to consider quitting. Smoking has been proven to bring on hot flashes, and it has already been proven to contribute to heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.
If you are experiencing vaginal dryness, you might find relief from over the counter lubricants. You can also try aloe gel and calendula. For any intimacy problems, you might try sarsaparilla and damiana. These two herbs help to increase libido and also assist with hot flashes.
You don’t have to resort to drugs in order to combat problems associated with menopause. There are plenty of natural options available. You owe it to yourself to learn all you can about these options so what you end up doing is informed.
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