Menopause Treatment Methods
You probably had irregular menstrual cycles 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 a natural condition 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 find freedom in not worrying about pregnancy 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 options 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 help you out.
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 cycles might become unpredictable. Eventually, your ovaries will stop the ovulation process completely 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 process, 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 an increase in heart disease and cancer, so if you might want to opt for something more natural.
Natural Treatments
Here are a few things you can try 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 careful not to exercise too close to bedtime, and this can prevent the increase of your melatonin levels. Melatonin can help you fall asleep during the night. Eat as well as you can. Nutritional foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help a lot. Also, a calcium supplement may help, as your bone structure tends to get more fragile as you get older.
If you smoke, this may be the best time for you to consider quitting. Smoking has been shown to bring on hot flashes, and it has already been proven to contribute to heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.
If you suffer from vaginal dryness, you might find relief from over the counter lubricants. You can also investigate 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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