Menopause − it doesn’t have to be so bad

Change of life

Menopause is a natural process that follows after a woman’ s childbearing years. The years before menopause and the final cessation of menstruation are called peri-menopause. For some this process starts between the ages of 45 and 52 years of age but there are many exceptions to the rule. Menopause, also referred to as “the change of life”, brings about both pleasant and unpleasant changes. The good news is that there are many easy and effective ways in which to manage the “baddies” and sail through menopause.

Typical symptoms

Many but definitely not all of the typical menopause symptoms are, directly or indirectly, caused by declining levels of the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

Typical menopause symptoms may include the following:

• • Hot flushes and night sweats

• • Insomnia

• • Vaginal dryness and discomfort during intercourse

• • Lowered sexual desire

• • Weight problems

• • Mood changes (depression, anxiety, forgetfulness, loss of confidence, etc.)

• • Dry skin, brittle nails and thinning hair

• • Headaches and migraine

• • Heart palpitations

• • Urinary tract infections and incontinence (loss of bladder control

• • Aching joints and loss of muscle strength

• • Decreased bone density.

Ways to combat the symptoms of menopause

First the good news: not all women experience all of or even some of these symptoms. For those that do, menopause doesn’t have to be so bad either. There are many ways in which to “soften” the typical symptoms of menopause.

For example:

Hormone therapy (HT)

Hormones used in HT can either be synthetic or bio-identical. Bio-identical hormones produced in laboratories from for example the wild yam plant are identical to the hormones our bodies produce naturally. Hormones can be given as a pill, patch, cream, implant or gel and will help combat most of the major symptoms of menopause. Unfortunately HT is not suitable for everyone. It is imperative that you only take it under the supervision of your doctor.

Natural remedies

Herbal products and their isoflavones may not always have the power of HT or biochemical hormones but scientific studies have affirmed their ability to increase oestrogen effects, help even out the oestrogen to progesterone ratio, support adrenal and thyroid function and calm the system.

Useful herbs to treat menopausal symptoms include sage for hot flushes and sweating, St John’s Wort for low mood, valerian for stress, anxiety and disturbed sleep, arnica or devil’s claw for muscle aches and pains, kelp to help maintain thyroid function and keep weight down and ginkgo biloba to counteract memory loss, etc. Check with your doctor before using herbal remedies.

Lifestyle changes

• • Exercise for overall health and vitality, to strengthen muscles and bones and keep joints supple. It will also help minimise typical menopausal weight gain caused by fluctuating oestrogen levels.

• • Draw up a healthy, balanced eating plan. Poor food choices can lead to nutrient deficiencies that help trigger nasty symptoms. A good vitamin and mineral supplement is essential.

• • Manage your stress levels. Stress triggers hot flushes, depression and a myriad of other negative health conditions.

• • Meditate and get plenty of peaceful sleep.

Face this thing called menopause with faith and fortitude. See it as a new beginning and shift from hot flushes to power surges.

 

Sources

Brom, B. Menopause: it’s about more than just hormones. The South African Journal of Natural Medicine, issue 98, 2013, pp. 62-64.
Durward, E. Menopause treatment with herbs. Retrieved from: http://www.avogel.co.uk
Jaff, N. 2013. Your burning questions. Retrieved from: www.womanandhome magazine.co.za