Menopause relief can be found through several different avenues. You can choose all natural herbs or you can talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy once you are postmenopausal. If you are suffering from pre menopause symptoms there are also options available for you.
The Symptoms
Menopause has different symptoms at each of the different stages. For most women the first sign of menopause is a change in menstruation. Women can begin having lighter and shorter, or longer and heaver, menstruation as the first signs of the condition. These erratic periods can last for up to eight years before menopause actually begins. During this time you can experience many other symptoms as a result of the changing hormones in your body. For most women the common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness and a lack of libido.
For other women, menopause relief can be harder to find. Some women begin to experience changes in their mental state as a result of the hormonal changes that are happening. Depression, anxiety and even bipolar disorder have all been linked to menopause in women. If you do have serious changes in your mood it is always best to seek professional treatment rather than trying to manage the condition on your own. With some help from a doctor or therapist you can work through any mental changes that result from menopause.
Treatment Options
There are many different ways to find menopause relief when you suffer from mild to moderate symptoms. Herbal remedies are becoming more popular as women begin to see more side effects from traditional hormone therapy. For instance, estrogen replacement therapy can relieve the symptoms of menopause but may also increase the risks of stroke or heart attack. Herbal remedies are best used by women without serious symptoms and who are generally very healthy.
There are many herbs that are used for menopause relief. Black cohosh and Dong Quai are two of the most popular options but soy and red clover are also gaining in popularity. These herbs work to provide natural sources of estrogen, which the body lacks during menopause, and can help alleviate symptoms such as hair loss, vaginal dryness and lack of libido. These herbs can also significantly reduce hot flashes that are common as women enter menopause.
Medical Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy is widely considered one of the most accepted ways of finding menopause relief. When using synthetic hormones you will find relief from most of the symptoms that you are experiencing. You do need to talk to your doctor and confirm the diagnosis of menopause before you can be started on hormone therapy. Most doctors use a simple blood test to check hormone levels and will need to know the date of your last menstrual cycle to begin treatment. For treatment to begin you will need to have has an absence of menstruation for one year.
Hormone replacement may also provide menopause relief for women who have had a full hysterectomy that included the removal of the ovaries. Since estrogen is released by the ovaries it is vital to your health that you take hormone on a regular basis after your surgery. For women who have entered medical menopause from a hysterectomy the symptoms are much the same as women who enter menopause naturally. You may have hot flashes, increased hair growth on the face and body, and suffer from vaginal dryness as time goes on.
Weight Gain and Insulin
Women who are seeking menopause relief may have also found they can’t lose weight as easily and may gain weight rather rapidly after the onset of menopause. This is one of the natural cycles of aging that happens as you become less active. You may need to begin eating healthier and watching your intake of carbohydrates and sugars to ensure your body doesn’t become insulin resistant. Menopausal women have a much higher chance of becoming insulin resistant than women who haven’t entered menopause.
Insulin resistance can also add to the weight gain that you are experiencing. A healthy diet and plenty of exercise is the best way to find menopause relief from these symptoms. If you do find that you have become insulin resistant you should seek professional treatment in addition to living a healthy lifestyle since insulin resistance is often the first sign of diabetes. Your doctor can help you decide which lifestyle changes are right for you during this time.
Support
Sometimes the best menopause relief comes from friends and family. Talking to your spouse and friends may be the best way to deal with the feelings that come along with entering menopause. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone close to you if you are experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. Your hormones are changing during this time, which can often lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. Taking a class such as yoga can help relieve the stress or even seeing a therapist can be an option if you don’t have a support system at home.
Yoga is often recommended as menopause relief to women who are working on leading a healthy lifestyle. Yoga is low-impact enough to be used by women with osteoporosis, a condition that also begins when women reach menopause, and can be a relaxing way to regain energy and maintain your healthy weight. Women may find that yoga also works to provide a support system as you meet new people in your classes.
Your Plan
Menopause relief may be different for every women who enters this stage in her life. You may find that herbal treatment options are enough to relieve your symptoms or you may need to talk to a doctor about prescription medications. There are options available for everyone, whether you are suffering from mild or severe menopause symptoms.
With menopause relief options you can take control of your body and enjoy life more. You don’t have to suffer from hot flashes and mood swings with the treatment options that are currently available.
