Menopause 101: What Can I Do About Menopause?

While menopause can for some women be a difficult, emotional journey, it is a natural process that all women will go through. Despite what commercials say, menopause is not an illness or a disease. Keeping a healthy attitude toward menopause will go a long way to ease anxiety and equip you to handle the symptoms.

What Is Menopause?

Menopause is the cessation of the monthly menstrual cycle. Women experience menopause anywhere from forty years to sixty years old. Slowly the ovaries produce less and less estrogen, and eventually stop producing eggs. Menopause occurs when a woman hasn't had a period in twelve months. Symptoms usually ease up after this, but may occur longer. Health risks increase as a woman's age increases due to the loss of estrogen.

What Can I Do About Menopause?

First, be sure to keep a healthy attitude about menopause. Remember it's a natural occurrence. You may remember your first couple menstrual cycles, where the cramping made you dread spending the next thirty or forty years experiencing this every month. Menopause is simply the next phase. Here are some other tips to ease you through menopause.

Lifestyle

Consider your lifestyle. Be sure to exercise regularly, and eat balanced, well rounded meals. This will boost your energy levels and elevate your mood. Getting plenty of sleep and limiting intake of alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes not only are just good things to do, but can ease symptoms of menopause as well. Consider any sources of stress, and work to remove stress from your life. Stress is often a trigger for many women's menopausal symptoms. By reducing stress and learning ways to cope with it, you can better control your symptoms. Try a class in meditation or yoga, deep breathing exercises or other relaxation techniques.

Regular Doctor Visits

Be sure to maintain regular visits to your doctor. Be sure to stay up to date on mammograms, Pap smears and pelvic and breast exams. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Maintain Bone Health

Bone density rapidly decreases after menopause. Take calcium supplements regularly to avoid fracturing bones. Regular exercise can help keep bones strong.

Other Symptoms

Some women experience weight gain, urinary incontinence and pain during intercourse. Counter weight gain through regular exercise and limiting caloric intake. Though it may be embarrassing, urinary incontinence is a normal occurrence for post menopausal women. Talk to your doctor for further advice. Vaginal dryness may lead to pain during intercourse. Maintaining a healthy sex life can prevent this. Or try lubricants to ease pain during intercourse. Whatever your symptoms are, be sure to keep a level head. Menopause affects every woman differently. Maintain a healthy attitude towards this new step in your life.

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Sources: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/menopause/DS00119 http://www.webmd.com/menopause/