The menopause is often described as the “Change of Life” and can be a time of radical change for a woman. Although there is a chance that you may be one of the lucky few with no symptoms at all, a vast majority of women report complaints concerning their menopause. Many factors contribute to this, such as:
- Physical complaints, associated with the decrease in oestrogen production: hot flushes, palpitations, vaginal infections …
- Psychological effects, like mood swings, memory loss and even depression
- Palpitations, which are likely to cause panic in some women.
- Night time sweats, which can compromise your sleep and cause fatigue.
- Decreased libido and pain during sexual intercourse, which can influence your relationship with your partner.
- Urine loss, which can be embarrassing, causing you to refrain from taking part in social activities.
- Bone fractures or pain, due to osteoporosis, which can make you less mobile.
- Being suddenly confronted with the end of your fertile years, which may be associated with feelings of ‘uselessness’.
- Other symptoms of ageing, like the loss of skin tone and hair colour, which may show themselves simultaneously, thereby reinforcing the thought of ‘becoming an old woman’.
- Other important events taking place, like your children moving out of the house, which you may have difficulty accepting.
Don’t ever hesitate to talk with your doctor, friends and relatives about the problems you experience. Keeping in touch with women of your age can help you accept this trying period in life. It happens to every woman sooner or later.
How can you maintain your health?
Without a doubt, exercise is the most important alternative therapy for women during menopause. Exercise allows you to control your body and emotions by using your internal resources. Each time you exercise, your adrenal glands are stimulated to convert the male hormone androstenedione into oestrogen. A minimum of four 30-minute exercise sessions a week will be enough to keep you "topped off' with oestrogen.
As you grow older, your cardio-respiratory fitness, strength and flexibility begin to decline, but for people who remain active, they decrease at a lower rate (an average of five percent per decade after the age of 20, as opposed to nine percent per decade). Staying active also is key to anti-aging, feeling your best and looking great.
Did you know that even moderate physical activity like simply moving your body enough to get your heart pumping brings health benefits, including more energy (and who among us doesn't need more energy)? The good news is that most activity counts, and fitting it in is easier than you think.
Here are some menopause health suggestions:
- Turn on the radio and dance the salsa while dinner is cooking.
- Park your car in the farthest spot from the shops during the sales and run to be first in line.
- Take several 5-10 minute walks per day.
- Take the stairs any chance you have.
- Talk your friends into walking with you to your favourite coffee shop in the morning. Burn off that scone before you even get there.
- Don't drive to meet your friends. Walk!
Daily activity includes all movements from low-intensity walks to gardening to more intense workouts at the gym or sweating in an aerobics class. Moving longer and harder will help you get in better shape. However, simply adding movement is the key. Pick activities you enjoy Once you choose those activities, it is best to do them fast enough to get your heart pumping, without leaving you out of breath or exhausted. You should be able to talk. But if you can sing, better pick up the pace!
Here are more fun menopause health activity suggestions:
- Working in your lawn or garden.
- Taking dance lessons.
- Doing yoga or Tai Chi.
- Playing catch with your kids or grandkids.
<<available treatments
|
menopause
|
FAQs>>
