Menopause is a natural biological process that involves the cessation of menstruation. What’s more, the hormonal changes during menopause can result in discomfort and unpleasant physical sensations for many women. In this article, we will present a few essential care tips to help you manage unpleasant symptoms and transition into this new stage of life.
What is Menopause?
Menopause occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop producing female hormones and menstruation has stopped. In some cases, the process of the body’s transitioning to menopause can last for a few years. This natural process typically occurs in the late 40s to mid-50s. Perimenopause is the period leading up to menopause, while post-menopause is the stage occurring after menopause.
Perimenopause
This is the period before menopause when female hormone levels begin to change. After all, menopause doesn’t happen overnight. This period refers to the years preceding menopause. Each woman’s experience is unique, lasting from months to years.
The ovaries produce less oestrogen and fewer eggs during the transitional perimenopause phase. During this time, it is also common to have irregular periods. Perimenopause usually begins in the mid-40s but can start as early as the mid-30s. However, women can still become pregnant during perimenopause.
Post-menopause
After one year without having a period, a woman enters the post-menopause period. After twelve months without a period, the body produces very little oestrogen, and the uterine lining thickens. Therefore, a woman can no longer become pregnant after this point.
What are the Symptoms of Menopause?
Menopause symptoms begin during the perimenopause stage and progress through menopause and post-menopause. During this time, a woman’s body gradually changes, and the symptoms may be more or less noticeable depending on the body’s response to the hormonal changes.
Women going through perimenopause may notice some menopause symptoms and changes in their bodies before menopause. These changes are caused by the ovaries producing less oestrogen. Perimenopausal symptoms include insomnia, night sweats, heavier or lighter periods, hot flashes, irregular periods, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.
How to Practice Self-Care during Menopause
While menopause is inevitable, you can take some steps to reduce its effects and unpleasant symptoms. Here are some tips to help you cope with the symptoms and adapt to this new stage of life.
- Hormone Therapy
Many women opt for hormone therapy (HT) to alleviate the symptoms of menopause. HT balances hormone levels and helps to reduce unpleasant sensations such as hot flashes, as well as to prevent the risk of osteoporosis. While not everyone requires HT, many women benefit from it.
Typically, HT can also help to reduce night-time sweating, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. If you are having difficulty managing your menopause symptoms, it is best to speak to your doctor about HT, and they will advise on the best option for you.
- Hair Removal
During menopause, some women experience unwanted hair growth, especially on facial areas. Fortunately, there is an effective solution—electrolysis permanent hair removal during menopause. Whether you want to remove unwanted facial or body hair, electrolysis is the best solution to achieve life-long hair removal results. What’s more, it is the only permanent hair removal technique approved by the FDA.
- Wear Cotton and Linen Fabrics
Waring lightweight natural fibre fabrics helps to regulate the body temperature. What’s more, cotton and linen are two of the best materials for maintaining your body temperature during menopause. Instead of trapping heat close to the body, these fabrics help to release it. In addition, changing to cotton bedding and wearing breathable materials will help keep you cool at night.
Moreover, hot flashes and night sweats can result in insomnia. Maintaining a cool temperature in your bedroom will help your body relax and help you get some much-needed sleep.
- Consume a Healthy Diet
It can be challenging to maintain a healthy weight during hormonal fluctuations. Including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and avoiding refined sugars can help you stay at a healthy weight. In addition, it can be a good idea to take some vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure you get all the nutrients you need.
Final Words
For most women, menopause typically begins between the ages of 45 and 55 years, while some individuals may experience it earlier or later. There are numerous ways to ease your discomfort and take care of specific menopause symptoms. Whatever the remedy, it is crucial that you speak with your doctor to learn more about it and discuss the best treatment options.
