Menopause - how to control it
So the past few days we've been talking about how to relieve a UTI
Well . . . when going through menopause . . . a UTI can be a concern.
Today let's talk about a new chapter in a woman's life.
As we know "Menopause" is the time in a woman's life when her period stops. Peri-menopause normally starts in the early 40s, with 1 in every 1000 women starting as early as their 30s. Menopause occurs when a woman's ovaries stop producing the hormones "estrogen" and "progesterone". And we know we've reached "menopause" when we haven't had a period for 1 year. After this point we are now in post-menopause.
Through this process, many changes can happen to our body such as hot flashes, weight gain, UTIs and/or vaginal dryness. Menopause can also increase your risk for certain conditions like osteoporosis. And unfortunately, many symptoms may continue for an average of 4 to 5 years after you hit the point of post-menopause, but they do decrease in frequency and intensity. Thank goodness!
So first, let's talk about how as peri-menopausal women we can make this journey easier. Most important is preparing the body with things like regular exercise, stop smoking, get more sleep and try going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day, drink less alcohol, get to a healthy weight and stay there and get enough calcium in your diet. These are all early measures we can take to prevent having a "menopause from hell"
Okay . . . so now we're smack dab in the middle of menopause . . . what can we do to help stop some of the unbearable symptoms? Because hot flashes and mood swings aren't fun for any one. You or your partner!
Well . . . there are certain "teas" that will give some menopausal relief such as:
"Black cohosh root" - has been found to reduce vaginal dryness and hot flashes - this tea works well because it contains "phytoestrogens" which are key plant compounds that imitate the body's own estrogen
"Ginseng" - helps reduce hot flashes and night sweats and recent research has found it can lessen the risk of cardiovascular disease in "postmenopausal" women
"Dong quai" - helps to balance and regulate estrogen levels - it has also been found to lessen cramps and PMS and can ease the pelvic pain in menopause as well.
Now what about post-menopausal women? Well . . . the biggest factor that seems to linger on for years are the "hot flashes" and "night sweats" which affect about 75 - 85% of post-menopausal women.
So what's the answer for you ladies? . . . Well . . . that would be my favorite little spice "Ginger"!!!!
Okay . . . now what should we "AVOID" to make this journey more pleasurable?
Avoid - processed food and fast food (due to weight gain), alcohol (higher risk of breast cancer, heart disease and hot flashes), caffeine (triggers more hot flashes) and fatty meat (slows serotonin which make you angry and irritable)
Okay ladies . . . so one more thing before I sign off today that's a big concern to a lot of women out there. "Vaginal dryness". We all want to have that pleasurable feeling of our partners affection. Well . . . a diet high in Omega 3 fatty acids may aid in producing additional vaginal lubrication. Raw pumpkin seed, sesame seeds and fish such as salmon and mackerel are great choices that are high in fatty acids. Vitamin A and B supplements and beta-carotene also have high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids.
Tomorrow we'll continue with "vaginal dryness".
As always, feel free to DM or contact me at: miraclemeadows.net/contact/