You, as a woman, will go through various transitions and phases throughout your life, which can be a bit difficult to navigate, to say the least. Thankfully, there are ways to traverse each phase of life, even when you are approaching or in the throes of Menopause, in a manner of wellness by promoting self-care. This is possible when you are intentional in your approach and learn as much as you can about Menopause before it begins in earnest.

What is Menopause?

Before looking at how to get through Menopause, it’s helpful to understand exactly what this term means. Menopause is a stage of life when your reproductive years as a woman come to an end. While the age at which you might enter this stage varies, most women will experience it between the ages of 45 and 55, with the most common age being 51 within the United States. It is defined as a time period that begins twelve months after your last period. The entire process begins when the ovaries begin to produce lower amounts of progesterone and estrogen. The first stage, which can happen up to 10 years or more before actual Menopause, is called Perimenopause. Experiencing Menopause or even Perimenopause can be difficult, and there can be negative repercussions regarding many elements of daily life.

Symptoms of Menopause

• Night Sweats and Hot Flashes: That horrible feeling of heating up from the inside out is one that women know all too well when going through this stage of life. If you are like most women, this heat will be mostly within the upper part of your body, mainly impacting your neck and face. In some cases, red blotches can also be seen on the arms, back, and chest. Hot flashes last anywhere between 30 seconds to around 10 minutes. They can happen several times a day or just once or twice weekly.
• Period Changes: Another common symptom of Menopause is changes in your regular period cycle. This can mean shorter or longer-lasting periods that include bleeding more or less than your standard amount.
• Sleep Disturbances: In many cases, this stage of life also comes along with problems sleeping. This can include issues falling asleep or the tendency to wake up during the night or too early in the morning.
• Bladder Problems: Yet another common symptom of Menopause includes a loss of bladder control. Leaking urine while laughing, exercising, or even sneezing is common.
• Mood Changes: It isn’t exactly clear why, but it is pretty accepted that Menopause can cause either mild to severe changes in mood. This means you can feel more irritable during this time.
• Weight Gain: As your hormone level changes, so do many ways in which your body processes calories and creates metabolism. Consequently, it can be easier to gain weight during this time and extremely difficult to lose weight.
• Hair Loss and Skin Changes: It’s safe to say that Menopause really wreaks havoc on the body overall as it can also cause dryness in the skin and thinning hair or hair loss altogether due to hormonal changes. Frustratingly, you might notice hair leaving your head but popping up in places you would rather not find it, like your chin.
• Sexual and Intimacy Issues: Changes in your sex drive or libido, or vaginal dryness, which makes intimacy uncomfortable, is also common during Menopause.

How to Counteract Problematic Menopause Symptoms

Do Your Research

The first step in taking your life back after reaching Menopause is to understand that this time will come with not only physical changes but those that affect you emotionally and physiologically as well. Therefore, if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or think you might be at the early end of things in perimenopause, now is the time to educate yourself and find a good doctor to address the symptoms and the changes your body will undergo.

Combating Hair Loss and Thinning

Thankfully, there are ways to combat one of the symptoms listed above through this hair growth supplement or hair growth spray. This is a hair loss solution that will help you restore your hair to your premenopausal glory or at least combat the hair loss you are currently experiencing. You can also learn ways of styling your hair that enhance the hair you do have and mimic the look of more volume.

Healthy Diet and Regular Exercise

You are perfectly normal if you feel you have to exercise more and even watch what you eat simply to keep yourself from gaining extra weight during this transitional phase of life. The changes to your hormones and your metabolism will mean you have to work harder just to stay right where you are fitness-wise. It’s also super important that you incorporate lifting weights during this stage of life. Lifting weights helps kick your metabolism back in gear and can even help you build stronger bones. So, mix in weight lifting with your walks or cardio sessions.

Overcome Sexual Unpleasantness

Water-based vaginal lubricants and moisturizers can help counteract some of the typical vaginal dryness that comes along with Menopause. There are some vaginal estrogen treatments available in various forms, including a ring, tablets, and even creams to help overcome the unpleasantness of intimacy that can come along with the change.  

Study Hormone Replacement

For some women, hormone replacement therapy or HRT can make a huge difference to their quality of life. If you are struggling with various issues relating to this time of change, it can be a good idea to at least consider some form of hormone replacement. Of course, as with any potential treatment, it’s helpful to know what side effects, risks, and benefits you might expect from such treatments.

Embrace The Journey: Promote Positivity

Although the changes that come along with Menopause can be challenging and even scary at times, it’s important to remain positive. Seek help from doctors, and talk with a therapist or other professional, or even trusted friends or family members about your symptoms and the changes you are noticing. The good news is this time of transition will not last forever, and you can still thrive during this time by focusing on self-care and wellness and doing what you need to do to ensure your body has what it needs during this unique stage of life.

Author: Megan Isola

Megan Isola holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and a minor in Business Marketing from Cal State University Chico. She enjoys going to concerts, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with friends.