Going through menopause can be a challenging time for women. The amount and level of side effects can vary from person to person so for some women it can be extremely challenging, especially since it has both emotional and physical effects on the body. Because it can have such an impact it doesn’t only affect the woman going through it, it often affects her close family and friends as well.
Unfortunately it is a part of nature and something women have to go through. Since there’s no stopping it, the next best thing is to prepare for it by doing research so you know what types of things to expect. Perimenopause, the period before menopause actually begins is often one of the most difficult phases of this process.
Going through perimenopause and menopause is a different experience for each woman. The severity of the symptoms can be quite different from woman to woman. The length of the transition can vary, from a few years up to ten or more years. The age at which it begins also varies. For most women it begins in the mid fourties but for some it can begin in the mid thirties.
When the female hormones begin to alter the emotional and physical changes start to happen. This change can cause periods to become irregular, it can also cause weight gain. Weight gain is the way your body tries to hold on to some of that decreasing estrogen.
Probably the most common symptom during this time is the start of hot flashes. This is when the body temperature suddenly increases. Hot flashes are caused by lowering levels of estrogen. These flashes can be vary strong for some women causing them to sweat or to feel weak.
Mood swings are another challenging symptom faced during this time. Women who have not had a problem with mood swings before may suddenly experience these swings or depression. These emotional challenges can be worsened by the fact that they are reaching that stage in life where they are experience direct signs of aging. Menopause is a direct sign to some the time is marching on and more quickly than they would like.
Insomnia and fatigue are other symptoms that can potentially make depression and mood swings worse. For some women the insomnia is due to the hot flashes keeping them awake during the night. Anyone who has suffered from fatigue knows it can cause problems functioning with day to day life.
When women are feeling the effects of a combination of these symptoms it can have a snowball effect causing greater feelings of frustration. It’s not uncommon to feel a loss of control.
If you’re feeling too many of the effects from menopause and want some help talk to your doctor to see what treatments may be available and to see if any may be right for you. You may also want to consider talking to a naturopath if you’re looking for natural treatments for menopause side effects. Naturopaths are well trained in natural methods for treating various health issues.
Also focus on a nutritious diet including lots of fruits and vegetables. Get plenty of exercise. Find an exercise routine that you will follow faithfully. Exercise can help relieve stress, it can help with insomnia and it can help improve your mood.
Tags: female, health, insomnia, Menopause, night sweats, Perimenopause, Premenopause, women, women's health, women's issues