Menopause

In past years, menopause was something that was seldom discussed openly. Many women were too scared or ashamed to discuss it. They felt that it was a sign of old age and that they would no longer be attractive and desirable. If a woman even close to menopausal age had a bad day, she may have been accused of going through "the change". Society, in general, was largely responsible for the way women felt. Fortunately, so much has changed for women who are now experiencing menopause.

Many of the symptoms that women experience during menopause (depression, hot flashes, night sweats, and low sex drive) will lessen or possibly disappear during post menopause. One thing that has changed is that many women go through menopause at a younger age than their mothers did. This allows her to continue feeling young and not as if her life as she knows it is over.

The biggest factor of menopause is the hormonal changes in the body. The hormones are, in large, what keep our body operating like a "well-oiled machine". The correct amount of hormones help to give the body the healthy equilibrium it needs to function properly. When we go through menopause, the ovaries stop producing estrogen, the hormone responsible for much of this. This is especially true in surgery-induced menopause such as hysterectomies, specifically if the ovaries are removed.

Once a woman's body adjusts to the new, lowered hormonal level, she will start to feel better. The night sweats and hot flashes will lessen more as time passes. Depression will also get better as she begins to acknowledge what her body is doing and when a woman feels better on the inside, it shows on the outside. There is counseling and other therapies available if you feel it will help you to cope better so don't be afraid to seek advice from outside help.

Many women find that they have a stronger sex drive after menopause. The vaginal dryness that menopausal women experience gets better after menopause. There are also over-the-counter medications to help with this problem. The fear of pregnancy being gone is also a factor in women enjoying an active sex life now. With no chance of pregnancy, there is no reason for birth control. This is very important to some women and it may make the men in their life more interested in sex as well.

One major concern postmenopausal women have is osteoporosis, better known as thinning of the bones. Women lose more bone than men do, especially after the age of 40. This condition gets worse due to the lack of estrogen. Some of the factors that increase the chances of osteoporosis are:

• Caucasian ethnicity
• Slim build
• Being a cigarette smoker
• Early menopause
• Family history

Another concern after menopause is heart disease. After menopause, the risk increases drastically. It is extremely important to seek medical help if you have any concerns. Some of the risk factors for heart disease are:

• High blood pressure
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol level
• Lack of physical activity

Many women ask their doctor to prescribe hormone replacement drugs, especially if their ovaries have been surgically removed. However, some women prefer to use other methods such as calcium supplements or herbal medicines. There are many drinks and foods available today that include calcium in the content. Getting plenty of rest and some physical activity can do so much for the body and emotional well-being. Taking care of our body will help lessen the risk of both of those conditions and make us feel better as well - it's a win-win situation.

Menopause And Your Family |