Menopause refers to the cessation of menstruation, causing the women to become infertile. As a general rule this means a time when women has not had a menstrual period for over a year. Most women experience menopause around the age of 50 and will begin to experience symptoms such as irregular periods, hot flashes and others. These symptoms can often be relieved by the application of home remedies.
Symptoms of Menopause
|
Symptoms |
Descriptions |
|---|---|
|
Irregular Periods and Ovulation |
Your cycle may become shorter or longer with lighter or heavier bleeding, reduced fertility and spotting between periods. |
|
Hot Flashes |
Up to 80 percent of American women note a sudden feeling of heat that causes the neck and face to flush. These can occur at any time and can last between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. This symptom usually stops a few years after menopause. |
|
Vaginal or Bladder Problems |
The skin around the genitals will become thinner and dryer, causing pain during intercourse, increased risk of vaginal infection and urinary tract problems such as incontinence or infection. |
|
Sexuality Change |
Your attitudes toward sex may change including a diminished interest in sex, comfort and arousal issues, and liberation from pregnancy concerns. The risk of developing an STD still remains. |
|
Problems Sleeping |
You may find your normal sleep patterns interrupted and wake earlier in the morning. |
|
Swing Mood |
Anxiety, irritability and depression may occur. Family dynamics or stress can contribute to these. |
|
Change in Body |
Loss of muscle mass, thickening at the waist, increase in fat and loss of elasticity of the skin may occur. |
|
Other Symptoms |
Memory problems, headaches, difficulty concentrating, joint and muscle pain and stiffness, thinning of the hair on the scalp, and more prominent facial hair may occur. |
How to Relieve Menopause Symptoms
Improve Lifestyle
Maintain a heart healthy diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, fish, fiber, beans and whole grain breads but low in saturated fats.- Stop smoking to help reduce health concerns and the risk of hot flashes.
- Reduce your intake of alcohol and caffeine and lower your stress levels to encourage restful sleep and other symptoms.
- Exercise regularly to help maintain a healthy weight, avoid negative mood swings and encouraging heart and bone health.
- Performing yoga or biofeedback can help to reduce stress that can contribute to symptoms.
Here is a video demo to show you the yoga for menopause symptoms.
Try Alternative Medicines
Meditation or breathing exercises can help to reduce emotional symptoms and hot flashes.- Black cohosh is commonly recommended to relieve menopause symptoms, but its long term safety has not been established. Do not take this remedy if there is any chance you are pregnant, and talk to your doctor first.
- Work to get high amounts of vitamin D and calcium to encourage bone health.
- Consuming soy can help to maintain bone health and may help to reduce symptoms.
Cautions
- Any home remedies or medications for menopause have the risk of side effects. Talk to your doctor about any potential risks before starting therapy for menopause.
- It is possible to become pregnant at any point before your periods fully stop. You should continue to use birth control until periods have stopped for a full year.