OMG - It's Menopause

Menopause is defined as a specific date after the woman’s final episode of menstrual flow finishes. This date can only be set retrospectively once 12 months have gone by with no menstrual flow at all. There are lots of terms, some handed down through generations, others are medical and new ones are being introduced regularly, however it basically is a period of time when you body goes through the adjustment of becoming sterile. Menopause is a natural state of transition and not a disease or a disorder. Having said that, why are we not preparing the next generation better. We spend a tremendous amount of time preparing our daughters for everything in life, so where are the mothers, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers in preparing us for menopause.

As every woman is different every woman will have a different time frame and experience with the change of life. There are over thirty five known symptoms of menopause. Some are experienced during the beginning of the process. This includes a change in your menstrual cycle. Erratic difference will be experienced from heavy flow to spotting. From a normal twenty five through twenty seven day cycle, to a ten day cycle or multiple dry months. It is also during this time a slight decline of your sex drive may occur. Some women will also notice a change in their weight. Ninety percent of women will gain weight during this time, of course exercise and a healthy diet will help a natural alternative is Macafem. As with everything there is studies that show negative effects and health issues can be linked to Macafem, please ensure to talk to your doctor about anything being discussed. The biggest surprise is the change in your irritability meter. Suddenly anger is the emotion of the day and major mood swings become common.

It is believed hot flashes and night sweats are common and experienced by the majority of women. These are tied directly to the change of hormones and the effect on the body’s ability to self regulate its temperature. I used to think I had hot flashes when I would get warm for no reason. The reason these are called hot flashes and not warm flashes is a direct correlation to the immediate rise of heat you feel. The first few I experienced I felt a panic and thought for sure I was going to explode from within. As with everything, every women will experience these differently from how often to how long they last, and what time of day increases the intensity. There are some common vitamins designed to help get through this stage. Red Clover and Black Cohosh have been studied in relationship to hot flashes with mixed reviews. Some studies say they help and other studies say they are not good for you. The best all natural solution I found is a plastic water bottle filled with water and a fan. My personal hot flashes intensify in the early evening hours. I immediately reach for my bottle of ice cold water and use it to spritz my face and hold against my neck. The faster I am able to counteract the heat with ice cold the quicker I am able to end the flash. I also find if I can keep my body on the cold side the less frequent the flashes occur. Another symptom of menopause that is not to be confused with hot flashes is night sweats. Again the first few times I woke up several times throughout the night with my bed soaked I thought I was running a high fever and reached for the cold medicine. I am not sure what is the most frustrating about this experience, the lack of sleep or the constant clammy feeling and constant changing of the sheets. Not being a good drinker of water I now have a very tall glass of cold water beside my bed. I also have opted for as limited amount of clothing and covers. If I can keep the bedroom colder than usual it seems to help. I also have my favorite second plastic bottle of ice cold water to squirt on me throughout the night.

One of the most ironic symptoms of menopause is the mental changes that occur. As menopause typically happens in the late forties and early fifties, most women will be in a long term relationship. Suddenly after years of a good solid marriage I find everything my spouse does and says to be annoying. All of the quirks that have been worked out over the years in a relationship are thrown out the window. We had already been through the empty nest syndrome and survived. It is also during this time that testosterone levels will begin dropping in men. As the weight gain will affect your natural self confidence the over intensifying mood swings, and the lack of sleep, it is necessary for your spouse to be extra attentive, however let us not forget this is also the time when your sex drive lessons. Although many times and in many circumstances over the years women have been told to take time for themselves, this is the most important self help tip that can be done. Be sure you spend a little time each day with your own calming time. It is also helpful to include omega 3 into your diet. Anything that helps you to sleep will also be needed here. Always keep in mind this is a phase and will pass. Communication and shared knowledge with your spouse will help. If exercise is not part of our life, any additional activity into your life will help. It will also help with the weight gain.

The inability to concentrate has also been a symptom of menopause much of us are experiencing. This has a large affect on the job, and overnight I am unable to cook a simple meal. The intensity of this symptom can be linked to how much sleep you are getting. A doctor can help control the A.D.D. if needed, as well as any omega vitamin can help. We are taught that as women we must endure. If our child is hurting or sick we will do everything in our power to help them. If our partner is suffering we will take any additional time and effort to make them feel better. This is the time to reach out to your doctor for help.

There are many different symptoms of menopause and every woman will experience many of them differently. I often go back to the teenage years of my daughters and wonder how much they were experiencing the same emotions. Somehow we survived the teenage female years and I believe menopause will be survived as well.