Dealing with Menopause in Women
What Exactly Is Menopause?
It’s a change of hormones. More specifically, it’s a reduction in the reproductive hormones that make pregnancy possible — hormones that affect everything from patience and mood to libido and vaginal lubrication. These hormones are responsible for starting the menstrual cycle in the teen years and continuing to prepare the ovaries, eggs, and uterus for child bearing.
At menopause, these cycles are no longer needed, so hormones shift and menstrual cycles stop. While this is a natural part of life for every woman, it is not without its share of symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms?
With the decrease in hormones that have sustained a woman’s body for roughly four decades, the body goes through an adjustment period. Common symptoms include:
- Heart beat irregularity
- Depression and anxiety
- Weight gain and bloating
- Problems with memory
- Difficulty sleeping
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Night sweats
- Loss of libido and pain during intercourse due to reduced natural lubrication
- Hot flashes
- Incontinence
These symptoms are temporary and can be relieved with the right treatments, lifestyle changes, and open communication — especially with partners.
Are There Treatments Available?
Hormone therapy is probably the most popular way to treat menopausal symptoms. Injections and oral medications basically replace the hormones that are declining. This approach is helpful but not something every woman wants to pursue.
Many women prefer a more natural route. Natural supplemental hormones can help relieve symptoms, though each woman responds differently — and finding the right supplement may take some trial and error with your doctor.
Additionally, regular exercise (especially yoga), counseling, and support from partners can go a long way toward relieving sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, and stiffness. While symptoms are likely, you don’t need to suffer needlessly.