Menopause – The symptoms and how to treat them
The definition of Menopause: ‘The period in a woman’s life when menstruation/ periods stop’.
Menopause is a normal condition that all women experience as they age, typically between the ages of 45 and 50. Menopause is used to describe the changes that woman go through either prior to or after she stops menstruating. Once a woman has gone through her menopause she is no longer fertile and able to fall pregnant naturally. Many women sail through this part of their life with very few symptoms but a small percentage can have severe symptoms that seem never ending.
What Causes Menopause
Most women are born with a finite number of eggs stored in their ovaries. The ovaries produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which control menstruation and ovulation. Menopause happens when the ovaries no longer release an egg every month and menstruation stops.
Signs of menopausal symptoms
Most women think of menopause symptoms as hot flushes and night sweats but there are other signs to be aware of-
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Irregular periods
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Racing heart
- Headaches
- Joint and muscle aches and pains
- Changes in libido (sex drive)
- Vaginal dryness
- Bladder control problems
Remedies to help symptoms
- HRT Hormone replacement therapy.
- Low-dose antidepressants.
- Virginal oestrogen
- Herbal / natural remedies
- Homeopathic remedies
Complementary techniques
- Diet/food
- Exercise
- Relaxation techniques to reduce stress
- Yoga, Aerobic Exercise, Breathing Exercises
- Sensory Massage
- Aromatherapy Massage
- EFT
- Reflexology
If you are starting your menopause or think you might be your GP can send you for a blood test and then advise on medication that is available for you (not everything is suitable for everyone). If you prefer not to go down this route then there are many complementary therapies to look at. Word of mouth from family or friends is probably the best way to find a therapist or look on the register for your chosen therapy for someone who specialises in this field.
Don’t suffer alone, talk to someone and make this part of your life transition as carefree and easy as possible.
