4 tips to effectively manage menopause symptoms

4 tips to effectively manage menopause symptoms

Menopause is a naturally occurring bodily process that marks the end of the reproductive capabilities in women. It usually leads to fluctuations of hormones in the body and a wide range of symptoms that can affect day-to-day life. While menopause is a natural process, women can follow some helpful tips to ease the signs and symptoms of this process. Read this article further for some helpful tips to manage menopause:

Understanding the stages of menopause

Menopause is that time in a woman’s life when her menstrual cycles permanently halt without any physiological or biological causes. The changes can be classified into 4 stages:

Pre-menopause

The menstrual cycle will occur during this period, but it may be regular or irregular. It varies from woman to woman. The reproductive hormones start declining in a woman’s body. There are no visible signs or symptoms of menopause during this period. A woman can still reproduce successfully, though some women may face difficulties.

Perimenopause

Also called ‘around menopause,’ is visible signs of transition in a woman’s body like irregular periods and hot flashes. On average, the period leading up to perimenopause may last up to 4 years. However, it varies from woman to woman. It may even last for a few months or up to 8 to 10 years.

Menopause

Menopause enters a woman’s life, usually in her late 40s to 50s. It is when a woman no longer has her menstrual cycle for more than 12 months. The ovaries store eggs and release them into the fallopian tubes. By this time, the ovaries cease releasing eggs and stop producing estrogen hormones.

Post-menopause

Post-menopause is the after-menopause phase. The woman’s reproductive hormones continue to deplete, and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes may ease in this period. However, in some cases, women continue to experience menopausal symptoms for years (as many as 10 years) after their menopause.

Eat these foods

Nutrition is a major aspect of managing any health condition. While menopause is the body’s natural process, it has some symptoms that can be effectively managed by eating the following foods.

Wild yam

The wild yam is a plant native to Northern America, known for its soothing properties that help ease the signs and symptoms of menopause. Wild yam roots contain diosgenin, which can naturally produce estrogen, and progesterone, which can manage menopause symptoms.

St. John’s wort

This plant is another potential natural treatment for the signs and symptoms of menopause. The flowering plant is a perfect natural remedy and helps fight depression, mood swings, anxiety, and tiredness. But, it is always best to get in touch with your doctor before including it in daily foods.

Ginseng

The Ginseng plant has been known for its medicinal properties for centuries. It is also used as a natural remedy to ease the symptoms of menopause. It contains many antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help tackle the signs of menopause. One of its most effective properties is that it induces good sleep and tackles depression and anxiety. Ginseng also helps tackle multiple triggers and risk factors of menopause.

Ginkgo Biloba

When it comes to extracts that have multiple health benefits, the Ginkgo Biloba is one you cannot skip. Research shows that sections of the Ginkgo Biloba soothe the symptoms and signs of menopause. This plant contains a wide range of flavonoids and terpenoids that help tackle free radicals in the body, boosting metabolism.

Timely Diagnosis

Menopause is confirmed by the presence of signs and symptoms it comes with. When visiting the doctor, the doctor will look at the patient’s medical history, menstrual cycle, and its irregularities or regularities. The presence of signs like increased irritability, unstable moods, anxiety, depression, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes only confirm the prognosis. If there are additional signs that indicate the presence of some other health condition, the doctor might suggest some tests to eliminate any doubts they have.

For confirmation, two possible tests can be performed. Testing the levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) can help determine whether the symptoms result from menopause. Alternatively, the doctor can also suggest opting for saliva testing. However, it should be noted that neither of these tests provides consistent or conclusive results about menopause. FSH levels can also be tested from the patient’s urine. If the urine sample indicates elevated FSH levels, it can be a sign of perimenopause or menopause. However, since the levels are elevated even during menstrual cycles, the problem of inconclusive results persists.

Knowing the best treatment options

Following are a few treatment options:

Hormone therapy

Menopause brings with it a flurry of hormonal changes, especially the repeated rise and fall of estrogen levels. The estrogen changes are also a huge contributing factor to most other symptoms associated with this phase. Hormone therapy is particularly helpful in managing signs that are aggravated due to low estrogen levels in the body. Hormone therapy involves injecting the hormone into the patient. Two symptoms that hugely benefit from hormone therapy are vaginal dryness and hot flashes.

Topical hormone therapy

Topical hormone therapy is yet another available option for treating patients with menopausal symptoms. These are creams, gels, or ointments with low estrogen concentration and can be used on the thigh, abdomen, or vaginal region. The topical hormone treatment is highly effective when it comes to vaginal dryness and similar issues.

Popular Articles

01

4 essential vitamins for optimum eye health

The eyes are complex organs and need a variety of nutrients to function optimally. Many common health conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and others can negatively affect our eyes, which may lead up to a complete loss of vision. While some conditions like moderate astigmatism can be corrected using contact lenses or eye lenses, others can be prevented by consuming a healthy dose of these 4 vitamins: Vitamin A Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most common causes of blindness globally. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in maintaining a clear cornea (outside the covering of the eye). A person with this vitamin deficiency may find their eyes not producing enough moisture to stay lubricated. It is also essential for maintaining the eyes’ light-sensing cells called photoreceptors. A deficiency of vitamin A can also lead to xerophthalmia, a progressive eye disease that begins with night blindness. Continued deficiency can lead to the drying up of the eyes and tear ducts, and softening of the cornea, resulting in irreversible blindness. To maintain eye health, it is recommended to eat vitamin-A-rich foods, like sweet potatoes, leafy greens, pumpkins, squash, bell peppers, carrots, dairy products, egg yolks, and liver.
Read More
02

Avoid these 5 smartphone habits

For most people, it is next to impossible to get through the day without using smartphones at least a few times. You need to make calls, check updates on the go, and even use smart navigation systems on your phone. But some smartphone habits can severely hamper productivity, affect your health, and may make you overly dependent on the gadget. So, here are five smartphone habits to keep in check: Using an alarm app Using your phone as an alarm clock might seem completely harmless. After all, apps on the phone let you set multiple alarms. But it never stops at hitting the snooze or dismiss button once you wake up. You will be tempted to check your phone for messages and social media, which will delay getting out of bed. Opt for a conventional alarm clock and keep your phone away from you at night to avoid checking anything after getting up. Ignoring software updates Smartphone care is as important as learning how to use the device in moderation. Many people make the mistake of postponing crucial software updates and granting necessary application permissions. These habits make the device extremely vulnerable to cyber-attacks that can access confidential data. Always keep your phone updated to ensure the latest security updates are installed.
Read More
03

7 foods that help fight against Bronchitis

When you have bronchitis, it’s easy to overeat greasy, salty, or sugary foods to relieve the coughing, breathing, and throat pain. Alternatively, you may decide not to consume anything at all. However, you should take care and watch what you eat as refined carbs and saturated fats might impede recovery. Knowing which foods to avoid and which to eat may influence the severity of bronchitis symptoms. Here’s a list of a few items you should avoid. Foods with preservatives and additives Sulfites, a form of preservative, may aggravate bronchitis. Liquor, dried fruits, pickled foods, maraschino cherries, and lime juice all contain sulfites. Processed and quick meals frequently contain chemical additives, flavors, and colorings. Some bronchitis patients may be susceptible to or intolerant to these artificial components. Gas-forming foods Eating large meals or gas-producing foods strains the diaphragm, especially if you suffer from acid reflux. This can cause chest pains and asthma flare-ups. Beans, cabbage, carbonated beverages, onions, and fried dishes are examples of these foods. Sugar and HFCS Do you enjoy drinking sugar-laden colas? Be cautious. They can be dangerous to your health. Avoiding syrups, candies, and other sugary foods will help to relieve symptoms such as coughing, irritation, and discomfort in your lungs.
Read More