Managing Menopause

Menopause arrived in my life when I wasn’t paying attention and it came in arcing swirls of confusing symptoms, that ebbed and flowed in an annoyingly unpredictable fashion. In my forties, I was blissfully unaware that the night sweats I was experiencing was actually peri-menopause. Furthermore, moodiness and irritability were a part of my very nature, though I often blamed it on PMS. And weight gain? Another life long personal challenge. So, really, how was I supposed to know, not only that menopause was happening, but what to do about it?

Getting a Handle on Menopause

By the time I reached fifty, I started to have a handle on things, especially as I consciously chose to  be pro-active about my health and dealing with my symptoms. My mother was not only utterly clueless and uncommunicative during her menopausal years, but slightly wild and crazy, in her very British reserved sort of way. In other words, I didn’t learn a thing from her about managing my peri-menopausal and menopausal body. Reflecting on her behavior and talking to my sisters about their experiences, I discovered a few family trends. We shared similar characteristics to one degree or another. I highly recommend this path if you have it available to you.

Talk to Your Female Relatives

Talking to female family members can be a beneficial resource. It may help you to identify confusing symptoms, as well as offer feedback that will help you find self-acceptance of the emotional aspects that go along with hormonal fluctuations.  My two sisters and I discussed treatments and self-care methods that we tried. This enabled us to zero in on a solution more quickly. Chances are good that if something worked for your sister or your mother, it will work for you. Friends can help too, but as genetics do play a role, siblings and mothers were my first choice.

How Are You Coping with Menopausal Symptoms?

Menopause is different for everyone. For some, it is predicable and manageable, but for  women like me, with hard to pin down symptoms, I found it challenging. Thanks to the increased conversation and growing awareness of menopausal symptoms and treatments, there is more information and alternative treatments available to us than ever before. As with moist things, awareness and education is the best first step toward finding the right treatment regimen.

HRT vs. Natural Treatment Plans

Many women are choosing to avoid HRT therapy, preferring a more natural route that includes changes to diet, increased exercise and natural supplements. I did a little of everything, leaning heavily in the natural direction. Choosing a supplement or a treatment plan depends on your goals and how much discomfort you are willing to tolerate. There are wonderful new natural products available now, that were only beginning to come on the market when I began my journey through the menopausal years.

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