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Meeting the Challenges
of Menopause
According to
anthropologist Margaret Mead, "There is no
more creative force in the world than a
menopausal woman with zest." Though she said
it more than 20 years ago, it has never been
more true than it is today.
According to Melane Votaw,
freelance writer of the topic of Baby
Boomers in mid-life, a member of the Baby
Boomer generation turns 50 every seven
seconds, and as the last boomers begin the
journey of menopause, it is the healthiest,
most aware, and most youthful generation of
women who have ever experienced it. 1957 saw
the largest number of births in North
America, and all of the women born in 1957
will turn 50 next year. Most of them will
experience menopause by the year 2012, if
they haven't already.
Although there is a huge
population of people over 50, youth is still
revered in the western world. This
attitude gives menopause a bad reputation.
The truth is that women
needn't "pause" when menopause arrives. In
1998, 752 women between the ages of 50 and
65 were polled by The Gallup Organization,
and more than half of them reported they
were happier than ever. Numerous other
cultures look at menopause as a joyous rite
of passage like puberty, marriage, and
giving birth (Votaw).
While menopause often
brings symptoms that may need to be
addressed, today we are offered numerous
ways to manage menopausal discomfort.
Below are seven healthy ways to manage
menopausal symptoms.
1. Hot flashes can often
be prevented or relieved by taking Evening
Primrose Oil.
Evening primrose oil
alleviates hot flashes and promotes restful
sleep. These benefits may be due to the
gamma linolenic acid in the oil which is
said to influence prostaglandin production.
Depending on the amount of primrose oil in
each capsule, effective dosages vary from 2
to 8 capsules a day. On a side note,
some women have found
aromatherapy and herbs to be very helpful in
dealing with menopause.
2. If you suffer from
frequent hot flashes, wear layers so that
you can be prepared when a hot flash
strikes. This will help you avoid
uncomfortable perspiration when you're in a
social situation.
3. Synthetic and "natural"
hormone can often combat the vaginal dryness
that comes with menopause, or you can simply
use a water-based lubricant if sex becomes
uncomfortable.
5. If the hormones cause
emotional symptoms, be sure to nurture
yourself! Learn stress reduction techniques
such as meditation, and take the time you
need to care for yourself. The kinder you
are to yourself if you experience tears or
anger, the easier it will be to deal with
these symptoms.
6. Live a healthy
lifestyle including: reduce alcohol,
caffeine and refined sugar intake, as well
as meat consumption, especially since
animals are sometimes injected with
hormones. Smoking increases symptoms and
will make you more vulnerable to
osteoporosis, so it would be best to quit.
Exercise regularly Exercise reduces symptoms
and decreases your risk of osteoporosis.
And, of course, drink plenty of water!
7. Maintain a positive
attitude. Change isn't always a bad
thing and you are now entering a stage of
life where you can refocus your energies.
8. Keep
your sense of humor. Always find a way
to see the humor in the situation.
After all, the Bible tells us "A cheerful
heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
(Proverbs 17:22).
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