Today is World Menopause Day. A day to highlight the real struggle of this inevitable part of growing up.
It is something all women will experience, whether they like it or not. Around one-third of a woman’s life is lived after the menopause. The age of natural menopause among women in developed countries is between 50 -& 52, whereas in less developed countries it can be as early as the late 40’s.
Some women will sail through with very little problem whilst others really struggle. Debilitating hot flushes, brain fog, lack of confidence, palpitations, joint pain and a whole host of other problems, make life miserable.
Today, the International Menopause Society (IMS) is highlighting the need for women to use the onset of menopause to have a full health audit. In the decade following menopause, women become vulnerable to cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline, and cancer. The IMS suggests that the early post menopause years should be used as an opportunity to take preventative steps and help stay healthy.
So how can you help make this process easier? https://www.menopausematters.co.uk
- Women who exercise and eat a healthy diet cope better with menopausal symptoms.
- Eating foods rich in calcium will help reduce your osteoporosis risk (along with doing weight-bearing exercise)
- Give up smoking – we know it is hard and at this time of your life it may seem just too awful but it really will help the hot flushes
- Reduce the alcohol – that too will make the flushes worse
- Try to keep your weight under control. It is really amazing how quickly it piles on at this time.
- And most importantly, take some time to look after you. Sleep deprivation from night sweats is exhausting. If you need a snooze then have a snooze.
What about HRT?
We are not doctors at FLexercise. Our advice will always be to talk it through with your GP. They will be able to advise you and discuss all the possible risk factors.
What about complementary therapies?
Again, we would always suggest discussing these with your GP. Some complementary therapies should not be taken with conventional medicines so please don’t ever self-prescribe. You may do yourself more harm than good.
Finally, we at FLexercise really do understand how tough the menopause can be. But, on World Menopause Day let us not just think of the bad bits. Let us celebrate being women, being menopausal and being fabulous. Perhaps our families and friends just need to notice that more.