MENOPAUSE PHASE IN LIFE
- Menopause is a natural phase in the life of a mature woman signaling the end of her child-bearing age, and is unavoidable.
- It occurs during her 40’s or early 50’s, and brings with it psychological stresses because of basic biological changes.
- For some, it leads to freedom and confidence, but for others, it is a midlife emotional crisis with many health problems.
- Natural menopause does not occur overnight and is not a hormonal deficiency disease.
- It is a gradual biological phenomenon when fertility-enabling estrogen hormones reduce.
SYMPTOMS
- At first, there is irregularity in the pattern of your periods, either infrequent or more frequent.
- After this early signal, there could be hot flushes or sudden feeling of heat in the face and upper part of your body for a few minutes, causing sweating and disturbed sleep.
- There could also be vaginal dryness with itchy feeling and pain during intercourse.
- There may be loss in bladder control causing leaks in urine, especially when sneezing or coughing.
- Hormonal levels also change causing unexplained mood swings like irritability, depression, forgetfulness and exhaustion.
- Other symptoms are weight gain, aching bones and tiredness.
AFTER-EFFECTS
- The main after-effects are osteoporosis and increased vulnerability to heart-related ailments.
- Reduction in estrogen and calcium levels makes the bones susceptible to weakness and brittleness.
- Increase in blood cholesterol and weight hampers blood circulation and heart function.
TREATMENT
- While no special treatment is necessary in normal cases, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be required for others, along with lifestyle and dietary changes.
- Regular exercise is recommended, as it decreases blood cholesterol and bone loss.
- It also improves the ability to deal with stress, depression, anxiety and weight gain.
- It also improves blood circulation and heart function.
- A nutritious calcium, boron and phyto-estrogen rich diet helps to relieve hot flushes and vaginal dryness.
- Dietary sources of phyto-estrogen are flax seed, soya beans, tofu, whole grains, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, broccoli and berries.
- Calcium improves bone density and curbs osteoporosis, and is found in milk, milk products, tofu, almonds, sesame seeds, red beans, spinach, broccoli, peas, makhana, and fish.
- Boron, a mineral in plant food, decreases calcium excretion by the body, and is found in fruits, vegetables, tubers and legumes.
- Also, having a positive attitude helps to tide over this emotional phase of a woman’s life.