Tips on dealing with menopause

Tips on dealing with menopause
Tips on dealing with  menopause

At some time between the ages of 45 and 55, most women will enter the menopause. The menopause is a rite of passage for women, that occurs when your ovaries stop making the two key hormones oestrogen and progesterone, that have always controlled your menstrual cycle. This change happens over a few years, and women will generally start to experience an issue with their periods: they either become heavier, more or less frequent, or they just generally start going crazy.

In addition to the end of menstruation, women experience a range of other emotional and physical symptoms such as hot flushes (known as flashes in the USA), night sweats, and poor mood and irritability. Of course no two women are the same, so everyone’s experiences of the menopause will be different, and some women will have more of a challenging time than others.

Symptoms of the menopause

  • Hot flushes
  • Night sweats
  • Mood swings
  • Loss of libido
  • A dry vagina (which can sometimes lead to inflammation, make sex uncomfortable or cause urinary problems)
  • Weight gain
  • Low energy or fatigue
  • Forgetfulness

Because the menopause tends to occur at the same time as other transition periods in life (such as children leaving home, the end of long-term relationships, failing health of parents, bereavement etc.), it can sometimes be difficult to discern whether symptoms are as a result of the menopause or of the other emotional upheavals. In any case, this period of time in a woman’s life can be deeply unsettling.

Physical changes after the menopause

The long-term effects of the menopause include an increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Osteoporosis comes about thanks to reduced amounts of minerals in the bone and slower production or replacement of bone cells, and this the weakens after the menopause, something that occurs in one in three women, and one in twelve men.

Breast changes are also apparent after the menopause, because breasts lose their firmness, change shape, shrink in size, become less dense and also become more prone to certain abnormal lumps. It is imperative to check your breasts for changes, and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Menopause treatments

The most common treatment for menopause has traditionally been hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This helps to protect women against osteoporosis and controls other menopausal symptoms. However, HRT does slightly increase the risk of developing certain conditions including stroke, heart disease, breast cancer, and deep vein thrombosis so taking this needs serious thought and consultation with your doctor.

Tips for coping with your menopausal symptoms

Combatting hot flushes

The most common symptom of the menopause is the hot flush – which is characterised by a feeling of deep heat sweeping through the body, blushing, palpitations, and/or sweating. They vary in severity depending on the individual. There are a number of ways to combat these.

Avoid known hot flush triggers

  • Woolly jumpers
  • High necked clothes
  • Stress
  • Alcohol
  • Coffee
  • Spicy food
  • Smoking

Medical treatments for hot flushes, besides HRT, other treatments include vitamin E supplements and some antidepressants.

Complementary therapies for hot flushes include acupuncture, substituting soy for dairy, black cohosh, red clover, pine bark supplement, folic acid, and evening primrose oil.

Take steps to keep yourself cool, especially at night. Use a fan where necessary (either electric or handheld), use a water atomiser to spray yourself with cool water, or use a cold gel pack.

Layer up. Choose natural materials that breathe, and wear layers so that you can slip a few off if you start to overheat. Similarly, in the bedroom, have layers on the bed so you can remove them as you need to. Keep the window open and have throws available just in case.

Have a supply of cold or iced drinks to sip on

Avoid hot baths and showers and opt instead for lukewarm water.

Reduce your stress levels

Relax. It is thought that many psychological symptoms are associated with hormonal changes so the menopause can leave you feeling down, anxious, irritable or tired. Yoga and tai chi are recommended to help you relax.

Lose weight. Being overweight might be a factor in the worst cases of hot flushes.

For vaginal dryness, you can purchase vaginal lubricant like K-Y Jelly or Astroglide, or a vaginal moisturizer such as Replens, over the counter of your pharmacy.  

Take plenty of exercise as this will help you to sleep well. Avoid large meals before bedtime and avoid coffee and caffeine after noon. Avoid napping during the day.

Finally, practice good sleep hygiene. Getting enough sleep and keeping physically active will help improve symptoms of memory loss or forgetfulness, as well as irritability.




Bach flowers mix 40: Menopause

Bach flowers mix 40 helps to:

  • Sleep better and have less fatigue 
  • Have less ups and downs 
  • Avoid irritation 
  • Stimulate your libido 
  • Control your weight
Discover how Bach flowers mix 40 can help you
Marie Pure

Other articles


Can you accept things you can't change Take our quiz!

Can you accept things you can't change? Take our quiz!

Your relationship ends, or you lose your job, and you get stuck in a rut of negative thoughts and suffering. How good are you at letting go of grudges and accepting that some things are beyond your control? Take our quiz to find out!

Read the complete article

How can I help my child achieve their dreams

How can I help my child achieve their dreams?

Children's imaginations know no limits and their dreams are a mix of hopes and fantasies, the real and the magical, the impossible and the achievable.

Read the complete article

Feeling blue

Feeling blue?

Feeling blue? You're not alone! We all feel sad at times; it's a normal human emotion. Sometimes, it's clear to see what has triggered our depression. Common reasons for feeling sad include bereavement, the end of a relationship, losing your job or money problems. But it's not always so clearcut.

Read the complete article

fear of fireworks dogs

7 tips to help your dog with a fear of fireworks

As nice as it is for a person to celebrate New Year, it's not so nice for a dog, especially when the loud fireworks go off the whole night. This is really frightening for many dogs. Read our 7 tips on how you can help your dog with his fear of fireworks.

Read the complete article

verleden-loslaten

Letting go of the past: 5 tips

Lynn Anderson told it very nicely in her song “I beg your pardon; I never promised you a rose garden”. Life isn’t all roses and everybody experiences something they would rather not once in their life.

Read the complete article

Simple tips to not be afraid of the future

Simple tips to not be afraid of the future

No one knows what the future holds, so don't waste time and energy worrying about it. Read our tips and find out how to stop being afraid of what might never happen.

Read the complete article

Stop worrying and live in the moment

Stop worrying and live in the moment

People spend so much of their time regretting the past and worrying about the future. But it’s not worth it! Even what happened yesterday doesn't matter anymore! Let go of the past and the future and make the most of every moment.

Read the complete article

12 easy ways to get people to like you

12 easy ways to get people to like you

Have you ever noticed that some people are instantly likeable? Many people believe that people will only like you because of natural traits you're born with: good looks, talent and sociability. But this is a misconception. Getting people to like you is within your control, and it's all to do with self-belief, knowing yourself and being emotionally intelligent. Here's what to do to be more likeable.

Read the complete article

Mistakes as a Parent

Mistakes as a Parent

Can we learn from our mistakes and develop a stronger, healthier emotional bondwith our kids? To help you identify your weak spots, we’ve rounded up some of the most common mistakes parents make.

Read the complete article

Did you get stuck in the past

Did you get stuck in the past?

Do you find yourself often thinking about your past? Do you wish you could turn back the clock to days gone by or things as they were before covid disrupted the world?

Read the complete article

Free personal advice for your problem?

Are you unsure which Bach flowers can help you? Contact Tom for free advice.

tom vermeersch
Tom Vermeersch

Yes, I want free advice

No thanks, I will do my own research