Menopause is a natural part of life. It’s defined as the time in your life when you stop having periods. Menopause usually happens between ages 45 and 55, but it can occur earlier or later than that.
During menopause, your ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which regulate most of your body’s functions. Menopause symptoms vary widely from woman to woman, but some women experience short-term symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Other women may experience long-term symptoms, such as vaginal dryness or urinary incontinence.
The good news is that there are ways to manage menopause symptoms while they last. You can manage many of the common symptoms associated with menopause by making lifestyle changes and using over-the-counter remedies. Some women take prescription medications to manage these symptoms as well. Here are some tips for managing menopause:
- Be aware of what’s happening in your body. Menopause is a natural process that happens as part of aging. But it doesn’t have to be traumatic or cause you distress. Knowing what’s going on with your body will help you feel more in control and less stressed about the changes taking place.
- Get enough sleep every night. Sleep disturbance is one of the most common menopause symptoms, affecting up to 80% of women with hot flashes or night sweats at some point during their menopausal transition or beyond. Getting enough sleep is essential for managing other symptoms, too (such as irritability). To help yourself get better sleep:
- Avoid eating or drinking caffeinated beverages after lunchtime so you’re not awake at night because of an upset stomach from caffeine withdrawal; try eating foods high in magnesium such as yogurt or almonds.
- Try hormone replacement therapy (HRT) if you have moderate to severe symptoms that are affecting your daily life or ability to function normally, or if you’re at high risk for osteoporosis (weak bones).
