5 symptoms of menopause: What you can do to help relieve them
(BPT) - Menopause. The change. You know the terms and you’ve overheard women talking about it and sharing their experiences for years. If you’re in your mid-40s, you may have already started to feel the symptoms. Menopause isn’t the same for any two women, everyone experiences it differently, but some symptoms are more common than others. Here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing and a few ways to help you relieve them.
1. Hot flashes
If you’ve had a hot flash, you know there’s no mistaking it. That sudden, intense, hot feeling on your face and upper body, accompanied by a rapid heartbeat, sweating, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, headache, or weakness. It’s not pleasant and some women have several hot flashes a day. One option that may help reduce your hot flashes is eating foods with plant estrogens, found in soy foods like tofu, miso, and soy milk.
Another option for you may be to participate in a clinical research study. There is a study currently underway to evaluate if an investigational medication can reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes associated with menopause. If you’re one of those women who experience multiple hot flashes per day, you may be interested in the Replenish Study. You can learn more and see if you qualify by visiting www.hotflashoption.com or calling 800-972-2505.
2. Night sweats
Sometimes the most severe hot flashes happen while you’re trying to sleep; these are actually known as night sweats. Night sweats can make it difficult to sleep and leave you feeling tired and irritable during the day. You can’t really prevent night sweats, but you can plan ahead for them. Add some extra layers to your bed so you can remove one if you have a night sweat and keep a glass of water next to your bed. Also be aware of possible triggers, for example, spicy foods, stress, or alcohol may bring on a night sweat or make it worse.
3. Low libido
If you feel like you’re saying “honey, not tonight” more than usual, your low libido could be a symptom of menopause. Hormone changes in your body can decrease your interest in sex and even lead to a feeling of depression. Regular exercise can help, and take some time to embrace your hobbies. Whether you like to paint or do yoga, taking some time for yourself can help you feel better about yourself and about sexual activity.
4. Mood swings
If you feel like you’re laughing one minute and crying the next, don’t worry, your mood swings are a natural symptom of menopause. In menopause, your body produces less estrogen as well as the neurotransmitters that regulate your mood. These changes in mood can be even more severe if you’re feeling exhausted thanks to night sweats. Cutting your caffeine and eating additional healthy proteins can limit your mood swings and help you feel like you’re more in control.
5. Missed period
That “time of the month” may not be so predictable any more. Perimenopause is a time of transition into menopause and may cause your period dates to fluctuate, along with experiencing varying levels of bleeding and duration. You may also notice spotting or that you’ve missed your period altogether. This is all due to the hormonal changes caused by transitioning into menopause.
If you are menopausal and looking for options to help ease the many hot flashes you experience per day, the Replenish Study may be right for you. Visit www.hotflashoption.com or call 800-972-2505 for more information.