How to cope with menopause

When women reach menopause, the decision to seek treatment is based on the severity of symptoms, risk of disease in later years, and personal attitudes about menopause and medication. Many women go through natural menopause with minimal discomfort during the perimenopausal years. For most, any disturbances diminish or disappear over time, 75 per cent menopausal women experience hot flushes and 50 per cent adapt to them in 1 to 4 years, while 20 to 25 per cent still complain of intolerable hot flushes.

Hot flushes are the most common symptoms in post-menopausal age group leading to wide range of variations in day-to-day living, can affect quality of life, quality and duration of sleep. Other symptoms include memory loss, bone pains, anxiety, decreased sexual drive, urogenital symptoms. Hormone therapy is one of the most effective treatments for relief of hot flushes and reduces their frequency by 70-80 per cent, compared to placebo which decreases frequency of hot flushes by 20 to 40 per cent. Hormone therapy nowadays is not accepted by many women for symptomatic relief because of the potential risks associated with their use. Menopause presents a unique opportunity to reassess these lifestyle choices, including regular exercise, adequate nutrition, weight management, stress reduction and substance use (such as smoking).

* Adequate Exercise: Brisk walk, running, aerobics, dancing, tennis, and weight training are activities that help the heart, bones, muscles, balance, body weight, mood, and one’s overall sense of well-being. Exercise not only promotes better, more restorative sleep, but also stimulates production of endorphins (feel-good brain chemicals) that reduce negative thoughts and depressed feelings.

... contd.