http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-bright-side-of-menopause.html
The Bright Side Of Menopause
By Lynn Behrendt, Care2 Green Living contributing writer
I recently turned 50, and menopause is no doubt in my not-too-distant future. Instead of laughing at the birthday cards about hot flashes that I receive and then afterward feeling down about getting older, I’ve decided I’m going to look on the bright side. I am going to look forward to menopause as an interesting adventure, an experience that will usher in a whole new phase of my life.
As with most adventures, of course, there are challenges. Here are my thoughts on a few of them.
Menopausal “Symptoms”
First of all, if you’ve been reading about menopause, you’ve probably noticed that everywhere you go you read about “symptoms” of menopause. “Symptom” is a word that implies health problem or disease, and menopause is NOT a disease. I will not use the word “symptom” when it comes to menopause. Instead, I’ll be on the lookout for signs of menopause approaching.
Hot Flashes
It seems that No. 1 among the discomforts caused by menopause is hot flashes. It’s easy to forget that many women never experience a hot flash at all, and many others experience only mild flashes. If your mother, like mine, was lucky enough to not have severe hot flashes, then it’s likely that your experience will be similar.
And, on the bright side of hot flashes: Layering of clothing is stylish! There are now lots of choices for lovely, breathable, stylish clothes made from organic fibers to pile on and peel off.
Decreased Sex Drive
There are a few positive ways to view the possibility of a decreased sex drive after menopause. First, as with hot flashes, not every woman experiences a decrease at all. Secondly, it could actually be kind of a relief. I’ve talked to many women who felt they were more able to concentrate on their careers, families—whatever it was that they loved—more fully when not quite so “driven.” Lastly, maybe as we get older it’s okay to acknowledge that we are, well, older. Possibly a good way to view sex in later life is: Quality over quantity.
Botanicals
There are several botanical remedies that may help ease the discomforts of menopause, including black cohosh, dong quai, ginseng, kava, red clover extract, and soy. It’s difficult to determine which among these works and doesn’t work, even after reading the research. The bright side: Most often, botanicals have few if any negative side effects. You should definitely, however, let your primary health care person know what botanical or remedy you are using.
New Studies
There are many studies on other alternative methods of coping with menopause that, in the future, will let us know with more certainty what might help. Some of the studies include:
- Royal jelly mixed with bee and flower pollen: How it affects vaginal dryness and fatigue associated with menopause.
- Botanicals used by Central American populations: Whether it can ease menopausal discomforts.
- Acupuncture: Viability for easing hot flashes.
- Mindfulness-based stress: Can it reduce hot flashes.
- Soy supplements: How they affect hot flashes and night sweats.
An End In Sight
Menopause is an end to ovulation and menstruation. It is a naturally occurring event in a woman’s life. It is a phase, a period (oops, no pun intended) of change. It does not signify that your life is coming to an end, and does not mean that you will experience sudden and drastic changes in your health.
The Bright Side
A positive attitude does make a difference in how a woman experiences menopause. A Danish study found that the strongest predictors of the way a woman will experience menopause, including sexuality, were their health earlier in life, their social circumstances and their expectations of menopausal changes.
So look on the bright side, and keep doing those good things that you do, like exercising energetically, eating healthily, resting well and deeply, and keep in mind that the hot flashes, moodiness, irregular periods and other discomforts do eventually come to an end. And chances are you will continue to have good health for many years to come.
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19 comments
add your comment »Hmmm... I seemed to have posted that link wrong and can't edit my post. Here it is again -- good menopause info!!!
http://www.womentowomen.com/menopause/default.aspx
http://www.womentowomen.com/menopause/default.aspx
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Excellent attitude to have as you approach menopause. It really isn't the end of anything but your period -- and can be the start of a really liberating new adventure! To get into a positive frame of mind, I highly recommend Wisdom of Menopause by Dr. Northrup as well as the Women to Women site (a clinic that was cofounded by Dr. Northrup). Here is Women to Women's main article on symptoms of menopause plus lots of holistic health tips for reducing symptoms and feeling better: http://www.womentowomen.com/menopause/default.aspx
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I suffer from extreme flashes and night sweats. I am 67 and have had them from the age of 50. Was on HRT for awhile before I knew better. Bioidentical progesterone creme has helped for a few years, but not anymore. I eat sensibly and do weight bearing exercise 2 x a week. I am miserable. Anyone who thinks menopause is wonderful, a good change is wacky in my book. It stinks.
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Thanks for helping to make menopause an accepted part of life rather than "The Curse, Part 2." ♥
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thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner
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Menopause is nothing to look forward to period. If you are one of the lucky ones who doesn't get hot flashes, mood swings and dry-up like a prune, hooray for you. I started menopause at 47 years old and felt like my life as I knew it is over. (it is) There is a lot of change going on in my body due to this phase of life and none of them are good! Mind over matter doesn't work when you feel the heat crawling up your back in slow motion and it hovers around your neck and face! arghhhh
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diet has been proven to affect the amount of difficult menopausal signs, the Japanese diet
(more wholefoods, little if any red meat and dairy)means as a nation they suffer less than we in the West. Im through it now, had a few flashes but no sweats, nothing really, and could sleep. I am absolutely delighted that I no longer have the migraines I had for over thirty years with each
period onset, free at last!! My life changed so much for the better. Im now doing a post grad teaching course, run my own business and have a new and younger husband. Life definitely can be wonderful through and after the big M!! Caroline
Senter, England
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I have always exercised, eaten healthily and had an active healthy and happy life, yet I still got hot flashes and everything else. My peri-menopause started at 39, I will be 49 in November and can feel the end is finally in sight. You will have the type of experience you are supposed to have - mental attitude alone will not change that.
To decrease hot flashes - avoid alcohol, chocolate and Indian spices - these were the worst for me. I also have a cup of Sage tea every day which helps reduce hot flashes and night sweats.
I take the Meno-Ease essence and use the amazing Meno-Ease 'Magnificence' spray mist which helps me to feel wonderful even on bad days.
I agree the menopause is something to be celebrated, it is an incredible mid life journey that only women are privileged to take.
Wishing you a healthy and happy journey.
Blessings. www.GrassdancerEssences.com - Healing Energy from Nature
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getting only 3 scattered hours of sleep a night doesn't bother any of you? You're better women than I am!
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I started getting hot flushes 2 years ago. As I live in Europe, I realized quite a few women use fans in public transportation so I looked for one I liked and ended up buying a Japanese one. When I feel the hot flush coming on, I pull it out of my purse and use it. The funniest thing is that men find this very feminine and sexy!
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