The average age of menopause is between 40 and 58 years. However, this varies with a few exceptional cases of premature menopause where women reach this stage in their 30s. Regardless, menopause symptoms are typically the same. They include night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and irregular periods among others. All these are signs that your reproductive years are coming to an end.
The early perimenopause and early menopause phase are typically considered a rough time for many women. So you must prioritize reproductive health during this time. However, this doesn’t mean it should stop you from living your best life. That being said, here are four self-care tips for menopausal women.
1. Be kind to yourself.
As women age, their bodies change, and things like wrinkles and fine lines start to show. This can make many women feel less confident about themselves. A great way to boost your confidence even when it feels like your skin is falling apart is to be kind to yourself. Being kind to yourself involves accepting your body’s changes in the best way possible.
Maintain a good skincare routine and dress in outfits that showcase your style. Don’t forget to accessorize with lovely jewelry. You can stick to the basics like gold necklaces, bracelets, or a silver necklace. Accessories help add character to your outfits, and they’ll make you feel fly even on days when you are experiencing perimenopause symptoms.
2. Track your period.
Anyone who knows anything about menopause understands the nuances of hormonal changes and period irregularity. You’ll need a period tracker that provides you with specific insights and support that regular menstrual period tracking apps don’t offer. A perimenopause tracker provides you with trend lines that show your perimenopause symptoms and period cycle length.
It allows you to log in symptoms, triggers, severity, frequency, duration, and intensity to help give you a better insight into this stage of your life. It also compares your symptoms to other women in your age group by showing you what’s expected during menopause. All these features allow you to take better charge of your health.
3. Watch out for signs of depression.
The sudden hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause, puberty, and postpartum (and sometimes, the regular monthly cycle) often put women at risk for depression. When hormone levels drop like this, serotonin levels also decline. This contributes to the irritation and mood swings women feel during times like this.
Therefore, perimenopause women must watch out for signs of depression to help them tackle it before it escalates. One way to deal with the anxiety and mood changes during menopause is to consider hormone replacement therapy. However, make sure you see your GYN doctor and have him/her help you weigh the pros and cons and suggest options based on your medical history and the severity of your symptoms.
4. Adjust your lifestyle.
One of the most challenging things about the menopause transition phase is weight gain. Many women experience a redistribution of weight during this time and find it difficult to lose weight once they have gone through the stage. Therefore, you might want to make some early lifestyle changes to make it easier to lose weight. Be sure to get regular physical activities and kick up your diet to involve more fruits and vegetables and fewer calories.
Furthermore, if you’re a smoker, it’s best to stop now that you are experiencing menopause. Smoking is bad for your heart, face, and bones as it increases your chances of having osteoporosis and wrinkles. Besides, about half of all menopausal women experience osteoporosis-related fractures as they age. So, if you quit smoking, you’ll be doing your bones a favor.
To read more on topics like this, check out the Lifestyle category
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