Audrey Lynn asked:


For women, menopause is a dreaded phase on her life cycle. The common misconception of menopause is that the woman is no longer attractive and desired physically and sexually. Menopause is also a period of emotional turmoil when many women suffer from bipolar disorder and depression. Not to mention the endless uncomfortable physical symptom she has to battle with such as hot flushes and night sweats which keeps her awake at night, mood swings, and lack of interest in sex. Unfortunately, menopause is a phase which all women have to go through. It is encouraged that all women educate themselves on the issue of menopause so that they can help themselves go through menopause gracefully. This article will focus on one of the main area of menopause , that is the type of foods that should be eaten regularly during menopause.

First and foremost, if you have not been taking care of your diet. It is not too late to start making a change. Better late than never. For women during menopause, it is even more essential to take care of your body by making sure you are taking enough nutrients your body needs. Start with eating organics. Organic food is best for you as you can be sure of getting the freshest and best nutrients without contamination. Here are some of the most popular menopause super food which you should increase their amount in your diet, and yes, try get them organic if possible.

1. Soy Milk

Soy milk is very popular at one time due to claims that it can reduce post menopause symptoms such as “hot flushes” and prevent breast cancer. However, the American heart Association claimed that soy isoflavones does not have any effect in menopausal symptoms in their recent study. Despite that, it is also a well known fact that Japanese and some Chinese women suffer less severe menopause symptoms due to their rich diet in soy products such as soy milk, miso and tofu. Personally, I feel that all women should increase the intake of soy for cardiovascular and overall health benefits if not for the sake for menopause relief.

2. Flaxseeds

Increase flaxseed intake is recommended for its high content of lignans and omega-3 essential fatty acids. Omega-3s, often in short supply in populations with low-fish diets, promote heart health by reducing cholesterol, blood pressure and plaque formation in arteries. In addition, flaxseed oil is often recommended as a galactagogue. However, eating too many Flax seeds can also cause diarrhea in some people.

3. Fatty Fish

The most widely available source of EPA and DHA is cold water oily fish such as wild salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines. Oils from these fish have a profile of around seven times as much omega-3 as omega-6. Farmed salmon, being grain fed, have a higher proportion of omega-6 than wild salmon. Other oily fish such as tuna also contain omega-3 in somewhat lesser amounts. However, there is one thing you should be aware that the potential presence of heavy metals and fat-soluble pollutants like PCBs and dioxins which may accumulate in this cold water fish. So choose your fish carefully.

4. Water, Water, Water

Another important food to include is non other than water. Women during menopause should make it a habit to consume at least 6 to 8 glasses of water throughout the day. Make water the beverage of your choice. Increase the intake of fruit and vegetable juices as well.

Last but not least, cut down on all types of refined carbohydrates such as white bread, muffins, cookies, pasta, package cereals and cakes. Also totally eliminate processed food, caffein, alcohol in your diet. If you are a smoker, it is time to quit now. Your body does not need more burden of unhealthy habits. With these basic changes in your diet, you are on your way to a more comfortable and sweat free menopause. For more informative articles on menopause relief, head over to http://www.agematter.com.

Arlene

Anna asked:


How can I stay healthy even though symptoms of menopause seem to effect me with arthritis in my knees?

Judith

ronny welch asked:


Menopause can be defined as absence of menstrual periods for about one year. Menopause simply means not having menstrual cycle that the woman had since adolescence. After certain age, the ovulation stops and hence, the menstrual cycles cease. In simple words, menopause is the period in a woman’s life when her ovaries stop functioning for reproduction. The ovaries, female gonad are pair of reproductive glands in every normal woman.

However, there are many disputes about exact definition of the menopause. One of those confusions is there are many stages of the natural menopause process but authentically, natural menopause is the transition between two important phrases; perimenopause and postmenopause. Whatever the definition we adopt, menopause is the ceasing of the menses or menstrual flow that every woman achieves one or the other stage of her life (generally at the age of 50-53 years).

If we look at the path physiology of the menopause, the ovarian supply of follicles and eggs will decline sharply once the women reach their menopauses. If occurs naturally, it cannot be considered as medical illness but it is a natural biological process. Though, there are many mental and physical symptoms such as disturbed sleep, lack of energy and interest in daily activities, sadness, lethargy, headache and abdominal cramps are common in a woman who is about to attend or has recently attended her menopause.

In the body, there are various hormones and they are the hormonal changes that cause menopause but mistaken beliefs about the condition are women will lose her sexual interests and sex drive will be zero. It could be true but not wholly. There is markedly loss in sexual urges since the female hormone responsible for sexual arouse are drastically down in their levels but then too, sex drive in women who attended menopause is never zero.

Menopause has nothing to do that can bring down the sexuality or femininity. In fact, for many women, it is the freedom from being pregnant and getting those hot flushes that used to make her down and dull. Menopause is normal and physiological but then too, if there are other symptoms in severity, the woman should see her doctor for them. This is because in many gynecological conditions where the menstrual flow stops but the reason could be different than menopause.

There is no such diagnosing factor that can label the woman with menopause but age and ceased menstrual flow for longer period can be identical factors for the menopause. There is no treatment required since menopause is not a disease. However, you can go for some pills and natural therapies that can give you symptomatic relief.

Body detoxifying treatment, natural and/or herbal supplements, acupressure and Yoga and Pranayama have markedly improved menopausal symptoms without any side or harmful effects. Some of the naturopaths believe that acupressure and reflexology play important role in getting relief from menopausal symptoms. Low dose antidepressants, hormonal therapy, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) etc are also prescribed worldwide for menopausal symptoms.

One should keep hygiene at the private organs and should check out for the vaginal dryness, one of the leading causes for vaginal problems. Body cleansing programs may help overcoming such problems.

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Steve

atlas_junkie asked:


So I was just wondering… I know the average age for women to begin menopause is aroung 50 years old. Women are having babies at an older age lately and I was wondering if the menopause factor affects breastmilk production? If a woman is breastfeeding will it delay her menopause onset? If she delivers a baby and is breastfeeding will her milk production cease at menopause? Just curious.

David

polkae6036 asked:


I am 47 years old and my periods have become very heavy. They have always been very light. Is this a sign that I am starting to go through menopause? What can I expect next?

Julie

Cathy Taylor asked:


Many women experience menopausal joint pain symptoms. Medical experts have researched the connection between hormonal changes and this kind of pain.

 

Some women experience joint and muscle pain, mouth discomfort, headaches and some even report heart palpitations. Interestingly, women who suffer tension headaches, abdominal, or facial pain found their symptoms lessened after menopause. Scientists today feel there may indeed be a link between estrogen, hormone levels including their fluctuations and this phenomenon

 

Menopause and Joint Pain: Symptoms of Menopause

 

Menopause occurs when a women stops ovulating and her period ceases. Most women reach menopause between 45 and 55 years, with an average age of about 50. However, about 1% reaches it before the age of 40, known as premature menopause or premature ovarian failure.

 

The most apparent changes recorded are in connection with menstrual cycle changes, changes in the bleeding pattern, hot flashes, sweating and urinary problems, such as, incontinence or increased frequency of urination. Dry vagina, mood changes, muscular weakness, joint pains and weight changes are all symptoms of menopause and can cause a great deal of pain as well as general feelings of discomfort in different parts of the body.

 

Menopause and Irritability: The Risks

 

Menopause is a very important time in a woman’s life and all women who live past 40 must withstand the worst of this condition. A woman’s body goes through many changes that can affect her social life, her feelings about herself and her functioning at work. In the past, many misconceptions and myths surrounded menopause but this perception has changed. Now, menopause is accepted as a natural step in the process of aging.

 

Contrary to the old-fashioned view that life is all downhill after menopause, many women today realize that the years after menopause offer new discoveries and fresh challenges. Modern medical advances have resulted in a wide range of health care choices, especially for joint pain and bone deficiency problems.

 

These can enhance quality of life during menopause and the decades that follow. It is vital for women to know that menopause itself carries no serious health risks. However, the chance for heart disease and osteoporosis (thinning of the bone due to the inability of the body to produce bone tissue) rises after menopause. Understanding menopause and the range of treatment options can help women make better health decisions.

 

Menopause and Irritability: Causes and Symptoms

 

Research has shown that a quarter of women have no problems while going through menopause, while half of the number will have some problems and the remaining quarter of them will have considerable problems including joint pain.

 

These are usually associated with osteoporosis and arthritis, which results in weakening of the bones and the degeneration of the cartilage between the joints that can fracture easily following a fall.

 

Fluctuating estrogen levels and poor estrogen clearance, can affect how your joints feel. It stands to reason that some women would also have joint pains in response to the hormone fluctuations so common in perimenopause. It’s important to have yourself checked by your primary care physician for either osteoporosis or arthritis.

 

Menopause and Irritability: Treatment

 

There are also medications and exercises you can get that will overcome the severest of joint pains related to menopause. Some of these treatments include the use of steroids so it is critical to make this kind of decision in conjunction with your own doctor.

 

It’s also prudent to check for the possibility of side effects from using these drugs and get a second opinion before embarking on a long-term treatment.

Lynn

BILLIEB asked:


GOING THROUGH THE MENOPAUSE, WHAT HELPS?

Marlene

just me asked:


I am getting married soon and want to start the pill. I have prescription for it. However, I started missing my periods and have had tests that show that I am starting menopause.

Alvin

Cattitude asked:


Suddenly I am much weaker & I am in the middle of menopause. Just wondered if they’re connected.

Jamie

grndmasue asked:


All of a sudden my hair has the feeling of straw,which it never had.Im 49 and 5 yrs into menopause and I cant seem to find ANYTHING to soften my hair.I use a different conditioner every 3 days,which I have never had to do.My hair is just below shoulder length,coloured and thick.

Grace