Everything You Need To Know About Menopause

Going through every stage of life with grace is something that every human being strives for. 

Women particularly go through an array of bodily and hormonal changes before it’s all said and done. Menopause is one of the most substantial changes and one that you can face head-on when you have the right information.   

What is menopause? What should you expect from it? We’re happy to explain these points and others below.  

What Is Menopause?

Menopause is the period of time in which women stop getting menstrual periods. Since menstrual cycles are part of a woman’s fertility, menopause also marks the period of time where women no longer bear children. 

This happens in stages, starting at perimenopause, and then transitioning into full menopause. After menopause is complete, women are considered post-menopause. 

When Do Women Experience Menopause?

So what age is menopause usually?

In the United States, women generally hit menopause at the average age of 51 years old. This varies based on a lot of factors, but starting menopause in your later 40’s and early 50’s is fairly common. 

This is partially genetic, but factors like smoking can cause menopause to come about earlier than it otherwise would. Women often go through menopause around the same age that their mothers did. 

It’s important that you find an ob-gyn practice that can help you out.  

What Is Early Menopause?

There are certain situations that a woman might go through early menopause. Typically, a woman’s menopause is considered early if she goes through it between ages 40 and 45. 

In order to find out, you should go to the doctor and get an examination to see if you’re going through menopause or missing cycles for other reasons. 

What Are Some Symptoms of Menopause?

There are a number of symptoms that women experience when they begin to go through menopause. 

Experiencing hot flashes is one of the most common symptoms of menopause that women go through. A hot flash is a situation where you begin feeling flush with heat and sweating, even in situations where no heat is present. 

This might also come with redness of the face, as though you were eating hot foods or drinking hot beverages. 

You should also be aware of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Some of these symptoms might include vaginal dryness, itching, burning, pain during sex, and a lower libido. 

Other signs of menopause include disturbances in your sleep patterns, anxiety, depression, mood swings, fatigue, and more frequent urination. Keep tabs on these sorts of symptoms and remain aware of them so that you’re able to let your physician know if anything seems out of the ordinary. 

How Should Women Eat During Menopause?

The way that you eat will dictate a lot about the experience that you have when going through menopause. 

Eating the right foods for menopause is one of the most important things to consider since it can give you plenty of nutrients to help offset some of the symptoms. 

There are several foods to eat during menopause such as hemp seeds, avocados, and pumpkin seeds for the omega 3 fatty acid content. When you take in omega 3’s, you will have better blood flow and will be better able to balance out your hormones and improve your central nervous system. 

It’s important that you also look into foods like blueberries, blackberries, and grapes for vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients that can help your body’s natural systems. 

You should also take in plenty of leafy green vegetables, such as kale, collards, spinach, broccoli, and microgreens. These vegetables will provide plenty of calcium, iron, and other supplements. 

You have to also understand which foods to avoid during menopause. Some foods that you should stay away from include processed foods and refined carbohydrates. 

Eating processed foods can hamper your health because they are difficult for your body to digest and can exacerbate the symptoms of menopause. When you take in too many refined carbohydrates, you are more likely to have spikes in blood glucose levels, which makes your body more resistant to insulin. 

Limit your alcohol intake as much as possible, and make sure that you are drinking plenty of water each and every day.  

What Lifestyle Changes Help With Menopause?

In addition to eating the right food for menopause, take the time to get plenty of exercise. The absolute best thing you can do is exercise on a regular basis. 

When you take the time to run, lift weights, dance, jump rope, or otherwise get the blood pumping, you will be better able to ease pain and inflammation in your body. Exercise will help you get down to a comfortable weight so that your body also works optimally. 

Take the time to get as much sleep as you can. Getting the right amount of sleep will allow you to restore your mind and body so that it can work at its best each day. 

Talk to Your Doctor and Get the Help and Information That You Need

So what is menopause? Now that you understand a bit about this natural stage of life, you’ll be prepared to face it when the time comes. Don’t shy away from reaching out to some medical professionals that can assist you with the menopause process.

Lifeline Medical Associates can help you when you’re going through any sort of women’s health issue. Use our online form to send us a message when you’d like to book an appointment, ask a question, or anything else.