14 Healthy You: a guide to well-being


Relief frommenopausesymptoms Natural


Osteoporosis Doctorsmay


hormonal process is


different for everywoman


METRONEWS SERVICE M


enopause is a natural part of the female aging process.


Duringmenopause, a woman’s body, which was once primed for reproduction, is no longer able to produce children. Part of menopause is the cessation of menstruation. However, changes to one’s period is not the only signal that menopause has begun. Menopause is a


hormonal process that is different for just about every woman. The health and wellness resource Verywell Health advises that there are no hard and fast rules tomenopause, and its start, duration and ending vary fromwoman to woman. Formany, the transition will take around four years. The symptoms women


recommend medication or supplements to prevent or treat osteoporosis. A reduction in estrogen, which occurs during menopause, is directly related to a decrease in bone density. Hormone replacementmay be effective, and vitamin D supplementsmay help as well.Women whose bonemass was less than ideal before menopausemay find that they are at a greater risk for osteoporosis than those who had good bonemass.


Weight gain Women who are in


perimenopause or menopausemay find that excess body fat develops, especially around the waist. Healthline advises that womenmay have to cutmore calories and increase physical activity in order to combat weight gain. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps a person feel full and is low in calories.


A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can helpwomen combatweight gain, which is often one of the symptoms ofmenopause.


will experience are unique, but there are some that are relatively common. Addressing symptoms for comfort becomes a joint venture between women and their doctors.


Hot flashes Hot flashes are known as


vasomotor symptoms. They are often described as a sudden sensation of heat in the chest, face and head followed by flushing, perspiration and sometimes chills, advises


HarvardMedical School. Up to 80 per cent of women experience hot flashes duringmenopause. TheMayo Clinic says that


hormonal replacement therapy is an effective way to alleviate hot flashes. For those who can’t take hormones or prefer not to, low-dose antidepressants alsomay decrease menopausal hot flashes. Gabapentin for seizures and clonidine for high blood pressure are other drugs that may be used off-label for hot flashes.


Vaginal dryness TheMayo Clinic


says that estrogen can be administered


directly to the vagina using a cream, tablet or ring. This can help relieve vaginal dryness. For those who prefer nonhormonal avenues, lubricants also can addmoisture to make intercoursemore comfortable. It is important for women to be


honest with their doctors about menopause symptoms. Together they can work out a plan of action that can include natural and medicinal remedies for common symptoms.


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