Signs Of Menopause

All women in their mid 40s and above the age of 50 experience menopause. The complete cessation of a woman’s periods is called menopause. This can be natural or medically induced due to surgery. It can last for a few years. During this time, there are several hormonal changes in a woman’s body. These changes emerge as the signs of menopause. There are several signs of menopause like severe mood changes, bad temper and dejection. Physically too, a woman’s body undergoes several changes.

Women experience a decrease in bone density with the onset of menopause. The calcium absorption of the body reduces. This results in repeated fractures and brittle nails that can be a sign of menopause. Women must therefore supplement their diet with dairy products. They must stop or reduce the intake of tea and coffee.

Dry skin is another sign of menopause. It is partly due to aging and exposure to the sun. A generous use of moisturizers can solve this problem. A woman can experience sudden hot flushes and break out in sweat. At night, the same hot flushes can disrupt sleep resulting in restlessness. These flushes are because of restriction of blood vessels. This can make the menopausal woman feel tired and sapped of energy all the time.

Urinary incontinence is also a sign of menopause. Because of changes in hormones, the tissues of the body lose their elasticity causing loss of control over the bladder. A menopausal woman can experience vaginal dryness and loss of interest in sexual matters.

After the age of 50, a woman must get a regular check up of her cholesterol levels. Increased cholesterol level can be a sign of menopause. A woman must exercise control over her diet and include green vegetables in her diet.

Many signs of menopause like falling hair or stiff joints can be confused with those of aging. However, it is a result of reduced production of estrogen and progesterone hormones. One can even have sudden excess hair growth due to over production of testosterone.

Some women have trouble in remembering things. This loss of memory can be a sign of menopause. Women become oversensitive and seem to cry at the slightest provocation. They feel left out and lonely. These changes in mental attitude are due to menopause.

Menopause is thus a difficult time for most women on the other side of fifty. With a good knowledge of the signs of menopause, one must handle women with greater understanding and sensitivity towards their feelings. Knowledge about the signs of menopause can also be helpful in tackling the problems better.

Early Signs Of Menopause

Developing menopause symptoms before the age of forty are early signs of menopause. Such early menopause could be due to surgical removal of ovaries, chemotherapy treatment for cancer, or due to early failure of ovaries. You therefore experience early signs of menopause much before other women experience normal menopause symptoms.

Menopause symptoms remain the same in cases of early menopause or normal menopause. The most common and early signs of menopause is hot flushes with excessive sweating in the middle of the night. Few other early signs of menopause include:

 Disturbed sleep, irritability and associated tiredness
 Headaches and body aches
 Memory loss and depression
Vaginal dryness and infections in urinary tract
Lack of sexual urge and arousal

These early signs of menopause occur due to hormonal imbalances. Although you cannot fight against such early signs of menopause, you can minimize the inherent risks due to such hormonal imbalances. Common fall out of lack of hormones is decreased bone density leading to thinning of bones or osteoporosis. You are therefore at a greater risk of fractures due to early signs of menopause. Sometimes it also increases chances of heart attacks.

How to combat Early Signs of Menopause

You can reduce or sometimes nullify early signs of menopause by adopting a healthier life style. Include many whole grains, fresh vegetables like leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, cucumber, etc., variety of fruits like citrus fruits, apples, berries, plums, etc. in your daily diet. Consume low fat diary products with high calcium content to compensate for the loss of calcium due to onset of the early signs of menopause.

Phytoestrogens are the estrogens available in plant food. Include more of soybeans, tofu, linseed bread, and legumes as these phytoestrogen rich foods can replenish your depleting estrogen levels due to early signs of menopause. Drink around eight glasses of water every day and reduce intake of caffeine products like coffee, tea, etc. to negate the effects of early signs of menopause. Limited consumption of alcohol, less than a glass each day, proves very helpful in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Eating small portions of lean meat, fish, or chicken many times in a week supplies more iron to your body, as early signs of menopause are often the result of lack of sufficient iron levels in your body. Vegetarians can substitute these with increased consumption of leafy vegetables and fruits to keep early signs of menopause at bay.

Another major factor helping in the smooth transition through your early signs of menopause is daily physical exercises for a minimum of half an hour. Brisk walking, dancing, and other simple exercises keep your bones healthy, prevent bone loss, reduce weight gain, improve your heart condition, and develop your overall health. A positive and optimistic approach towards life also helps maintain your balance.

Problems with menstruation

Some women face abnormal periods that usually stop for 6 months or more are said to have amenorrhea or the absence of menstruation which is also known as secondary amenorrhea. Here it is worth to mention that girls who don’t menstruate by the age of 16 have primary amenorrhea.

Secondary amenorrhea does not include minor lateness of a period and in case of some women, menstrual cycles of 5-6 weeks are quite normal. Stress is also a considerable factor and at times when you worry that you are or not pregnant also leads your period to be late by a week or two.

Severe emotional and physical stress or mental health problems could even cause the periods to delay or stop for a long time. Amenorrhea at a higher stage also leads to problems with the hormones that regulate menstruation. The glands that produce hormones affecting menstruation include the pituitary gland at the base of the brain, the adrenal glands on the top of the kidneys, the thyroid gland in the neck and the ovaries.

It can take a period from 6 months to a year for normal periods to resume after a woman stops taking birth control pills because the pill blocks certain hormones involved in menstruation and it can also take long for those hormones to return to normal which are involved in menstruation. Menstruation also stops during pregnancy. In case of some women, menstruation either stops or never stops because their ovaries don’t respond properly to those hormones that trigger the release of an egg. These women are also unable to ovulate on their own and therefore menstruation is not possible without ovulation. Some women do not even produce enough estrogen hormones to ovulate. Other reasons of amenorrhea are ovarian cysts and obstructions or other problems in the reproductive tract.

Other factors that could cause menstruation to stop includes excessive exercise, obesity, poor nutrition, diabetes, chronic illness, tuberculosis, medications including birth control pills, narcotics, major tranquilizers and cancer chemotherapy drugs.

In some rare cases of primary amenorrhea, there is no opening in the hymen through which the blood flows and about one third of girls with primary amenorrhea have a genetic disorder or problem with their reproductive tract.

Menopause and Anger

During Perimenopause, in the transitional period before menopause, women experience a number of emotional problems and mood swings, including anger, in addition to physical changes. According to experts, perimenopause does not cause anger and other mood swings, but fluctuations in hormone production during perimenopause trigger anger, depression and other mood swings that are already pre-existing.

Many women, at a slightest provocation, would have waves of intense emotions, such as anger go through them. Many would be intolerant of behaviors that transgressed their own limits, and limits of others. Some women would be focused on their sense of outrage and anger, and would intervene, frequently on behalf of others.

Simple changes in your life style can lessen stresses, such as, anger and other mood swings, during the period leading to menopause. Following an exercise regimen is one good way of reducing anger during menopause. Exercise, a great stress-reliever has antidepressant and anxiolytic (anxiety relieving) effects.  Regular exercisers typically have fewer mental and physical health problems, and brisk walks three times a week will help you during Perimenopause to reduce the severity of anger and other mood swings.

Exercising also stimulates endorphins, hormones that reduce the sensation of pain and affect emotions, such as anger, and boosts Serotonin levels. Serotonin regulates cyclic body processes. In addition, exercise helps you sleep better, and controls weight gain, which is normally associated with perimenopause and menopause. It is far better to take out your pent up emotions and anger on the jogging/walking track and the gym equipments, than on your family, friends and colleagues!

If you have a medical condition, consult your doctor before deciding on an exercise regimen. It would normally take several weeks, as much as four months, before you will see improvements in your mood swings and anger.



Effect of Diet on Anger During Menopause
For women in perimenopause and menopause, diet has a great effect on the emotional aspects, such as anger. Diets rich in protein and especially Omega-3 fatty acids, reduced intake of sugar, caffeine and carbohydrates, etc, should be highly preferred. Salmon, tuna, and other cold-water fish and flaxseed oil are the sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.

To overcome anger and other anxiety and mood swings; women in perimenopause and menopause should supplement their diet with:

· Amino acid tryptophan - a natural relaxant that reduces anxiety and depression by increasing serotonin levels.
· Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) - It works as a natural tranquilizer.
· DLPA (D, L-phenylalanine) - It bolsters mood-elevating chemicals in the brain and blocks a nervous system enzyme that amplifies pain signals. It is a more effective pain reliever in combination with GABA.
· Tyrosene - It is a natural stimulant and very appropriate to get rid of mood swings.

In comparison to pre-menopausal women, women during perimenopause and menopause have a double risk of experiencing anger, depression and other mood swings. It has been found that, it makes no difference to the above experiences whether you are taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or not.

Living With Menopause

Some women will say that menopause is a natural experience and quite enjoyable. Most women will not agree. The symptoms of menopause can be confusing and difficult for both women and everyone around them. Diet and exercise can help women ease them into the next stage of their life and it really does make a difference.

Many women go through menopause without even knowing or understanding what is going on with their bodies. The number of eggs in women’s ovaries decreases and estrogen and progesterone levels waver and then decline. Periods will be irregular for a while (different with all women) and then stop altogether. Because of the drastic hormone changes, women’s bodies go through various side effects.

Menopause side effects aren’t your everyday headaches and cramps, but instead women could suffer some serious health effects. Weight is usually redistributed and will go straight to the stomach. This is why an exercise program is encouraged. There is also an increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. Consuming extra calcium can help prevent osteoporosis. Cholesterol levels also rise in many women.

Symptoms of menopause that most women can expect to experience, whether mild or severe, include hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, mood swings, frequent urination, vaginal dryness, and even depression in some cases. There are conventional medications that can be taken to boost your estrogen levels and help minimize symptoms. One of the best ways to enjoy a healthy, happy menopause lifestyle is by eating a nutritious and healthy diet.

During menopause it is important that you keep in close contact with your doctor and schedule regular check up appointments. You will need regular physical examinations and regular Pap smears as a precaution. After menopause, be prepared to have a mammogram every year or two after the age of 40, and then annually after 50. Try and schedule a screening for colon cancer about every three to five years and a cholesterol check every three years as well. While most of these check-ups and screenings are only preventative and precautionary, it is still a good idea to have them done so as to ensure your health. Because women have a tendency to be plagued with osteoporosis and bone deterioration, some doctors will suggest an ultrasound of the pelvic area to measure bone density.

All women will have a list of questions to ask both before the menopause process starts, during the transition, and afterwards. It is important that women stay well informed about the changes going on in their bodies. One of the easiest ways to do this is stay in close contact with your doctor, and if you have embarrassing questions, ask him anyway, he’s probably been asked the same thing before.

Why Worry About Menopause?

As a woman who wants to know about the symptoms of menopause, it is important to have a deeper understanding of what menopause really is. This deeper understanding will give you more insight into what to expect as menopause starts.

There are many women who don't have all the true information about menopause, except some myths and none-fact information about menopause. Such information only ends up confusing you, instead of helping you.

Menopause is simply the permanent end to menstruation of women. The time that this occurs varies from women to women. In the United States, for example, most women start experiencing menopause from their late 40s. Many other women, start experiencing menopause in their early 50s.

While some women happily and patiently look forward to it, others get scared of it. For those who look forward to it, they could be tired of monthly menstruation and look forward to menopause knowing they would no longer menstruate. This is especially true for ladies who always have painful menstrual periods.

For those who get scared of it, they could still be expecting to bear children and so don't want menopause since it will signal an end to child bearing.

Whichever category you fall into, menopause signals the end of your ability as a lady to bear children. Menopause in most women is preceded by 10 to 15 years during which the ovaries gradually stop producing eggs and sex hormones. This period is also known as the climacteric period.

Instead of worrying stiff about when menopause will start and the symptoms, it’s more important to start preparing your mind and body for it. If you need to bear children, start early before your late 40s and early 50s. This will ensure you get done with child bearing before menopause catches up with you.

First Symptoms Of Menopause

Normally, women experience the first symptoms of menopause during their late thirties and early forties. Menopause is a natural occurrence and a gradual transition occurring in every woman. Menopause is not any disease or illness but a total cessation of menstrual cycles for twelve months or more. Some women experience first symptoms of menopause earlier than other women do.

Early development of first symptoms of menopause could be due to higher stress levels, unhealthy lifestyle, lack of regular exercise, irregular eating patterns, insufficient consumption of healthy foods, etc. The most prominent first symptoms of menopause are irregular menstrual cycles. Menstrual flow during such period could be very high or extremely low.

While you experience the first symptoms of menopause, your menstrual cycles could occur frequently within a fortnight or sometimes, you miss your periods for over a full month too. There could be widening gap between menstrual periods overtime.

There is also no set limit over the menstrual flow, sometimes it could be for three to five days while sometimes it could continue for more than a week. The first symptoms of menopause could lead to total disruption in your regular and systematic menstrual cycles.

Other common first symptoms of menopause include tenderness in breasts, inability to handle stress, lapse of memory and other nervous problems like depression, anxiety, confusing thoughts, mood swings, etc. It is common to note the setting in of the first symptoms of menopause with a gain in your body weight. Your body tends to retain more water and you seem to bloat.

Changes in hormone levels in your body indicate the first symptoms of menopause. Such hormonal changes are often the cause for your low energy levels and a lower drive to face the challenges in life. In other words, you seem to lack sufficient interest in life. These hormonal changes are also the cause behind your sudden hot flashes, which are the most common first symptoms of menopause.

You experience such sudden hot flashes at any time, more often at night. There is no method to predict occurrence of these first symptoms of menopause. More than forty percent of women having regular menstrual cycles also experience such hot flashes in their forties. These are therefore a prelude to the first symptoms of menopause.

There is no particular time limit for occurrence of such hot flashes. Around eighty percent of women experience hot flashes for around five years while around ten percent of women experience it for ten years too. Although there is nothing to predict their occurrence or lapse, these first symptoms of menopause definitely decrease overtime.

How To Survive Menopause

Ever heard of hot flushes and mood swings? These are among the common symptoms of this medical condition commonly associated with women called menopause.

Menopause is actually a process which results to the stoppage of a woman’s monthly period. Menopause, which is characterized by hormonal changes, begins between the ages of 40 and 50.

A woman who is undergoing the process of menopause experiences lots of hormonal changes which are manifested through various symptoms like hot flushes, irritability, erratic menstrual cycle and other symptoms. Women who are in the process of getting menopause may also experience insomnia, loss of sexual urge, forgetfulness, headaches, osteoporosis and even gain in weight.

The whole cycle of menopause merely prepares a woman for that time when she stops ovulating because her ovaries have stopped producing eggs for the process of ovulation. During this process, a woman’s estrogen decreases while her progesterone is produced in minimal levels. The lack of progesterone results to a thinner uterus lining and a stoppage of the monthly menstrual cycle.

The symptoms of menopause can be quite unnerving for women particularly the changing moods and the hot flushes. However, there are ways to lessen the impact of these symptoms like estrogen replacement therapy for hot flushes. Most women however decline its use due to the risk of cyclical bleeding and getting cancer.

Menopause is not really something new because it naturally occurs in a woman’s life. However, menopause is not experienced by women alone because there is also male menopause called andropause

Women who refuse to use synthetic hormone replacement can take other options depending on the specific symptoms they are experiencing. What is important is they live a healthy lifestyle by eating the right kind of food, getting regular exercise, and refraining from bad habits like smoking and drinking.

There are menopausal women who opt for alternative or herbal medicines. However, it is safe to consult their doctors first before using these herbal medicines to make sure these are not harmful to them.

Most of the women who dread menopause are usually women who lack the basic information of what menopause is. Menopause is part of a woman‘s reproductive make up and no one can avoid it. Being in this stage does not mean they can no longer live the way they used to do. There are just changes that women have to live with and confront. Instead of dreading that day when menopause sets in, women should get to know more about menopause, its symptoms and how they can live healthier and more active lives after menopause.

Early Menopause Symptoms

When a woman experiences menopause before the age of 40 it is termed perimenopause or early menopause. Early menopause symptoms are the same as those of normal menopause. Early menopause symptoms manifest themselves in the form of brittle bones, mood changes, heart disease and other problems.

Early menopause symptoms are seen more in women who smoke regularly and those who have never conceived. Such women are more prone to heart attacks and an increased cholesterol level. Since menopause has occurred earlier than usual, such women must consult their doctor to learn about ways to fight the early menopause symptoms.

Early menopause symptoms result from decrease in production of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. This causes less absorption of calcium and results in fractures. One should therefore take calcium supplements in the diet, in the form of leafy vegetables and soy products.

Hot flushes and nighttime sweating are one of the most common early menopause symptoms. These are caused due to constraint of blood vessels. Hot flushes disturb one’s sleep and can cause insomnia. One becomes restless and a lack of rest can leave a person feeling irritable.

Other early menopause symptoms include dry skin and a persistent burning sensation on the body. Applying a lot of moisturizer all over the body can treat this. One gets migraine attacks from time to time and the joints become stiff.

Reduction in hormone production causes a loss of elasticity in body tissues. Due to this women experience early menopause symptoms like vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and a general lack of interest in sexual matters. Women may get an urge to urinate more frequently due to some loss of bladder control.

In general, the premature onset of menopause is a tough time for any woman with increase in occurrence of early menopause symptoms like fatigue, low self–confidence and a general feeling of rejection. However, information about the early menopause symptoms ensures that one can handle menopause better.

One must adopt healthy habits in the mid-thirties itself. This includes no smoking, a moderate intake of alcohol and a nutritious diet of green vegetables and lean meats. All women must take a cup of low-fat milk everyday to build healthy bones and a store of calcium in the body.

It is a good idea to reduce the intake of tea and coffee to a minimum since this hampers absorption of calcium. One can substitute the body’s hormones by natural plant estrogens like tofu. A woman must incorporate a regular exercise regimen in her daily schedule. This can be in the form of a brisk walk or any other physical activity to build strong bones.

Overall, physical activity induces a feeling of good health and is the best weapon against early menopause symptoms. One can also take hormone replacement therapy under strict medical supervision to combat early menopause symptoms. The line of treatment to overcome early menopause symptoms varies from a woman to woman and depends on the individual’s needs and physical health.

5 Physical Symptoms Of Menopause

While thinking about the symptoms of menopause, it is important for you to know and understand that these symptoms differ from women to women. Certain factors like difference in diet and nutrition, general health and health care, etc all affect the way women experience menopause.

The general physical symptoms of most women approaching or experiencing menopause include:

Longer menstrual periods

For a woman who usually has short menstrual periods of, say, 4 days, this can increase to more days. When this occurs, it could be one of the symptoms that she is approaching her menopause. When you notice that this is happening to you and you are approaching your late 40s, there is nothing to worry about. Simply know that this is a symptom of menopause.

Heavier menstrual flows

Some women also notice that their menstrual flows are now heavier than usual. If this happens to you and you are sure that nothing else is wrong with you physically, then know that you could be approaching your menopause, especially if the age is right. If the age is not right, then you are not approaching menopause.

Spotting

Spotting is the situation whereby little drops of blood comes out during the time when you are supposed to be menstruating. When this occurs, it could be a sign of menopause. First, check whether you could be pregnant or not. If not, and if it continues, then it could be a sign of menopause.

Menstrual periods irregularity

There is also the tendency that you will experience general menstrual periods irregularity when you are approaching menopause. When this happens and you know nothing is wrong with you health wise, then it is a symptom of menopause.

Lack of interest in sex

Lack of interest in sex for most women in menopause occurs partly because there is now less fun when having sex. This is because as menopause happens, the estrogen levels decline, thereby making the vaginal walls less elastic and thinner. This eventually leads to pain or discomfort during sex. To solve this problem, there is the need for sufficient vaginal lubrication for women who are experiencing menopause and still want to enjoy sex with their partners.

Hair Loss and Menopause

Menopause results in many physical changes in a woman’s body. There is a rapid hair loss menopause due to changes in the hormonal levels in the woman’s body. The female hormone estrogen balances out the effects of androgens like DHT. After menopause estrogen, production reduces. Testosterone in the woman’s body combines with an enzyme to produce DHT that causes hair loss menopause.

One way to combat hair loss menopause is to eat food that is more nutritious. A woman must eat green leafy vegetables that contain vitamins, zinc and copper. Intake of vitamin C, B and E in food promotes hair growth. One must eat herbs, as fennel seeds that are a good source of vitamin C. Citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C. However, there must be a proper balance between vitamin C, zinc and copper intake. An increase in vitamin C and zinc inhibits absorption of copper and vice versa.

Another way to minimize hair loss menopause is to condition hair with natural products like henna. This gives natural color to the hair and is a good conditioner. One must use fewer chemicals in washing hair and change shampoos frequently. It is advisable to let hair dry naturally rather than using a hair dryer for the same.

Women must use a hairbrush to comb wet hair. This avoids breakage and thus reduces hair loss menopause. Women who swim must avoid exposure to chlorinated water. For this, they must wear a cap while swimming and use chlorine filter to filter the water during a shower.

Amino acids promote the growth of scalp hair. However, menopause occurs with aging when the body absorbs less amino acid. Therefore, women must take high sulfur content foods that contain amino acids, like eggs. Those allergic to eggs can consume sulfur in the form of a supplement that is available at all pharmacists. These diet modifications can greatly reduce hair loss menopause.

One can adopt measures to slow down hair loss menopause. This includes stimulating the scalp with a massage or simply running one’s fingers through one’s scalp. This stimulates blood flow and promotes hair growth.

Hair loss menopause greatly affects women’s self-esteem and confidence. This is because there is a change in their physical appearance with growing age. A good haircut that gives a fuller appearance to the hair is compulsory for such women.

Hair loss menopause is a natural phenomenon that is nonreversible. Changes in one’s diet and a stress on natural ingredients in hair maintenance can greatly prolong the life of one’s hair. One can take medication like propecia for hair growth or go for a hair transplant to get a new crop of hair. However, these treatments are long-term and costly. Therefore, one must weigh the risks and payoffs of every treatment before selecting the best solution for hair loss menopause.

The Facts About Menopause

Menopause is related to women who are advanced in age. This is the time in their life when the menstruation cycle stops. Many people also refer to menopause as the change of life. The ovaries stop producing estrogen, which is the female hormone, marking the end of childbearing years.

Because there is a lack of estrogen the body reacts by shutting down the reproductive organs, which is the reason why women who have been through menopause can no longer have children. Menopause can also be triggered earlier if a woman has a complete hysterectomy; once again this is due to the lack of estrogen produced by the woman’s reproductive organs.

As the body adapts to this new change it will react with certain symptoms some of the very well known symptoms are hot flushes and heart palpitations. There are also psychological symptoms that may appear such as depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings and lack of concentration. There may also be increased light and irregular menstrual periods during this transition period.

These symptoms are considered to be normal, and may range in severity. Some women hardly even know they are experiencing menopause and notice very few of the above symptoms, while others have severe reactions.

Menopausal symptoms generally last between 6-12 months in most women, although some women may experience all or some of these symptoms for as long as 5 years. In these extreme cases there may be medical approaches taken to ease the symptoms. One common approach is hormone replacement therapy.

There are some risks and benefits to having hormone replacement therapy; one of the benefits is a reduced risk of the onset of osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of getting osteoporosis.

Some of the risks involved with hormone replacement therapy are an increased chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

These risks and benefits are discussed thoroughly with a doctor before hormone replacement therapy is started. It is up to each woman to choose what approach will be taken toward her menopausal symptoms, once the risks and benefits have been discussed.

Onset of menopause is likely to begin at around the age of 50 years, if the woman has had a serious illness or suffered from cancer requiring chemotherapy, it is likely there will be an earlier onset of menopause, in some cases if the woman is under 40 it is considered to be premature menopause.

Menopause is considered to be a natural part of a woman’s ageing process and these symptoms are considered to be normal. If a woman has any concerns during this time of her life it is best to seek the help of a medical professional, who will be able to offer advice and ways to reduce the severity of symptoms.

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Menstrual pain,Strike Pain Out

Quite wrongly, many women endure pain and muscle cramps during their period believing it to be normal. But it isn't, especially those that cause excessive pain. More importantly, it could be a signal or symptom for something more serious like an infection or disease. However, menstrual pain isn't all that bad. In fact, it is an indicator of women's health. Studies have proven that women who experience menstrual pains are more fertile, as the pains are closely-linked to ovulation cycles.

Good or bad, menstrual pain is still a source of discomfort and must be relieved. Menstrual pain can occur a day before or during the actual menstruation. Usually centering on the lower abdominal muscles to the pelvic area, the pain usually spreads to the back and thighs. In other women, it can also cause chills, nausea, or fever. But since medical attention can't be had readily, educators about women's health have advised several methods to relieve menstrual pain.

Menstrual cramp medications are readily available in drug stores. Some can be as common as a painkiller medication like naproxen or ibuprofen. They limit or stop the release of pain signals called prostaglandin. This translates into lesser pain. As some cramps are caused by blood clots that impede the release of menstrual flow, these medications also work prevent blood clots. Also, since these medicines are non-aspirin or narcotic-based, women with allergies or even younger girls can safely take them. In addition, these medicines can be taken before or during the onset of cramps, eliminating the need to keep timetables of medicine intake. Women can also change brands if the formulation of their old brand does not work well anymore. Keep in mind to ingest one that lasts for 10-12 hours before sleeping at night. The availability of cramp medications is truly a big leap for women's health.

Regular exercise had been also proven to prevent or stop menstrual pains. Jogging, brisk walking, and other varieties of physical activity releases toxins and stress from the body which could worsen cramping. Diet also plays a big part in alleviating cramps and menstrual pains. It is advised to avoid eating food with high salt content which is water-retentive as this could raise the bloating factor that usually accompanies cramping. Plus, being fit is a major step in keeping women's health in-check.

Lastly, it is imperative that menstrual pain or cramping that doesn't go away should be reported to the doctor immediately. It is also a good idea to get annual reproductive system check-ups such as Pap-smears. Remember that women's health are dependent on a precarious hormonal balance. It would save women much time and trouble to have diseases or irregularities checked and corrected even before they develop to full-blown diseases.

Menopause Primer

Menopause is often cryptically referred to as "the change of life." But as lovely as this sounds, it doesn't tell anyone a whole lot about menopause. After all, there are plenty of "changes to live" experienced by men and women of all ages that has nothing to do with menopause.

Menopause is something every woman with all her reproductive organs eventually experiences. Menopause is a natural part of the biological process. It is not a disease or illness although some menopause side effects can be unpleasant.

Some doctors claim that menopause is a process that can start in a woman in her 30s and last as late as her 60s. But menopause occurs in most women between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause is officially the full stopping of menstrual periods for at least 12 months in a row.

Some of the signs and symptoms of menopause include the obvious, irregular periods. Unpredictability of periods is one of the first signs of menopause. Menstrual periods can suddenly vary between gradually getting lighter, then heavier, and then lighter again.

Another sign of menopause is decreased fertility. A menopausal woman does not ovulate and cannot get pregnant. But women in the menopause transition should still be cautious. Pregnancy in a woman who hasn't completed menopause can still happen, especially if it's only been a few months since her periods stopped. Remember, full menopause doesn't occur until a woman's menstrual periods have stopped for at least 12 months.

Menopause is caused by a woman's estrogen levels decreasing. So a woman in menopause doesn't produce enough estrogen to keep the vagina and urethra well lubricated. So menopause causes the vagina and urethra to become less elastic and drier, causing those areas to become itchier and more at risk for infections. Sex can also be more uncomfortable for women in menopause.

The drops in estrogen levels during menopause can also cause what's called hot flashes. Hot flashes are often the butt of jokes, but can be quite bad for some women experiencing menopause. Hot flashes in menopause last at least 30 seconds to up to several minutes. They're characterized by a flushed face and red blotches on chest, neck and arms. They can happen any time during the day or night.
Other symptoms and signs of menopause include an inability to sleep as well as a modest - usually five-pound - weight gain. Adult acne can get worse during menopause. Plus with decreased estrogen levels in menopause, the small amounts of testosterone every female produces takes over. Because of this, sometimes women in menopause can get coarse facial hair and coarse hair on the chest and stomach.

Menopause is a natural life transition. But sometimes complications in the process of menopause occur. For example, if a woman knows for sure she's in menopause (that is she hasn't had a period for at least 12 months in a row), and she's bleeding from her vagina, she should go see a doctor.

If a woman thinks she's in menopause, but isn't sure, she can always go to a doctor. Depending on the situation, a doctor might take a blood test to determine menopause. In this case, a blood sample is usually tested for the level of estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). During menopause FSH levels increase as estrogen levels decrease. So higher levels of FSH and lower levels of estrogen will show a woman has gone into menopause.