The mere mention of menopause is enough to strike fear into the hearts of many women. Even though it’s a natural and unavoidable stage of life, it doesn’t stop the dread of impending hot flushes and headaches.
Although it usually affects women around 45 to 55, about two per cent of women will go through a premature menopause before 40. This is usually caused by surgery which removes ovaries or the effect of chemotherapy on the body. The Peri-menopause is the stage preceding the last cycle, when periods and hormones fluctuate dramatically; often causing the unwelcome symptoms we associate with menopause.
Not all women suffer side effects either. Only 20 per cent of women suffer severe symptoms and another 20 per cent never experience any side effects at all.
If you are facing these symptoms, you could have menopause:
Physical
Hot flushes
Insomnia
Night sweats
Headaches
Itching sensation under the skin
Emotional
Depression
Low self-esteem
Forgetfulness
Sexual
Lack of libido Vaginal dryness and soreness with intercourse
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Thankfully, there are solutions to ease your journey. Exercise can counteract the effects of falling oestrogen levels during menopause. Take our quiz and find the right exercise to help you sail through this time of life:
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Text: bauersyndication.com.au / Additional reporting: Natalya Molok
A: Get there early so you have a chance to cool down before the others arrive.
B: Accidentally fall asleep on the sofa at home.
C: Jump at the chance – you don’t see enough of your friends.
D: It can be hard to make the effort but you love it once you’re out.
E: You just go along with their decisions but wish you were more vocal.
F: Push for the venue with the comfiest chairs.
A: Time to yourself to think and reflect.
B: Comfy pajamas and a good film.
C: Time spent with your family and friends.
D: Shopping and a show in town.
E: Feeling like you’ve acheived something to be proud of.
F: A soothing massage.
A: Outside by a river or the sea.
B: In a comfy armchair with a book.
C: In a cosy restaurant.
D: At a lively gig.
E: On top of a mountain.
F: At a soothing spa.
A: Blustery coastal walks.
B: Coffee – and lots of it.
C: Having a laugh at a comedy show.
D: Blasting outsome great music.
E: Working towards goals.
F: A good stretch.
Feeling hot and bothered? A dip in the pool could be the answer. As well as cooling you down and avoiding the sweatiness of a fitness class, swimming is low impact, so it won’t put your joints under pressure. Hot flushes are made worse by stress, and the meditative, soothing movements will help you keep calm.
More than half (61 per cent) of post-menopausal women report insomnia symptoms. This is because levels of oestrogen and progesterone, which help you sleep, decline. The effects of hot flushes, night sweats, and an increase in the stress hormone cortisol don’t make for sound sleep either. However, a Japanese study found that women who stretched for 10 minutes before bed, five times a week, reported that their menopusal symptoms were reduced.
According to a report by the London School of Economics, people playing sports in a team gain physical benefits from exercise and are also more satisfied wit their lives, compared to those training solo. Whether it’s badminton, table tennis or football, getting involved in a team sport will give you a sense of belonging and could lead to new friendships.
Feeling blue? Put the oomph back into your life with Zumba! This fast-paced dance class is suitable for all levels, and it’s been proven to have positive social and psychological benefits. Regular classes were found by researchers to reduce the weight and BMI of overweight women, as well as lowering blood pressure and resting heart rate.
If you want to feel strong and empowered at any age, weight training could be the answer. As little as 12 minutes of weight-bearing exercise three days a week can reduce your risk of osteoporosis and increase bone density, according to a study from the University of Michigan.
Pilates, names by Dr Helen Jones during a 2016 study as “a natural alternative to HRT”, is a great all-rounder, so if you are experiencing hot flushes or anxiety, it’s worth giving it a go. Just eight weeks of regular sessions led to a significant decrease in most menopausal symptoms.