I decided to do my home work to find out what were the most frequently asked questions relating to menopause.
Firstly women want to know how long will these symptoms last?
The main thing that happens during menopause is that wonderful hormone oestrogen reduces. Suddenly we are full of it and then - bang! Going, going, gone!!!! While we are in our child bearing years this hormone is in plentiful supply, but now we no longer in need. So nature says "No more baby making for you! But while you are feeling so cocky with the idea that there will be no more periods, we'll throw in some nasty symptoms just to make you realise that having periods wasn't so bad!"
For some women the symptoms caused by this lowering of oestrogen may be unpleasant, they can be even more than unpleasant, but usually, lasts for a relatively short time. That's good news, isn't it!
But the body can be affected in many permanent ways. We all know we are more at risk of Osteoporosis. Any changes to our sexual and urinary organs can be related to the lowering of oestrogen, and of course we all know about heart disease.
So, it true, there will be current and long terms symptoms, but we can make a real impact by preventing and reducing risks by making positive life style changes. So we are going to change our lifestyles and find solutions to symptoms!!!!
This is where we are going to enlist your help. The wisest women out there are the ones who have lived through menopause and who have some very worthwhile answers and remedies. You may know something simple, a combination of things, a new approach - you tell us what helped you to overcome your symptoms and your ideas could be helpful to hundreds of women.
Will menopause impact on my usual activities and lifestyle?
This is a website for women over fifty. The chances are you are peri menopausal or menopausal so you are indeed affected. Well, does it impact in your life? If every woman over fifty said that their lives were devastated by menopause then the universe would be a very cruel place. There would be thousands of 'mad' women running around causing havoc. So, it appears that the world is not so cruel. Periods stop, yippee, symptoms can be addressed and lifestyle options are in your hands.
Life can be brilliant or you can make it a misery. Don't entirely blame menopause for life’s woes. You can actually have a clear bright outlook and an enthusiastic approach to everything - it's up to you.
Our goal here is to help you all feel fantastic about yourself. Love yourself and the tensions and the discontent will disappear because a happy, healthy woman can easily ignore or deal with a few irritating symptoms.
Exercise will make you feel great, any exercise. I will be hounding you to get out there and do something, anything! Eat well and fill yourself up with fruit and vegetables. Decide to treat your body as a temple, beautiful inside and out.
My motto about Ageing has always been: "You are here and getting older, or you are not here". Ageing things are happening to us as we move forwards but we can’t entirely blame menopause for everything. So, there is no point shuddering, some menopausal symptoms are to be expected and dealt with.
Help? Unexpected weight gain!
Holy Moly. One minute you have a regular weight, and then, you notice that bit of body between your boobs and hips suddenly expands out of all proportion. It's almost like nature has said, "Well, sad you can't have any more kids - so we've decided to make it look as though you are permanently pregnant!"
Unfortunately our metabolism changes and now that oestrogen is practically out of the picture, our body has to do stuff differently. So that means - so do we? We have to fight back on this one. I am on a project at the moment to see if I can move this bit of bulge. I don't know if it's possible but I will be trying. Check out the 'exercise' section to see how I am going.
We don't have to eat everything in sight. Inside our head our brain is controlling our body - but it's controlled by what we think - it only carries out the thought instruction. Believe it or not, this is where you really have control. Don’t worry if it is a bit of a struggle to learn self control because that is to be expected, but it is possible. To combat weight gain - the answer is exercise and diet combined. Sounds easy but everyone knows it takes lots of will power. But it can be done.
Are you forgetful?
Well, it’s true, you can blame menopause! Now isn't it great to have something to blame! Research has shown that those of you with active ovaries producing oestrogen or taking oestrogen HRT, have shown distinct differences than those of you who, due to menopause, have low oestrogen levels. What these distinct differences are I don't exactly know! But let's face it, we are all prone to the forgetfulness at any age.
I was speaking to my favourite Professor the other day, and during the conversation I just couldn't remember the name of a "fund" that I should know without hesitation. "Well," he said in a knowing way, "isn't that frustrating! You know you have it on the tip of your tongue and you can't quite get it." He said "You'll remember the minute you go out the door." This gorgeous gentleman is 81. So I am thrilled at my age to have menopause on my side at this point in time!
And it can't hurt to do crosswords…..
Why do I not want it when I can have it whenever? Natures last revenge!
Well, it's just great, isn't it? You finally have all the time in the world and you don't have to work around a week of periods, and then you might find the zing has zonged!!! Oestrogen - you know the more I read about it, I'm getting to realise this hormone has a lot to answer for!
Seems lack of oestrogen changes the lining of sexual organs which can cause pain and uncomfortable intercourse. How annoying is that? But the good thing is - there is an answer - so get yea to the doctor!
What causes sexual desire to lessen? I'm sure oestrogen has something to do with this as well! And you know, we are older and it could be that our sensations are less responsive, and it could be that more time and work needs to be taken by our partners to turn us on. I'm all for that! Hopefully we have partners who are happy to help us through the changes.
The old saying ‘quality not quantity’ springs to mind. If you keep in mind that you are still a sexy and gorgeous creature there should be no need to anguish about the demise of needing sex every night (week!) to feel womanly! You need to look at things differently. Accept that you are older and your desires have changed somewhat. But this is the time that you should want to make a meal out of each encounter. It takes time to prepare the meal but wow, all this thought and preparation has made it, oh, so delicious!!!!
