As I made the journey from premenopause to menopause, I was one of the 'lucky' ones to experience dozens of seemingly unrelated symptoms. As I went from one specialist to another, none of them connected the dots, leaving me scared and frustrated. Eventually, after a lot of research, I discovered that most of these symptoms were actually hormone-related. Here are a few simple tips to help you find relief from specific symptoms.
One: Breast Pain- Bras are your friend
Silly though you may feel at first, wearing a comfortable bra that supports the weight of your breasts 24 hours a day will make you a lot more comfortable. Wearing a stretched out bra or one that is the wrong size can also contribute to your pain. Get fitted for a good supporting daytime bra, and perhaps a sports bra for overnight.
Two: Dry Eyes - Keep the fans off
Wind can irritate the eyes. Even while sleeping, a fan blowing on you can dry out your eyes, so you wake up with the lids all gluey.
Three: Back and Neck Pain - Get a Smaller Pocketbook
This is no joke. You may be dragging five to 10 pounds on your shoulder. If you're beginning to experience shoulder/neck pain, try switching to a mini-pocketbook for a few weeks to see if it makes a difference. Whatever doesn't fit can be carried in two hands. You're lugging around way too much stuff anyway!
Four: Migraines - Elimination of Migraine Triggers
Often, migraines are caused by external triggers that, once reduced or eliminated, can provide you with immense relief. This list contains common triggers for migraine. However, you may not be bothered by some of these items, but others not on the list may give you a whopping headache. For instance, I've gotten a migraine after sitting next to someone with strong perfume or even eating salad dressing with vinegar in it! When looking for these triggers, you want to think back over the past few hours before a headache started to figure out what may have triggered the headache. If you find a consistent source, you can then eliminate it. For instance, lanolin in hand cream can trigger a migraine for me.
- Becoming overtired
- Missed meals/letting your blood sugar fluctuate
- Bright lights and/or loud noise
- MSG
- Foods
- Chocolate
- Red wine and other alcohol
- Foods with nitrates (bacon, deli food)
- Moldy cheeses
Five: Skin care - Petroleum Jelly
Use plain, old petroleum jelly as a hand/elbow moisturizer. I'm very chemically sensitive, and after trying skin cream after skin cream, I discovered that plain old petroleum jelly worked wonders on my elbows and hands. People think they have to spend lots of money (for lots of ingredients... many of which do more harm than good), but the simple solutions listed above can really help.
Six: Vaginal Irritation - No perfume
Perfumed menstrual pads, soap, laundry detergent, fabric softener, even dryer sheets can irritate the vagina. Most products have an unscented version. You can find unscented versions of Purex laundry detergent, Downy fabric softener, and All dryer sheets.
Weight Gain (Four Tips)
Seven: Dump the Salt
It makes you retain water, causing bloating, increases high blood pressure, plus it contributes to excessive calcium loss, which increases the risk of osteoporosis. Unfortunately, salt is prevalent in so many processed foods. Adding it is like pouring gasoline on a fire. Learn to use spices, instead, to flavor your foods.
Eight: Recognizing the Big Lies
It's a lie that all your problems will be solved if you were only thin. Everyone has problems. Eating over them only distracts you with yet another problem... so now you have two problems. I used to diet and lose weight, only to find that as soon as I got thin, I still had problems. And then, I'd start eating again. All being thin and sane with food with do is give you a level playing field with which to face your life.
It's a lie that if you cannot keep from binging on a certain food today that you will be able to do so tomorrow. OK, maybe not tomorrow. But likely eventually, you will most likely find yourself out of control again.
Nine: Artificial sweeteners make you fat!
First off, look at a packet of Sweet & Low. Notice anything? The second ingredient is dextrose, which is just another name for sugar. Artificial sweeteners seem to be the mainstay of many dieting women. However, it can not only increase cravings tremendously, but can cause bloating. And this is aside from the other horrific health dangers of sweeteners such as Aspartame (NutraSweet), which is contained in many diet products (especially sodas and chewing gum).
If you are having uncontrollable cravings, try giving up artificial sweeteners for two weeks. I must warn you that the withdrawal can be very uncomfortable. Women don't realize how addicting these substances are. While you may feel that you cannot survive without the sweet taste of "something," you will definitely find that foods such as carrots and fruit will taste infinitely sweeter once your palate is cleaned out. If you must have some sweetener, try the herb Stevia, instead. However, as with all non-FDA-approved products, become educated. There is controversy even surrounding this natural sweetener.
Ten: No more alcohol
Alcohol is nothing more than refined flour and sugar. It's either fermented from fruit or grain, or distilled from fruit or grain. It's terrible for perimenopausal skin, not to mention what it does to your liver, etc. During perimenopause, you need to find ways to become more, not less, balanced and focused, which alcohol will definitely impair.
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