African American Women Understanding Menopause

Menopause is when the body ceases to menstruate for 12 months and consequently halts the production of Estrogen hormones which is considered as going through the "Change of Life".

When your body begins to change, what do you do?

Sometimes it is learning how to accept the curve balls that life throws you and hit a home run, or making lemon aid out of lemons and so on, you have heard them all and they are true, you have to believe them and move forward. If you are experiencing menopausal symptoms, just make the best of it. Don't allow yourself to be miserable.

Have you ever been around someone who complains constantly about everything? Don't turn into that miserable complaining person but the individual who knows how to rise above it all while you figure this thing out.

In 2005 a study was presented by Shirley B. Huffman, Jane E. Myers, and Lloyd Bond

Focusing on Menopause and African-American Women: Attitudes and Symptom Reporting

They stated: "The picture of midlife African American women that emerged from this study supports a multicultural perspective that is: Postmenopausal women recorded the most positive attitudes and perimenopausal women reported the most symptomatology. Taken as a whole, women in this study reported a slightly positive attitude toward menopause, although they held many negative beliefs about it. They believed menopause is both a natural midlife event and a reason to seek medical attention. They were concerned about what to expect during menopause. They saw few benefits to the experience apart from the cessation of menses and the end of fertility. Forty-nine percent believed women worry about losing their minds during menopause, while 71% believed women are concerned about how their husbands will feel about them after menopause. On the other hand, they believed after menopause women have a broader outlook on life and generally feel better than they have for years, beliefs that fostered their overall positive attitude toward menopause. If there is a taboo related to speaking about menopause in the African American culture, it did not appear to affect this population of women. Relatively few found it difficult to speak about menopause."

To assist you through this process I have provided a few quick menopausal relief tips:

1. Be conscious of your clothing you select to wear-If you dress too warm by wearing too many layers or if your fabric holds in body heat you could trigger flashes. Dress lightly in cottons (because they breath) and carry a sweater or jacket.

2. Don't sleep in a hot environment-keep room at a comfortable temperature, moderate heat or air conditioning, decrease the number of night sweats you experience

3. When you feel you are having an anxiety attack or your heart is palpitating fast, stop what you are doing and take several deep breaths, count to 10, sit and relax for a minute and take a sip of cold water. If it continues see a Doctor.

4. Exercise to keep the body stretched and strong. Helps to keep stress and anxiety down. Walk, run, do aerobics, what ever you choose, just move that body. If you are at work stop and take a short break and walk.

5. Exercise and challenge your brain daily to decrease fogginess and forgetfulness

6. Lastly, as African American women we tend to take care of everyone else but ourselves, become more aware of yourself and take better care of yourself

You deserve it.

Some of you have heard of power foods; here a few;

1. Soy
2. Nuts-Walnuts, Almonds
3. Fish
4. Yams
5. Flax seeds-Meal, Oil more affective
6. Teas-Black&Green
7. Green vegetables-Leafy green vegetables. The less cooked the better
8. Yogurt

It has been a pleasure sharing my knowledge and findings on menopause. It is my desire to better educate women and men so there is a better understanding and appreciation for what challenges lie ahead and how to address them head on so this becomes an easy transition for everyone.