How to Stay Healthy And Improve Quality Of Life During Menopause

A long time ago, women didn't have to worry about menopause. Since menopause doesn't occur until her late forties to early fifties and life expectancy rates were under forty, the subject of menopause probably never came up around the fire.

But then women started living longer and, to their unpleasant surprise, found that their bodies went through yet another transition. Menopause is the time in a women's life that signals the end of her reproductive years. The ovaries stop releasing eggs, her menstrual periods slow and then stop, and eventually her estrogen levels drop. And that's when the challenges of living in menopause begin.

Actually, the challenge of menopause starts a few years before then with the onset of perimenopause. This is the period of time when a woman's reproductive cycle begins slowing down.

This period of time is characterized by hot flashes, breast tenderness, mood swings, insomnia, fatigue, irregular periods, weight gain, and vaginal dryness. Maintaining good health during this period of time and after the onset of menopause is important. Staying healthy can help alleviate many of the symptoms as well as prevent or reduce other health complications associated with menopause such as the onset of osteoporosis.

The first step to staying healthy during perimenopause and menopause is to stop smoking. There are already hundreds of reasons to stop smoking but one that should give you some thought is that smoking may actually cause early menopause. Smoking also contributes to an increased risk of heart disease which kills twice as many women as men every year.

Another important thing you can start doing is exercise regularly. Menopause brings with it the risk of developing osteoporosis which the degeneration of bones. A workout regimen which includes weight-bearing exercises helps prevent the loss of bone mass that can make bones brittle and put you at a higher risk of breaks and fractures.

Health supplements that specifically address the health and nutrition needs of menopausal women are a good addition to any diet. A good supplement can help alleviate some of the symptoms of menopause such as fatigue and mood swings. Chances are, your doctor may prescribe medication to help with your symptoms.

If you would rather not use pharmaceuticals, then talk to your doctor about a healthy supplement that will provide you the support you need to get through menopause with your health intact. Although menopause can be a challenge to get through, doing what you can to stay healthy will go a long way towards helping you handle the change gracefully.