Menopause Symptoms Relief

Menopause is the time when periods and ovulation cease, but the symptoms may begin one, two, or three years before this happens. Many authorities assure us that there is no reason why women should suffer from unpleasant menopausal symptoms, but the depressing fact is that many, many women have an unhappy and uncomfortable time.

If your life is being ruined or dominated by mood swings, depression, hot flashes, sweating, anxiety, insomnia, loss of libido, and dryness of the skin, mucous, and vagina, some or all the following suggestions may bring relief.

• Walk daily alone or with your partner or walking buddy. It will not only help to increase bone density and prevent osteoporosis, but being active every day is good for your long-term health and well-being and being outdoors can often bring a new perspective to life.

• Eat foods containing the anti-aging essential fatty acids to promote hormonal balance. These are found in olive oil, light olive oil, avocados, sunflower and sesame seeds, wheat germ (must be fresh and stored in the freezer), mackerel, herrings, sardines, salmon, and tuna.

• Taking borage (starflower) oil or evening primrose oil capsules can also be of benefit.

• Try and identify what food triggers your hot flashes. For many women, these are coffee, tea, alcohol and spicy food. Try and reduce your intake of these.

• Drink a cup of sage tea twice daily to help in the reduction of hot flashes. Two capsules of passionflower (or 1 dropperful of tincture) up to four times a day can help calm the nerves.

• Increasing the amount of water you drink can really help. Aim for at least 8 glasses each day — it's great for your skin too!

• Keep a journal. When have a hot flash, mood swing, palpitations, bout of binge eating, sudden elevated anxiety, panic attack, or any number of repetitive behavioral problems, take a pen and paper and write down what you were doing, what you were thinking, what you were feeling, with whom you were interacting, what they said to you, what you ate just prior to the onset of the problem, etc. By keeping a journal of the 'changes' you experience, you'll be able to identify those circumstances, foods, people, thoughts and activities that may have triggered the physical and emotional changes.