Is meno-‘pausing’ your lifestyle?

Just like adolescence, this change in your body can be unnerving at times, but you will live to tell the tale! Although everybody experiences menopause and it’s symptoms in varying ways, we’ve got a few tips to help get you through this ‘up and down’ period of time.

Relax
Stress is a part of everybody’s life, whether you’re going through menopause or not. Thinking about how to deal with it constructively can improve your life whatever your age.

• Meditate – It may not be for everyone, but just 15 minutes a day of meditation can drastically improve not only your stress levels, but your ability to cope.
• Reach out – It is important to have a good support network around you in times such as this. When you’re feeling stressed or down, reach out to a friend, a health professional or even an online forum.

Talk to someone
You may feel like you’re on a rollercoaster ride of emotions throughout menopause, unable to find your keys and feel overly upset about it? Don’t worry – it’s normal!

• Tell your family – Although you’re the one that’s dealing with this crazy ride, your family are likely to notice it too. Let them know that you’re feeling sensitive or you’re having a down day/moment, it’s ok to admit it, and they can help you through it.

Cool down
You may feel as if your body’s thermostat is playing tricks on you, but numerous ladies have an extremely slender scope of comfort during menopause and it doesn’t take much to set off the alarm that screams at your body “cool off now!”

• Use breathing techniques – Breathing slowly and deeply when a hot flush comes on can shorten and lessen it
• Drink water – It’s important to say hydrated and replenish the water lost from your body during hot flushes
• Try and avoid hot and spicy foods – Spices can sometimes trigger hot flushes, even if you’ve always been eating them, so try and stay away, it won’t be forever.

Sleep
Another battle many face is fighting to get to sleep thanks to night sweats and hormone shifts, so give these things a try:

• Bedtime routine – If you’re struggling to get some well-earned shut eye, try to introduce a bedtime routine, for example you could take a bath and read a few chapters of a book. This helps relax your body and prepare for sleep
• Regulate the temperature of your room – Sleep with a light sheet under the duvet so you can kick off the top layer when you get too hot and still feel cosy, have a fan or keep your window open through the night and wear light cotton pyjamas.

As always, exercising and eating well will have a positive impact upon your menopause and make it easier to deal with. A diet that is rich in fruit and veg is ideal and why not go for a quick stroll and get some fresh air when you’re having a hot flush or feeling stressed?

Spire Harpenden Hospital

From pregnancy, childbirth and menopause - women’s bodies go through a lot. And a variety of health conditions can affect the female body and reproductive organs - such as painful fibroids, vaginal prolapse and cancer.

We offer a range of preventive and innovative treatment options for conditions that are specific to the needs of your body.

With empathy and respect, we offer fast and easy access to screening, investigations and innovative treatments for a number of gynaecological problems concerning you.

For expert advice on menopause and other women’s health issues, see one of our gynaecologists now.