Menopause.....
The big M' , a word that sends shivers down the spines of women of a certain age, worse is if one hasn't located their 'mate'.
I once met a lady who was always wary of her period not showing up that she would frequently carry out hormonal tests(assays) on her own without recommendation, just to study the changes in the numbers and to compare with what was within normal range. This didn't make any sense to me so we got talking one day and our discussion veered into marriage /child bearing, so I asked and she told me about a family history of early menopause and how she was at the point of willing to settle with an a**hole of a boyfriend just to bear children as quickly as possible (still cant wrap my head around that decision).
Anyway,for those who want to know, (side-eye at men), menopause is the period in a woman's life when the ovaries stop releasing eggs and the uterus stops producing and expelling the lining that it makes monthly to support a fertilized egg. This means the end of monthly menstruation and a whole new slew of symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings and vaginal dryness would arise.
A large number of women started having very early menopause. Some would stop having periods as early as their late 30s!
An early menopause has many side effects on your health. It is also the end of your reproductive life. That is why it is important to learn some ways to delay menopause.
There are ways to delay menopausal onset; however, this can only delay early menopause and not timely menopause. Timely menopause cannot be delayed.
Symptoms of early menopause
Hot flashes
Irregular periods,
Heavier or lighter than normal periods
Vaginal dryness,
Sudden changes in mood,
Lack of interest in sex,decrease in sexual drive,
Bladder irritability(increase in loss of bladder control).
If you notice any of these, please make an appointment with your doctor. A hormonal assay will likely be done to test the levels of several hormones which aid, for instance oestrogen production e.g estradiol.
Ways to prevent early menopause.
Exercise Regularly:
Menopause is most often a result of improper ovulation. Ovulation problems in turn happen when you have an unfit body. Our bodies are subjected to lots of pollution and junk
food these days that speeds up the ageing process. Exercise is one way to keep these toxins at bay. Do not let yourself go; even if you are 40, you deserve a good figure. And to achieve it you must exercise regularly.
Exercise also improves the blood circulation in general leading to regular periods.
Quit Smoking:
If you are smoker then you can expect an early menopause. Smoking inhibits the blood circulation in the body.
Unless the blood circulates to your uterus and ovaries, you will not have periods. Giving up on smoking is one of the best ways to delay menopause.
Have Lots Of Antioxidants:
Menopause in itself is a sign that you
are ageing. In other words, menopause is a landmark in your life; it says that you have crossed over to being an elderly lady. You may be past your prime but you still sustain the glow of youth for a couple of years. Eat foods that are rich in antioxidants like berries, olive oil, broccoli, bell peppers etc. These expel toxins from your body and delay the signs of ageing.
Eat Foods With Phytoestrogens:
Just before menopause, the levels
of the female hormone estrogen lowers down in the body. So if your body is not producing sufficient estrogen, you must induce it to do so. Have foods that are rich in phytoestrogens. These foods include soy products and whole grains like barley,legumes,fruits and rye.
The best part about delaying menopause is that it may give you a 2 or 3 precious years of reproductivity. It is almost impossible to
conceive a baby after menopause. Delaying this natural phenomenon can give you some more time to try and become a
mother. If you maintain a healthy lifestyle through your life, then you will have no need to delay menopause.
Photo credit
Www.health.com
www.changesmagazine.org
www.myvmc.com
