How to Manage Symptoms of Menopause

How do I manage symptoms of menopause...?

Many women do not need any special treatment for menopause. Eating healthy foods and keeping physically fit are important to feeling your best in the years leading up to menopause and beyond. But women who are bothered by some menopausal symptoms might want to try treatment.

Several treatment options, including menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), are available depending on your symptoms and other factors. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treatment so you can choose what’s best for you. There is no one treatment that is good for all women.

• Hot flashes- Some women report that eating or drinking hot or spicy foods, alcohol, or caffeine, feeling stressed, or being in a hot place can bring on hot flashes. Try to avoid any triggers that bring on your hot flashes.

  Dress in layers, and keep a fan in your home or workplace. If you are bothered by hot flashes or night sweats, ask your doctor about MHT. MHT works best at treating hot flashes and night sweats. If MHT is not an option for you, ask your doctor about trying antidepressant or epilepsy medicine to help manage symptoms. There is proof that these can relieve hot flashes for some women.

• Vaginal dryness- A water-based, over-the-counter vaginal lubricant (like K-Y® Jelly) can be helpful if sex is painful. A vaginal moisturizer (also over-the-counter) can provide lubrication and help keep needed moisture in vaginal tissues. Really bad vaginal dryness may need MHT.

  If vaginal dryness is the only reason for considering MHT, an estrogen product for the vagina is the best choice. Vaginal estrogen products (creams, tablet, ring) treat only the vagina.

• Problems sleeping- One of the best ways to get a good night's sleep is to be physically active. But, don’t exercise close to bedtime. Also avoid large meals, smoking, and working right before bedtime. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided after noon.

  Drinking something warm before bedtime, such as herbal tea (no caffeine) or warm milk, might help you to feel sleepy. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool, and use your bedroom only for sleeping and sex.

  Avoid napping during the day, and try to go to bed and get up at the same times every day. If you wake during the night and can't get back to sleep, get up and read until you’re sleepy. Don't just lie there. If hot flashes are the cause of sleep problems, treating the hot flashes will usually improve sleep.

• Mood swings- Some women report mood swings or "feeling blue" during the menopause transition. Women who had mood swings (PMS) before their periods or postpartum depression after giving birth may have more mood swings around the time of menopause. These are women who are sensitive to hormone changes.

  Often the mood swings will go away with time. If a woman is using MHT for hot flashes or another menopause symptom, sometimes her mood swings will get better, too. Also, getting enough sleep and staying physically active will help you to feel your best.

  Mood swings are not the same as depression.

• Trouble focusing, “fuzzy thinking,” forgetfulness- Some women complain of these symptoms in midlife. But studies suggest that natural menopause has little effect on memory or other “brain” functions.

  Also, recent studies suggest that women should not use MHT to protect against memory loss or brain diseases, including dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Getting enough sleep and keeping physically active might help manage symptoms. But if memory problems are really bad, talk to your doctor right away.

Testimonials...

"I have found Endoflex to be beneficial to manage symptoms of hot flashes brought on by menopause. I put a dab on each of my index fingers and then rub it into the bottom of my feet, or sometimes into my wrist. However, at the same time I started using EndoFlex I started drinking Ningxia Red every morning, (about 1-2 oz.) so I attribute my controlling of hot flashes to both products.

When I forget to put on EndoFlex I do find that I'm more prone to having a hot flash, and the same goes when I forget (another menopause symptom) to consume my daily Ningxia Red juice."

"After several years of trying soy & herbal products as well as briefly trying some hormone therapy which made many symptoms worse, I discovered Young Living oils. I'm using SclarEssence internally by putting 8 drops in a gelatin cap with a little carrier oil and gradually over about a month the hot flashes have all but disappeared.

I also take Thyromin once a day for further glandular support and EndoFlex applied topically (I use it full-strength) over my adrenals (kidney area) and thyroid. I sleep better, wake more refreshed & have fewer mood swings.

I can't say enough about how much essential oils have helped me in countless ways to manage symptoms of menopause. If possible find someone who can do some muscle testing to help you discover what may work best for your unique needs."

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