Menopause - A Natural Process

There has been a tendency to think of the menopause as an illness.  It's not.  It's simply another phase of a womans life.  How will you deal with your symptoms?.

Adopt a positive attitude 

It’s perhaps taking it a bit far to say that with the right attitude the menopause can be made into a welcome part of your life. However, the same actions that make life happier generally will make the menopause better, too.

 Take regular excersise
Regular exercise such as walking for 20-30 minutes three or four times a week can improve your health and add years to your life. Exercise strengthens your bones, increases wellbeing and can help make sleeping easier.

Eat well
Eating the right food is also important. For healthy bones, the body needs about 1500mg of calcium each day from dairy products such as milk products and cheese.

 Increase you fruit and vegetable intake
Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables provides the necessary minerals and vitamins for good general health and also helps to protect against cancer and heart disease.

Introduce Soya into your diet
There is some evidence that soy flour (or other foods rich in so-called ‘plant oestrogen’) can reduce menopausal flushings.

Cut down on smoking and drinking
Smoking and excessive drinking are never good for your health - but one glass of wine is never a bad way to end the day.

What help is there to get you through the Menopause?

Online information:

Menopause Matters is a very good independent, clinician-led website. They provide easily accessible, up-to-date, accurate information about the menopause, menopausal symptoms and treatment options.

Women's Health Concern provides excellent information on all aspects of women's health including the menopause

The Natural Menopause Advice Centre has some great information

NHS24 is an excellent information resource on the menopause

netdoctor.co.uk has some useful information

As always the BBC website has a wealth of fantastic information. 

 
Useful Reading

The New Natural Alternatives to HRT by Marilyn Glenville (Kyle Cathie Limited, 2002)

Cruising Through the Menopause - managing your menopause successfully without HRT by Maryon Stewart (Vermilion, 2000)

Menopause Naturally by Kitty Campion (Newleaf/Gill & Macmillan Ltd, 1998)

Ten Steps to a Natural Menopause by Leslie Kenton (Vermilion, 1999)

The Which? Guide to Complementary Medicine by Barbara Rowlands (Which? Books[Consumer Association], 1997)

Do YOU have any thoughts or views on getting through the Menopause?  Why not share them?

Menopause - What you Really Need to Know by Dr Sarah Brewer (Robinson, 2003)