10 Ways to Care for Your Menopause

Menopause is the time in women’s lives when menstrual periods stop permanently and they are no longer able to bear children. Menopause occurs 12 months after the last menstrual period and typically between 49 and 52 years of age. Menopause occurring before 45 years old usually indicates there is a health issue(s), diagnosable or un-diagnosable by Western medicine. Normal periods may reoccur after health problems are cured before the age of 48.

At menopause, ovarian function and estrogen secretion levels decline, resulting in a series of physiological and psychological changes, such as hot flashes, irritability, insomnia, racing heartbeats, and a decline in bodily functions. Symptoms can last from a few months to years. Special care is required during this special time of life:

1. Adjust your diet.

At menopause, your digestive system, as well as many other bodily functions, may slow down. Consume foods that are easy to digest. Eat less in each meal to put less pressure on your digestive system, and increase your number of meals or snacks throughout the day to still provide enough nourishment to your body. Have more soft or liquidized foods that are easy on the stomach, and no deep-fried foods that are hard on your digestive system. Having more calcium-rich foods, such as milk, bone and bone marrow soup, to prevent bone loss. Drink fresh-made soy milk to provide estrogen.

Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that menopause happens due to the declining of the kidneys. Eat foods that nourish the kidneys, such as black sesame seeds, walnuts, pork, chicken, and Chinese yam.

2. Exercise for menopause symptoms

Kegel exercise. This is an exercise you can do almost anytime and anyplace. Relax the whole body and breathe naturally. Contract your anus as you inhale and relax your anus as you exhale. Do this exercise 3 times a day and 15 minutes each time.  Menopausal women are prone to uterine prolapse and urinary incontinence. This exercise may prevent or heal the prolapse and involuntary urinations.

Outdoor exercise, like walking and hiking, in a warm and pleasant day helps the body’s circulation and prevent bone loss.

3. Massage the Tai Xi meridian point on your kidney meridian to stimulate the kidneys.

Massage the point regularly helps circulation to the kidneys, relieves menopause symptoms, and helps smoothly going through the menopause period.

4. Have adequate sleep and sleep by 10 pm every night.

Sleep 7 to 8 hours each night for the body to regenerate and to maintain vitality.

5. Maintain the psychological balance.

Every woman must go through this special period. Face this reality and be in a good mental state at this special transformation when your body needs support the most for maintaining health.

6. Prevent genital infection.

During menopause, declining in body functions and urogenital atrophy results in a weakened immune system. So, keep the external genital clean to prevent urinary tract infection and vaginitis. If there is a discomfort in the reproductive system, seek medical attention in a timely manner.

7. Protect the body from extreme weather and excessive sweating.

The decline in bodily functions causes the body to be less resilient and to protect itself against external cold, chilly winds, damp weather, and sudden climate changes. The body is more exposed and absorbs the cold, wind, and dampness through the skin and nose. Dress appropriately to prevent illnesses caused by extreme weather getting inside the body. When you are sweaty, either from hot temperature or hot flashes, do not get into cold air to cool off. Dry the body right after to prevent the body from absorbing the dampness, which can potentially block the normal energy flow and blood circulation.

8. Closely monitor your abnormal premenopausal menstrual periods.

If experiencing abnormal bleeding for extended periods of time, severe tempers, or any other severe symptoms, please consult a doctor. Traditional Chinese doctors and medicinal herbs help to stop abnormal bleeding, reproduce new blood, and eliminate menopause symptoms. Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any bodily disorders and postmenopausal vaginal bleeding.

9. Use contraception until 12 months after periods have stopped to prevent abnormal pregnancies.

Within 12 months of period stopping, you still have the chance to get pregnant – and the pregnancy is at much higher risk of miscarriage and other pregnancy diseases, such as hydatidiform mole.

10. Taking hormone replacement therapy is not recommended due to its serious side effects.

If you do have the therapy, you must follow your doctor’s advice and closely monitor your bodily reactions from the therapy to prevent serious side effects and other diseases from occurring.