When it comes to facing menopause, you'll find yourself experiencing many symptoms that you'll need to manage. Although there are many different ways to manage menopause symptoms, hormone replacement therapy is a viable option in many cases. Here are a few of the symptoms that this type of therapy can help you to manage.
Moodiness
The hormone changes that happen in the early stages of menopause can leave you feeling depressed, anxious, irritable and fatigued. You may be able to help regulate some of these mood swings and anxiety attacks with relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing. Add to that routine exercise and healthy foods and you may find that those mood swings lessen in frequency and intensity.
You should also talk with your doctor about any problems you're having with mood swings, because he or she may be able to help you evaluate your overall condition and determine what therapy options may be the best for you. Mood swings caused by chemical imbalances can be treated through the use of various supplements and medications. Hormone replacement therapy may help you to maintain more consistent moods.
In addition, your doctor may recommend that you take an anti-depressant to help protect you from severe depression. When paired with hormone replacement therapy and routine visits, it can reduce the risk of emotional struggles. Go to sites that specialize in hormone therapy for more information.
Incontinence
Incontinence is a common problem for women in menopause. Although severe cases are corrected using surgery or medication, there are other options to help you regulate your bladder control. Make sure that you are drinking enough water to keep your urine pale in color. This helps to reduce irritation of the bladder wall, which can reduce the risk of incontinence issues.
Eliminate acidic and caffeinated products as much as possible, because these types of products can irritate your bladder. This means avoiding foods like citrus, tomatoes and coffee. You may even find that pelvic floor muscle exercises will help strengthen the muscle tissue around your bladder and reduce the frequency of your incontinence issues.
Night Sweat
Night sweats are a nuisance that can make sleep difficult and leave you uncomfortable. To make sleep come easier, wear light clothing when you go to bed, and opt for bedding that's in layers. This will allow you to remove layers as needed at night for comfort. Add a small oscillating fan beside the bed to help keep you cool, and consider keeping ice water beside the bed.
You can also add a bit of cooling to your bed by placing an ice pack in your pillow or keeping a cold pack in your freezer that you can grab at night if you wake up warm.
Insomnia
Sleep can be elusive in the early stages of menopause and throughout. Although there are some over-the-counter sleep medications that can help ease this, there are other things that you can do to help reduce your need for medication.
Keep your sleep and waking times as consistent as possible, including on weekends. This helps to train your body for consistent sleep cycles. Spend some time before going to bed relaxing. Consider soaking in a warm bath, reading a book or doing other things that encourage calm and peace.
Have a small, light snack of peanut butter toast before bed. The tryptophan in peanuts may help you sleep. Chamomile tea may also help you to relax and fall asleep easier. Make sure that your bedroom is comfortable, dim and quiet so that you can sleep comfortably and without disturbance.
With the tips presented here and a solid plan of hormone replacement therapy with your physician, you can get through the menopause process with minimal discomfort. Talk with your doctor right away if you start experiencing any of these symptoms as you approach menopause. The more forthcoming you can be about your symptoms, the more effective your doctor can be at treating them.
