As a woman, a mother, and a human, our bodies go through a vast amount of change. At the start, we were getting our periods and growing into the beautiful women that we are now. Next, you prepare your body for pregnancy which leads to more changes. I have found throughout my life that women hardly talk about menopause.
I can understand, from growing up, that it is mistakenly due to a level of shame or sadness that revolves around the subject. I don’t understand why women don’t celebrate this next stage of life, while I know what comes with menopause are an array of difficult symptoms.
I can sympathise with women who see it as the end of an era and with that comes the possibility of no more children. However, if you prepare physically and mentally for the change, you will be able to manage it better. We’ve got some useful tips that can guide you through the process and help you see it more as a celebration than something to dread.
When Do I Know Menopause Is Approaching?
As menopause is a part of the cycle of ageing women and no one knows your body as well as you do, you will start to see signs slowly but surely in the form of your period being irregular. For example, you might miss your period for a month or two. Or you might notice you’re experiencing hot flashes, sleeping issues or just generally feeling more on edge and anxious than usual.
Everyone is different in what they experience compared to others and what I found useful is to ask your mother when she started to experience symptoms, as your genetics tend to influence these stages. It’s the same as when I started my period, my sisters and my mother all started at the same age.
When Do I Start My Preparations?
So now that you know what key signs to look for when you are about to go through menopause, the best thing to do is to actually prepare for it to make the process a more comfortable experience for yourself. Perimenopause is the word used to describe the little symptoms of menopause that start to kick in. This is your body’s way of telling you to get ready.
Perimenopause, also known as the menopausal transition, is when your reproductive organs and hormones are going through changes. According to research, the average age of menopause in women is 47, although it is more than possible for this to happen a lot earlier, like in your mid-30s. You will need to consult with your doctor if you are unsure of when premenopause symptoms kick in so they can give a realistic view of the impact of menopause on your body.
Overall, the consensus is that you start making serious preparations when the symptoms start to kick in, although that’s not to say you can’t be doing some of the activities and actions to prepare already, which is ideal.
How To Prepare For Menopause
The first step forward is realising that preparing for menopause is completely necessary if you want to make the experience more comfortable.
Make an Appointment
First things first, it’s important to visit a healthcare professional so they can give a full run-down of any potential risks or if this could affect any of your current health conditions. This would include a physical exam, a hormone profile, and an age management evaluation. This way, you can get a full understanding and a personalised preparation plan from a professional.
There are some tips that every healthcare professional would remind you to do, and even if you aren’t preparing for menopause, it’s even better to start as early as possible and ingrain them as a healthy habit.
Kegel Exercises Are a Must
We all know by now what and why kegel exercise is important, especially if you’ve had children. It’s something so easy to do but if you are like me, with a thousand other things on your mind, you just tend to forget. This exercise is perfect for our pelvic floor so if you can remember to do it 10 times twice a day, try it first thing when you wake up and right before you go to sleep so. You can get this down while you are in loungewear or office gear.
Stay Active
As your body goes through hormonal changes and just general changes with ageing, things like muscle mass and tissue loss can be a symptom. And when menopause is added to the mix, this can make weight gain a serious factor.
As your oestrogen levels drop, it has been linked to weight gain, including fast absorption and storage throughout the body. Therefore, you must stay active to battle these effects and remain healthy throughout menopause. If you ignore this and then one minute you’ve gone up two dress sizes, this can have a huge impact on your mental health. Therefore, it’s better to stay ahead of the game and remain active throughout your whole life.
Prioritise Your Sleep Schedule
Sleep can have a massive impact during menopause; therefore, creating a nighttime routine that works alongside your symptoms is crucial. There are medications and herbal remedies that can help with uninterrupted sleep, such as magnesium and so on. If it leads to a point where you aren’t sleeping properly, it is always best to seek professional help.
Manage Your Stress
Finding ways that can help regulate your emotions and relieve stress is important. Your body is going through a lot so you might feel a bit hot-headed at this point. Practising practical stress-coping techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and socialising can help.
Alternatively, you can find a hobby to channel all these stresses, such as kickboxing or running and by essentially doing a two-for-one, you are getting your fitness and stress management into one activity, which can help with finding the time to juggle everything.
