Symptoms of Menopause - Our Guide

Every woman at some point in their lives will take the journey through menopause.

Not every woman though will have the same type of journey. No two women will experience the same symptoms or the same degree of intensity of symptoms. The symptoms for one woman may in fact, be different from month to month.

There are the ever popular hot flashes and night sweats. Mood swings also top the list of symptoms. These are two of the primary reasons most women seek treatment. There are many other symptoms of menopause.

Irregular menstrual cycles and irregular bleeding is often the first sign that you might be entering perimenopause. You are said to be in full-blown menopause when you have not had a period for 12 or more consecutive months.

Aside from the previously mentioned symptoms, there can be depression and anxiety. Body aches and pains, breast soreness, and weight gain have also been noted. You may be angry for no particular reason, become weepy, or feel unexplainably aggressive.

Food cravings may increase and this can result in some weight gain. Swelling, bloating, and water retention have also been noted by many women. You may experience vaginal dryness that can make sexual intercourse uncomfortable. This is in turn could cause you to lose interest in sexual activity. The decreased sex drive can happen without vaginal dryness.

The good news in all of this is that there are treatments available and you have choices regarding what type of treatment you want to try. Your doctor can help you decide this.
Not every treatment will work for all women.

Treatments

Pharmaceutical treatments include anti-depressants to help even out mood swings, ease depression, and relieve anxiety. These as most drugs do, have some serious side effects including a decreased sex drive and thoughts of suicide have occurred.

Anti-inflammatories are used to ease the aches and pains you may experience. Joint pain and muscle discomfort may necessitate in taking these drugs. These drugs also have side effects including stomach upset.

HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy is probably the most common treatment for menopausal symptoms. These can be estrogen, progesterone, or a combination of estrogen and progesterone. Side effects can put you at a serious increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and certain forms of cancer.

Over the counter - OTC medications including anti-inflammatories, general pain relievers, and diuretics (used to get rid of excess body water). Diuretics can seriously deplete the body's potassium. This can cause a host of other symptoms.

Natural treatments include herbal supplements. Natural treatments are becoming more popular because most women want to avoid the side effects of the other treatments.

Herbal supplements for menopause typically include vitamins such as B-complex vitamins, minerals including zinc, and other nutritive substances. The best supplements have had the metabolic paths of the ingredients examined at the molecular level. The interaction of the ingredients should also be observed. They are manufactured to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. This helps to guarantee consistent dosage and quality from capsule to capsule.

These supplements should not be taken without the knowledge of your physician. Some herbs can interfere with the performance of prescriptions you may be taking for other health conditions.

Conclusion

While menopause can have some difficult symptoms that come with it, there are treatments available to help provide relief. They come with some serious side effects.
Many women are seeking to avoid these side effects and choose natural treatments such as herbal supplements. They are effective and safe; they have few if any side effects at all.
You have choices in treatment protocols. Your doctor can help you to decide which one will best meet your needs.


Why not use the best? Your health depends on it.

 

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