5 Health Hacks for Women Going Through Menopause
Women have it rough. As if puberty, about 40 years of a menstrual cycle and dealing with pregnancy and childbirth aren’t enough, we have to struggle through menopause too at the end of it all.
Menopause usually starts to set in in your late 40s or early 50s, and the symptoms of the hormonal changes can be a lot to deal with. Feeling your body changing and going through hot flashes, mood swings, chronic tiredness and other symptoms can feel like too much, but there are ways to manage it. Here are a few health hacks to keep you feeling good through your 50s.
Remember Your Sexual Health
Just because you’re older, doesn’t mean you need to neglect your sexual health and needs. It’s more important now than ever to attend your regular health checks, and take care of yourself.
When it comes to your sex life, it’s important to communicate your needs and feelings to your partner. You can seek out information and tools such as vaginal dilators to help you take care of your sexual health as you get older.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Eating well is always a good habit to keep up, but when you’re dealing with menopause symptoms, following a good diet will only be more beneficial. You can work on a diet that is high in calcium to protect your bone health, full of vitamins and minerals to boost your energy and probiotic foods to prioritise your gut health.
A healthy diet will also help you to maintain a healthy weight, which can naturally fluctuate during menopause.
Supplement Where Necessary
There’s nothing wrong with needing a little help. There are natural supplements that can do wonders in combatting the symptoms of menopause. As your body changes, you might become deficient in certain vital nutrients, so it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor and get tested for this.
They will be able to recommend whether or not you should start taking vitamins for managing your menopause and any other treatments (such as HRT) they might suggest.
Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly can help you to feel your best self and even manage your symptoms. Staying active is an important part of getting older, for the health of your bones and muscles, as well as your weight management and mental health.
If you’re not a fan of hitting the gym or going for early morning runs, you can implement whatever type of exercise suits your lifestyle and personality. Walking, yoga, swimming, or any other type of movement will all be good for you.
Learn Your Hot Flash Triggers
Finally, you’ll thank yourself for taking the time to learn and understand what triggers hot flashes for you. Some common triggers are, naturally, heat in the temperature of your environment, spicy food, caffeine, alcohol, and stress.
Figure out which of these apply to you and which other specific foods or circumstances might trigger a hot flash, and do what you can to avoid these.