What Are the Signs of Menopause? 4 Tips for Preparing Yourself
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Are you experiencing menopause? If so, you're not alone. An estimated 1.3 million American women go through menopause each year. While entering menopause may feel like dealing with an unwelcome visitor, plenty of women have learned how to navigate this transition successfully. Learn what the signs of menopause are.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is not a disease or a disorder. It is a natural part of aging for women. Menopause occurs 12 months after a woman's last menstrual period. In the United States, the average age for this event is 51.
It's important to note that in the years leading up to this point, known as perimenopause, women begin to experience certain changes in their bodies. More specifically, you may notice a change in your menstrual cycle, experience hot flashes, develop vaginal dryness, or notice other symptoms that indicate menopause is approaching.
Perimenopause typically begins when a woman is in her 40s, but it can start in the 30s or even earlier. The average length of perimenopause is four years, but it can take anywhere from a few months to an entire decade.
Choose the Right Products for Menopause Relief
What Are the Signs of Menopause?
Menopause can include a variety of symptoms. Some women experience many symptoms while others experience only one or two or none at all. Common symptoms of menopause may include:
- Changes in your period: A woman who is going through a menopause transition may experience a variety of symptoms, including having periods further apart or closer together, spotting, heavy bleeding, periods lasting for more than a week, and periods starting again after not having any for a year.
- Hot flashes: A woman may experience hot flashes due to changes in estrogen levels.
- Bladder problems: Bladder control problems, such as a sudden urge to urinate or urine leakage during certain activities, can be symptoms of menopause.
- Sleep: Having trouble sleeping is another potential sign.
- Mood Changes: You may be feeling more irritable during a menopause transition.
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4 Tips to Prepare Yourself
Every woman can expect to experience menopause at some point. If you're looking for a seamless transition into the next stage of your life, here are a few ways to help you prepare.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight
Some women gain weight during menopause due to fluctuating hormones. For this reason, it's a good idea to start maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and exercise before you reach menopause. Not only will this help you remain fit even as you're going through the transition, but it will make you feel better, too.
- Manage Your Stress
In addition to staying fit, it's important to manage your stress levels. Your emotional state can affect your menopause, and stress can exacerbate your symptoms.
If you're dealing with stress, it's a good idea to take up activities that will help you gain control, such as yoga and meditation. It's also a good idea to go for brisk walks and invest in methods of self-care that make you feel better.
- Avoid Smoking
Studies have shown that smoking is linked to early onset menopause and more severe symptoms of menopause. With that said, if you're someone who smokes, it's important to cut back or stop smoking altogether to help minimize your menopause symptoms.
- Invest in the Right Products
You're bound to have a symptom or two when going through menopause. Investing in the right products to help you alleviate your symptoms is an excellent way to deal with the various changes of menopause. A variety of products on the market are aimed at minimizing the many symptoms associated with menopause, so it should be easy to find a product to address your specific issue.
Navigate Menopause With Ease
Are you looking for the right products to help you navigate the symptoms of menopause? Here at Sofia & Grace, we offer a wide selection of menopause products to help you make the transition with ease.
If you're interested in finding personalized products to help with your transition, shop with us today.