Every woman will go through menopause at some point in her life. Whether it’s early or late, understanding how to live with menopause is essential. Living doesn’t just mean “dealing with it,” though. It means having a comfortable life where you can deal with this big change as seamlessly as possible. Below, you’ll learn about menopause symptoms and tips for living with menopause daily. We'll also discuss the role of menopause testing during this life change!
Lifestyle changes to live with menopause
The changes you can make to your lifestyle for menopause relief are straightforward. The top ones to focus on are below.
Eat right
Eating a proper diet will always be important throughout life. A healthy diet creates a strong and properly supported body. The stronger the body is, the better it can take care of you in return. How to eat right for your age is something that you can learn about online. Or, better yet, talk to your GP or a nutritional specialist.
Exercise
Much like eating right, exercise is always important. Yet, exercise will play a primary role in proper menopause symptom relief. We’ll talk about that in the next section in detail.
Avoid stress
Stress hurts your health mentally, emotionally, and physically. Learning proper, actionable stress relief tips will help you manage symptoms of menopause. As with exercise, there’s a strong connection between stress and menopause symptoms.
Talk to your GP
Your GP will be a wonderful ally throughout your entire life. Particularly as you enter menopause territory. Your GP has a specialised understanding of your medical history and personal preferences. They can help you find relief and comfort through this often decades-long “change of life.”
If you get menopause testing, your results will show your FSH and oestrogen levels. If your levels are abnormal, talking to your GP will help you get a better feel for what’s happening.
Why is exercise so important when living with menopause?
So, what’s the deal with exercise and menopause? There are a few notable benefits to prioritising exercise during menopause.
Exercising improves your bone density. Menopause reduces oestrogen levels, which are responsible for maintaining bone density. Improving bone density through exercise helps you fend off osteoporosis.
The second benefit of exercise is related to your cardiovascular system. Before menopause, oestrogen helped keep blood vessels flexible and healthy. Those levels naturally decline during menopause. Prioritising both cardiovascular fitness and health helps reduce the risk of plaque build-up.
Lastly, fitness is also also a great support for stress relief. Stress taxes the body and can drain its resources faster than most believe. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins - often referred to as “happy hormones." They will naturally reduce your stress levels.
What treatments are available?
There is no true treatment for menopause, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get support as your body transitions. Menopause treatment takes the form of minimising symptoms. The top options are below.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
This hormonal-based therapy helps curb the drop in oestrogen by supplementing it. This reduces symptoms of menopause and also helps prevent osteoporosis and heart disease. This is often helpful for those who have very strong menopause symptoms.
Non-medicinal treatment
If you are looking at something unrelated to medicine, you can also try Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This is good for mood swings, depression, or anxiety -- all common menopause symptoms. There is also a link between CBT and relief from physical symptoms such as joint pain and even hot flushes.
How to live with menopause symptoms
When learning how to live with these symptoms, the first thing to do is order menopause testing. This will help you know that these symptoms are “real” and “valid” so that you can advocate for yourself and your health. Menopause can get ignored by GPs and women since it's "normal." Medicines or treatments like HRT can offer relief for those with severe symptoms. These test results can give you the “proof” you need to get the support you deserve.
Most women will know when they go through menopause because of its symptoms. Learning how to live with menopause and how to seek support and treatment will help make this much easier!