Menopause happens to each woman who reaches that age where her body starts to start the “change of life.” Or, more specifically, leaving her fertile cycle behind. Despite this being a natural process, it’s far from comfortable. Learning about menopause symptoms can help you understand what’s going on with your body, how to deal with them, and what it means for your future. Learn about when to ask for help, the importance of menopause testing, and how to make your “golden years” the best ones yet.
The most common symptoms of menopause
There are a lot of common symptoms of menopause that most women feel. While there are no “official” menopause symptoms, the most experienced ones by women include:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood changes
- Vaginal discomfort
- Reduced libido
These symptoms can be mild or severe and can be short-term or long-term. Some women experience many symptoms, whereas others have very few, if any, symptoms at all. Understanding what’s happening in your body is essential for your health and comfort. Plus, it helps you catch if something else may be happening instead.
Do you need treatment for menopause symptoms?
This is a question of great debate. Symptom treatment for menopause is possible, and it can be helpful for those who experience many long-term, severe symptoms. Menopause can potentially last decades, and symptoms can occur on and off within those times. With so much variety in how it impacts daily life, treatment is recommended if needed.
General practitioners can offer treatment if needed, and should, for those struggling to manage symptoms on their own.
A crucial element to dealing with menopause symptoms, however, is ensuring that you are dealing with menopause. For this reason, menopause testing is a reliable, at-home test that you can use to determine if it’s time to book an appointment with your GP. If it is, symptom treatment is available. If it isn’t, a GP visit is an even better idea to see what is happening!
When is menopause a problem?
Menopause is a natural process that can either be kind or not-so-kind. More often than not, it will tend to be the latter. Culturally, there is a high tolerance for women’s suffering because menopause symptoms are not considered important.
If you are to the point where your menopause symptoms are impacting your daily life, seeking treatment and support is essential. It can help to get your life back to where it should be. Suffering alone with intermittent symptoms is not required, nor should it be expected. Get help when you need it!
How to deal with menopause symptoms
A visit to your GP is a crucial component of treating menopause symptoms. Also, there are quite a few things this visit can help with regarding life changes.
One of the best things to help you manage your menopause symptoms is to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. They help you maintain your health and improve your symptoms. A strong body is a happy body.
Seeking out cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) will help manage mood swings. It can also give you the empathy you need to live with the symptoms of menopause. This will also help for helping you feel safe discussing sensitive issues, including a decreased libido. This is also a great idea if you have difficulty finding support in your family network.
Consider lubricants or creams for physical symptoms such as vaginal dryness, which can provide comfort. You'll also find this can help increase comfort during intercourse. Discomfort can sometimes be difficult for those suffering from menopause symptoms.
Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
While often used as a last resort, HRT can be an excellent support for relieving menopausal symptoms. This works exactly as it sounds; it’s a medication that replaces oestrogen, which is naturally depleting in the body.
Realistically, some women have severe, life-altering, and long-term menopause symptoms. HRT can make a difference in enjoying life once again. Your GP can prescribe this and adjust to different strengths and medication types to help you find the right balance.
HRT does not stop menopause but offers support. Oestrogen replacement can offer much-needed relief from severe menopause symptoms. This, when paired with changes in diet, exercise, and more, provides a better quality of life for those going through the change of life.
Living with menopause is unavoidable, but that does not mean you must suffer from menopause symptoms. Consider menopause testing to see if you are going through this change in life. Then focus on dietary changes and additional support through CBT and HRT if needed. The products are there, after all. You may as well use them!
For Peace Of Mind
Our easy-to-use Home Menopause Test offers a rapid indication of your Follicle-Stimulating hormone (FSH) in urine, helping you spot early signs of menopause.
Currently, menopause is not scientifically diagnosed until a woman’s menstrual periods have stopped for one full year. However, the varying period of time leading up to menopause is called perimenopause which can include a variety of problematic symptoms and related health issues.
Get your hands on one of our easy to use Menopause Rapid Tests here.