Do This Now to Feel Your Best During Menopause

Everyone has heard of the change of life women go through; hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings are almost a running joke on sitcoms. But the discomfort and frustration women feel are real.

At Women’s Health Care Center of Houston, our team of women’s health and reproduction specialists are here for you, with suggestions on how to get started on symptom mitigation now before you even reach the point of menopause, so you can feel better when you finally reach this milestone.

About menopause

There are several stages when it comes to “the change.” The first is premenopause, which can start anywhere from two to eight years before menopause actually occurs, usually in your mid- to late-40s.

Menopause itself is a fixed point in time, typically when a woman has gone a full 12 months without a pregnancy and can no longer conceive spontaneously. This usually happens to women in the US around the age of 51 or 52.

Postmenopause lasts for the remainder of your life, posing a risk of multiple health conditions. Hormonal depletion can cause skin issues and vaginal dryness, and bone loss can weaken your hips, arms, and spine.

Living your best life during these years can start now, with lifestyle changes and habit forming to help you weather the storm of symptoms headed your way.

Menopausal symptoms and what you can do about them

One of the less-talked-about symptoms of menopause is weight gain due to hormonal changes. Getting your weight under control and starting a sensible diet and exercise program now can help prevent rapid weight gain and other unpleasant symptoms like bloating and stomach issues later.

Diet and exercise

Try switching to a Mediterranean diet and getting around 150 minutes of exercise a week. Include strength training to improve muscle tone around joints and help protect your spine. 

Mental healthcare

Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression can significantly worsen as you age, so getting any issues seen to now can help you balance your moods and stay feeling mentally well in the years leading up to and after menopause.

Quitting bad habits

If you smoke, use tobacco in other ways, or drink a little more than you should, now is a good time to change your habits. Alcohol can worsen menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, and increase risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. Smoking can make depressive symptoms worse, and increase your risk of early menopause and certain cancers.

Other things you can do to live your best life through menopause and beyond is find a support group of other women experiencing similar issues, and see a doctor for help during your transition from premenopause to postmenopause. 

A consultation with our team in Houston, Texas, can help you stay healthy both physically and mentally during this time. Call Women’s Health Care Center of Houston at 713-365-2900 or visit our contact page to schedule your consultation with our caring, compassionate professionals today.