Welcome to the Menopause Advice Guide

Menopause is one of the most challenging things that a woman goes through in her lifetime. The change of life represents an end to a woman’s fertility. Ovulation and menstruation comes to an end, and the physical and emotional effects can be very hard on woman and those who love her.

When a woman begins menopause, her ovaries begin to stop producing hormones. The two hormones involved are estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is primarily a hormone for sex and reproduction, but it also has many other duties. The bladder, breasts, bones, arteries, heart, and even the brain all have estrogen receptors for normal cell function. Estrogen also is necessary for healthy bones formation.

On average, women enter menopause at about 50 years of age. This time frame can vary from woman to woman. Once menopause begins, the transition usually lasts for five years. If a woman has a hysterectomy, menopause can occur suddenly and be even more dramatic. Some women have severe menopausal symptoms, while others have virtually none.

The most common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, mood swings, headaches, depression, lack of sexual interest, breast tenderness, shortness of breath, and insomnia. While certainly this list is far from complete, it is among the most common symptoms. The symptoms of menopause are directly connected to estrogen and progesterone deficiencies.

Osteoporosis is one of the most common problems for women after menopause. This extremely widespread problem can be tied to estrogen deficiencies. Other complications that can occur include cardiovascular disease, vaginal atrophy, irregular heartbeat, and problems with the bladder. Most all of these problems can be avoided if you follow your doctor’s advice and replace deficiencies through diet and supplements.

The key to getting through menopause with minimal trauma is to eat a proper diet, exercise, and in some cases take nutritional supplements. Menopause is a normal process that every woman will generally go through as they age. It is vital that we remember that menopause is not the end of our youth, rather, it is the beginning of our golden years. Life after menopause can be grand indeed.