Women and Health
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The Healthy Woman Do you wake up in the middle of the night sweating profusely? Are
your bed sheets soaking wet? Does the temperature in your bedroom feel
like you're sleeping in an inferno? Are you constantly pulling off the
covers and trying to become comfortable while you sleep? If you've answered yes to any of these questions and you're in your
mid 40s or older, chances are you are experiencing one of the symptoms
of menopause. Night Sweats affect millions of women each year. It can be
very uncomfortable----not only for you---but also for your husband who
has to contend with the changing bedroom temperature and your battle
with the bedroom covers. What causes night sweats? Night sweats, according to doctors, occur as a result of a woman's
hormonal imbalance. Low estrogen levels, anxiety and stress are some of
the causes for this imbalance.
Relief for night sweats Myth #1 When you go into menopause your sex life is over. WRONG! One of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause is vaginal dryness
and the hormonal imbalance can trigger a lack of desire but just like
everything else, you can overcome it. There are plenty of vaginal creams on the market to help soothe the
dryness and a vitamin E pill inserted in the vagina can also do the
trick. As far as the lack of sexual desire, you may have to work a little
harder on creating the mood mentally and physically but it can be done.
Take yourself back to a time in your relationship when the lovin was
incredible and meditate on that. Also, don't be afraid to let your mate
know what you like and don't like. If he loves you and wants to please
you, he shouldn't have any problem doing it your way. My husband makes me hotter than a hot flash because we have learned
how to communicate effectively in the bedroom. MYTH #2 If you haven't had a period in several months, you can go off the
pill and assume you're in menopause. WRONG! For many women, irregular periods may last several years. The best
way to determine whether you have gone into full blown menopause is when
you have gone one complete year (12 months) without having a menstrual
cycle. Going off the pill during your erratic periods is not a good idea
because you may be vulnerable to getting pregnant. Myth #3 There is a cure for Menopause. No, there is NO CURE but there are measures you can take to ease some
of the symptoms associated with menopause. For example, to relieve hot
flashes cut back on spicy foods and alcohol. Since it's summer, wear
lighter clothing. This also means wear brighter colors. Dark colors like
black and brown draw heat and can make you even more uncomfortable. Get up, get out and exercise and make sure you pump some iron. Also,
it's equally important to maintain a healthy diet which should include
lots of green vegetables and grains. Myth #4 If you're under the age of 45, you're TOO YOUNG to be menopausal. OH, SO WRONG!!! It might be unusual for a woman to go through menopause before the
age of 45 but it's definitely not impossible. There are women in their
mid to late thirties who have been known to experience what is known as
perimenopause. The symptoms include: mood swings There are actually 34 symptoms associated with perimenopause and
menopause. If you're experiencing some of these symptoms, talk with your doctor.
There is a test you can take to confirm whether or not you're going
through the change. And don't accept medication as the end all answer
for what ails you---especially if someone wants to give you
anti-depressants. Myth 5 Menopause leads to other deadly diseases. First of all, menopause is NOT a disease. It is a natural occurrence
in a woman's life. It is a part of the aging process. Depending on how intense your menopausal symptoms are, you may want
to seek some type of treatment. I don't advocate synthetic drugs but
that's just me. I have found natural herbal supplements coupled with a
diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits work wonders for me. What is important to remember is you should take good care of
yourself by eating healthy and getting some exercise. When I exercise on
a consistent basis, my hot flashes are kept to a minimum. Exercise is
also a wonderful way to help you maintain a healthy weight. Excess fat
CAN lead to other medical problems. It Ain't Personal It's MenopauseBy Beverly MahoneYou're sitting at your desk and suddenly, out of the corner of your
eye, you see your middle-aged female co-worker sweating and fanning
herself with a perplexing look on her face. She looks like she might
need help so you walk over to offer assistance. Instead of accepting it,
she gives you the evil eye and tells you to leave her alone or abruptly
walks away. Now, you're angry. You were only trying to help. But don't
take it personal---It's only menopause.
Nearly half of the workforce is made up of women which means millions
of workers will be affected by the physical and emotional changes
brought about by a woman going through menopause. The time is long
overdue for businesses to implement some type of menopause health
awareness program so younger employees and male bosses may gain a better
understanding of what they may be up against in the "heat" of
a moment. Too often women going through the change are viewed as being
insubordinate by their male bosses or a B**** by younger employees.
There are more than 30 symptoms of menopause with the most serious
being hot flashes and mood swings. A change in personality at any given
moment on the job could easily be misinterpreted and create unnecessary
conflict unless it is recognized as a hormonal imbalance. In my book,
Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age, I reference the fact
that menopause was considered a taboo subject years ago causing many
women to suffer in silence and to feel ashamed or made to believe they
were having a mental breakdown over what they were experiencing. This is
not our mother's menopause, so there is no reason to be embarrassed or
silent about what we're going through."
Some of the things employers need to address are:
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