If I had known 10 years ago what I know about menopause now, my transition would have been oh so much smoother. Menopause is one of those things that’s is still seen as such a taboo subject that people find it hard to talk about openly and think it’s something that should be kept private.

Well I’m here to shout it out loud and tell you that Menopause is a natural part of getting older.  There, not so scary now is it?

I know from all the meetings & discussions I’ve had with you that you still find it hard to talk about. That then makes it difficult for you to know what to expect or how to navigate all the changes that come with it.

It is an incredibly important conversation to have though because women may be feeling overwhelmed by the many changes that menopause brings. You may have started experiencing hot flashes and mood swings and you may be wondering what else lies ahead.  

Well, here’s the good news: you can make the journey better with some knowledge about menopause.   With that in mind, let’s discuss things I wish I had known about menopause before it happened to me.

You’re Not Alone

One of the most comforting things I’ve learned since entering menopause is that I’m not alone. Sure, every woman will have her own unique experience with menopause but at the end of the day we all go through it together and just knowing that can make a huge difference.

Connect With Other Women

Talking with other women who are going through similar experiences can help provide emotional support during this time as well as provide tips on how best to manage certain symptoms without having to resort to medication every single time. Moreover, connecting with other women going through menopause allows them share their stories and helps normalise the experience overall which can make it easier for everyone involved, especially those who are just starting out on their journey.

Hot Flashes are Normal

Hot flashes are a one of the most common symptoms of menopause and you shouldn’t be embarrassed if you find yourself experiencing them. Try keeping a fan nearby or wearing layers so you can adjust your clothing depending on how hot you’re feeling. Hot flashes can and can vary in intensity from mild to severe & typically last between 30 seconds to 10 minutes and can happen anytime during the day or night. Knowing that this is normal can help alleviate any anxiety or fear you may have about them.

Be Prepared for Mood Swings

Another common symptom of menopause is mood swings, which can range from mild irritability to full-blown anger outbursts. It’s important to recognise these emotions and try your best not to act on them right away (which can be difficult). Instead, take some time for yourself and figure out what’s causing your moods before responding or reacting in any way.   Your body’s hormones are going through a lot of changes which could lead to feelings of sadness, irritability, and depression. If you find yourself feeling this way more often than not, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about how you’re feeling so they can provide treatment options if necessary.

Exercise is Your Friend

Regular exercise has been proven to help reduce some symptoms associated with menopause, so make sure you keep up your routine (or start one). Even just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day can make a huge difference in how you feel both physically and mentally during this transition period.  Exercise is an excellent way to combat some of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause such as hot flashes, insomnia, weight gain, fatigue, and depression/anxiety. Try doing low-impact activities like walking or yoga for 30 minutes a few times a week for maximum benefit.

Make Time for Self Care

Taking care of yourself isn’t just beneficial during menopause, it’s essential. Make sure you carve out time each day for activities that make you feel good – whether it’s going for a walk, reading a book, taking a yoga class or whatever works for you! 

Talk To Your Doctor

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by any symptoms related to menopause (or anything else), don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Talking with your doctor or healthcare provider can provide valuable insight into what might be happening and how best to manage any uncomfortable feelings or physical changes associated with this stage in life.  

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is important at any age but especially during perimenopausal years when hormones are fluctuating more than normal. Aim for around 8 hours per night if possible as it’ll do wonders for both your mental and physical health over time.  During menopause it’s common for women to experience sleep disturbances due to night sweats and other hormonal shifts taking place within their bodies. To counteract this, try going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time every morning (even on weekends). This will help regulate your sleep-wake cycle and make it easier for your body to slip into restful sleep each night.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is always important but even more so during perimenopausal years when our bodies need extra TLC. Aim for 8 glasses of water each day and add some electrolytes if needed – they’ll help fight off fatigue and dehydration quickly.

Eat Healthy Foods

Eating healthy foods can provide our bodies with the nutrients we need during this transitional period – vitamins A+D+E+K plus omega 3 fatty acids all work together to help keep us feeling our best during menopausal years.  Eating healthy during menopause is essential for maintaining energy levels throughout the day as well as keeping your hormones balanced and healthy too.  Make sure you’re eating plenty of fresh fruits & vegetables as well as lean proteins & whole grains while limiting processed foods & sugars whenever possible.

Herbal Remedies Can Help

The use of herbal remedies has long been used as an alternative treatment option for many ailments including those related to menopause such as hot flashes & mood swings. Popular herbs include black cohosh & chasteberry which both have shown promise in reducing symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances.

Stress Management Is Vital

Stress can worsen many symptoms associated with perimenopausal women including hot flashes & mood swings so finding ways to reduce stress in your life should be a priority. Regular exercise routines combined with relaxing activities such as yoga or meditation can go a long way towards managing stress levels which means better overall health during this transitional period.

Menopause is a Process

Contrary to popular belief, menopause doesn’t happen overnight; it’s an ongoing process that typically takes place over several years as your body transitions from its reproductive phase into post-menopausal stage. During this time your hormones will fluctuate quite a bit and cause uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.

Track Your Symptoms

Keeping track of your symptoms can help you better understand what your body is going through and allow you to make any necessary lifestyle changes or dietary adjustments in order to ease any discomfort or pain associated with them. Additionally, tracking your symptoms can give you an idea of when they are likely to flare up so that you can plan accordingly if needed.  Keeping track of all symptoms related to menopause such as hot flashes & mood swings will help give your doctor valuable information when determining what kind of treatment plan would work best for you moving forward.                            

Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy

If the physical symptoms become too much for you to handle on your own then hormone therapy may be an option for you depending on the severity and frequency of the symptoms; however, it’s important that you speak with your doctor first before taking any steps towards hormone therapy as there may be side effects associated with it depending on your individual health history or current medications/treatments that could potentially interact negatively with it if taken together at the same time.           

Talk To Your Doctor Regularly

It’s important for perimenopausal women to talk regularly with their doctors about any physical or emotional changes they are experiencing due to hormone shifts during this time in life – talking openly will help ensure that any potential issues get addressed quickly & efficiently so that life is lived as comfortably as possible!

Look Into Alternative Therapies

Even though hormone therapy may not be an option for everyone due to potential side effects or other medical considerations there are still plenty of alternative therapies available such as acupuncture which has been known to reduce certain symptoms associated with menopause including hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia etc. Additionally yoga/meditation classes have also been found helpful in managing stress levels during this period which makes them worth exploring as well.

Know When To Seek Help

 Knowing when it’s time seek professional help is key when managing menopausal symptoms because sometimes they just cannot be managed alone without medical intervention- so don’t hesitate if things start getting worse instead reach out right away. This will ensure that proper diagnosis & treatment plans are put into place before any further complications arise due lack of care-taking measures being taken early enough on in process.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions

Don’t forget ask questions whenever possible (either from doctor/family members) because knowledge truly is power & understanding exactly what’s happening within body essential helping find ways cope & live life fullest despite these changes- even if means seeking out additional resources do so.

Get Support From Others

Don’t forget about the importance of getting support from others who understand what you’re going through – whether it’s friends/family members who have gone through similar experiences themselves or online forums/support groups dedicated specifically towards helping people dealing with perimenopausal issues – having someone who understands these changes can make all the difference when it comes time dealing with them head-on

Menopause doesn’t have to be something we fear or shy away from discussing; instead let’s embrace it as an opportunity for growth and personal development – something that will ultimately leave us stronger than ever before. Being prepared ahead of time by learning about different symptoms & behaviours associated with this stage in life will help immensely along the way.

Menopause is simply a natural part of getting older that women go through each year across the globe.  Being prepared ahead of time and knowing what signs/symptoms look out for makes navigating this transition much easier than trying figure everything out after fact without proper guidance/support systems place first– so take advantage every resource available both online offline ensure smooth sailing during next chapter life

All these tips may seem overwhelming but they really do add up over time and will help make navigating through menopause easier than ever before. Whether it’s researching herbal remedies or keeping track of symptom severity each day – small steps taken today will pay off big dividends down the road when it comes time for dealing with all those pesky side effects that come along with perimenopausal transition periods like hot flashes & mood swings. So take heart my fellow post-menopausal ladies – there IS light at the end of this long tunnel that used to be brushed under the carpet as “the change” so don’t give up hope just yet…you’ve got this & good luck out there!! 🙂