Natural Relief From Menopausal Issues

As you go through menopause you will experience a myriad of emotional and physical symptoms. For some women those symptoms can be mild, almost unnoticeable, but for others they can be annoying, persistent and quite painful at times. There are medical treatments, like hormone therapy, that your physician can prescribe but in most cases it's not necessary. You can get relief from menopausal issues naturally, you just have to make lifestyle changes and adjust your daily habits. We will explain what you can do to alleviate your symptoms naturally, so you can control menopause instead of it controlling you.

Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are one of the most frequent and uncomfortable issues associated with menopause. During a hot flash your body temperature rises unexpectedly and your face, neck and chest become flushed. A hot flash usually last about 10 to 15 seconds and once it passes most women get the chills and begin to sweat. Night sweats are a form of hot flashes, but after an attack you are usually drenched in sweat and need to change your clothing. They are usually harmless but can be very uncomfortable and can occur at inopportune times, like when you are working, so being able to manage them is important. There is no way to eliminate them completely, but you can lessen how often and how intense your attacks are with these natural remedies:

• Avoid triggers: For many women there are foods that can bring on an attack, so pay attention to what you eat to see if any particular food causes a hot flash. Spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine are the three most common food triggers, since they raise your blood pressure and cause your body temperature to spike suddenly.
• Layer your clothes: Wear multiple layers of lightweight fabric, so you can quickly remove layers when you have an attack. Removing those layers will signal to your body that you are cooling off and can stop the hot flash quickly. Removable layers will also help you feel more comfortable while an attack is occurring.
• Keep cool: Keep the thermostat in your home to a chillier setting. Your loved ones may need to wear a sweater, but by keeping the house cool it will keep your body temperature down, which can prevent an attack before it happens.
• Avoid heat: Stay away from saunas, steam showers, the beach-anywhere where your body will heat up quickly. If you want to be outdoors in the summer, wait until after 4 pm if you can and stay in shaded areas.

Vaginal Dryness
During menopause your body produces less estrogen, which thins out and dries your vaginal walls, making it less elastic. This can result in burning, itching, pain during intercourse and a constant tenderness. To naturally treat vagina dryness try these tips:

• Lubricant: There are many over-the-counter lubricants that are all natural and can relieve dryness. Look for ones that are water based, like K-Jelly. This can be especially helpful during sex.
• Vaginal moisturizer: An over-the-counter vaginal moisturizer can also be used. It can be applied every couple of days to keep you naturally moist, relieving dryness, itching and burning.

Insomnia
Menopause can deprive you of a full night's sleep and even when you sleep through the night it is often a restless sleep, leaving you tired and sluggish. Between night sweats and hormone drop it can be hard for you to get a decent night's sleep. Here are ways to help:

• Exercise: Doing physical activity, especially cardiovascular exercise every day can help you rest better at night — just don't exercise close to bed time: it can wind you up.
• Avoid things that can interfere with sleep: Try not to have caffeine after noon and eat large meals earlier in the day.
• Avoid naps: If you can stay busy during the day and don't nap, so you sleep fitfully at night.
• Don't turn on the TV: If you wake up during the night try to relax and read a little, but avoid TV, which can overstimulate you.

Remember, diet and exercise also play a role in controlling menopause so you should eat a healthy diet and keep active. Menopause hits every woman differently, so what works for one person may not work for another. That's why it's important to speak with your physician to make sure you use a treatment plan that's right for you. These tips are safe and can be very effective, provided they are what your body needs. Using these tips can help you fight menopause naturally and have you feeling like your old self again in no time.