Symptoms of menopause:
The hot flash (heat flush):
The heat flushes are the first signs of approaching menopause. Heat flashes hit the upper part of the body above the torso. The skin begins to redden and free perspiration occurs. Hot flashes can occur at any time of the day with varying intensity and for varying periods of time. They can occur any number of times a day. Hot flushes tend to become more frequent when the person approaches menopause and start to subside post menopause.
Earlier, there was a misconception that estrogen deficiency was the major cause of these hot flushes. It was later seen that women who started taking estrogen replacement therapy were experiencing more flushes than other women approaching menopause.
Studies now show that in particular, there are two hormones that are responsible for hot flushes. They are LEUTINIZING HORMONE(LH) AND FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH). Increased levels of these hormones induce hot flushes. These hormones are pituitary hormones and can increase upto 1300 percent during menopause and therefore, cause hot flushes.
It has been seen during medical studies that thin women suffer from heat flushes more than fat women. This is one place, women won’t regret having fat in them. Actually, fat cells help in regulating hormone levels. Hot flushes take around two to a maximum of five years to subside but women undergoing estrogen replacement therapy can take longer to recover.
During menopause, your diet plays an important role in controlling hot flushes. You will see that there are certain foods that trigger hot flushes and they should be avoided at all costs. Such foods can be continued after menopause has gone, but I’d say you’d stay healthier if you didn’t.
Food products that should be avoided during menopause to avoid heat flushes:
Caffeine drinks
Acidic foods (tomatoes, citrus, pickles)
Alcoholic Drinks
White sugar
Hydrogenated or Saturated fats (meat or margarine)
Tobacco
Sleep Disorders:
Sleep disorders are the most common cursor to menopause. One can feel very tense when going for to sleep and wake up irritated and restless. Sleeping comfortably can become a luxury at such times. You might even be forced to take a night walk to rid yourself of the discomfort. Although this symptom is short-lived it can be very disturbing. It can be easily managed with herbal medicines.
Depression and mood swings:
Cases of induced menopause are more vulnerable to depression and mood swings. There are cases of natural menopause too, where this symptom is seen. Depression can be caused by various medications that are in no way related to your menopause such as steroids or high pressure drugs.
Body aches
Joint pain and body aches are characteristic to the period of menopause. More than 50% of the women in menopause phase face sever to mild joint pain. Swollen joints and aching body parts are not to be ignored. They can be a sign of immune system dysfunction, osteoporosis or weakness in the kidneys.
Headaches
Many women have reported to have experienced headaches for the first time in their lives owing to menopause. This is because of stress and uneven change of hormone levels. Fatigue is a major factor contributing to headaches that can vary in frequency and intensity.
