Are you going through menopause? Perhaps you’re experiencing symptoms that are making life difficult. If so, you may like to talk to your doctor or gynecologist about hormone replacement therapy and other treatments that may help. There are also many self-care and alternative therapies available that will help you to navigate through menopause. Shelnutt gynecology is an Athens, GA gynecologist practice. They specialize in all feminine care, including help with heavy periods, menopause, and advice about birth control.
Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Menopause may cause disturbances to your natural sleep patterns. This could include problems such as insomnia, or you may find you’re waking during the night with a hot-flash. If you’re struggling to get to sleep, it’s important to have an effective bedtime routine. Make sure that you feel relaxed before bed by having a bath, drink a cup of camomile tea, and read a book. These things will all help you to wind down and will make sleep come to you more easily.
If you suffer from hot flashes during the night, ensure you’re sleeping in a cool, well-ventilated room. You could leave a window ajar or invest in a fan to cool the room. It’s also a good idea to wear cotton pajamas and cover yourself with a thin sheet so that you’ll be able to throw off your duvet when necessary.
Skincare Advice
You may notice that your skin changes while you’re going through menopause. Your skin could feel sensitive or become more dry. You’ll probably want to make some changes to your beauty routine. Buy a cream that is rich and moisturizing but free from oil. It would help if you also use sun crème during the day or choose a moisturizer with an SPF as your skin is likely to be more prone to sunburn.
You could also swap your detergent for a brand that is suitable for sensitive skin.
Manage Your Symptoms
You may experience a rollercoaster of emotions during menopause, it’s similar to symptoms of PMS but is likely to be worse. You may have to cope with fluctuating emotions, feeling sensitive, or tearful. It’s a good idea to talk to your family about how you’re feeling; that way they’ll understand if you snap or start crying with very little reason. Hopefully your family will also look after you if necessary and make sure you’re comfortable during this difficult time. Also talk to friends who are going through the same thing. It’s good to have a support network, and they may be able to suggest something that helps them.
It might also be a good idea to keep a symptom diary to see if anything triggers your moods or hot flashes. This is particularly useful if you also get other symptoms such as migraines or bad headaches. Some women find that they’re triggered by certain foods such as caffeine, smoking, or alcohol.
If you note down what you’ve eaten and what activity you’ve carried out, you may be able to find a pattern and can then avoid any potential triggers.
If your symptoms and mood swings are so bad that they become overwhelming and you’re struggling to cope, it’s important to speak to your doctor or gynecologist. They may be able to recommend a treatment or medication that will help. You could also consider taking your symptom diary with you to your appointment to see if the doctor can notice any patterns occurring.
