Overview
Menopause stands for a permanent stoppage of menses in females. It is a gradual process but may occur abruptly in a few cases. Menopause signifies the end of the reproductive era in females.
There are a lot of hormonal changes involved that ultimately culminate in this condition. Menopause is a perfectly natural phenomenon that occurs in between 45 to 55 years of age in most females.
There are a lot of changes that affect a female after menopause which may not always be very welcoming. Some of these are hot flushes, osteoporosis, hirsiutism, wrinkling of skin, a tendency to put on weight, vaginal dryness, and recurrent urinary tract infections etc.
These changes can be easily managed by following a few simple steps and dietary modifications. Some of these are mentioned below:-
1. Manage Weight
It is said that weight issues are almost always linked to the cessation of menses. Many women falsely believe that they will gain weight after menopause no matter what they do as it is the hormonal changes that are making them fat.
Contrasting to this common belief, weight management can be easily done in post-menopausal women by following a proper diet routine coupled with appropriate and regular workout regimen.
2. Take Extra Calcium in Diet
The amount of calcium required by the body increases especially after menopause. Therefore, it is very important to keep a check on the daily intake of calcium which should ideally be met by consuming natural mineral sources like broccoli, cabbage, spinach and other green leafy vegetables.
Amongst fruits Banana is a very good and easily available option to meet the daily requirement of calcium. Natural herbal supplements like Planet Ayurveda’s coral complex can be easily consumed for this.
3. Manage Gastric Troubles
Bloating of abdomen, acidity, flatulence are also commonly found in post-menopausal women. These can be managed easily by cutting down the excessive salt and sugar intake. Excess of salts cause water retention and may lead to high blood pressure.
Women in their reproductive age group have very less chances of developing heart problems due to the protective effect of the estrogen hormone.
After menopause, due to lack of estrogen in the body, females can become vulnerable to heart diseases if they do not take proper care of their health.
4. Consume More of Soy Proteins in Diet
Regular consumption of food products made from soy has been linked to a decreased risk of developing breast cancer.
Women should therefore eat more of soy products like Tofu, soy milk, Soy beans etc. to diminish chances of developing breast cancer after menopause.
5. Consume Food Rich in Anti-Oxidants
Menopause is a result of the natural ageing process in females. Therefore, to curb the side-effects of this natural ageing procedure, food products that are rich in anti–oxidants should be preferably consumed to delay signs of ageing like skin wrinkling and sagging, osteoporosis, hair loss, digestive problems etc.
A regular dose of anti-oxidant rich foods not only keeps women healthy and young but it also protects the body from catching any disease.
Citrus fruits, Green tea, Green leafy vegetables and salads, whole grains are some of the healthy options to delay ageing.
6. Regular Health Check Ups
Although it is equally important for reproductive age group females to get regular health checkups, in menopausal women, getting the body checked thoroughly can save her from a lot of disorders that affect women in and around the time of menopause.
7. Manage Stress Well
Hormonal problems after menopause can cause frequent mood swings, stress and anxiety which may or may not have a valid basis. It is very important at that time to follow appropriate measure to stay stress free and feel good about yourself.
Women can indulge in some light activity, part –time jobs, health clubs etc. that involve creativity and innovation. A healthy job atmosphere in the field of choice can keep women in high spirits making them self –confident and involved with their lives.
8. Accept the Change and Enjoy
Menopause may not always be problematic in every female. Many women have expressed minimal or no physical, mental or emotional imbalance while going through the period of menopause.
In such cases, it is best to just not bother about it at all and get on with life with a positive attitude.
Menopause is not a life determining change in a women’s life. It is in fact, another milestone achieved in her glorious life that takes her towards maturity in a graceful way if managed appropriately.