Mrs. Jekyll, Mrs. Hyde?

You all know the horror story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, doesn’t it seem that it should have been about a woman, not a man?  

It starts out subtle so you barely notice the change, but those around you can see the strange transformation.  

If you are a woman in your late 40’s, and are wondering why it seems that everyone around you is acting crazy, it would be a good idea to take a look in the mirror.  Is it them or is it you?    As I look back at myself I can see what a monster I had become. 

• Do you get overly angry or frustrated more than normal, or for no apparent reason? 
• Do you feel depressed or feel like crying when nothing has caused it?  
• Do you get hot flashes in the middle of the day, or wake up soaking wet in the middle of the night?  
• Are your periods becoming irregular, either closer together or farther apart?  Or have you missed a month or more?  

If any of these apply to you then you are probably starting to experience the wonderful change of life called “menopause”.  And you thought PMS was bad!

Why didn’t my mother warn me how menopause symptoms would effect me, or even worse the affect on my loved ones?  Probably because she had a hysterectomy early on and hadn’t experienced them herself.  I just wish I would have been warned so I could have prepared for the changes both emotionally and physically that I would have to endure.  Well the good news is that I survived it, and let me tell you there is hope for you too, you are not alone!   Menopause is not a disease, it is that which occurs as a part of a woman’s normal aging process.  It is the reverse stage of puberty.

Once you understand what is happening to you then you can gain better control over it. 

The hot flashes never bothered me, it was the emotional highs and lows that were the biggest challenge.  I am so thankful my husband stuck with me during those rough 10 years.  I know I made his life miserable.  There were times I felt he was provoking me to get angry, but in reality it was my hormonal changes that magnified my emotions.  Any little comment or statement was blown out of proportion in my mind causing me to over react.  The worst part was I didn’t even realize it until later.  Can you relate to this?

Not every woman experiences bothersome levels of these effects, and even in those women who do experience strong effects, the range of effects and the degree to which they appear is very variable from person to person.  All the various possible effects are caused by an overall drop, as well as dramatic but erratic fluctuations, in the levels of estrogens and progesterone.

Though I am not an expert in this field, I have experienced it myself and live to tell the tale.    There are a lot of websites out there loaded with great information, and remedies.  For me I prefer the natural treatments over pharmaceutical ones, or hormonal therapy treatments (that can cause other health issues).  Here is a site I found for a natural botanical alternative medicine that contains all natural herbal extracts developed to ease the transition and provide effective Menopause Symptoms. http://www.menozac.com/?aid=207468

What happens during menopause is that estrogen levels decline,  influencing everything from bone to heart health to even fat retention in your body.

Here are some lifestyle changes that can help correct hormone imbalance and menopause symptoms:

High-quality multivitamins and minerals are very important to improve health, increase energy and sharpen mental health.   To protect your bones you should take calcium daily, and vitamin D. 

You’ll also want to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.  Fiber from these types of foods can help control blood sugar and blood pressure levels, cholesterol, and even your appetite.

A well-balanced diet is strongly recommended – women who eat cold-water fish such as salmon and tuna (3 times a week), organic meat and poultry, whole grains, fruits and vegetables tend to live longer and have healthier lives.  Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil supplements can help maintain your hormonal balance and also in weight loss.

Make gradual changes in your daily diet. Try to reduce the amount of saturated fats and refined sugars – foods like soda drinks, alcohol, hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, candy and pizza.  These foods may give you quick energy, but they give you very few nutrients and you probably will end up having a craving for more of these foods. 

Increasing your physical activity with exercise is important to help correct hormone imbalance symptoms.  Exercise has several benefits including reducing stress levels, helping you control your weight, improving sleep, reducing depression, reducing risk of heart attack and lowering blood pressure.

A regular daily regimen of at least 30–45 minutes of brisk bicycling or using a treadmill, stair climber or any other fitness equipment will reduce your risks of developing coronary heart disease, hypertension, colon cancer, and diabetes.

You’ll be amazed at how invigorating it can be to exercise. Aerobic exercises are important for women because it elevates your heart rate, giving your heart and lungs a good workout.

Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water daily is CRUCIAL to clear waste and toxins from your body. It also lowers your levels of histamines, which will reduce your allergy symptoms, water retention, and help prevent kidney stones and dehydration.  Water lowers concentrations of various toxins and makes their effects less critical. Water is the best inner cleanser and can  be considered one of the natural menopause remedies.

Learn as much as you can from experts. 

Take good care of your health, knowing that it is just a stage you are going through. 

Be aware of your emotional changes and perception, don’t allow yourself to become Mrs. Jekyll one minute and Mrs. Hyde another.    

Remember your loved ones are not the cause, keep your family relationships sweet, and they will help you through it.

 

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