One of the most important milestones in a woman’s life is menopause. This is the period when the woman will no longer have her monthly periods. This also means that this is the end of her fertility. Once a woman enters menopause, she can no longer have a child.
Menopause occurs when a woman’s ovaries run out of eggs. There is also a decrease in the production of some sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and, to some extent, androgens. A woman has throughout her life about half a million eggs in her ovaries. Of this half million eggs, only about 400 to 500 eggs mature and are released during the menstrual cycle. The rest of the eggs degenerate.
When a woman is still of reproductive age, the body secretes hormones to thicken the lining of the uterus. These hormones, progesterone and estrogen, prepare the body to nourish the egg. If this is fertilized, then it will develop into a fetus, a baby. Otherwise, the secretion of hormones will be delayed and the lining will slowly thin. This is when menstruation occurs.
Due to age, women’s ovaries will slowly decrease the secretion of hormones. This often starts when they are in their 30s. In their late 40s, they will often have irregular menstrual cycles due to fluctuating hormone levels. When a woman reaches her 40s, her period finally stops. This is menopause.
Menopause can be difficult for some women, especially when they are not ready for it. Because the female hormones will stop secreting, women may feel various changes in their bodies. The most common are hot flashes, weight gain, and bone problems. Here are some tips to help you cope with menopause.
1. Make it cooler
Hot flashes can be resolved with medication, but some people do not opt for this due to cost or fear of side effects. To help minimize this, try to wear light clothing. Wear lots of layers, which can be removed when hot flashes start. There are also mini fans that you can take with you in your bag. They are battery operated so there is no need to search for an electric fan.
2. Practice physical activity
Expect to get heavier during menopause. When his pants suddenly don’t fit him, don’t be surprised. It’s not because you’ve suddenly been eating a lot lately but because of menopause.
Due to changes in the body, particularly in the levels of hormones the body secretes, women gain weight during menopause. To combat this, it is good to engage in physical activity. This also strengthens the bones, which tend to weaken during this period of life.
Another advantage of doing physical activity, especially in sports, is that it will also help you maintain your weight. Remember that metabolism will naturally slow down as you get older. So whether you’re in menopause or not, physical activity will benefit you.
3. Take your vitamins
One of the important things a woman must do to cope well with menopause is to take vitamins regularly. Hormonal changes in the body weaken the bones. This is why it is vital that women have adequate calcium intake. They should also monitor the levels of vitamin D in the body.
Vitamin D and calcium play an important role in reducing the risk of developing osteoporosis, which frequently occurs in women who are of the age of menopause. Osteoporosis is a disease that thins the bones and can lead to bone fractures. It is recommended that women in menopause take at least 1200 mg per day of calcium and about 400-600 IU of vitamin D for calcium absorption.