MENOPAUSE – SIMPLE WAYS TO COPE WITH THE SYMPTOMS

Menopause has a debilitating effect on the body and mind of a woman.  This may sound melodramatic, but when you think of all the symptoms that are part of the menopausal stage, you will definitely agree with me. 

Medical research has identified 34 to 35 common menopausal symptoms.  To name a few:

Physical menopausal symptoms:

Profuse sweating at night, palpitation, extreme fatigue, joint pains, bleeding of gums, bloating, frequent headaches, irregular menstruation, Osteoporosis, cracking and chipping of finger/toe nails, increase in facial hair but thinning of hairline, frequent gastric ailments, vaginal irritation, dryness of skin causing wrinkles, and sometimes higher levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormones (TSH) or Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Emotional menopausal symptoms: Irritability, mood-swings ranging between depression and hilarity, insomnia, lack of concentration, unjustified anxiety and fears, diminishing interest in sexual activity, etc. 

Phew!  Aren’t these enough?  Today, medical research has provided drugs for most of the physical as well as emotional problems.  But some of these medications have side effects that can be equally traumatic.  So, from a non-medical point of view, there are some very simple ways in which to cope with this difficult stage in life.  They are:

Yoga therapy for menopause: 

Prana Power Yoga is one of the most effective forms of exercise.  It is a combination of Yoga exercises and meditation.  Yoga improves blood circulation and increases efficiency of all the other organs, thus reducing the physical symptoms.  Yoga also includes pranayam or breathing technique which is a form of mind-and-body relaxation method, thus reducing emotional symptoms. Of course, any new form of physical activity should be undertaken under proper supervision; especially so by women who have a family history of Osteoporosis/Rheumatism or experience joint pains.  If your daily schedule renders yoga classes impossible, an early morning walk for about 20 minutes will do wonders as well.  It is important to make exercise an essential part of your daily routine. 

Appropriate regime during menopause: 

I am not going to tell you the usual diet – drink plenty of water, increase fiber intake, lots of fruits and vegetables, etc.  You already know this.  But here’s what I consume besides the usual balanced diet with positiveresults – soy bean flour.  A tablespoon of flour per day can be consumed in the form of porridge at breakfast time.  Also, add a tablespoon of cooked bean sprouts in your daily salad.  Make mayonnaise and other sauces at home with low-cholesterol cooking oil instead of using commercially available sauces.  Soak together one almond, fiveblack currants, one dried fig, one dried apricot, one date in half cup water for five to six hours and consume the whole thing once a day.  This prevents acidity and aids digestion.  And here’s the bonus – your skin will develop a new radiance.   Again, please be cautious about any known or possible allergies.  Modifying an old cliché, “An apple a day, keeps your cheeks pink everyday.”

Hobby as a cure for menopausal symptoms: 

Come on ladies, start thinking about “you” instead of your career and family.  Keep some time of the week for an activity that you like doing alone.  Occasionally go on a holiday to a place you have missed because the rest of the family was not interested.  This can be combined with photography or writing travel articles to share your experiences.  If Osteoporosis or Rheumatism is a deterrent, resume an old favorite hobby such as writing, singing, painting, sketching, home-made jewelry, home-made handicrafts, etc.  You can learn to play a musical instrument or join the local dramatics association.  But the key phrase here is – do what you-and-you-alone wish to do, away from the rest of the family.  It will also get you away from your aches and pains for a while. 

A school friend of mine took up an unusual hobby – she brought down all the old photo albums from the attic and kept them closer at hand.  Once a week she organizes the photos in new albums and writes little notes below each photo, listing the people in each photo and the relationship with the family.  She also writes down some interesting or amusing incidents related with some of the photographs.  This has brought back wonderful memories and she feels as if she was reliving those beautiful moments of her life.  It has had a therapeutic effect and keeps her in a positive frame of mind during the rest of the week.  Ahem, of course, some of us like writing articles. 

Look good, feel good during menopause: 

Ah, know any woman who doesn’t want to look good?  You will not find one.  Treat yourself to some new clothes; maybe even change your style a little.  Give yourself a new look.  It’s not important to be trendy.  It is more important to wear comfortable clothes that enhance your individual personality.  Try a new hairstyle.  A deep-cleansing facial once a month will keep the skin toned and slow down the process of wrinkling.  The look-good-feel-good effect works wonders, so pamper yourself.  Herbal products are great and rarely have adverse side effects.  Massaging with almond oil enriched with Vitamin E rejuvenates the skin and gives it a natural glow; yes, even at 50 plus years.  Again, please do not try anything new if you have a history or family history of skin allergies. 

Redecorate your home: 

As a cure for menopausal symptoms, depending on your finances, health and energy levels, you can redecorate your home (or at least your own room) to give it a new look.  Take your time doing it.  Make a list of your favorite colors for the soft furnishing; buy a reclining chair you’ve always wanted or a lampshade you preferred.  Maybe you would like a small settee placed next to the window for your early morning tea time.  If your room is breezy and cool, hang a wind-chime at the window.  Choose something with a soft tinkling sound.  This will soothe the nerves and in a little while you will actually feel your mind and muscles start to relax.  The soft sound of a waterfall can also be very calming.  Small ornamental indoor waterfalls are available in curio shops.  Place it just a few feet away from the chair you usually use when relaxing at the end of the day.

Aromatherapy for menopause: 

Go out and shop instead of wallowing in depression.  Lavender, ylang-ylang, chamomile, orange, rose, etc are soothing fragrances.  Essential oils with these fragrances are commercially available.  Rubbing your face and body with an essential oil of your choice will serve a dual purpose - the fragrance soothes the nerves and the base oil acts as a natural moisturizer.  These oils are also available to suit a person by their personality and zodiac sign.  Why not try one?  I have and it does help to some extent. 

Home based job - a sure cure for menopausal symptoms: 

For homemakers, who have some free time on their hands and are thrifty by nature, taking on a part time work-from-home job can be very fulfilling.  You can even acquire the job from home.  There are various websites where you can register free of cost and seek employment to suit your talents.  Just Google-search for home based jobs and you will find a plethora of such websites.  Some extra income is always useful.  A bit of caution:  If any site asks you to pay them online to get a job, just ignore them.  No genuine job sites will ask you to pay them for giving you work as they are paid by the recruiters.  For job-seekers, the service is free of cost. 

Charity-related work: 

Now this may sound preachy, but in fact charitable work has a therapeutic as well as schooling effect on a person.  This should be a purely voluntary service, not paid work.  Visit an orphanage or home-for-the-aged and spend some quality time with the residents.  Voluntary work in schools for special children can also be taken up.  This kind of activity would take you away from your aches and pains.  Emotionally, when you see someone in a worse condition than you and yours, it compels you to thank God for what He has given you.  Charity work can also be done from your own home.  There is a concept of mentoring a needy child, where you can facilitate the child’s education.  There is no financial responsibility on your part.  Coaching, guidance and advice are all it takes.  This is very fulfilling emotionally, especially since your own children have probably grown up and do not need you as much.  The feeling of being “needed” by someone adds purpose to your life.

Reading - a distraction from menopause: 

Were you fond of reading when young?  Have you let that excellent habit take a backseat?  Then this is the time to visit the nearest bookstore and just browse, and browse...  The old spark of interest will be rekindled.  I’m speaking of books, of course!  Discover new authors, new writing style.  If you have read only fiction in the past, try non-fiction like plays, autobiographies, real-life adventure stories, etc.  At present I am reading “Three Cups of Tea” co-authored by Greg Mortensen (a mountaineer) and D. A. Relin, which is about one man’s mission to build schools in the most remote parts of Pakistan where there were none.  It is a very compelling story and fast reading. 

Another lady of my acquaintance did something unusual but very, very therapeutic for her – she gathered together all the comics that were stashed away in an old trunk and read some of them once a week.  These included Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, Asterix, Archie, etc.  What you read is not the question here.  The end result has to be positive and that’s what counts.  If you do not wish to purchase books, you can join the local lending library and read books for a nominal fee. 

Pet therapy for menopausal symptoms: 

Those who love animals but have not had an opportunity to keep a pet can do so now.  Pets are adorable.  I have a dog named Robin Hood, who belies the name vis-à-vis bravery.  Yet, he is the most pampered and adored member of our household.  Dogs, cats, fish, birds or other pets need a lot of attention, so you should be prepared to devote plenty of time.  Most pets havemoods too and are usually very sensitive to criticism.  Treat a pet with TLC and the pleasure is all yours. 

Quality time with spouse:

Discussing your needs and problems with your spouse can sometimes help.  Better options are getting away together at a weekend for a short holiday, reliving the old days, sharing common interests, etc.  Enroll in some activity which you can do together as a couple.  Learn ballroom dancing together.   Laughing together, smiling together, sharing companionable silences, just a walk hand-in-hand is not outdated and will never be.  These apparently small gestures are a large part of togetherness.

Recognize your potential:  

Paula (name changed) said to me, “But I am not good at anything.  I cannot sing or dance.  I am not fond of reading.  My Arthritis will not permit travel.  I am just an ordinary homemaker.  I can cook and bake very well but I’ve been doing that for years.  It hasn’t been therapeutic so far!”  Our little group of friends got together and suggested she conduct cooking and baking classes at home for teenagers and young couples who are on the threshold of a new life.   Today, her students are winning cooking and baking competitions.  They consider her the mantra for kitchen-ills.  For neighbors and friends, she has even come up with simplified recipes; especially useful for mothers with very young children or men/women who like home cooked food but cannot spare the time to prepare elaborate meals.  Who knows, maybe one day a cookery book with her name on it might be available in bookstores.

So ladies, you have taken care of spouse, house and kids.  Why expect others to take care of you now?  You can take care of yourself.  I have found my therapy – reading and writing.  GO AND FIND YOUR THERAPY BECAUSE YOU ARE WORTH IT.