• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Sheryl Kraft

freelance health writer

  • About Me
    • My Resume
  • Portfolio
    • Beauty & Fashion
    • Cancer
    • Essays
    • Eye Health
    • Fitness
    • Health
    • Menopause
    • Misc
    • Nutrition
    • Pain
    • Sleep
    • Work/Life
  • Work with Me
  • Newsletter
  • Blog
    • Beauty
    • Best Of
    • Current Obsessions
    • Diet & Exercise
    • Fashion
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Menopause
    • Midlife
    • Relationships
    • Spa & Travel
  • Contact

September 26, 2018

Seven Effective Ways to Deal With Menopause

It seems that lately, everyone is talking about menopause.

Okay, not everyone, but the people I associate with.

We’re all of “that age:” either we’ve gone through it or we’re presently going through it.

And, as unreliable as memories can sometimes be, when it comes to menopause mine are crystal clear (even though my periods officially ended years ago in my early 50s): the hot flashes that torched my inner furnace, the night sweats that soaked my dry sheets, the moods that brought back (bad) memories of PMS when I’d fall into depressions so deep I swore I’d never climb out (but I always did), the insomnia, heart palpitations, dry-skin-and-everything-else.

The thing is, menopause is a relief – no more bleeding; nor more pregnancy worries; no more disabling cramps; no more premenstrual mood swings. But the other thing is, menopause is a passage into a new phase of life, and ushers in a new set of challenges in exchange for its presence. And many of us are unprepared or even frightened of this foreign territory.

There is no denying that the onset of menopause brings very real health challenges and risks, and affects the quality of your life. Estrogen – or the decline of it – has a big influence on our bodies.

My LDL cholesterol numbers started climbing the year after I officially entered menopause; so did my blood pressure. My bone density, on the other hand, started falling to the point of near-osteoporosis (even though I exercise and eat well). My concentration was off for a while, too.

It’s important for women to know that this is not the time to ignore their health. But many do. I recently read a startling statistic: Although 60 percent of women who have major menopausal symptoms seek help from a healthcare professional, close to three-quarters of those who do are left untreated. And so, the nearly one-third of menopausal women in our country, or 6,000 who reach menopause each day, are needlessly suffering. It makes me wonder how elderly women that enjoy making adult films still, either being professional or amateur on sites like https://www.nu-bay.com/ manage to do it, but we always have to remember everyone’s bodies are different.

Part of the problem is that many doctors are not knowledgeable; they haven’t had training and are not up to date. In most medical schools and residency programs, there is no training specifically for menopause, and only about 20 percent of ob-gyn residency programs provide it.

This all supports the fact that we need to be our own health advocates. Menopause symptoms are not all in your head – they’re real, and they have real implications for your health.

If you have health concerns, you need to discuss them with a healthcare professional. And if you can’t find one who will listen, or who seems to be interested or knowledgeable, find one who is.

Do you know there are certified menopause practitioners who specialize in healthcare for menopausal women? Years ago, The North American Menopause Society recognized the need for high-quality care for this select population and developed a competency exam to all licensed healthcare providers, awarding the credential to those who have demonstrated expertise in the field, including MDs, PAs (physician assistants), registered nurses, licensed clinical social workers, and more. To see the complete list, click here. To help you locate one in your area, click here.

You are far from helpless in this life transition! There are plenty of everyday things you can do yourself to stay healthy.

  1. Track your hot flashes. Hot flashes can be set off by certain things like caffeine, alcohol, a too-hot room or stress. Keep a record so you can track your personal likely culprits.
  2. Prep for night sweats. Being prepared is half the battle – you don’t want to be caught tearing off your long-sleeved pjs or kicking off your down quilt in the middle of the night (those things alone can disrupt sleep even more than the night sweats!) Instead, dress in light breathable fabrics (or sleep nude), replace your quilt with light blankets, keep a fan and some ice water at your bedside, and a bag of frozen peas under your pillow.
  3. Exercise regularly. It’s got so much going for it (in my opinion, it should be written on every prescription pad). Not only can exercise help with sleep (just don’t do it too close to bedtime), but it’s a powerful stress-reliever and bone-builder, too. Exercise is also an effective way to maintain, and build, cognitive function and burn off extra calories.
  4. Know your products. There are plenty of over-the-counter products for vaginal dryness, ranging from lubricants for sex to moisturizers for everyday comfort. You can also talk to your healthcare professional about prescription low-dose estrogen, which can be applied directly to the vagina in various forms (creams, rings or suppositories).
  5. Change up your skin and haircare routine. Your skin can go through many noticeable changes: elasticity drops, dryness increases, fine lines and wrinkles surface and you’re more prone to age spots, thin skin and yes, even acne. Hair might get thinner, dryer and more unruly. Now might be a good time to try new natural haircare products and plumping skin products.
  6. Challenge your brain. Fuzzy thinking, trouble with concentration, mood swings. It can happen. That’s why it’s important to keep your brain challenged. It can not only take your mind off your woes, but can help build important neural connections necessary to maintain cognitive health and stave off age-related damage. There are lots of brain games you can play, but really anything that requires focus and concentration can help build your brain’s muscle.
  7. Reach out. There’s power in connecting with other people. It’s not just that misery loves company (well, there is that), but plenty of research supports the strong connection between social interaction and health. Need proof? This post hit a hot spot with almost 300 women, who shared their own personal stories. (Comments have been removed).
Tweet
Share
Pin
Share
0 Shares
Previous Post: « Detox Rx Family Circle staffers tested seven juice cleanses to find out if they’re really liquid gold.
Next Post: Timing Is Everything; How Timing Your Meals Around Your Circadian Rhythm Can Boost Your Health »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Irene S. Levine says

    September 30, 2018 at 6:02 pm

    Such helpful suggestions!

Primary Sidebar

Learn more or
read the archives.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

About Me

What’s this so-called midlife, anyway?

It’s a time of tremendous change, growth and opportunity. A time to re-evaluate our choices, our experiences and ourselves. A time to take what we’ve accumulated up until now and put it to work.

When I turned 50, many things changed... read more about me.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Reader Feedback

speaks realistically about what happens when we approach our 50’s and beyond

I think your website is GREAT!  It's hard to find an online space that speaks realistically about what happens when we approach our 50's and beyond.  Keep writing, and thanks for your support."
Sheryl Kraft
2016-11-29T02:25:43+00:00
I think your website is GREAT!  It's hard to find an online space that speaks realistically about what happens when we approach our 50's and beyond.  Keep writing, and thanks for your support."
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/readers-love-us/

A High School Student and Aspiring Writer from Australia Reaches Out…

I would love to hear a few things on the prospect from a first hand-perspective, and would be thrilled to learn more about it from you. Your advice is well valued and I’m very grateful to have such wise words from someone with such first hand experience.

I will be looking forward to reading more of your wonderful articles in the future!

Best wishes,

Mikayla

 
Sheryl Kraft
2017-01-17T13:37:55+00:00
I would love to hear a few things on the prospect from a first hand-perspective, and would be thrilled to learn more about it from you. Your advice is well valued and I’m very grateful to have such wise words from someone with such first hand experience. I will be looking forward to reading more of your wonderful articles in the future! Best wishes, Mikayla  
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/high-school-student-aspiring-writer-australia-reaches/

Due to your article, traffic and sales have been great this past week!

On behalf of our entire organization, we'd like to thank you so much for featuring our product in last week’s Parade Magazine. Due to your article, traffic and sales have been great this past week.! We are a small business that prides ourselves on excellent product quality and customer service. We work hard to make quality products and market them effectively but then sometimes you get a gift like your article which really takes us to the next level. We will be eternally grateful to you for choosing us as one of your eye product recommendations.

 
Sheryl Kraft
2018-12-07T02:46:56+00:00
On behalf of our entire organization, we'd like to thank you so much for featuring our product in last week’s Parade Magazine. Due to your article, traffic and sales have been great this past week.! We are a small business that prides ourselves on excellent product quality and customer service. We work hard to make quality products and market them effectively but then sometimes you get a gift like your article which really takes us to the next level. We will be eternally grateful to you for choosing us as one of your eye product recommendations.  
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/due-to-your-article-traffic-and-sales-have-been-great-this-past-week/

I’m writing to express my admiration for the work you are doing!

I'm a young medical writer trying to get a foothold in the industry, so the portfolio you have on your website showcasing your accomplishments is something that I'm aiming to achieve.

I don't want to take up too much of your time, but I am hoping you can share some advice, tips, or guidance as I work on this, my lateral career change!

Thanks for taking the time to read this - I know you probably have much more exciting things to be doing, but just know that your work is inspiring me to continue down this writing path.

 
Sheryl Kraft
2020-02-14T14:57:09+00:00
I'm a young medical writer trying to get a foothold in the industry, so the portfolio you have on your website showcasing your accomplishments is something that I'm aiming to achieve. I don't want to take up too much of your time, but I am hoping you can share some advice, tips, or guidance as I work on this, my lateral career change! Thanks for taking the time to read this - I know you probably have much more exciting things to be doing, but just know that your work is inspiring me to continue down this writing path.  
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/im-writing-to-express-my-admiration-for-the-work-you-are-doing/
0
Sheryl Kraft
Sheryl Craft is a Live Healthy Connecticut Expert

Specialties Include:

  • Midlife Women
  • Spa/Travel
  • Health & Wellness
  • Nutrition
  • Beauty
  • Fitness
  • Branded Content
  • Sponsored Posts
  • Blogging
  • About Me
  • Portfolio
  • Work with Me
  • Newsletter
  • Blog
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 SherylKraft.com


Disclaimer: The medical information on this website is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied. SherylKraft.com makes no representations or warranties in relation to the medical information on this website.