Menopause is a difficult time for most women. Between the mood swings, weight gain and weight loss, hot flashes, and hits to your mental health, it can often seem like menopause has no end in sight. Menopausal women, in general, are frequently misunderstood and stigmatized. Despite this, it’s important to find ways to cope with your menopause symptoms and take control of your health.
Consider therapy
Therapy is an excellent resource for both women in the stages of menopause as well as postmenopausal women. Recent studies show that mental health professionals can play an important role in alleviating problematic mood swings. If you’re uncomfortable with traditional or face-to-face mental health services, there are other options that may better suit you. Virtual therapy, in particular, has made waves in recent years as a result of its flexibility, convenience, and affordability regardless of your general health insurance coverage.
Virtual therapy may seem fairly self-explanatory but comes with a variety of options you may not have considered. Video conferences can simulate in-person therapy sessions without trying to factor in commute times or additional travel. Video chat remains incredibly popular but there are still other ways to connect. Some virtual therapy programs have mobile apps and allow you to send a text message to your therapist as needed. It’s a great way to manage some of the more complex emotional symptoms of menopause in real-time. If you’re interested, looking into a virtual therapist network to see some of the beneficial effects that online therapy can have during your time experiencing menopause, such as boosts to self-esteem and confidence.
Take care of your body
Often, menopausal women find it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Menopause can cause both weight gain and weight loss. That’s because one of the symptoms of menopause that many people won’t tell you about is the fact that a healthy diet sometimes goes out the window. It’s easy to reach for comfort foods and snacks, especially if you’re in the middle of one of those nasty hot flashes; however, this can have a pretty noticeable impact on your gut health and digestive health. Gut flora is one of the keys to a healthy gut and without that good bacteria, you could find yourself dealing with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), upset stomachs, chronic inflammation, and unintended weight loss or gain.
Both menopausal and postmenopausal women should invest in probiotics to maintain their gut flora, which can translate to a healthy gut and a healthy weight. The best probiotic for menopause is one that helps out the good bacteria in your digestive system. Probiotics and probiotic supplements are often available over the counter but don’t always have the beneficial effects of products that are targeted directly toward coping with menopause symptoms such as hot flashes. It’s also a good idea to keep yogurt on hand. Yogurt is a natural source of good bacteria and probiotics. Plus, yogurt is a healthy snack. It’s a win-win.
It’s also a good idea to take vitamins alongside a probiotic supplement. If you’ve decided to invest in online therapy, it’s possible your therapist will tell you that vitamin deficiency, particularly a lack of Vitamin D and Vitamin C, can have a negative impact on your mood and your overall health. If your body is lacking in certain vitamins and minerals, you may be more susceptible to a urinary tract infection, bacterial vaginosis, or vulvovaginal candidiasis. Vitamins are a girl’s best friend.
Be patient with yourself
Unfortunately, menopause doesn’t happen overnight. Ask postmenopausal women and they’ll likely tell you menopause doesn’t even stop when menopause stops. As such, you need to do your best to take care of yourself, whether that’s investing in the best probiotic you can find or researching a virtual therapist network. There are ways to cope and make life more enjoyable during this period, even despite the hot flashes.
