Do you know why women stop having a period when entering menopause? Because they need all the blood for their varicose veins. Not really, but it certainly seems that way sometimes! Menopause is a pivotal time in a woman's life where many changes occur. If you don’t have a little humor, getting through these changes may be more complicated than it needs to be.

What is Menopause?

Menopause is a natural biological process indicating the permanent end of menstruation and fertility. It is usually confirmed when a woman has missed her period for 12 consecutive months with no other apparent causes. Menopause results in lower estrogen levels and other hormones and occurs, on average, at age 51.  Menopause is not a medical illness and is frankly a misunderstood part of womanhood. You can look back on your 40th birthday and wonder what all the drama was about with a better understanding.

Why Is This Happening To Me?

You can add menopause to your list of problems starting with “men.” Seriously though, as menopause nears, your ovaries make less of a hormone called estrogen. It is naturally occurring when a woman's ovaries run out of functioning eggs. Your periods start to change, and they can become irregular and then stop. The process is gradual and is described in three stages:

• Perimenopause: At this stage, many people may experience menopause symptoms. But you are still having menstrual cycles during this time and can get pregnant.

• Menopause: Menopause is the point when you no longer have menstrual periods. 

• Post menopause: This is the name given to the time after you have not had a period for an entire year. Menopausal symptoms will start to ease in many people during this stage.

What Are the Symptoms of Menopause?

You may be transitioning into menopause if you begin experiencing some or all of the following symptoms:

• Hot flashes.
• Night sweats or cold flashes.
• Vaginal dryness; discomfort during sex.
• Urinary urgency.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Emotional changes.
• Dry skin, dry eyes, or dry mouth.

Can I do anything about menopause?

Some supplements may be able to help you cope with the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, such as:

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B-12
• Vitamin B-6
• Vitamin E

It’s not all bad. Perspective is everything.

Your attitude as you transition into your new phase of life has a tremendous impact on your experience. The attitude with which you embark upon this transition can have a considerable effect on your understanding of it, as well as on your choice of behaviors. Far from being the end of life, you may find menopause to be a new beginning, one that can be lived richly, fully, and in good overall health.

“This is your moment to reinvent yourself after years of focusing on the needs of everyone else.” - Oprah Winfrey

Stay #ShieldStrong Everyone!