If you are in your late 40s or early 50s, there is a big chance that you are already experiencing some, if not all, symptoms of menopause. It is quite easy to notice the physical changes, such as vaginal dryness, loss of skin elasticity, inability to sleep, slight drooping of the breasts, irregularity of the menses, weight gain, and even episodes of hot flashes and night sweating. However, some mental, such as memory lapses, and emotional changes, such as depression, mood swings, tension and anxiety, are harder to identify and acknowledge.



One popular choice of treatment for menopause is Hormone Replacement Therapy. Since there were many reports linking this type of remedy to the development of certain serious illnesses, quite a number of women are not keen into undergoing HRT. Up to now, however, scientists still do not have definitive data proving that this treatment is indeed unsafe.

If you are not comfortable with using this type of treatment, you should not fret. There are other more natural and safer ways to deal with this situation. Here are some of the alternative ways that can help you ease your menopausal woes:

Dietary Changes

Women who are suffering from menopausal symptoms should be more careful with what they eat and consume. Since levels of estrogen start to diminish during this time, it would be a great idea to add foods that are rich in Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that is effective as estrogen in quelling hormonal imbalance. Good sources of this nutrient are flaxseed, wheat germ, and avocado.

Soya and other soy products are also believed to be effective in minimizing hot flashes and other signs of menopause. Thus, it may be a good idea to try drinking soymilk and other soy-enriched food.

Exercise

It is widely believed that women who are active and who engage in regular physical activities cope with menopause symptoms better than those who live sedentary lives. Sweating it out is a fun way to improve mental health and memory and lessen mood changes. Scientists say that exercise can actually increase production of dopamine receptors and dopamine, which is responsible for pleasure happiness. Thus, active women usually do not experience memory problems, depression and anxiety attacks. What's more, exercise is also good for the health of your bones and heart.

Another way to reduce stress, which can exacerbate your symptoms, is to try meditation, Pilates, yoga and Tai chi. After a few sessions, you surely will be able to calm your nerves, sleep better and know how to deal with stress effectively.

Aside from aerobics, engaging in sports and other sweat-producing activities, you should also try Kegel exercises, or squeezing of your pelvic muscles repeatedly, in order to help prevent incontinence and improve sexual appetite. Your husband or partner will surely love for you to start moving those pelvic muscles so you do not lose interest of making love with him.

Herbal Supplement

Most of the drugs that are available in the market today actually contain synthetic reproductions of chemicals or substances that are found in herbs, animals and plants. Thus, using herbs, fruits, and essential oils is really nothing new.

Some herbs that are believed to dramatically alleviate problems connected with menopause are black cohosh (corrects hormonal imbalance), valerian root (promotes sleep), Ginkgo (improve blood circulation and memory), Lavender essential oil (provides calming effect), green tea (boosts metabolism and prevents water retention) and many others. If you do not know where to find these herbs, you can just look for a product, such as Menersa, that contains majority of the ingredients mentioned above. For more information, visit