Health …
9 TIPS TO DEAL WITH Menopause usually starts when you’re in your early 50s. Fortunately, if patients follow these easy steps, they can ease the symptoms considerably.
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QUIT SMOKING Studies have found that women
who smoke tend to get earlier menopause, have worse hot flushes, and don’t respond as well to HRT (hormone replacement
news: it’s not much of a consolation, but at least there are products that
to bad moods and bad migraines.
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symptoms in this day and age,” said Dr Joshua Matambo, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Mediclinic Newcastle. “It is important to discuss your concerns with your
ZAP YOUR ZITS As if the headaches and hot
flushes weren’t enough, acne is another common complaint during menopause. Switch to gentler cosmetics and moisturisers, which won’t clog your pores. Words to look for on the packaging are ‘non-
healthcare professional so that the
comedogenic’ and ‘non-acnegenic’.
appropriate lifestyle changes and
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therapeutic options – which do not necessarily include hormone
he said.
sun, which could dry and damage
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“No woman should be
the informed decision-making,”
harsh chemicals, and stay out of the
Avoid colouring products that have
your hair.
suffering from menopausal
concerns, as well as be involved in
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can help you save what you have.
therapy) pills.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR
that they can also express their
KEEP YOUR COOL Hot flushes at night are known,
GET PLENTY OF REST Your sleeping patterns might
take a knock – and that could lead Getting some exercise will help you sleep better at night, even if it’s just a walk during the day. You may want to talk to your GP about sleeping pills. If you do, ask for short-term remedies. You don’t want to add more meds to your mix.
9
MANAGE YOUR MOODS Menopause is what happens
when your body stops producing eggs (biologists think it’s there to help prevent women
in some cases, to last a couple of
having dangerous late-life
started.”
minutes. Keep cool by switching to
pregnancies). But while your
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thinner pyjamas and lighter blankets
periods are ending, premenstrual
and use a bedside fan to keep the
syndrome (PMS) is going down
room temperature down.
swinging. If you had bad PMS,
replacement therapy – can be
KEEP A DIARY Certain things – like caffeine,
alcohol, hunger, or (of all things) hot rooms – can trigger hot flushes. Keep a diary of your possible
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INVOLVE YOUR PARTNER Although the health problems
your body’s hormonal changes during menopause might cause even bigger mood swings. Ask your
may be personal, you shouldn’t try to
gynae or GP about low-dose birth
around them.
do this on your own. Dr Matambo has
control pills or antidepressants (or
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some sound advice for any woman
alternatives) to help manage those
who’s suffering from menopause. “I
mood swings. •
triggers and find ways to work
PROTECT YOUR HAIR Bad news: your hair could
start thinning or shedding. Good
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always advise my patients to come with their husband or partner so
SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2020/2021
This article was first published on www. medicalacademic.co.za on 9 January 2020.
