7 Indispensable Items You Need to Make It Through Menopause
Hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, fatigue, mood swings, painful intercourse: these are just some of the symptoms women can expect when experiencing menopause. Menopause can be an uncomfortable and confusing transition, but with the help of your doctor and some preparation it doesn’t have to be quite as bad. Every woman is different and will therefore have a unique experience with menopause, so the first and most important step is to talk to your doctor. After you and your doctor have come up with a plan, what else can you do to navigate the ups and downs of menopause? Here is a list of seven indispensable items you need to make it through menopause.
1. A Good Escape
Both stress and lack of sleep can worsen the symptoms of menopause. Having a way to escape can help you battle both of these issues. If you are starting to feel overwhelmed, stressed or like you need a break, pull out a favorite book and get lost in the pages. It will help you stay calm and clear your head. Another way to escape could be by investing in good noise-canceling headphones. Whether you listen to music or not, tuning out irritating background noises of the world in exchange for some quick alone time can do wonders.
And to help you have restful sleep, develop a nightly routine of a calm and relaxing activity before bed such as reading a great book or full body stretches.
2. Reuseable Water Bottle
As women experiencing menopause know, a hot flash can occur anytime, anywhere. Staying hydrated can help diminish the effects of hot flashes. Once a hot flash starts, drinking cold water can help shorten the so-called “tropical vacation” (who came up with that?). Carrying a reusable water bottle with you everywhere you go is an invaluable tool to help you survive menopause. A stainless steel bottle is eco-friendly and also easy to keep cool.
3. Portable Fan
Are you afraid of a hot flash coming on at work? Having trouble sleeping through the night due to night sweats? A portable fan can be a lifesaver. Keep one in your purse and one by your bed at all times, giving you access to fresh cool air whenever you need it. You have many different options to choose from: handheld to full sized, battery powered, crank powered, plug-in, or even good old fashioned folding paper fans. With all the size options available, your fan can be as discreet as you want while keeping you cool and your hot flashes at bay.
4. Clothes and Sheets that Breathe
Certain types of fabrics can actually make you hotter and prolong hot flashes. Wear clothes made of cotton, linen or rayon or clothes made of wicking material. Check out this guide to help you decide which works best for you. Wearing layers will also help you control your temperature by giving you the ability to bundle up if you get cold then strip down during a hot flash. The same applies for bedding. Use layers of blankets and sheets and make sure to use cotton sheets as they are the most breathable. Also remember that the higher the thread count, the less breathable the sheets.
5. (Not That Kind of) Moisturizer
Vaginal dryness can be one of the most uncomfortable side effects of menopause and can also wreak havoc on your relationship with your partner. Long-lasting relief can ensure higher self-confidence and a satisfying sex life with your partner. Some women opt for a moisturizer-lubricant combo to really enhance intimacy. Check out our article on lubricants to learn how to pick the right one for you.
6. A Great Yoga Class
Maintaining an exercise routine and eliminating stress are two of the best things you can do to keep your menopause symptoms at bay. Yoga provides excellent stress relief while getting a great workout as well. There are many different types to choose from that range between cardio-heavy power yoga to gentle restorative. Most studios offer deals for first time students so you can try out different spots until you find the one that is right for you. If yoga is not your speed, try another form of exercise to reduce stress and promote health: running, swimming, Pilates, strength training, or even walking are great alternatives.
With some help from your doctor and a few important items, you can make it through menopause while staying healthy and comfortable. We hope the tools above will aid you in getting through this transition as smoothly as possible.
7. A Sense of Humor
Ok, this one you can’t exactly buy. But menopause can suck, there’s no sugarcoating it. Laughter is the best medicine, so if you can’t change something you can at least resist letting it bring you down. We recommend starting with these hilarious hot flash stories (because we could all use some solidarity), and then head over to this sassy menopause menu.
The Vibrant Voice Ambassador’s mission is to collect interesting stories and useful articles that are relevant for mature women. Our goal is to help you maintain an active lifestyle - to Fifty and Beyond!
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