Dear Red Hot Mamas- October 2019

By: Red Hot Mamas

Published: October 16, 2019

“A woman’s health is her capital”
-Harriet Beecher Stowe

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

October 18th is World Menopause Day. Red Hot Mamas unites with women across the world to celebrate this special designated day. Millions of women who enter this vital stage of their lives wander blindly into menopause without knowing what to expect. Our goal at Red Hot Mamas is to help you digest the information that is currently available to you so you can make better and objective health decisions.

We also strongly urge you to advocate for yourself. Many of you have taken care of others throughout your lives. Your family and your friends have certainly benefited from your help. Now, it’s time for you to advocate for yourself.

You should understand what’s going on with your body at menopause. You should also learn how to evaluate your risks of disease as you pass through the menopause transition.

We believe that if you understand what’s going on with our body as it enters menopause and through your postmenopausal years, you will be much more likely to do the work necessary to stay healthy.

Here are some easy steps to help you get through menopause:

* Recognize that menopause is a normal life event. It is not a disease. However, it is a time of change – just like puberty was that also brought on hormonal upheavals. Yes, it can be rocky at times, but many of the symptoms of menopause do become less problematic over time.

* Make sure you find a good healthcare practitioner (HCP) who listens to you and whom you feel comfortable with receiving advice from. A good HCP: Takes time to listen; takes time to talk with you; plans ahead to prevent problems; has your trust and confidence and is available to talk to you by telephone if necessary. Your HCP should be your advocate and help you put all the information together to help you to stay happy and healthy through menopause.

* Revaluate your lifestyle and change unhealthy habits. Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight and get enough sleep.

* Have an annual physical. Bring a list of your physical and emotional symptoms to discuss with your HCP.

* Take time out for yourself. Take steps to combat stress. Try to do something that makes you feel good to reduce your stress. Stress intensifies menopausal symptoms.

In closing, understanding the changes that occur at menopause, and knowing what you can do about the issues that arise, is the best way to minimize some of the negative aspects of menopause. Gaining information about these things will even make menopause into a positive experience.

Good Health to You All,

Karen Giblin