My Touch Of Heaven

• Hot flashes. A hot environment, eating or drinking hot or spicy foods, alcohol or caffeine, and stress can bring on hot flashes. Try to avoid these triggers. Dress in layers and keep a fan in your home or workplace. Regular exercise might also bring relief from hot flashes and other symptoms. Ask your healthcare provider about taking medication such as antidepressants, or hormone therapy, both of which can be helpful for some women.
• Vaginal dryness. You could try an over-the-counter vaginal lubricant. There are also prescription estrogen-replacement creams that your doctor may prescribe to use topically in the vagina. If you have spotting or bleeding while using estrogen creams, you should see your doctor.
• Problems sleeping. One of the best ways to get a good night’s sleep is to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. But avoid exercising vigorously close to bedtime. Also avoid alcohol, caffeine, large meals, and working right before bedtime. You might want to drink something warm, such as herb tea or warm milk, before bedtime. Try to keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature. Avoid napping during the day and try to go to bed and get up at the same times every day. Try relaxation exercise like meditation before bedtime.

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Menopause is a normal change in a woman’s life when her period stops. It is often called the “change of life.” During menopause, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, a woman’s body slowly makes less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a period for 12 months in a row, and there are no other causes for this change. As you near menopause, you may have symptoms from the changes ocurring in your body. Many women wonder if these changes are normal, and many are confused about how to treat their symptoms. You can feel better by learning all you can about menopause and talking with your doctor about your health and symptoms. If you want to treat your symptoms, your healthcare provider can discuss treatment options with you.

menopausal symptoms

Symptoms of menopause

Every woman’s period will stop at menopause. Some women may not have any other symptoms. But as you near menopause or as you are going through menopause, you may also have one or more of these symptoms:

Hot flashes (“hot flushes”). A feeling of sudden warmth in the face, neck, and chest.

Night sweats and sleeping problems. These may lead to feeling tired, stressed, or tense.

Vaginal changes. The vagina may become dry and thin, and sex and vaginal exams may be painful. You also might get more vaginal infections.

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As women get older, their risk of having ovarian cancer increases. The diagnosis of ovarian cancer brings with it many questions that needs clear understandable answers. Knowing and having more information about this disease can make it easier for women and their families to handle the challenges they face. Cancer researchers continue to study and learn more about ovarian cancer.

The ovaries are a pair of organs in the female reproductive system. They are located in a woman’s pelvis, one on each side of the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows). Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond and they can often be felt by a doctor during bi-manual portion of a pelvic examination. The ovaries have to main functions: production of eggs and production of female hormones (chemicals that control the way certain cells or organs functions). Every month during menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one ovary in a process called ovulation. The ovaries are also the main source of female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones influence the development of a woman’s breasts, body shape, and body hair. They also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Read more… »