What is Menopause? Menopause is when the ovaries naturally stop producing 2 hormones called estrogen and progesterone. Your ovaries are similar to what a car does in that over years it wears down, well so does the mechanism that regulates your hormones which is the ovaries. You go 12 consecutive months without having a period with no reasons to be explained for its occurrence, both biological or physical with it never returning. If both ovaries are removed surgically the menopause kicks in immediately. Menopause has signs and symptoms (s/s) that kick in which have varying intensities (it depends on the individual). You may experience mild to severe s/s. Those s/s can be : 1- Hot Flashes 2-Irregular Periods 3- Breast Pains 4- Night Sweats 5- Mood Swings 6- Loss of Labido 7- Vaginal Dryness 8-Brittle Nails 9-Bloating 10-Irritability 11-Depression 12- Weight Gain 13- Osteoporosis-one of the worst symptoms of menopause.
According to U.S. Census data from 2000, there are about 37.5 million women reaching or currently at menopause (ages 40 to 59).
As women near menopause, they may have symptoms too from the changes their body is making. Some women may not have any other symptoms at all. Symptoms that some women experience near menopause include symptoms close to the actual menopause symptoms are like the hot flashes (getting warm in the face, neck, or chest), night sweats or sleeping problems that led to feeling tired, stressed or tense, vaginal changes (the vagina may become dry and thin and sex may be painful) and thinning of bones, which may lead to loss of height and bone breaks. If a woman would like to treat her symptoms, she should talk to her health care provider to discuss treatment options.
Did you know over 60% of adult Americans are considered obese or overweight?
Weight gain happens when a person increases their body mass, whether it is a result of fat deposits, additional muscle tissue, or excess fluid. However, weight gain associated with menopause typically involves increased amounts of fat around the abdomen. One of the most accurate ways to see if you are obese is to measure your body mass index which is free online, check out the internet. I do every so often.
Go to Free BMI Calculator – AICR.org
www.aicr.org/bmi calculator.
On average, a women gains about 12 to 15 pounds between the ages of 45 and 55, this is usually when menopause typically occurs. This extra weight generally does not evenly distribute itself throughout a woman’s body. The weight tends to accumulate around the abdomen instead and women often notice the shape of their bodies slowly losing their hour-glass figure.
What can resolve this issue? As years progress the metabolism slows down; setting the physiological stage for weight gain. As a woman’s hormones fluctuate prior to menopause and preparing for a permanently reduced hormonal level, it is likely to experience weight gain. I’m over 45 y/o and in menopause. I have found a way not effective for me to stay in my BMI therapeutically by increasing my metabolism and keeping it at a steady rate without any heavy workout at this time. If you too are experiencing this problem and would like guidance in how to fix this naturally with not being put on drugs than just eat vegetables and fruits with will power to staying it for 3 months. You should see a decrease in weight. Now if you can’t than go to healthyusa.tsfl.com. and learn how to use medifast (which I attempted but didn’t work for me due to GERD since its all high in protein but with the acid build up it killed my esophagus and throat.). If you don’t have GERD it may be a temporary idea for you. You could try Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers. They all will show you how to increase your metabolism with you making the choices of what foods you want in your body. You will be able to treat yourself to foods high in fats or carbohydrates or sugars occasionally when you reach your therapeutic ratio of your body mass index. If you join Medifast you will also be able to get Dr. Anderson with his book “Dr. A’s healthy habits” and health coaches assisting you in doing what you need to know in understanding how the body works with foods and what foods (out of the 4 food groups is good for the body on a regular daily basis). I hope if you join any diet program company it works for you. Many people like myself who did found we were so happy with ourselves with the results, how it financially stayed within our budget or cheaper, and how it all paid off but remember you need to understand the concept of small meals not big 3 or 3 small meals a day. They both decrease your metabolism but if you reach your weight you need to follow with proper dieting and exercise if not everyday than at least every other day. If you feel you can’t give that commitment than do 3 times a week doing a good workout or two times working yourself up to 3 or 4 hour workouts which is not the ideal way or recommended since I use to do this type of workout and was good in keeping my weight great. I recommend you go to your doctor and get the best workout for you recommended by him or her. Not one plan fits everybody so you have to put time into finding that plan. I have been a RN over a quarter of a century and have seen disease from cancer units to cardiac units to all types of med surg. & could go on with my experience. I have worked from sea to shining sea, NY to California. I saw what unhealthy habits have done to peoples bodies of all ages in the US and will try every attempt not to end up like that. I will try to be healthier in living my life with staying out of medical facilities. Come aboard in helping yourselves with others making a healthier USA we take that responsibility on as a citizen in America and to those around us (particularly the young; they should start early life so they don’t have to adapt to workout or dieting after 45 when pre-menopause or over 50 when menopause definitely starts). Having a healthy diet with occasional junk food or treats like ice cream joints for a sundae or shake are ideal.