MAKING POSTMENOPAUSE GREAT.

July 19, 2020
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By FamilyFaculties
African woman, after menopause, Healthy tips, postmenopause

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OVERVIEW:

Postmenopause is the stage a woman transitions into after 1 year of no period. It is another stage of life. We can make post menopause great. Menopause is that transition phase and It can occur

between the ages of 40s and 50s. The experience and symptoms of perimenopause indicates this transition. Many physical changes show the

arrival of menopause. Menopause is not a sad situation neither is it the end of life. Menopause is when there is no period for a total of 12 months. After that is

Postmenopause. Making Postmenopause great means keeping healthy. It is possible. Although, from the discussion on perimenopause, it is a difficult phase of life for many women.

https://familyfaculties.com/2020/07/14/perimenopause-for-the-african-woman/ . It can still be the best part of a woman’s life. However, the

symptoms of menopause are similar to those of perimenopause but the former has some distinct characteristics which end , to usher in

postmenopausal stage. This stage starts right after menopause is established. Making Postmenopause great requires the woman’s resolve to

accept the aging process in good fate. Accept the phase and make the best of life. Life is good if you give it your best shot. Also, in making menopause

great, she must have a good knowledge of the symptoms and how to respond to them. Ignorance is the bane of search for peace in existence.

Many African women wallow in ignorance and are entrapped by the taboos that shut their mouths and keep them voiceless even when their bodies

groan for help. Furthermore, poverty dehumanizes her so much so that the African woman degenerates into terminal illnesses that could have been

addressed if she got help earlier. In making postmenopause great, you must pay particular attention to health issues and how to prevent them. By this

time, the decreased hormones cause a lot of health challenges and as a result, some may be fatal if not addressed.

POSSIBLE POSTMENOPAUSAL HEALTH ISSUES:

Making postmenopause great hinges on living healthy. Lifestyle will have to change at this point of the woman’s life. The greatness includes her

social, mental, physical, emotional and many more aspects of her life. Indeed, after menopause, many of the symptoms of perimenopause and

menopause will disappear . However, some will still remain. For instance some may not experience headaches again but some women will still have

sleepless nights. Due to the absence of estrogen, period and related discomfort will stop. The entire reproductive system changes. Preganancy

may not happen again. However, this is a period that comes with many health issues as a result of the absence of the hormones. At this point, the

woman must take particular care of her health. Some of the health issues include:

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1. Heart/ cardiovascular diseases:

After menopause most women are at risk of heart diseases. This is as a result of the loss of estrogen. Another factor that may affect the risk is

family history. There are however, more risks as the woman advances in age. People think cancer is the biggest killer of women but that is not true, heart diseases kill more women according to research.

2. Bone diseases set in and worsen:

Many women begin to experience bone loss. There are diferent types of bone diseases. For example rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis makes the bone fragile and brittle while arthritis causes painful joints.

3. Urinary incontinence, infections and other urogynecology problems.

As a result of the low estrogen, the lining of the urethra becomes thin. This may also be as a result of age and repeated vaginal childbirth.

Consequently, this may cause bladder leakage. It may also make the woman vulnerable to infections and other associated problems.

4. Weight gain and metabolism:

Many women put on a lot of weight after menopause. It gets more difficult to lose. Weight can affect the cholesterol levels of such a woman. The

weight management can be controlled with a combination of exercises and healthy eating habits. Metabolism is not as it used to be because of less

estrogen . However, the hormonal change is not the only cause of weight gain. Most women are more sedentary in that age group.

5. Sexuality issues:

Sex becomes one of the issues at postmenopause. Because of the loss of the estrogen, the woman feels dryness in the vagina. Also the vaginal tissues

may become thin and more irritable. This causes pain during intercourse. She may also have no interest in sex anymore. It becomes more difficult

to get turned on and climax. This situation calls for communication, and patience between couples. Marital bliss does not require only sex. You both

can find expression in other forms of affection. https://www.everydayhealth.com/menopause/health-risks-women-face-after-menopause/

Tips on making postmenopause great:

Having become aware of the possible health challenges that can arise after menopause, it is important to act positively to keep yourself alive. Health

issues at this stage of life can be fatal if ignored or unaddressed. For instance some women notice a lump in their breast and decide to wish it

away . Consequently, the delay of denial degenerates a situation. Make haste and be responsible for yourself.

1. Register in a hospital:

Firstly, get yourself formally registered in a hospital. It can be a hospital or a private hospital. The teaching hospitals are actually very efficient though

we never agree. But the most important thing here is get to see a doctor. African women have the orientation that one goes to the hospital only when

you are sick. Far from it. It is essential to prevent or nip any health issue in the bud. The pandemic has exposed the shame of the health system in most

African countries. Search for a fair deal before it becomes an emergency. Shop around you will find somewhere that can be of help when needed.

Have a personal rapport with a doctor and never hesitate to ask questions when need be. It is your right to know what is being done to your body.

Don’t be intimidated, ask . Also, keep all your appointments. Please check up is not for idle or faithless people. Change your mind set.

2. Health Insurance:

Secondly, get enrolled in a health insurance scheme. Health insurance is now available . Find out more from a government hospital and choose a

package that works for you. Sincerely, finance should not be an obstacle for one. Scale down on frivolous expenses and invest in your health. Moreover, it is cheaper

for you if you have insurance. Unfortunately, many women are cash strapped and dependent on their spouses who may be more ignorant about

the health risk of a postmenopausal woman. Invest money into health than funerals because if the woman dies, the money will come out.

3. Keep an eye on your numbers:

Thirdly, ask the doctor for the tests you need to do to have your body in check. At a certain age, some investigations are necessary to avoid any

impending illness. More so ,some test results need to be known depending on the woman’s genetic history. For instance, if there is diabetes in your lineage, it’s best to

keep an eye on your blood sugar level. Please, don’t hold on to the mentality of it’s not my portion, or your foundational curse has been exorcised, please

make post menopause great by doing the responsible things. You deserve the best. Some of the tests to do are as follows.

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4. Recommended Vaccinations:

Fourthly, vaccinations are like taboo words now because of the Covid 19 pandemic. However, they are important to your well being in making post menopause great.There are some

vaccinations that will help. Importantly, it will keep the African woman healthy after menopause. Ask for the recommended and available ones like TTDP and

pneumococcal vaccines. Some vaccines last for 10 years and need boosters. https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/screenings-vaccines-needed#3

5. Postmenopausal Exercises:

Fifthly, exercises cannot be over emphasized for the achievement of a great postmenopause. The health issues that arise as a result of after menopause

can be managed with exercises. The heart diseases are very serious if not well manged for instance. Also, diabetes can be prevented or delayed by

exercising. Weight management becomes a struggle for most African women because they are built big and fat. Even the urinary incontinence

can be managed by exercises. Generally, exercises makes one feel happy , and the woman needs all the cheering up she can get at this stage. Some suggested exercises are:

Cycling
Swimming
Walking
Gardening
Dancing
Kegel exercises ( good for urinary incontinence)

6. Eating right:

It is important to have a good eating habit. Reduce the consumption of red meat, salt, sugar, and oil. Eat more fruits, and vegetables. Breakfast is the

most important meal of the day. Enjoy the rich variety of African foods. Quit drinking and smoking , you are better off without those. In making post menopause great, food and drinks play key roles.

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Last words:

Nevertheless, making postmenopause great is also a factor of the emotional, and love life of the woman. She blooms if she has a good sex life. Women of

all races need affection and kindness to flourish. It is important to seek and have goodness all around you. Sex for a woman does not start in bed, it

starts in many other parts of the house before bedroom. It is a continuous story. Married women need to be away from the bickering and tensions of

the earlier years. Now is a time to relax and have good companionship. Intentionally, avoid any stressors or toxic exposure as much as you can.

Stress degenerates your health, so seek happiness. In fact, do not depend on anyone for your happiness, it depends on you. Thrive in gladness and

blossom. Being grumpy and resentful erodes the greatness of the postmenopause phase of your live. If you have children, let go of them and

live longer for them. Accept things you cannot change and take life one step at a time, free from all regrets.