Q
Dear Auntie Pearl, listen my friend, I think I am going into an early menopause or something and I am completely freaking out over here.
I am 43 years old and my life is now filled with these hot flushes, bleeding and all kinds of dinge I’ve never experienced before.
I’m young, so why is this happening to me?
I thought it’s only for ou vrouens!
What can I do about this?
A Oooh meisiekind, menopause is mos ’n vloekwoord vir ons vrouens!
Jinne,even Auntie’s suffered with die verdomde menopause a few years ago.
But before I go and give my age away, let’s start off by educating – for those laaities out there who don’t know what Auntie’s talking about – menopause is not a disease!
It basically signals a new phase in a woman’s life and can start any time from the age of 45, but usually hits at about 51 years old.
However, sometimes it can start even sooner, and that is called early menopause.
People always thought it’s for ou vrouens, but 40 is mos the new 20 these days, so don’t paap– you’re still a spring chicken, meisie!
Perimenopause basically signals a natural decline in your reproductive hormones, meaning it gets more difficult to fall pregnant.
Menopause is, in fact, the time when your menstrual periods stop permanently and you can no longer get pregnant.
Two good things in Auntie’s book!
Some of the signs to look out for are irregular periods, mood swings, hot flushes, night sweats, and having less or no interest in sex, dryness during sex, or uncomfortable sex.
How long can this generally terrible time last?
About four years, sometimes more, sometimes less, we’re mos all unique little snowflakes so it depends on you and your body.
Now although menopause is a natural process, Auntie won’t say it’s something beautiful and can really mess with your life, that’s why there are treatments that focus on relieving the terrible symptoms – which by the sound of it, you are already struggling with.
Vaginal dryness? Ask your doctor for a topical lubricant, cream or oestrogen.
There are also medications that can reduce the hot flushes, and sometimes hormone therapy tablets can be prescribed.
There are also a few things you can do at home:
Start with a well-balanced, highly nutritional diet.
Take supplements like Vitamin A and Vitamin B complex to help with the bleeding.
Ask your doctor about medication. Some gynaecologists prescribe medication to women to stop bleeding during menopause.
Pain meds can also help with the pain and blood flow.
Some essential oils will also ease menopause symptoms. Go and do some research on the benefits of peppermint, lavender, basil and citrus oils.
If you are bleeding excessively during menopause, it’s moerseimportant to get enough iron.
You can take a supplement, but there’s iron-rich foods you can eat like legumes, including beans, peas and lentils.
Leafy greens like spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and potatoes are also great sources of iron, as well as tomato paste and oats.
The best thing to do would be to visit your gynae to discuss your probbies, girl.
Just now there are other issues. Rather be safe than sorry, soos Auntie altyd sê.