Soft Leaves © lynette sheppard
Menopause and her kissing cousin, Aging, visit us with a number of major changes in our bodies. Suddenly, we find ourselves with aches and pains that we never experienced before. Do we have to just learn to live with them? Or might there be a way through back to well-being?
Simply Supplements contributed these ideas and remedies for natural pain relief in this guest blog post. Enjoy.
Menopause aches and pains remedy
By Simply Supplements
The emotional and hormonal changes during the menopause are well documented, but how can you help to relieve the physical symptoms?
The menopause is a natural part of the ageing process that occurs in all women. It is caused by changes in the balance of the body’s sex hormones. It begins when the ovaries stop releasing eggs, and the woman stops having periods. The menopause is confirmed after 12 months without a period.
During the menopause, a woman often experiences emotional symptoms such as mood swings, anxiety, and depression. However, physical aches and pains may also strike.
There are steps that can be taken to provide relief, and some nutritional supplements may act as a remedy for menopausal aches and pains.
Bones and joints
During the menopause, oestrogen levels decline in the women. This can lead to a loss of bone-density and the onset of osteoporosis. This means that the bones become more fragile, and fractures are more likely to occur. Menopausal women also tend to lose cartilage between the joints, which can lead to a loss of flexibility. This can affect movement and can be very painful.
Muscles
As women age, the fibres in muscles begin to shrink, and lost muscle tissue is replaced at a slower rate. This makes it more difficult to contract the muscles. Menopausal hormonal changes are also thought to play a role in accelerating the speed at which muscle is lost. As a result, muscle function is affected, and women may suffer from muscle soreness, stiffness, and rigidity.
Home remedies for the menopause
A healthy lifestyle can help to reduce menopause pain. Try to eat a healthy and balanced diet, with plenty of fruits and vegetables. These contain natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to ease aches and pains. Oily fish are also recommended, as they contain omega-3 essential fatty acids which are thought to ease inflammation, particularly in the joints. Reducing the intake of refined carbohydrates and sugars can also play a positive role in reducing joint pain.
In addition, regular exercise can also act as a natural remedy for menopausal pain. Gentle exercise helps to improve flexibility and strength, as well as boosting blood circulation in the body. This can help towards easing muscle pains, and also enabling better joint mobility.
Supplements for menopausal aches and pains
Alongside regular exercise and a healthy diet, some nutritional supplements may also help to ease pain during the menopause:
Omega-3 – The essential fatty acids in omega-3 fish oils contain anti-inflammatory which may help to ease joint pain and stiffness.
Calcium & Vitamin D – Both of these nutrients are important for bone growth and maintenance, and may help to prevent the loss of bone density during the menopause. Calcium is vital for bone strength, while vitamin D helps with absorption of calcium in the body.
Magnesium – Known for its calming and relaxing effect on body, magnesium is vital for muscle function. It may therefore be an effective remedy for muscle aches and pains during the menopause.
Check out these useful links for more info:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/245122-aches-pains-in-menopause/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/180341-menopause-and-body-aches/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/186060-about-menopause-muscle-aches/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/526835-menopause-muscle-stiffness/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/272189-magnesium-for-muscle-joint-aches/
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Menopause/Pages/Introduction.aspx
