After painful periods and terrifying childbirth, there's one more thing we women hate experiencing- MENOPAUSE!
If you guys do not exactly know what menopause is then it is the transition in women when their menstruation stops permanently and no longer be able to have children.
Hot flashes, hoarse voice, night sweats, weight gain and an unexplainable sex drive, these are some visible changes women have to go through every day after they enter the late 40s and 50s.
But have you ever wondered what could be other internal effects and changes that no one has ever told us!
With that being said, let's find out about all the untold facts about the dreadful period of every woman's life, Menopause.
#Fact 1: It changes your voice
Have you been gulping down antibiotics, thinking you have sore throats but don't see any results? Well, ladies, it might not be cold but one of the side effects of menopause.
Menopause brings about changes in your hormones and your once melodious voice might be hoarse and rough. Our vocal cords need lubrication but as menopause starts, the tissue starts to dry, leaving our chords dry.
Also as we get old, our lung capacity and collagen decrease which affects the voice greatly. But don't worry ladies, experts suggest that voice therapy can help release vocal tension.
#Fact 2: Your heart might get weaker
Well, it's obvious too for us women to skip a beat when we see a hot guy walking across the road, but it's not okay if it happens while you are sleeping or doing laundry.
Source: 123RF
At the starting phase, women experience heart palpitations, mostly due to hormonal fluxes. These palpitations last only a minute or so but if it lasts more than few minutes then it could be something serious.
The decrease in estrogen increases the risk of strokes and heart attack. So, you ladies might want to adopt healthy habits ASAP.
#Fact 3: Bone Loss (Osteoporosis)
As women cross 40's, they are at risk of losing 20% drop in bone density, as reported by National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF).
The major cause behind this is the loss of hormone, estrogen. Loss of bone density can rise problems like Osteoporosis. But this can be prevented by intaking sufficient amount of calcium, or simple exercises and scheduled doctor checkup.
#Fact 4: Sex won't be fun!
Despite the fact that women have high sex drive during menopause, sexual encounter might not be as enjoyable as it used to be.
The major reason behind this is vaginal dryness and loss in elasticity( tightness) of a vagina. The situation worsens as most women have also experienced pain during intercourse due to lack of sufficient lubrication.
Source: Tamyka Washington
Can we fix it? Yes, by using artificial lubricants. So going through menopause doesn't necessarily mean your sex life is over.
#Fact 5: Hot flashes and night sweats
Hot flashes are the sudden rise in body temperature, feeling the intense heat with sweats and increased heart beat whereas night sweats is the condition where women experience excessive sweating during sleep.
Hot flashes and night sweat is one of the common symptoms of menopause caused mainly due to a decrease in female sex hormone, estradiol. The decrease in hormone causes an imbalance in the temperature regulation of our body.
Treatment includes Hormone Replacement Therapy but experts have reported the high risk of breast cancer associated with the therapy. Even the famous actress, Jane Seymour has done HRT and she's happy about it.
#Fact 6: Hair Loss
Like it could not get any worse!
Hair Loss is one of the prominent facts of menopause and you might experience many bad hair days. Your hair becomes more dry and brittle, spreading dryness all over your body, majority in your face and hair.
Source: Mirror.co.uk
Mild shampoos and conditioners can be used to prevent this and say goodbyes to chemical treatments like highlights and hair straighteners.
#Fact 7: Eat healthily and exercise
Menopause can make us feel like the end is coming near so, you might think to actually live a life, drink beer, go to parties, eat junks and sleep until noon.
But ladies, you need to resist these feeling and be more focused on your health. A healthy diet plan and the right amount of exercise can help us cope with menopause.
Source: Shape
We should eat more green and organic food and do mild exercises to balance the fluctuating hormones.
For more information on healthy tips check out: 'A healthy person is a happy person' here is the Top ten Home-based health care tips for women to stay healthy
#Fact 8: Weight Gain
As soon as those hormones drop down, your weight starts to rise up, leading you to gain extra pounds without even noticing.
Source: MedicineNet
But there's no reason to panic as it can be maintained by healthy habits and regular exercise. But if you do not take care of this problem, then you might be at risks of diabetes and heart diseases.
Here's a video by Dr. Annie Evans discussing signs and symptoms of menopause in women. Must watch!
In a nutshell, every woman must eventually face this dreadful phase of their lives and it's of prime importance to know that each woman experiences of menopause is unique.
Our attitude towards menopause must be more positive and we must adapt healthy approaches that are best for us.