CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – For many women, menopause symptoms can make everyday life harder, from work to relationships.
One expert says some relief could come from simple lifestyle changes.
Rather than starting at the pharmacy, managing menopause symptoms could begin with simple changes to diet and exercise.
“We really need to focus on this,” said Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, founding director of the UVA Midlife Health Center.
Menopausal symptoms can disrupt women’s lives, physically and mentally. Pinkerton says diet and exercise could help ease hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and more.
“May actually help prevent hot flashes or decrease them,” Pinkerton said. “If you’re doing really strenuous exercise, then you may actually have more sweating. So women have to balance.”
Finding that balance also means choosing the right foods. Estrogen, which helps control cholesterol levels, drops during menopause. Pinkerton says following a Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables can help.
“There is no one diet that works wonderfully for all women,” Pinkerton said. “During menopause, the body needs extra care because the metabolism is changing.”
Making lifestyle changes isn’t always easy. Pinkerton says many women struggle to find time for themselves, but having a plan can make a difference.
“If women as they enter perimenopause, could just say ‘I need to take time for myself’ you could decrease the health risks,” Pinkerton said.
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