What to Wear During Menopause
Clothes can make you feel better or miserable, depending on the way you look and the way you see yourself in them. The right style, color and material may have either a positive or negative impact on your mood and physical wellbeing. If you're not undergoing a bioidentical hormone replacement, the typical symptoms of menopause are probably evident already. The wrong materials or size in clothes may be making these symptoms even worse and might bring on other difficulties, like infections, general discomfort and even embarrassment. Here are some tips to bear in mind in order to get rid of uneasiness and be more in control of your looks.
1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE: Too tight will make you feel as you are about to explode (remember liquid retention), too loose will make you look older and heavier. Begin by the proper underwear. The right size will enhance your curves, and not leave marks around your hips, thighs or waist. Proper support to your breast and lower abdomen will make you look thinner, and the rest of the clothes will look great on you. That means instant gratification. Don't pay attention to the number on the labels. If part of your waist "escapes" over the top of your pants, choose a bigger size or a higher waist line. Torso and sleeves should never be the same length; you don't want to look like a box. A V-neck is always helpful, especially when it comes to hot flashes and that "lack-of-air" sensation. Knee length for skirts and dresses is ideal, and a good way to look sexy while keeping you fresh and comfortable. Just remember not to wear light colors on your lower body while your period is still intermittent.
2. NO HEAVY CLOTHES: Hot flashes and heavy clothes simply do not go together. Wear several layers of light clothes instead of one heavy, warm garment. You can take off the pieces that are making you uncomfortable, still look well-dressed, and not risk a bad cold. Besides, thick clothes will make you look heavier, as liquid retention and a bloated stomach may become frequent at this period of your life.
3. NO SYNTHETIC MATERIALS: Always prefer natural fabric and materials. Remember your hot flashes and the resulting perspiration. This is especially important in the case of underwear, as humid areas present a higher risk of fungi and infections. Cotton is probably your best choice for blouses, underwear, and pants. Genuine leather for shoes will also help you prevent bad odor, remember your hormones are crazy at this stage.
4. NO UNCOMFORTABLE SHOES: Menopause symptoms are difficult to bear already, there's no need to put up with an extra burden. If your feet and ankles swell, stilettos are not your best choice. If you still need to wear high heels, decide for a medium heel height (2 inches maximum) with a luxurious look. You can mix the beauty of a fine pair of shoes with the comfort you need to spend hours in a good mood and with no aching feet.
Choosing clothes that make you feel like a million dollars will do marvels to your menopausal mood. Natural materials will alleviate hot flashes and prevent undesirable side effects like bad odor, fungi and allergic reactions. The proper shoe size and heel height will decrease the swelling and let you feel well-rested and relaxed the whole day. Menopause is all about changes, and getting rid of uncomfortable, unattractive clothes can transform this experience into a nice chance to bring about the hottest side of you. Why complain?
Natural Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
For many men and women who are undergoing menopause or andropause, treatments have been fairly limited in the past. Today, with the availability of bioidentical hormones Pandora's Box has been opened. There are a lot of women who have gone through menopause and suffered through a variety of physical and emotional problems during this period. Symptoms like headaches, flushing, weight gain, night sweats, dry skin or loss of libido are common and very unpleasant. These symptoms may last anywhere from 2-5 years.
Now, there is no need to go through this agony. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is widely used in Europe to treat women and men who have declining levels of the sex hormones. There are many testimonials and clinical reports which reveal that short term use of bioidentical hormones is safe and effective.
Bioidentical hormones are similar to the natural hormones produced in the body- the only difference is that the bioidentical hormones are extracted from certain plants. Unlike many of the synthetic sex hormones, bioidentical hormones contain no chemicals or preservatives.
Whether to take bioidentical hormones is a personal decision. There are some easy saliva and blood tests which can quickly tell if the sex hormones are low. If one has symptoms of menopause or andropause, then a visit to a physician who deals with bioidentical hormone therapy is recommended.
The great thing about these hormones is that they can be tailor made for each individual. Once the diminished sex hormone deficiency is identified, the physician can write a prescription for the exact dosage required. The pharmacist can then mix the bioidentical hormones in the right dosages.
Todate, most experts agree that bioidentical hormones for the short term are safe. The may even help protect against osteoporosis and heart attacks. Unopposed estrogens in post menopausal women can induce breast and uterine cancers. All women who do intend to take bioidentical hormone replacement therapy should have a thorough discussion of this topic with their health care provider. There is also ample information on the internet about this topic.
While these hormones can be bought without a prescription in other parts of the world (i.e. Mexico), this should be avoided. The quality and quantity of the bioidentical hormones is questionable and can not always be verified.
In the USA, the bioidentical hormones are fairly easily available but require a prescription. Many alternative health care practitioners do recommend these products. In the end, it is a question of safety. As more studies become available, more physicians will come to know that bioidentical hormones are just as safe as any other drug, as long as they are not abused or taken for prolonged periods.