Menopause Strong

You are not alone.

Ellen

Menopause Symptoms

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As you get older, your body produces less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, resulting in irregular periods before you eventually stop getting them. Along with that comes a long list of other symptoms signaling the body’s transition through menopause. The physical symptoms are bad, the mental symptoms are horrendous.

Physical Menopause symptoms

  • Irregular periods or skipping periods
  • Periods that are heavier or lighter than usual
  • hot flashes (see hot flash relief products)
  • night sweats
  • bladder leakage
  • dry skin
  • vaginal dryness
  • sex pain
  • insomnia/sleeplessness
  • heart palpitations
  • extreme fatigue
  • adrenaline rushes
  • restlessness
  • headaches
  • migraines
  • cramps
  • bloating
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • acid reflux
  • smell sensitivity
  • ringing in ears
  • weight loss
  • weight gain
  • buzzing/vibrations
  • internal tremors
  • shaking
  • dry eyes
  • dry mouth
  • vertigo
  • back pain
  • joint pain
  • shoulder pain
  • sinus back-drip
  • breast tenderness

Mental menopause symptoms

Now I’m not a doctor or a health expert. I am just someone who has gone through almost all of these symptoms. Everyone is different and you may experience some, all or more symptoms than listed here. Talk to your doctor. If they don’t listen or brush off your concerns, find one who will listen. I went through that and have since found a new doctor who is absolutely wonderful with these issues.

Gifts for Menopausal Women

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Gifts

Gifts for Menopausal Women

Menopause Relief Products make a great gift. Are you looking for the perfect for a menopausal Mom for Mother’s Day or her birthday? Or a Christmas gift or Anniversary gift for your menopausal wife or girlfriend? A great menopause gift is anything that provides relief from the symptoms of menopause like menopause hot flashes, menopause night sweats, menopause anxiety. There are also plenty of menopause gag gifts for menopausal women to lighten the mood. These menopause gift ideas for menopausal women might be just what is needed to cheer them up (for a second, maybe) and show them some love!

Hot Flash Pillow

The Hot Flash Pillow is naturally a great menopause relief gift for menopausal women. The Hot Flash Pillow is a natural sleep aid that relieves hot flashes and night sweats helps soothe migraines. Just store the Hot Flash Pillow in the freezer and take it out when you want to use it. The pillow stays cool for approximately 20-30 minutes.

View at Amazon
Moisture-Wicking Bamboo Pajama Set

Stop waking up at night drenched in sweat. Get a better night’s sleep and relief from night sweats with the moisture-wicking properties of bamboo. These Pajama Heaven Bamboo Pajamas are made of Rayon from eco-friendly bamboo and are super soft, comfortable, lightweight, moisture wicking, and come in a variety of colors. They make a great gift for women who need relief from menopausal night sweats and hot flashes.

Buy at Amazon
Old Lives Matter Coffee Mug

Bring a little humor to her morning with this 15 ounce ceramic coffee mug. Microwave and dishwasher safe. This mug makes a cute novelty menopause gift idea or a menopause gag gift.

Buy at Amazon
Moisture Wicking Sheet Set

These are very soft, cozy, comfortable sheets that really help with night sweats and keep you cool while sleeping! These Night Sweats: Moisture Wicking 1500tc Sheets are The Original PeachSkinSheets from Atlanta, Georgia. The fitted sheet is has deep enough pockets to stay secure on the mattress even for the most restless sleepers. These cooling sheets are durable, wrinkle-free out of dryer and get softer with every wash. They make a perfect menopause gift for any menopausal woman who needs relief from night sweats.

View at Amazon
Neck Cooling Tube

Stay cool and get relief from hot flashes. Simply place this neck cooling tube into iced water, freezer or A/C and it stays cool for 40 minutes up to 2 hours. A perfect menopause gift for women with hot flashes.

Buy at Amazon
Cooling Blanket

A great menopause gift, this lightweight, 100% Bamboo blanket absorbs heat to cool sleepers suffering with hot flashes and night sweats. Bamboo fiber is breathable, and the diamond pattern design of the blanket enhances air circulation through the blanket, so it keeps you dry and cozy all night.

Buy at Amazon
Sleepy Time Bamboo Pajamas

Sleepy Time Women’s Bamboo Pajamas are a menopause gift that provides Hot Flash Relief and relief from menopause night sweats. The moisture wicking properties of these lightweight, breathable, super soft and comfortable, bamboo pajamas provide all natural menopause relief from symptoms such as hot flashes, menopause night sweats and related sleep problems.

View at Amazon
Vintage Handheld Folding Fan

Anything that provides relief from hot flashes makes a perfect gift for women in or approaching menopause. Gift her a stylish way to cool off from hot flashes with a beautiful and intricate handheld fan that are 100% handmade with Linen and Bamboo. Each fan comes with a pretty fabric storage sleeve to protect it in a purse and comes with a gift box. Makes a great Mother’s Day gift, birthday gift for menopausal Mom or Grandma.

View at Amazon
Menopause For Dummies

Menopause For Dummies gives you simple answers in plain English about menopause and it’s symptoms, and explain the mysteries of what the heck is going on with you (or your mother, wife, girlfriend, friend.) This book covers the many alternative treatment options and menopause relief remedies with humor and understanding. Menopause For Dummies makes a great gag gift for a menopausal women, as well as a gift for a menopausal woman’s husband.

View at Amazon
CozyPhones Sleep Headphones

Fight menopausal insomnia with music to help you fall asleep. Now you can get better sleep with headphones on without hurting your ears or head. CozyPhones Sleep Headphones with travel bag make a great menopause gift. They are perfect for sleeping, sports, air travel, yoga, meditation and relaxation. These comfortable, breathable, lightweight headphones have a Lycra Cool Mesh Lining, ultra thin speakers, and durable braided cable that will not tangle or kink. The wicking mesh liner contains thin removable speakers that plug into most audio devices with a 3.5 mm jack.

View at Amazon

Menopause Strong: You are not alone!

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YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Although it may feel like you are alone. Menopause is tough like that. Nobody else seems to understand… not your husband, your boyfriend, your kids. Maybe your Mom does.

Have you ever found yourself saying things like this…

  • I want my life back and to feel “normal” again.
  • I want to feel like me again/I miss me
  • I used to be happy all the time… not anymore.
  • I just can’t seem to find the joy in anything anymore.

I never realized that fluctuating hormones can cause so much havoc to your body and your mind that it constantly scares the heck out of you. The physical symptoms are bad enough… aches and pains, bloating and cramps, dizziness, indigestion, etc, but the mental symptoms of anxiety, rage, anger, etc. can be so overwhelming they can render you almost unable to cope.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

If you are feeling some of these symptoms lately and can’t figure out “what is wrong with you”, you may be approaching perimenopause or pre-menopause.

I am not a doctor or a counselor. I am just a 50 year old woman struggling to understand and cope with a day to day life that is feeling increasingly unfamiliar. Who is this person who is angry all the time? Where did all of my energy go? Why can’t I tolerate wearing a bra anymore? And (the obvious) what the heck is going on with my period?

“This too shall pass!”

– Mom

As you read through the Menopause Strong website and share your stories, you can take comfort in knowing that other women may be struggling through the same issues and that, as my mother used to say… “this too shall pass!” (only hopefully sooner rather than later).

Hot Flash Facts

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Hot Flashes and Night Sweats are common symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. While it is not exactly clear what causes hot flashes and you can’t really prevent hot flashes, if you pay attention to your hot flash triggers, you can possibly reduce the frequency and severity of your hot flashes. Thankfully, there are also Hot Flash Relief products that can help make your hot flashes less miserable.

What is a Hot Flash?

A hot flash is a sudden feeling of intense heat coming from inside you that spreads up your body. They can typically last anywhere from 30 seconds to about 10 minutes.

What does a hot flash feel like?

For me, I would get chills first, so I would pull up my collar or put on a sweater. Then I would get tingly, my heart would race a little, and I start to feel the heat creeping up my body. And I start to warm up, and get warmer, and warmer, and warmer and get this runaway warmth until I was flushed and sweaty and taking the layers off one by one. Of course once the sensation passed, the dampness from the lingering sweat would cause me to get the chills again, and the cycle would start all over.

How often do hot flashes happen?

Hot flashes start for most women in their 40s as they begin perimenopause. The frequency of hot flashes vary from woman to woman. Some women experience multiple hot flashes per hour, while others can go days in between.

How many years do hot flashes last?

There is no definitive answer to that question, as every woman is different (that answer didn’t help). Hot flashes start for most women in their 40s as they begin perimenopause. For a lot of women, hot flashes stop for the most part once they reach menopause. Some women have hot flashes for 2 years, some for 5 years, and some for 10 years or more, hopefully at a decreased intensity level.

Why do hot flashes happen?

Hot Flashes are thought to be caused by fluctuating estrogen levels, which are the hormones produced by your ovaries. During Perimenopause, your ovaries gradually stop working and begin producing less hormones. The rising and falling of estrogen levels can cause all sorts of symptoms, including the hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause.

What can trigger hot flashes?

Common dietary hot flash triggers are caffeine, alcohol, hot beverages, red wine and spicy foods. Other hot flash triggers can include hot weather, heat or cold, stress, anxiety, smoking, tight or heavy clothing (or any clothing), exercise, hot hair styling appliances, and more.

Why are hot flashes worse at night?

For many women, hot flashes tend to get worse at night, causing you to wake up with your pajamas and sheets soaking wet, hence the term “Night Sweats”. Hormone levels tend to swing more drastically at night than during the day, which which can cause more intense hot flashes.

Can I prevent hot flashes at night (night sweats)?

Your diet during the day and evening can influence the frequency and severity of your hot flashes. You may find that limiting the amount of caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol in the evening may help to reduce the frequency and severity of your overnight hot flashes and night sweats.

Environmental and lifestyle changes can help to reduce hot flashes and night sweats to help you sleep better at night, such as:

Tips for reducing hot flashes

You may not be able to prevent hot flashes, but adjusting your lifestyle to avoiding hot flash triggers can help to reduce the frequency of hot flashes. There are also Hot Flash Relief products that can help make them less miserable.

Lifestyle adjustments for mitigating hot flashes

  • Pay attention to what causes your hot flashes and avoid those triggers.
  • Dress in layers that can easily be added and removed.
  • Carry a portable fan to keep cool.
  • Relax – Stress can trigger hot flashes. Try a stress relief activity or technique.
  • Stay hydrated and eat healthy.
  • Alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine can trigger hot flashes
  • Avoid smoking, as it is considered to be a hot flash trigger.
  • Hot flash relief products can help.

Talk to your doctor during your checkups about what is going on with your perimenopause and menopause journey. They can determine whether these symptoms and issues are a normal part of going through your changes or if they are a sign of some other underlying condition. If your Doctor doesn’t listen to your concerns, find a doctor who will. Menopause is real, and it’s hard enough to find support and someone who understands what you are going through. The more they know about what you are dealing with, the more they can help.

Hot Flash Relief

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Hot flashes and night sweats are one of the most common and hated symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. You are not alone! Thankfully, there are hot flash relief products that can help you cope with these unfortunate symptoms.

Hot Flash Pillow

The Hot Flash Pillow is a natural sleep aid that relieves hot flashes and night sweats helps soothe migraines. Just store the Hot Flash Pillow in the freezer and take it out when you want to use it. The pillow stays cool for approximately 20-30 minutes.

Buy at Amazon
Moisture-Wicking Bamboo Pajama Set

Stop waking up at night drenched in sweat. Get a better night’s sleep and relief from night sweats with the moisture-wicking properties of bamboo. These Pajama Heaven Bamboo Pajamas are made of Rayon from eco-friendly bamboo and are super soft, comfortable, lightweight, moisture wicking, and come in a variety of colors.

Buy at Amazon
Pause Hot Flash Cooling Mist

Pause Hot Flash Cooling Mist helps relieve hot flashes instantly by making the skin feel cooler for up to an hour. It is formulated with a proprietary blend of vitamins, antioxidants & peptides that help deal with the physiological skin changes that occur as a result of the 3 stages of menopause. It is made in the USA.

Buy at Amazon
Embr Wave Thermal Wristband

Get instant relief from hot flashes wearing the Embr Wave 2 wristband, a rechargeable thermal bracelet. At the press of a button, get precisely calibrated cooling or warming sensations by tapping into your body’s natural ability to comfort itself in response to thermal sensations. The patented technology delivers a blast of icy coolness that helps to trick your brain into feeling cooler.

Learn more at Amazon
Portable Neck Fan

Cool down from hot flashes with a portable neck fan. The blade-less, personal neckband fan is ultra-light, and they provide just enough upward airflow to help keep your upper neck, sides of your head, and the rear of your head noticeably cooler.  The USB rechargeable 4000mAh battery lasts 4-16 hours depending on setting. It’s powerful but not too noisy and keeps you cool.

Buy at Amazon
Bed Jet bed cooling system

The BedJet  is a forced-air cooling, heating, and climate control system designed just for your bed. BedJet removes body heat and moisture from the bed, keeping you cool and comfortable all night long. Installs in minutes with no tools. The BedJet attaches as an accessory device to any size bed with any type mattress, and works with your existing bedding. BedJet is effective for women seeking relief from menopausal hot flashes and night sweats.

Buy at Amazon
Hot Girls Pearls Cooling Necklace

Stay cool and get relief from hot flashes while looking stylish. Freeze them, wear them, and get up to 30 minutes of cooling relief. Each Swarovski spacer pearl is filled with a non-toxic gel that won’t leak. For optimal cooling, freeze your pearls and pouch together for at least four hours. The pouch acts like a mini-freezer that will keep your pearls cool for hours,

Buy at Amazon
Portable Handheld Fan

This portable, handheld fan is lightweight and comfortable to hold, and it is small enough to take with you wherever you go. It is quiet, the USB rechargeable battery holds a charge well and can be hand-held or placed on a desk or table.

Buy at Amazon
Neck Cooling Tube

Stay cool and get relief from hot flashes. Simply place this neck cooling tube into iced water, freezer or A/C and it stays cool for 40 minutes up to 2 hours.

Buy at Amazon
Moisture Wicking Sheet Set

These are very soft, cozy, comfortable sheets that really help with night sweats and keep you cool while sleeping! Stop changing sheets and pajamas in the middle of the night due to night sweats. These Night Sweats: Moisture Wicking 1500tc Sheets are The Original PeachSkinSheets from Atlanta, Georgia. The fitted sheet is has deep enough pockets to stay secure on the mattress even for the most restless sleepers. These cooling sheets are durable, wrinkle-free out of dryer and get softer with every wash.

View at Amazon
Cooling Pillow Cases

Arc-Chill cooling pillow cases made from silky fiber are soft, smooth, and skin-friendly. The latest Arc-Chill Extreme fabric (Q-Max>0.5) has cool particles of crystal jade to quickly absorb sweat and heat, lowering body surface temperature. These pillow cases are silky and stretchy with a zip closure on one end, so they don’t slide off the pillow.

Buy at Amazon
Coop Cooling Pillow

Coop Memory Foam Pillows is made with cooling gels to help prevent night sweats and overheating. It is adjustable, so you can remove or add the memory foam fill to make it the perfect size for your body.

Buy at Amazon
Cooling Blanket

This lightweight, 100% Bamboo blanket absorbs heat to cool sleepers suffering with hot flashes and night sweats. Bamboo fiber is breathable, and the diamond pattern design of the blanket enhances air circulation through the blanket, so it keeps you dry and cozy all night.

Buy at Amazon
Sleepy Time Bamboo Pajamas

Sleepy Time Women’s Bamboo Pajamas are PJ’s that provide Hot Flash Relief and relief from menopause night sweats. The moisture wicking properties of these lightweight, breathable, super soft and comfortable, bamboo pajamas provide all natural menopause relief from symptoms such as hot flashes, menopause night sweats and related sleep problems.

View at Amazon
Cooling Towels

Get relief from hot flashes. Use this ice towel for instant cooling of neck and face. Easily activate the cooling towel by soaking it in water, wringing it out and shaking it 3-5 times. When the water evaporates, it cools, and it stays chilled for around 3 hours. It comes with an eco-friendly carrying bottle with clip.

Buy at Amazon
Vintage Handheld Folding Fan

Cool off from hot flashes with a beautiful and intricate handheld fan that is 100% handmade with Linen and Bamboo. Each fan comes with a pretty fabric storage sleeve to protect it in a purse and comes with a gift box. Makes a great Mother’s Day gift, birthday gift for menopausal Mom or Grandma.

View at Amazon

Sneeze-Pee and Bladder Leaks

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Congrats! You’ve made it through the hell that is peri-menopause and pre-menopause. No more periods! Yay!!! And then one day…

ah, ah, ah-CHOO… whoops?

What was that? Did I just pee a little? Yikes! You laugh, change your underwear, and call Mom. And she says “yup, there’s that too”. Oh joy!

So what is going on?

When your ovaries stop producing Estrogen, your body changes in many ways. Vaginal tissue becomes less elastic, pelvic muscles weaken, and the urethra lining begins to thin, all of which may make you more prone to bladder leakage. (These are not the only reasons, so you may want to speak to your doctor if this becomes a problem for you)

If you are just dealing with menopause and age related bladder control issues (as opposed to a medical problem), there are some products and lifestyle changes to help you cope…

Tighten your pelvic muscles. You can try doing Kegel Exercises, which is tightening and releasing of the pelvic floor muscles.

Pay attention to what and when you drink. Coffee, tea, soda, and alcohol may contribute to bladder control issues. Drinking too much later in the day may make you have to get up to pee more at night.

Helpful Menopause Symptom Relief Products for Bladder Leakage and Incontinence

Vaginal Moisturizer

A vaginal moisturizer can help with feminine intimate dryness, redness, irritation, and burning. My doctor recommended Luvena Vaginal Moisturizer and Lubricant – Menopause support for Women.

Underwear for incontinence or leaks

Always Discreet Boutique Underwear is beautifully designed incontinence underwear made of silky-soft fabric with delicate lacy prints, unlike adult diapers. Super-absorbent, OdorLock, and Double LeakGuards. Ships discreetly.

view at Amazon

These Innersy Period Panties don’t take the place of liners, but are protective enough to buy you time to get situated without embarrassment after an occasional sneeze-pee or leakage. And they are very comfortable and cute.

view at Amazon

Pads and Pantyliners for bladder leaks

Poise Ultra Thin Moderate Incontinence Pads for Women are expertly designed for bladder leakage and are 50% thinner.

View at Amazon: Poise Ultra Thin Pads

Always Discreet Incontinence Pads offer secure protection you barely feel stay comfortably in place.

View at Amazon: Always Discreet

When you Gotta Go, You Gotta Go!

Of course, every so often an emergency situation may come up. Whether it’s a long car ride, a day spent outdoors or other activity or circumstance that maybe keeps you farther than comfortable from a decent bathroom. Here are some relief products that may help…

SHEWEE Extreme Reusable Pee Funnel – The Original Female Urination Device. Discreetly pee wherever, without removing your clothing or underwear.

View at Amazon: SHEWEE Extreme

Silicone Female Urination Device. When you gotta go, you gotta go! Discreetly pee outdoors. Comes with a portable pouch.

View at Amazon: Female Urination Device

Emergency Panties kit

Emergency Panties Include 4 Items: Seamless Underwear, Pantyliner, Fresh Wipe & WashBag – Incontinence Underwear Women’s Toiletry by Panty Fresh

View at Amazon: Emergency Panties kit