KEEPING YOUR RELATIONSHIPS IN ONE PIECE WHILE YOUR ESTROGEN IS DISAPPEARING

MOOD SWINGS? LACK OF LIBIDO? DEPRESSION? FATIGUE?  IRRITABILITY? YA THINK?

Ok babes gather round the campfire. No that's a bad idea - step over here under the tree where its cool.

Let's face it, this MENO-PHASE , peri or otherwise is no picnic BUT it is a phase and phases begin and end. It's what happens in the middle that's important.

This meno-phase called menopause was PROBABLY meant to be named "MEN ON PAUSE" 

Could also have been named "PEOPLE ON PAUSE " as this phase wreaks as much EMOTIONAL havoc  as physical havoc on a poor babe.

EMOTIONAL AS IN THE FOLLOWING:

•     Rapid mood swings
•     Depression
•     Irritability
•     Feelings of sadness
•     Lack of motivation
•     Aggressiveness
•     Difficulty concentrating
•     Fatigue
•     Tension and anxiety

These things can make a babe less than fun to be around and left feeling a lot less interested in sexy anything.

A  great article called "Navigating Menopause: Keeping Your Relationships on an Even Keel" by Carol McCullough MLS, points out a that the  Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) published the results of a survey of 3,100 women and found the biggest influence on the women's sex lives wasn't their menopausal status. Instead, it was the same type of general problems that many women face throughout their lives: sex and aging, falling into a routine with your sex life, not enough time to enjoy your partner, etc.

While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and antidepressants may help, she adds, the solution for dealing successfully with the many relationships in your life during menopause is really much more about adjusting your daily routine and your overall outlook.

HERE ARE A FEW OF HER SUGGESTIONS:

Exercise regularly and eat healthy foods. 

Find your inner calm. A self-calming technique, such as yoga, meditation, rhythmic breathing, reading, or prayer can help you balance your wayward emotions and keep your relationships on an even keel.  

Avoid tranquilizers and/or alcohol. There are benefits of moderate daily alcohol intake, but keep in mind that alcohol is a depressant and may not be beneficial for you if you are going through frequent or troubling mood changes. Tranquilizers can have the same unwanted effects.

Get creative. Engage in productive outlets that foster a sense of self-esteem and achievement. If you've had a longstanding desire to become more involved in charity work or to help your church or synagogue, sports and leisure pursuits, help you feel better about yourself, which improves the way you interact with others.

Stay connected with your family, friends, and community. The worst thing you can do while going through menopause is withdraw from those closest to you. Even if you don't feel up to it, you should schedule family (and friend) time on a regular basis. Invariably, you'll feel better after you've seen people you hold near and dear.

Keep a journal. You may not end up publishing a best-seller, but writing down your thoughts, hopes, problems, and aspirations can ease your emotional stress and give you a much more balanced perspective on your situation.

Most important, she says, try to remember that menopause is only a phase, and that you will soon get past it into the calmer emotional waters that lie ahead.

The full article "Navigating Menopause: Keeping Your Relationships on an Even Keel" by Carol McCullough MLS, can be found at EveryDayHealth.com