Menopause can cause a number of changes in a woman's body.
These changes are typically a result of hormonal fluctuations that lead to physical responses.
For instance, one adverse effect of menopause is that your hormonal imbalance causes your bones to leach calcium which leads to bone erosion, losing approximately 1% of bone mass within the first year, eventually increasing to 2%-3%.
This often leads to osteoporosis, which can sometimes remain undetected until bone fractures occur.
You can help to alleviate the worst effects of osteoporosis by exercising.
Proper exercise helps to create a lot of calcium that strengthens bone structures, thus preventing bone fractures and breakages.
Some physicians recommend calcium and medications to restore the natural calcium in your body, but recent research is somewhat confusing on the efficacy of these medications, particularly considering the side effects.
Nevertheless, it is a good idea to increase the natural sources of calcium and Vitamin D through food.
"Milk, yogurt, and cheese are rich natural sources of calcium and are the major food contributors of this nutrient to people in the United States" according to the National Institues of Health.
One caution, don't overdo the calcium as it may cause kidney stones.
Vitamin D supplements are useful as they help the body absorb calcium - although the best source of Vitamin D is from the sun.
Another recurrent consequence of menopause is hot flushes, whose symptoms are related to insomnia, unhealthy sleeping patterns and a low energy level.
These effects have a generally negative impact on your life in both personal and professional terms.
This is another area of controlling your menopause or postmenopausal state where exercise can be a great assistance.
Though estrogen replacement therapy can help in controlling negativity brought on by troubled sleep patterns, exercise has also been proven to help banishing the blues as well.
Exercising helps to make your body sweat so that it eventually cools down and thus it helps to ensure that your temperature is effectively regulated.
Hot flushes or night sweats are most troubling at night where it robs women of their ability to sleep properly, through night sweats, tossing and turning, feeling cold from evaporating sweat, and hormonal imbalances which prevent full relaxation and quality sleep.
Although not a cure, temperature regulating bedding and sleepwear can make a big difference in the quality of sleep and thus your overall well-being.
During the day it is easier to control the symptoms of hot flushes or night sweats, but at night when you are trying to sleep, you cannot easily respond to the rapid fluctuations.
Temperature regulating bedding and wicking sleepwear can help to mitigate some of these symptoms.
Remember, menopause is a natural change in life which all women, although with varying symptoms and severity.
You are not alone and there are things you can do to take control of your life.