Let's Talk About It with Jenny White/ How To Navigate Menopause Successfully

Menopause is a natural biological process. As women approach their late 30s, the ovaries start producing less estrogen and progesterone (the hormones that regulate menstruation) and fertility begins to decline. At the age of forty, women may notice periods becoming more erratic and less frequent. By the age of fifty-one (on the average) the ovaries eventually stop releasing eggs and periods stop all together.

Symptoms of menopause: hot flashes; trouble sleeping; irritability and /or mood changes; vaginal dryness; depression; weight gain and slowed metabolism; and night sweats.

Staying healthy after menopause: healthy diet-make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D to keep bones strong; quit smoking and limit alcohol use; exercise-keep active. Don't forget getting advice from your doctor. They can help you navigate some of the trickier aspects of health when it comes to menopause.