Starting in 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Menopause Society (IMS) designated October as World Menopause Awareness Month. Raising awareness of the support options available for improving health and well-being associated with menopause are goal of IMS.
Pain & Menopause
Many women going through menopause may not only experience night sweats, hot flashes and mood changes, but also feel a lot more pain. In fact a study of women with menopause symptoms were found to be twice as likely to have chronic pain diagnoses, including fibromyalgia, migraine, and back pain.
“Chronic pain is a huge issue across the United States, but not a lot of attention is paid to the fact that it’s particularly acute for women in midlife,” says author Carolyn Gibson, PhD, a clinical research psychologist with the San Francisco VA Medical Center reports WebMD.
Dr. Gibson analyzed the medical records of more than 200,000 female military veterans for the study, published in Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). “Many women are having a tough time in menopause, and we found that those most affected by those symptoms were far more likely to have chronic pain.”
Relief for Menopausal Pain
Women experiencing menopausal pain should make an appointment to see their doctor if symptoms are not getting better with self-care measures or if they keep returning.
- Extra pounds can add to increased musculoskeletal pain, so finding ways to incorporate exercise and nutrition into daily life is recommended.
- Pain and stiffness sometimes feel more magnified when one is anxious or depressed. Consider relaxation exercises, meditation, or even getting together with friends to break out of a cycle of anxiety, stress and heightened pain. w
- Pain is exacerbated when you’re tired or if you suffer from insomnia. A good night’s sleep is vital. Check in with your doctor to discuss natural or prescription options to ensure a sound, restorative slumber.
- Improving body strength and posture helps reduce muscle and joint pain and improve flexibility and suppleness. Pilates and yoga area are ideal.
- Go topical for pain relief. Ditch the pills and consider going topical for pain relief with anti-inflammatory gels, sprays, patches and liquids. Your pharmacist or physician can recommend best topical options to use. The No. 1 brand of patches and topical treatment in the world, Salonpas is available at major national drug, food and mass merchandise stores nationwide, including Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid and many others.
For more information on living a healthy lifestyle, please “like” Salonpas on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter!