At some point in every woman's life, her hormone production drops below the level required to continue her periods. Some women welcome the end to monthly bleeding, bloating, and inconvenience. A women stops menstruating when her ovaries stop producing ova (or eggs). At this time, production of the hormone estrogen by a woman's body is greatly reduced. A woman will also enter menopause immediately after surgical removal of the ovaries or it can be caused by breast cancer treatment.

But others find that menopause affects:

• their sex life - Vaginal dryness
• triggers mood swings
• causes debilitating hot flashes - Hot flashes and night sweats can lead to a variety of psychological effects, such as moodiness. Without adequate sleep, anyone  can become tired and irritable, but it's a myth that "menopause" itself makes you irritable. Women who have hot flashes usually do so for three to five years, but many women have hot flashes only for a few months while others "flash" for many years. It's helpful to identify your hot flash "triggers."

• A warm environment
• Stress
• Hot or spicy foods
• Hot drinks
• Alcohol
• Caffeine

• natural menopause, a normal part of the aging process
• medical or surgical menopause that is the result of chemotherapy or ovary removal
• "cold turkey" menopause that is the result of being taken off menopausal hormone therapy after you were diagnosed with breast cancer.

Tip #1: DRESS FOR HOT FLASHES
Wear clothing that is easily removed, such as cardigan sweaters.

Tip #2-Reduce Stress
Reduce stress with yoga or meditation - other things to think about:
Stop smoking
Control blood pressure
Control cholesterol
Control weight
Get plenty of sleep

Tip #3: Keep Cool
Mist your face with a spray of cool water from a squeeze bottle or you can blot your face with a cool washcloth or moist towelette.

Tip #4: AVOID CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL
If hot flashes seem to be triggered by caffeine and alcohol consumption try to avoid them completely. Try substituting non-caffeinated teas or decaffeinated coffee for caffeinated beverages. (Keep in mind that caffeine withdrawal may cause headaches and fatigue for several days.)

Tip #5: CARRY A PERSONAL FAN
Many women find they can get relief from the sudden heat of hot flashes by using a small personal fan. FInd a hand help one you can prop on your desk at work.

Tip #6: Intimacy - USE CREAMS OR LUBRICANTS
Hormonal changes associated with menopause often cause a woman's vaginal mucous membranes to become thin and secrete less moisture. The result can be painful sexual intercourse. Some of this lack of moisture can be overcome by taking more time to make love. Try using lubricating jellies (available in pharmacies).

Tip #7: EXERCISE REGULARLY
Menopause has been erroneously linked with depression. Severe studies have found that women between the ages of 45 and 55 have no increase in susceptibility to depression. Mood swings during this time may have more to do with a woman's changing role and her self-concept and the physical changes of aging she's experiencing. For many women, menopause is a milestone, a negative milestone, in their lives. They find the idea of menopause depressing. Regular aerobic exercise such as brisk walking does much to increase the general health level, fight fatigue, and raise the spirits. Exercise also appears to slow changes like loss of strength that many believe to be age related, but are actually more associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Regular, weight bearing exercises such as walking or jogging can also help stave off the bone thinning of osteoporosis, a problem for many menopausal women.

Tip #8: GET SUPPORT
It's helpful to talk to another women about these changes. Join a menopausal support group at a local hospital, community college, or professional group. Or you might want to form your own support group with friends who are experiencing menopause.

Tip #9: GET PLENTY OF CALCIUM
Everyone loses calcium as they get older, but in women, as estrogen levels decline, the rate of bone loss increases. At menopause there's an outpouring of calcium in response to the lower estrogen levels. Unless you have really good stores of calcium already, during this time you're going to have an increased need for calcium. Postmenopausal women taking hormone replacement need 1,000 milligrams of elemental calcium daily, women not taking hormones need 1,500 milligrams of elemental calcium. Dairy products are good sources of calcium, although you'll be doing yourself an even bigger favor if you choose those that are low in fat, such as skim milk, nonfat yogurt, and low-fat cheeses. If your diet isn't calcium rich or if your stores of calcium are seriously depleted from a lifetime of poor eating habits, you might want to take a calcium supplement. Keep in mind that the number of milligrams of calcium listed on the label of a supplement may not reflect the amount of elemental calcium in the product. For example, it takes 1,200 milligrams of calcium carbonate to get 500 milligrams of elemental calcium. OsteoSoy® supports bone health and helps the body to naturally promote an ideal hormonal balance. OsteoSoy® provides 12 specific vitamins and minerals that work synergistically with its two bioavailable forms of calcium to promote healthy bones. (BUY OsteoSoy® Now - Click Here)

Tip #10: EAT A BALANCED LOW-FAT DIET
Women at menopause not only have an increased risk of osteoporosis; they may also be a risk for heart disease. At menopause, women's levels of LDL, or so-called "bad" cholesterol go up. Within about ten years, they have the same risk for heart disease as men. Diet can go a long way toward preventing serious health problems like osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease in menopausal women. Diets high in animal products and salt cause the body to excrete more calcium, which contributes to osteoporosis. Menopausal women should eat less animal protein and less salt. If they switch to more foods from the vegetable kingdom, and more complex carbohydrates, they'll be getting less fat, more calcium, and more of the anticancer elements found in beta-carotene.

Tip #11:
Whether you're serious about your health ...or just curious... you definitely want to at least experience for yourself the health benefits of taking caring of your body.  Start now by exercising, eating right and getting the nutrition you need. BUY OsteoSoy®  You can also try an array of other great nutritional products by visiting Freelife. Try the Great Tasting  HIMALAYAN GOJI JUICE. Lots of health benefits with Goji Berries!  

Tip #12 -  Educate others  - find a new path
Look for the opportunities: education, new job, new role