Menopause - Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle Changes

Simple changes in lifestyle and diet can help control menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Avoid hot flash triggers like spicy foods, hot beverages, caffeine, and alcohol. Dress in layers so that clothes can be removed when a hot flash occurs. For vaginal dryness, moisturizers, and non-estrogen lubricants, such as KY Jelly, Replens, and Astroglide are available.

Healthy Diet

When women reach menopause, they are at increased risk for heart disease. A heart-healthy diet is an important way to control cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Everyone should maintain a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low in saturated fats (found in dairy and animal products) and trans-fatty acids (found in shortening, commercial baked goods, and hard margarines). Reducing salt intake is also important as people age. [For more information, see In-Depth Report #42: Heart-healthy diet.]

Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and legumes (beans and peas) contain fiber and many nutrients that are important for the heart and overall health. Vitamin supplements are not recommended in place of healthy foods. Research increasingly suggests that high vitamin doses may have harmful effects.

Mineral-Rich Fruits and Vegetables. Diets rich in fresh fruits and vegetables are high in potassium and magnesium and can help preserve bones and protect against heart disease. Potassium-rich fruits include bananas, oranges, prunes, and cantaloupes, and vegetables that contain potassium include carrots, spinach, celery, alfalfa, mushrooms, lima beans, potatoes, avocados and broccoli. Foods rich in magnesium include dairy products, spinach, potatoes, beets, nuts, sole, and halibut.

Avoid Fast Foods and Limiting Salts. Reducing salt is important for protecting both the heart and the bones. High sodium intake interferes with calcium retention. Limiting table salt is not sufficient, since most salt in the Western diet comes from fast foods and commercial food products. Such foods are often also high in dangerous fats called trans-fatty acids that are harmful to the heart.