By Afanwi Jolenta
Most women in Bamenda who are between the ages of 45 and above say the peri menopause and menopausal period are challenging experiences which every woman must undergo.
On this year's edition of World menopause day observed every 18th of October, some menopausal women have been sharing their experiences with www.hilltopvoices.com.
Mary Ndifor is presently in her mid 50s. She says her menopausal journey started by the age of 48 when she started experiencing irregular menses, heavy bleeding and hot flushes.
She adds that nausea, headache, dizziness, waist and knee pains are other health challenges she witnessed on a daily basis.
"I experienced bloating and unnecessary body disorder and sometimes mood swings that are sometimes unbearable. I became very temperamental and got angry at every thing, which has made me to be very conscious." Magdalen Angwi narrates
Genevive Nchinda mentions dry and wrinkled skin as another physical change that comes with menopause. "It is very common for women at menopause to feel angry with every one around them which according to me can be managed. My coping strategy is patients, always putting on a smile and at each challenge I come across, I count from one to 10 Internally before reacting. This is a therapy which enables me to handle all my daily problems with ease."
Dr Kingsley Ombaku a Gynaecologist in the North West Region has advised that women at the transitional stage and the menopausal stage should carry out regular exercises at least three days in a week, consume food rich in calcium with an intake of approximately one thousand five hundred grams of calcium a day and other vegetables, fruits and water in large quantities.
World Menopause Day is held every year on the 18th October. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing.
World menopause day was established in 1984 by the world health Organisation and the international menopause society (IMS) with the intention of spreading awareness about this condition that affects women as they age.
Menopause is a term used to describe the natural decline of a woman’s reproductive hormones, beginning between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body experiences its last menstrual cycle.
Common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and sleep disturbances. All of these symptoms can result in an increase in anxiety and depression. After menopause, women are more at risk of developing conditions like heart disease and osteoporosis.
Most treatments for menopause focus on symptomatic relief as it’s a normal part of aging, and, as such, is not a curable condition.
The condition has not been studied as much as it should be and is not discussed openly. Having a World Menopause Day was seen as a solution to these problems by encouraging conversation and research on menopause and its effects.
As people worldwide are living longer, more and more women are likely to undergo menopause. It’s important that we are prepared for the effects that might happen as a result of menopause so that we can live better, healthier lives.
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