Every year women aged between 45-51 year enter into menopause phase. The phase is yet difficult because women go through a lot of changes, not only physically but emotionally and hormones too, as well. It is an avoidable stage and it’s a natural process. One may face anxiety and distress and mood swings. But these are not the only problems a woman has to face. The changes women face are primarily due to lowered production of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Symptoms vary broadly because different female bodies have different reactions to hormones.

Here are 5 health problems associated with menopause and how to deal with them.

Liver Disease

When your body is young and healthy, the liver is predisposed to easily restore damages from alcohol, infections, or excess fat. Conversely, now and then the organ lays down scar tissue instead of healthy cells. Estrogen seems to get in the way with this process, but when these hormone drops at menopause, scar tissue can start building up. This leads to liver diseases and accelerates liver aging.

How to deal with it: One should first go for a liver enzyme test. If you the levels elevated, you can sense some abnormality. On general days, for a detox diet, this will protect the critical organ. Lower down your alcohol consumption and avoid fatty food.

Autoimmune Disorders

If you face things like mood swings, tiredness, or experiencing hot flashes, you must know these are all normal menopausal symptoms. But if they persist they could also be signs of an autoimmune disorder such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis. Your body is new to the environment of menopause any may face problem cropping up.

How to deal with it: Keep a note of any symptoms you experience during menopause and report it to the doctor. If you already have an autoimmune issue, explain about it too. With necessary medication, you’ll cope-up with it easily.

Dry Eye

Estrogen is not the only which lowers down, levels of testosterone also fall during menopause messes with your eyes. This hormone plays a grave role in the functioning of meibomian glands with the production of an oily layer, preserving eye surface. With falling levels of hormones, the oily layer gets thinner, which leads to more water evaporation leaving behind irritating salt.

How to deal with it: Routine eye checkup is the key. If you feel dry eyes, see a doctor. Using OTC lubricating eye drops is sometimes enough, but you might need an Rx or tear duct plugs to prevent moisture from draining too quickly- says doctor.

Hearing Loss

Everyone`s hearing power declines with age, but women face this problem much before.  Because the snail-shaped organs in your inner ears that convert vibrations into electrical signals your brain can process is majorly affected by the production of estrogen.

How to deal with it:  Post menopause is a sign that you need to limit your music levels now and adopt a healthy lifestyle. One recent study found that women who practiced exercise had a 17% reduced risk of hearing loss. And other research revealed that women who consumed the most beta-carotene found in carrots and other orange-colored produce were 12% less likely to report hearing loss.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

During younger years your pelvic muscles are pretty good at contracting and keeping all your organs in place. But after menopause these muscles can weaken, causing the bladder, uterus, rectum, or vagina to droop downward. Women who do vaginal delivery are the most susceptible. Many women also put on weight post menopause, putting extra pressure on the pelvic organs.

How to deal with it: It’s important that you immediately consult a doctor if you notice lumps in your pelvic region. Something you might consider to be very normal may lead to serious problems.  The problems can be easily treated or managed with easy pelvic floor exercises.

It’s not necessary that you will face these problems some women lead a normal life without facing any changes at all. But in case you witness some changes, remember that ‘prevention is better than cure’.