Many women find that they gain weight with menopause. This happens to men at middle age as well. Popularly this weight gain is called "middle aged spread"; so it might not be singularly a symptom of menopause as it is just a sign of middle age. The weight collects around the middle of the body, and this fat is the dangerous visceral fat which can clog up our inner organs; so we do need to be careful not to become too overweight at mid life. If a woman never had regular exercise habits before, menopause can make her realize how important exercise is for weight control and maintaining energy levels.

What can be confusing about menopause is that it does not usually happen overnight. Women can begin experiencing hormonal fluctuations which affect their monthly periods in their late 30's or early 40's, but not be totally in menopause until much later in life. These early signs are often called premenopause or perimenopause.

A woman's first medical advisor should always be her doctor. That considered, there are many books that provide menopause information and support. Women naturally turn to other women to learn what to expect when life brings challenges. Be wary of those who pretend to bring information, but really are trying to sell hormones, herbs or drugs. Keep in mind that menopause is not a disease, but a natural transition with some expected, possibly uncomfortable, side effects. There are some things you can do to help you through, but there is no prevention or cure for natural menopause help.

The first step in doing something about the symptoms of menopause is to learn what you can expect and what you can do to make menopause more manageable. In this new blockbuster from Lisa J. Johnson you'll learn how to face menopause with confidence.

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