Technology to help with menopause
30th Oct 2017 Health Conditions
A perfectly natural part of a woman’s reproductive cycle, menopause is still very rarely discussed with the openness it deserves. Now, however, technology has come to the fore to help individuals both manage the change, and to open up to others about their experiences.
As the world’s population ages, it is projected that by the year 2025, there will be 1.1 billion postmenopausal women in the world. A huge proportion of society, it is about time that women in this stage of life receive the support they need to help them through a time than can often be a quite an emotional and physical adjustment.
Luckily, technological advances are on their way to help women record and alleviate some of the more difficult symptoms that come alongside the final menstruation stages.
While they may not be applicable in every case and discussions should always be taken with a doctor before undergoing any kind of significant lifestyle adjustment, here are a few simple applications to try out:
Clue
Image via The Wesleyan Argus
An app initially designed to monitor fertility and periods, the functionality of Clue also works very well for tracking the symptoms of menopause.
Free to use, you can add data on your moods, pain levels, sexual activity and more, making it far easier to identify regular patterns than can aid in early-onset diagnosis. The earliest stages of peri-menopause can start up to ten years before your final period, so it is often worth keeping an eye on symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness as they occur.
Read more: 10 Surprising reasons to love your menopause
Menopause View
Image via Fertility Council
Based on a similar calendar structure to Clue, Menopause View is another app that benefits from a diary-like function to record thoughts and feelings.
For those new to menopause it also includes a glossary with over 175 definitions, as well as blogs from women who have professional or personal experience of menopause—a comforting read if you’re feeling alone or scared as you adapt to your bodily changes.
During menopause, it can be highly useful to keep track of other physical symptoms in order to share with your doctor or physician. Weight, blood pressure and medication reminders can all be filed within this app, making it a great investment.
Read more: Sex and menopause: tips and advice
Ladycare
Image via Ladycare
Utilising patented SM magnetic fields, LadyCare is an innovative new device on the market.
A subtle device you can clip to the waistband of your undergarments or tape in a similar position, it has been proven to safely reduce hot flushes and improve mood by increasing parasympathetic activity, helping those who struggle to sleep or feel fatigued during the menopause process.
Available for £35, it is safe to use in water or during exercise, and is perfectly compatible with mirena coils, body rods or other medical devices.
Read more: All you need to know about HRT
Headspace
Image via CNET
Sometimes, the most difficult symptoms of menopause are psychological rather than physical. If you’re feeling low, fatigued or struggling emotionally, Headspace is the undisputed market leader of mindfulness and meditation apps, helping you relax and get in touch with your own thoughts and feelings.
Work through a specific exercise programme or simply pick up and put down as you need – Headspace is a friendly reminder that we could all do with taking time to ourselves to promote our own wellbeing and inner peace.
Elvie
Image via Elvie
Many women (one in three, in fact) find that during menopause, their pelvic floor is significantly weakened, leading to incontinence, lower back pain or sexual discomfort. It’s nothing to be embarrassed of, and thanks to products such as Elvie, it can be worked upon.
A discreet and comfortable device that sits just inside you, the Elvie Personal Trainer allows you to practise simple kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles, linking to an app where you can track your progress. It’s not cheap at £169, but comes with a two-year warranty and allows you to “visualise” a process that can be very difficult to monitor on your own, promising improvements in as little as a week.
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