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Building a healthy relationship is one of the most difficult and rewarding tasks in this life. If you have ever been in an unhealthy relationship, you know the cycle of fear, anger, self-doubt and anguish that it can cause. Many people have had so many bad relationships that they do not even know what a healthy relationship is. In desperation, they will turn to all kinds of trendy methods, from weekend getaways to unlicensed amateur online marriage counselors to try to fix their romantic problems. But if there is any secret to a healthy relationship, it has to come from inside, and not from one, but from both partners.

Whether you have been friends with your partner for years, or have recently met through an internet dating service, the fact is that at some point, the honeymoon will pass and some of the fire will leave. It may not be until after marriage, but once the fire leaves the love, you will be both tested to see whether or not you can keep holding on to a healthy relationship. This is no easy task. Having taught at a wide variety of healthy relationship seminars, I can tell you that the techniques are numerous and that the results vary greatly from couple to couple. I have seen some couples who can build a healthy relationship simply through using some simple tips to good communication. Other people will go through years of couples therapy only to find out that their relationship is doomed. If they are healthy people, they will be able to let it go at this point. Love and respect for others starts with self love and self respect. There is no virtue in holding on to love long after it is gone.

Really, the best advice I can give you if you are working on maintaining a healthy relationship is to always remain gentle and as honest as possible. This might seem obvious to the point of absurdity, but it is really more difficult than you might think. There is never a time when shouting is more useful than speaking calmly. There is never a point where is is better to say deeply hurtful things than to put things in a matter which is more friendly and supportive. Really, the most important thing to remember is that healthy relationships are all about applying common sense to a part of life which it is hard to apply to - love and romance.

The early signs of menopause usually begin to occur around the age of 40. Many women report first noticing hot flashes and vaginal dryness. These two symptoms are cardinal early signs of menopause according to Real Age Menopause Center, at www.menopause.realage.com. Other women may notice an increase in irritability or edginess, in addition to emotional swings that come and go as frequently as hot flashes. Other early signs of menopause are monthly cycles becoming irregular or having less flow than usual. Not one woman I know would complain about their period lightening up or stopping completely. That’s one nice thing about being pregnant, you don’t have to deal with it for nine months! A hysterectomy can take care of it too, for good!

Women who begin to experience early signs of menopause before the age of 40 experience the same symptoms as older women and they are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and fractures, and ovarian cancer. These woman may be experiencing early signs of menopause because they underwent chemotherapy or radiation, or had a hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries). The hormones that regulate ovulation and menstruation are no longer stimulated to be produced because of interference by the cancer treatment, or because of physical removal of the ovaries.

There are many treatment options available to help alleviate some of the symptoms and early signs of menopause, such as estrogen or hormone replacement therapy, soy consumption, and other herbal supplements and therapies. Strategies proven to help minimize early signs of menopause include a low fat diet, regular aerobic exercise, stress reduction, such as meditation or yoga, and increased consumption of soy based products. Tofu, soy milk and cheese, miso, and meat substitutes all are rich in phytoestrogens which are just as effective as traditional hormone replacement therapies in treating early signs of menopause.

Menopause is a time to look forward, to not having to plan around that ‘time of the month’, whether it comes naturally, or it is induced by other means. It is a part of life many women enjoy because they are released in some way, they can be more spontaneous in a sense, and not burdened by always thinking about protection from either getting pregnant or from spotting through on your clothes. I don’t know any women who would miss that either. Check the many online sites that have information readily available on the early signs of menopause, and just about anything else you need to know regarding your reproductive health. Here’s to you!