INPUT ARTICLE: Article: To help those around you adjust to the slew of symptoms you may start to experience for the next few years, explain to your immediate family and other supportive family members about your perimenopause. This will help them understand when you are irritable or can’t do as many activities because of headaches and hot flashes. If you have a group of friends you rely on for emotional support, these are the perfect people to tell about your perimenopause journey. They can support your decisions on symptom treatment, be available when you need to talk about your issues, and provide general feedback so that you don’t feel alone.  If you don’t have a group of friends like this, just one or two supportive people will still provide you with the emotional support you need to keep from becoming overwhelmed. If you simply have no one to rely on, joining a perimenopause or menopause support group at a local community gathering place (community center, YMCA, senior center, etc.) or church is helpful for reducing the impact your symptoms have on your mental state. Finding women who have gone through perimenopause is extremely helpful not only so that you don’t feel alone, but for getting advice about how to navigate this stage of life with minimal discomfort.

SUMMARY: Tell your family. Build a support system. Find women to talk to.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you feel strongly about this issue, a great way to help spread awareness is to get your loved ones involved. If your friends and family see how passionate you are about this topic, perhaps they will join you in your efforts. There are often marches or active protests against whaling. If you are in an area where you can do so, consider joining a march or picket to demonstrate what you have learned about whaling. Go online or write about your concerns to a magazine or newspaper. The more you talk about this topic, the more your opinion will be heard. Start a conversation about stopping whaling, and get more involved.

SUMMARY: Tell your friends. Join protests. Start or join a conversation.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: To prevent the spread of disease, wash your hands well with soap and water. Dry your hands thoroughly to make it easier to open the product packaging. Regardless of whether you choose the cream, suppository, or ovule, you'll need repeat the treatment once per day for 3 days. Only use 1 treatment rather than combining treatments or using multiple treatments. Take out a prefilled applicator and unscrew the cap. Push the small end of the plunger into the gray hole at the end of the applicator barrel. Insert the applicator into your vagina as far as it can go comfortably. Push the plunger to get the cream into your vagina. Remove and throw away the plunger and applicator. Separate a suppository wrapper to remove 1 suppository. Set the suppository on the end of 1 applicator and insert it directly into your vagina. Insert it as far as it's comfortable and then pull the applicator back out. Discard the applicator. Try to lie down immediately after inserting the suppository since it will start to leak out as it dissolves. Push 1 ovule out of the foil packet and set it on the end of 1 applicator. Insert the applicator into your vagina as far as it feels comfortable. Push the end of the applicator toward you so the ovule is released into your vagina. Throw away the applicator once you pull it out.

SUMMARY: Wash your hands before using any Monistat product. Use 1 treatment per day for 3 days. Apply the cream if you don't mind a messy treatment. Use a suppository for quick and easy insertion. Opt for the ovules if you are more active.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Add just enough water to some baking soda to form a paste. Apply the paste topically to the bite. Use a meat tenderizer, such as Spice Cargo, that contains the enzyme papain and mix with a few drops of water to make a paste. Applied topically, this mix may help control itching and swelling. Crush an aspirin and add a little water to create a paste. Aspirin applied topically may help with the pain. Follow package dosing instructions.

SUMMARY:
Try a home remedy for relief from the pain and itching. Ingest an over-the-counter pain medication, such as aspirin or acetaminophen.