MenopauseEarly.com

This past July,a report raised serious new concerns for the six million women taking combination hormone replacement therapy. In the lastest and statistically most valid study of this subject ever done,it was found that the combination of ESTROGEN AND PROGESTIN taken for MANY YEARS, not only FAIL TO DECREASE THE INCIDENCE OF VASCULAR DISEASE,BUT ALSO INCREASES THE RISK OF HEART ATTACKS,STROKES,BREAST CANCER,AND CLOTTING DISORDERS. In addition,other recent research has found a possible link between ESTROGEN replacement and OVARIAN CANCER.Although theses risks are not considered to be high,they are REAL-REAL ENOUGH FOR THE INVESTIGATORS TO HAVE STOPPED THE STUDIES IN MID-COURSE. The DOWNSIDE of HRT OUTWEIGHTED THE BENEFITS. So what’s a Menopausal Woman to do? Read on to learn about HEALTHY and NATURAL ways to approach Menopause. The ancient Greeks referred to Menopause as the “Climateric” or “Change of Life”,and regarded it as a step in the ladder of life.It was considered to be an important step in the maturation of a woman. In Traditional Cultures,even those of today,there is little or no evidence of the negative symptoms “Modern” people associate with menopause. In large measure, because the “Traditional”(or what some people would call Primative) human diet is low in fat and animal proteins. In a healthy person,the body adjusts for the ovarian reduction in estrogen by signaling other glands, (especially the Adrenal glands),to produce more estrogen,preventing the complete loss of the female hormone.However,if the ADRENAL GLANDS ARE WEAKENED BY A LIFETIME OF POOR DIET AND BAD HEALTH HABITS,THEY PROBABLY CANNOT AND WILL NOT MEET THE NEEDS OF THE BODY WHEN MENOPAUSE BEGANS. Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55,when the ovaries stop producing eggs.The woman also undergoes a number of hormonal changes,including a reduction in estrogen production,an increase in pituitary hormone,and higher levels of male hormones. With the reduction in estrogen production,also comes an increase in bone loss,a lowering of HDL,(the Good cholesterol),and an increase in cholesterol.This can result in Atherosclerosis,Coronary Heart Disease,and Stroke. Other changes can occur as well,such as: poor memory,poor concentration,moodiness,anxiety,loss of sex drive,hot flashes,night sweats,and/or vaginal dryness.These changes also increase the likelihood of bladder and vaginal infections. Traditionalist believe that one of the best approaches to menopause is in the diet.Eating foods rich in Phytoestrogens,which are Plant-Produced ,promote bone health and prevent Cancer.A low-fat,high fiber diet will help the body to adjust more easily to changing hormonal levels. Such foods are: Whole Grains,Fresh Vegetables,Beans,Seaweed,Miso,Tofu,Seeds and Nuts,(especially Sunflower Seeds). According to Chinese Medicine,the symptoms of menopause imply a deficiency of YIN fluids,particularly those fluids that calm and relax the liver.A helpful dietary approach then,is to add foods that build the YIN. These foods are: Wheat Germ, Mung Beans and Sprouts,Tofu,String Beans,Black Beans,Kidney Beans, Barley,Black Sesame Seeds,and Royal Jelly(from bees). Foods that contain Phytoestrogens help prevent hot flashes and night sweats,as well as some of the psychological changes,(anxiety,moodiness,etc.). Some of these are: Tofu and other Soy products,Yams,Carrots,Apples,and Potatoes. Foods rich in Calcium,help prevent Osteoporosis. Some of these foods are:Sesame Seeds,Almonds,Low-fat Yogurt,Dark Leafy Greens,(such as Kale,Collards,Broccoli),and Sardines. Foods and Other Things that would be WISE to AVOID: Animal Foods,Fatty Foods and Fried Foods, Sugar and Refined Foods(these contribute to mood swings), Caffeine (can cause hot flashes), Alcohol (can cause hot flashes), and use of Tobacco,(we all know by now the dangers of Tobacco). HERBS TO TREAT MENEPAUSE: “Chaste Berry”:stimulates the production of progesterone and helps balance hormones (And/or)”Black Cohosh”which has simular properties,and acts in much the same manner as Chaste Berry.Please go to my “Herb of the Month” page to learn more about “Black Cohosh”. “Don Quai”:(also known as “Angelica”):stimulates estrogen production and helps balance hormonal levels in young as well as older women.It also boosts energy levels and increases all-over well-being. “Motherwort”:(a member of the Mint family):relieves heart palpitations,reduces pain,but in some people can cause drowsiness,combined with “Sage”,will help relieve hot flashes “Siberian Ginseng”:helps strengthen Adrenal Glands,as well as strengthens over-all immune system,and boosts energy levels.BUT IF YOU HAVE A HEART PROBLEM OF ANY KIND,YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE GINSENG. “Borage”:helps strengthen Adrenal glands “Licorice”:strengthens Adrenal glands(IF YOU HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE,OR A HEART CONDITION,DO NOT USE LICORICE) “Primrose Oil” or Caps:Helps your skin stay supple and soft,helps ease hotflashes and night-sweats,strenghtens heart, “Vit.E” and “Flax Seed Oil” does much the same as “Primrose”. HERBS TO TREAT TENSION, MOODINESS, AND ANXIETY “Wild Oats”or”Oatstraw” (good over-all immune booster,increases energy levels,fights anxiety,eases depression) “Skullcap”(this can cause drowsiness) “Valerian”(this is fairly strong,and can cause drowsiness,should mainly be used at night for sleeplessness) “Kava-Kava”(this can cause drowsiness in some people, is also used to manage moodiness,anxiety,& pain) “Chamomile”(this is very mild,and will not cause drowsiness,can be used safely during day,helps with anxiety,and crankiness) “Passion Flower”(this can cause drowsiness,it reduces anxiety,and helps with insomnia) “St.Johns Wort”:(reduces depression) “Hops” (good over-all immune booster) With any of these herbs,you need to use caution until you know how it will affect you.And unless you are very knowledgeable in the use of herbs,I recommend that you contact a qualified Herbalist or Naturopathic Dr. or Practioner for instructions on use and how much to take. Traditionally Trained(Native American)Herbalist,Natural Health Care Consultant,Cert.Mental Health Care Consultant,Trained Masseuse on hand for all your health care needs and concerns.Are not the “Natural”forces more Orthodox than the Artificial resources of the Conventional/Allopathic resources of the Druggist or Dr.?! -
Menopause is a natural and inevitable process of the cycle of growing older for women even though it may seem most unnatural during the process. Mood swings, raging hormones, emotional outbursts, and physiological manifestations and symptoms are common signs of this particular condition. The end result is the end of your menstrual cycle and the ability to bear children. Menopause is officially declared once a woman has gone 12 consecutive months with no menstrual period. The average age for the onset of menopause is 51 years of age, though that number fluctuates wildly and individually. And every symptom of menopause has a perfectly plausible reason for its manifestation. The hormone levels within the body drop significantly enough to no longer trigger menstrual cycles. This will continue with periods stopping altogether or gradually until they reach that point. Once you have not had a menstrual cycle for one year you are considered officially in the state of Menopause. Of course every body is different and there are some symptoms of menopause that are quite hard to cope with while experiencing it for yourself. You will find, when it happens to you that it will in some ways be welcomed and in some ways despised. Regardless of that it is perfectly natural and inevitable. Common signs of menopause: * 1) Irregular periods * 2) Excessive fatigue * 3) Increased stress levels * 4) Weight gain * 5) Frequent headaches * 6) Diminished sex drive * 7) Fluid retention * Hot flashes * 9) Night sweats * 10) Mood swings * 11) Irritability * 12) Depression Prevention of these symptoms Hormone replacement therapies have been the most commonly prescribed course of treatments for these symptoms in the past and are an effective treatment for the discomforts that these symptoms present. The hormones are usually prescribed in order to supplement the depleting supply rather than to replace ounce for ounce. There are, however, some serious risks and potential side effects associated with this type of treatment and it should be carefully considered with all the facts before deciding whether or not this is the best course of action for your situation. There are essentially three types of menopause it is important to know which type of menopause you are experiencing when deciding which will be the best course of treatment. * 1) Natural Menopause. This occurs as a natural part of the aging process. * 2) Medical or surgical menopause. This typically occurs as the result of a hysterectomy with ovary removal or chemotherapy. * 3) Cold Turkey Menopause. This is what generally happens when someone has been taken off of menopausal hormone therapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Menopause is natural and should be expected if you are a woman. While there is no need to meet it with fanfare and open arms there is also no need to fear or resent it. This is a natural part of the aging process and something that should at the very least be met with acceptance. Rob Buenaventura invites you to check out MenopauseTime.com. Here we provide a website on menopause symptoms and related common questions on menopause health. For natural menopause treatment tips, visit http://www.menopausetime.com for relief from your menopause. Research concerning vitamin E and menopause began in the forties. Because of the health risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, there has been an increased interest in menopause and nutrition over the last several years. Reports from the Women?s Health Initiative in 2002 caused a significant drop in the number of women who choose hormone replacement. These studies found an increased incidence of blood clots and stoke among women using hormone replacement therapy for several years. Hormone replacement is also associated with an increased risk of breast and uterine cancer. The only clear health benefit is an improvement in bone density, but this health benefit does not outweigh the risks. Women still have need for relief from unwanted symptoms associated with menopause. There is a long list of dietary supplements, botanicals and herbal remedies that may be effective. Results of research focused on vitamin E and menopause, as well as other nutritional supplements, have been mixed. Some studies indicate that these supplements are promising, while others found little or no benefit. One of the primary focuses of research concerning menopause and nutrition is the prevention of osteoporosis. Increased calcium intake is typically recommended, but calcium supplementation alone is probably not enough. Vitamins and minerals work together. The body cannot effectively absorb calcium without an adequate supply of vitamin D. Magnesium, co-enzyme Q-10 and other trace elements are also needed and often lacking from the average American diet. Exercise also plays a role in calcium absorption, as does estrogen. When it comes to vitamin E and menopause, the most recent study by the Mayo clinic regarding the vitamins affect on hot flashes in women being treated for breast cancer. After nine weeks of dosing with 800IU per day, the study concluded that the degree of relief achieved was not significantly different from that of placebo. Study after study has shown that vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) are relieved by about 20% in women taking a placebo or an inactive compound. Studies typically compare results to this placebo effect. In order for the majority of experts to recommend a treatment, it must be more effective than this ?placebo effect?. While vitamin E is a necessary anti-oxidant and is important for the proper function of nerves and muscles, a good daily multi-vitamin typically contains more than adequate amounts of this vitamin. The USRDA to prevent deficiency is much lower than the 800IU used in the above study. Taking this vitamin at dosages greater than 400 units per day on a long term basis can cause blurred vision, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach cramps and weakness or fatigue. Good nutrition is important throughout a woman?s life. An easy transition through menopause and nutrition go hand in hand, but even with a healthy diet, regular exercise and overall healthy lifestyle, some women still have unwanted symptoms. Studies concerning vitamin E and menopause do not indicate that this vitamin is all that a woman needs to prevent these symptoms. Studies have shown that other dietary and herbal supplements are more likely to be effective. Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she is writing a series of articles on women’s health issues. Read more at http://www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com To learn more about them, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide . The phases of menopause or the menopausal transition is usually broken down into four categories; pre-menopause, peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause. The signs and symptoms of menopause experienced by every woman include cessation of menstrual periods and decreased hormone production by the ovaries. There is a long list of symptoms that may be associated with menopause and decreased hormone production. Not every woman experiences all of them, but most experience one or more. The average age of menopause is 51, but a woman is only said to have experienced ?premature menopause? if it occurs before the age of 40. Premature menopause is usually caused by illness or injury to the ovaries, but premature menopause occurs naturally in about 1% of all women. On the other end of the scale, some women do not enter menopause until they are well into their fifties. There is no way to predict at what age menopause will occur in a specific woman. The different phases of menopause are experienced by all women, but may not cause any symptoms. During pre-menopause a woman?s periods are regular. Symptoms such as worsening PMS, periods that are heavier or lighter than normal may be associated with ?peri-menopause? or the time ?around? menopause. Women in their late thirties may experience these symptoms, but may not enter menopause for another ten years. Symptoms such as this can also be caused by other more serious health conditions and sudden changes should be evaluated by a physician. Menopause is simply a term that means the end of menstruation. When a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months, then she can no longer become pregnant. She is post-menopausal. Women may experience the signs and symptoms of menopause for several years before menopause and for several years following menopause. The most common symptoms for which women seek treatment are hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. About 50% of all women have hot flashes and/or night sweats during the phases of menopause. About 10% have them in their pre-menopausal years and the percentage gradual increases as menopause approaches. Researchers refer to these symptoms as ?vasomotor symptoms?, because circulation and blood vessel dilation are involved. The exact cause of hot flashes and night sweats are unknown. It is known that women who are surgically menopausal, due to removal of the ovaries, typically have more severe vasomotor symptoms. Men who must take drugs to suppress hormone production also experience hot flashes. All of this seems to indicate that decreased hormone production causes hot flashes. But all women experience a gradual decrease in hormone production, but all do not have hot flashes. Treating hot flashes and night sweats is nearly as confusing as investigating the cause. Other signs and symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal dryness, are more straightforward. There are clear answers as to their causes and remedies. Vasomotor symptoms, on the other hand, may respond to practically anything or next to nothing. Trial after trial has shown that placebo (an inactive substance) relieves hot flash symptoms by about 20%. Thus, finding an effective remedy means finding something that is more effective than placebo. Researchers, doctors and experts debate about the effectiveness of different treatment plans. Clinical research yields confusing and sometimes contradictory results. The only long-term studies have focused entirely on hormone replacement therapy. The currently accepted philosophy is that while HRT is effective for relieving the unwanted signs and symptoms of menopause, the health risks should be taken into consideration. These include blood clots, breast cancer, uterine cancer, heart disease and stroke. The health risks increase with long-term use. Minimum dosage for the shortest duration possible is considered acceptable in most cases. Various nutritional supplements, herbal remedies and plant components have been and are currently being studied for the benefits they provide during the different phases of menopause. Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she is writing a series of articles on women’s health issues. Read more at http://www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com To learn more about these alternatives, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide . When advice or discussion is what you need, a menopause support group may be the answer. Not every woman has an older sister or a living mother to turn to when she is trying to choose a menopause product or considering hormone replacement therapy. Studies have shown that women with a supportive environment have fewer menopausal symptoms. Briefly, in this article, we offer some practical advice that every woman can use during the menopausal transition. It is not intended to take the place of a menopause support group or the advice of your doctor, but maybe it will be just the right amount of information at the right time for some women. The menopausal transition is typically broken down into three or four categories. Pre-menopausal women are those who have not experienced any changes in their menstrual cycles. Peri-menopause technically means the time ?around? menopause when women usually begin to notice some changes in their menstrual flow. It may be lighter than usual, heavier than usual or irregular. Peri-menopause may last for several years before menopause begins. Menopause is simply a term that means the end of menstruation. The average age of menopause is 51. Women who smoke usually enter menopause two years before women who do not smoke. Smoking also aggravates many menopausal symptoms. When a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months, she can no longer become pregnant. Her ovaries have stopped functioning. The years following menopause are usually referred to as post-menopause. Post-menopausal women are more likely to develop osteoporosis. They must pay particular attention to diet and lifestyle; have regular breast cancer screenings and regular physicals. Some women have very few menopausal symptoms, other than irregular or missed periods. About 50% of all women have hot flashes and/or night sweats at some point during the menopausal transition. This is one of the most common symptoms for which women seek hormone replacement or another menopause product, such as botanical or herbal remedies. Nutritional menopause support generally focuses on calcium intake. But, without adequate amounts of vitamin D, magnesium and other vitamins and minerals, the body cannot efficiently absorb calcium. Lack of physical activity further inhibits the process. Studies from the USRDA currently suggest that most people over the age of 50 do not get adequate amounts of vitamin D and supplementation is suggested. Some studies indicate that estrogen plays a role in calcium absorption. Women taking hormone replacement therapy have better bone density levels than women who do not. However, the largest study concerning the health benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy concluded that the risks of blood clots and stroke outweigh the benefits of improved bone density. An over-the-counter menopause product usually contains some form of plant estrogen, calcium, vitamin D and magnesium. The plant Black Cohosh has been shown to effectively reduce hot flashes in most women and is often a menopause product ingredient. Women?s clinics advise that the menopausal transition is not always difficult. Individual symptoms should be discussed with one?s doctor. Recording menstrual cycles and irregularities can be helpful when seeking treatment. A menopause support group or discussion board can sometimes help to improve mental attitude. Yoga and other stress reduction techniques help relieve tension, improve circulation, quality of sleep and sometimes help reduce hot flashes and night sweats. Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she is writing a series of articles on women’s health issues. Read more at http://www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com To learn more about menopausal symptoms and treatments, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide . Considered by many to be the main, and most uncomfortable, side effect of menopause is the hot flash. Hot flashes during menopause can happen on an average of every 2 to 4 hours, daily for 2 to 5 years depending on how quickly you move from perimenopause to menopause. Hot flashes and menopause can last up to 10 years in some women. The intensity will be stronger during perimenopause but will diminish as you progress towards the end of menopause. An interesting bit of information is that hot flashes are more common in Western cultures then anywhere else in the world. They are particularly prevalent among American women. It is reported that only about 10% of women in Japan, Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Mexico have hot flashes during menopause. It has been proven that this is the case because of the women’s low-fat and high-fiber diet. This adds to the information that women can control the level of intensity of hot flashes just by changing their diet. It is also a fact that thinner women experience more hot flashes during menopause since the fat cells you have in your body convert the hormones that are secreted by the adrenals into estrogen. Although you don’t want to gain weight specifically to avoid hot flashes, it might not be so bad to retain a few pounds during menopause, especially when you first begin perimenopause. Hot flashes can be best characterized as mild, moderate, and severe. The faster you transition from being perimenopausal to post menopausal has a direct effect on how severe your hot flashes will be. Hot flashes during menopause are most severe with a surgery induced menopause. This is also true of a chemotherapy induced menopause. In general, with all menopause hot flashes, symptoms do begin to improve approximately 3 to 6 months after you experience your first hot flash, although they may last significantly longer. Discover how YOU can find relief from hot flashes and menopausal symptoms without Hormone Replacement Therapy at Linda Bruton’s Survive Menopause site. Pick up your free special report “Coping with Hot Flashes the Natural Way” (a $27 value) by clicking here: http://www.survivemenopause.com My mother passed away when I was in my thirties and the menopause was a distant hurdle. So when my time came for this rite of passage she was not there to be consulted. In a kind of mild desperation I turned to a number of older women in a search for surrogate mothering and asked, ?How was it for you?? To my surprise, I was met with a wall of denial. Nearly all said they couldn?t remember, a few said they hadn?t noticed anything, and at least two women opined that they were too busy to succumb to such a triviality. This left me feeling vulnerable, confused, and not a little ashamed. Now if I had been living in Japan where apparently a life-long diet of tofu mitigates the symptoms, it would have been understandable, but I live in the Western world and my ladies at best may have hazarded the occasional miso soup. So what was this? It occurred to me that these women had grown up in an era in which such things were never mentioned, let alone discussed. I had probably inadvertently embarrassed them. During my own childhood (lost in history I suppose), I remember those mysterious whispered comments such as ?She?s got women?s troubles.? With a fertile imagination at work and the assured knowledge that I too would one day be a woman, these ?women?s trouble? became a monster lying in wait. As I grew and the sixties blossomed into full Technicolor, everything was out in the open, so by the time I was a candidate for the above mentioned, at least I knew what was meant: infertility, excess bleeding, prolapsed womb, yeast infection. However, the ?change? was not on anyone?s lips. Of course there is much literature available and some great publications like ?Our Bodies, Ourselves?, but like any grieving person I needed one-on-one comforting. I use the word ?grieving? deliberately, for unlike puberty which is a flowering, the menopause, with its sister manifestations of confusion, discomfort, and bodily changes, is a reminder of the end of things?an unflowering so to speak. And what full-blooded woman wants to be a part of that? So in our panic we turn to hormonal supplements, plastic surgery, anti-depressants, a never-ending cornucopia of alternatives. Yet underneath we are all suffering bereavement?our younger self has passed over and we are left in the limbo world of loss. How we cope depends on the individual, and as I write this, I think that what I really want to say is this; we can be a phoenix rising. This is our last chance to really grow up. Let?s face it, at 55 and over, we have probably achieved as much as we are ever going to in terms of what we set out to do, so the way is now clear for new horizons, new accomplishments, new ideas. My personal turning point was when, aged 58, after a lifelong fear of water, I taught myself to swim. O.K. I know that?s a bit extreme, but that was my epiphany. Ladies?a menstrual-free life is great! Being called a ?wrinkly? is not the worst thing. Most of my closest friends are involved in new and amazing adventures, and I don?t mean travel to exotic places. The adventure is an inner one. Each of us is a repository of immense knowledge. It doesn?t matter what your background is?ethnic, educational or financial?when you reach 60 you know a thing or two. So use it. It could be the wearing of a red hat, learning a new skill, or coming to terms with illness. Don?t become invisible and don?t suffer alone. I and millions like me are there for anyone who needs a shoulder. Life is a continuity of choices?basically two; how do I make this better or how do I make this worse? Very often, us mature women know. So no throwing in the towel. In fact come and see what I get up to these days designing printed tops for my more mature and discerning clients (and I don?t mean old and picky!) who are making the most of their lives and want to look good doing it. It?s undergoing a major overhaul these days (who isn?t?). Drop by and spoil yourself. You deserve it. Wouldn?t be me these days if I didn?t leave you with a short poem, one of many written over the last few, eventful years. Over the hill? On the decline? I can choose To toboggan, or roly-poly, Stumble and tumble, Carefully descend with faltering steps, Or leap from rock to rock. I can sit on my bum and slide, I can stop and have a picnic, Pick flowers, bird watch, hang glide, Jump from the top and get it all over with. But the choice is still mine And the view continues Until you reach the bottom. Mali Joy Livingstone About the Author : Mali Joy Livingstone divides her time between caring for her family and five dogs and printing her limited edition designs on t-shirts for the older, discerning woman. She has a great introductory offer for first-time buyers on her site at “http://www.omnicottons.com” http://www.omnicottons.com

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