Peri Menopause Symptoms and Relief

Peri menopause may be a new term for you. It simply means the time ?around? menopause. Peri menopause symptoms are caused by changing hormonal levels during the years that lead up to menopause. They may last as little as a few months or as long as ten years. Every woman is different. These differences may be related to nutrition, diet, exercise regimens, prescription medications or genetic factors. It may be that the ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen or estrogen levels may change suddenly from month to month. Much is unknown.

As early as their thirties, some women begin to experience changes in their menstrual periods. They may become heavier or irregular. Some women begin to experience premenstrual syndrome for the first time in their lives. Some doctors recognize these changes and refer to them as peri menopause symptoms, helping to educate women about what they can do to reduce symptoms. Other doctors leave it up to the women to educate themselves. And others suggest a variety of prescription drugs, which may or may not help.

To help regulate menstrual periods, thus relieving those types of peri menopause symptoms, some doctors recommend birth control pills. Women who take birth control pills may have less symptoms of shorter duration, but this is not always the case. Some women cannot and should not take birth control pills, because of the risks associated with them. Many women prefer not to take them, if they are not needed for contraceptive purposes. Birth control pills have known benefits and known risks. To learn more about them, a good website to visit is www.fwhc.org/birth-control/the pill.htm.

Worsening PMS symptoms may also be peri menopause symptoms. PMS symptoms vary greatly among women, from non-existent to severe. It may be helpful to keep a journal for a while, noting when symptoms like mood swings and breast tenderness appear. There are at least 100 different symptoms associated with PMS; thankfully most women do not experience them all. Women who take birth control pills do not experience PMS, because they do not ovulate, but may have similar symptoms related to varying hormone levels. Anti-depressants are commonly prescribed to relieve PMS and peri menopause symptoms, but may have side effects, including headache, drowsiness and sexual dysfunction. Regular exercise is one of the best PMS relievers, but without proper nutrition, you may not have the energy for it. A good daily multi-vitamin in addition to a healthy diet that is low in salt, fat, sugar, alcohol and caffeine will help increase energy levels and reduce PMS symptoms.

Hot flashes and night sweats may be the most frustrating peri menopause symptoms. Antidepressants may increase night sweats in some women. These symptoms are directly related to changing estrogen levels. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was at one time considered a safe treatment for all of the symptoms of peri menopause and menopause, but research has shown that those women using HRT had an increased risk of heart disease, breast cancer, stroke and Alzheimer?s.

All peri menopause symptoms, including the ones mentioned here and others are believed to be related to decreased levels of estrogen. Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapies contain synthetic estrogens, thus relieving symptoms, but increasing risks associated with synthetic hormones. Certain plant components have estrogen like effects. These components are referred to as phytoestrogens. Found in plant foods like soy and herbs like black cohosh, phytoestrogens can help relieve PMS and peri menopause symptoms, naturally without side effects.

Insomnia and other sleep disturbances are sometimes experienced in women during peri menopause. Night sweats are sometimes a major sleep disruption, but many women find that a full night?s sleep is just not possible. If you have a doctor that readily writes prescriptions and you tell him about all of your different symptoms, you may end up taking sleep aids, antidepressants and a variety of other drugs. I have known many women who were taking six or seven different prescription medications during peri menopause and still had problems.

Serotonin is one of the compounds circulating in the blood stream believed to regulate sleep and mood. It is regularly sold as a natural sleep aid, but precursors (those substances that the body uses to create serotonin) are more effective and safer for long term use. Tryptophan was heavily marketed at one time, but also had safety issues. 5-HTP is the newest alternative.

Derived from an African plant, 5-HTP is a serotonin precursor that in studies has been shown to act like a prescription antidepressant, without the side effects. It is recommended for use by women with PMS and peri menopause symptoms for many reasons. It promotes healthy natural sleep, without causing grogginess. It improves mood, without the side effects associated with prescription drugs or other herbal remedies. Studies have shown its effectiveness for migraine treatment. Women, who experienced migraines during puberty, often see them reappear during peri menopause.

To learn more about 5-HTP and other natural remedies for menopause, peri menopause and PMS, please visit http://www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com.

Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experience in health care and more than 40 years experience as a woman. Currently she writes informational articles for the Menopause and PMS Guide. Read more here.

Menopause Weight Gain ? You Can Lose It

It?s probably safe to assume that the reason you found this article is because you?ve gradually, but progressively gained some unwanted weight, especially around your mid-section. This is somewhat surprising since you?ve not necessarily changed your lifestyle or eating habits. As a matter of fact, there?s a good chance you?ve even cut your caloric intake, but still the weight remains. Could this weight gain be associated with menopause? If you?re a woman in your thirties of forties, the answer is ?yes ? most definitely.? Weight gain, as you approach menopause, is quite common and often one of the first symptoms of menopause that women notice. This is true even if you?re still experiencing regular periods.

You see, as you approach menopause your body?s hormone levels are declining, thus causing many changes to occur. As your estrogen levels decline, your body will naturally look for other places from where to get the needed estrogen. Unfortunately, fat cells are capable of producing estrogen, which results in your body working harder to convert calories to fat.

In addition to the declining levels of estrogen, your body?s testosterone levels are also declining. As you may know, testosterone is the hormone that converts your calories to lean muscle mass. Obviously, with lower testosterone levels you?re now losing muscle mass. Since muscle burns far more calories than does fat, your body is no longer capable of burning calories the way it used to.

As you can see, your declining hormone levels are the main culprit behind all of the weight gain you?re now noticing. Don?t think for one minute that you need to accept or welcome this unwanted enemy because you can easily lose this menopausal weight gain. I recently published some inspirational quotes on my website to assist women in their everyday lives. One of my favorites comes to mind when I think about what makes so many women complacent when they?re faced with symptoms of menopause and weight gain. Jim Rohn once said ?Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.? If your goal is to lose the weight you?ve gained, the only thing that can possibly stop you from accomplishing this goal is a lack of discipline.

If you?re willing to put your discipline into high gear you will undoubtedly lose the weight you?ve gained due to declining hormone levels associated with menopause. It?s important that you understand what?s taking place inside your body so that you?re well aware that simply cutting calories will not significantly reduce or eliminate the weight around your mid-section. You must build muscle to turn your body into a calorie-burning machine. You needn?t be extreme, but an exercise routine that includes weight training at least three days a week will give you results that will astonish you.

Remember, ?Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.? Don?t be complacent. You're headed in the right direction because you researched the Internet seeking information regarding weight gain during menopause. Consider this the first step in your walk across the bridge to accomplishment.

Susan Megge is the founder of http://www.40isbeautiful.com, a website designed to assist mature women as they approach and experience menopause. She is a grandmother, who started experiencing symptoms of menopause several years ago and researched various avenues to deal with these symptoms naturally.

Menopause.... Discover How To Control The Symptoms.

 

While menopause is a normal change in life that all women experience, the symptoms can be extremely bothersome. Some women are bombarded with these uncomfortable symptoms, and search out ways to help control them. Here we will discuss menopause and how to help control its symptoms.

Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes are also known as night sweats, but do not always occur at night. It is when your body becomes suddenly hot, so hot, that it radiates into the face and neck area. Very often the person suffering with the hot flash will sweat so profusely that the sweat will saturate her clothing. A hot flash is usually always followed by a chill, or cooling down period. To help control hot flashes effectively, a woman can add soy products or more fiber to her diet.

Vaginal dryness is another uncomfortable symptom of menopause. Research studies have shown that adding vitamin E supplements to their daily routines, many women have lessened, and even eliminated vaginal dryness all together. Vitamin E suppositories are available for menopausal women - these are inserted into the vagina. Vitamin E is also proven effective in aiding in the reduction, or even elimination, of hot flashes, as well.

There are numerous natural remedies to help in controlling many of the symptoms of menopause. Due to lack of hormones being produced in their bodies, many women will experience bouts of moodiness, and sometimes even depression. St. John's Wart, which can be purchased at many health food stores, can often help with this. By adding a St. John's Wart supplement to their daily routine, many women have reported being less irritable, less depressed, and even energized. Other supplements that can help with moodiness include kava kava and valerian.

Black cohosh is a very popular herb women use to help cut down on the symptoms of menopause. Black cohosh can help with hot flashes, cramps, and heavy menstrual bleeding. Research studies have also shown that black cohosh may even help prevent osteoporosis. Most research studies recommend you take black cohosh extract, and it may take two to four weeks before noticed results occur.

Like black cohosh, chasterberry (or vitex agnus castus) can help alleviate symptoms of menopause including hot flashes and vaginal dryness. In addition to these symptoms of menopause, chasterberry may also help with breast tenderness. Women have reported it taking up to four weeks to achieve noticeable results.

While the symptoms of menopause can be uncomfortable, bothersome, and irritating, there is hope. In addition to traditional hormone replacement therapy, many options are available to help lessen, or even eliminate the symptoms of menopause.

The author Linda Johns had the experience of breastfeeding her own children and is the wife of Allan Johns who has over twenty years experience in health and related industries and now devotes his time to sharing his knowledge with the millions of people interested in improving or learning more about better health. Don't miss Allan's information packed health site at: http://www.betterhealthcentre.com/

Managing THE MENOPAUSE Symptom

All women at some time in her life, and if they live long enough, will experience the decrease of her hormone production. The levels will drop below those required to continue her menstrual periods. This decline is called menopause and women often look forward to it as it means the end to their monthly discomfort such as bloating, bleeding and inconvenience, not to mention the worry of unplanned pregnancies.

However, other women find menopause a very stressful period in their lives and many women are eager for it to be over. They find that the decline in their hormones affects their sex drive, accompanied by mood swings and hot flashes, not to mention heart and bone problems.

Menopause can come on quite rapidly to a gal, for instance, if it is caused by breast cancer treatment it can lead to uncomfortable side effects and infertility. Some women connect the menopause with an illness rather than an ordinary process of the female body. And very often menopausal symptoms interrupt a woman's day to day quality of life.

For some women, menopause can be a rapid onset, for instance, if it is caused by breast cancer treatment it can lead to uncomfortable side effects and infertility. Some women connect the menopause with an illness rather than an ordinary process of the female body. And very often menopausal symptoms interrupt a woman's day to day quality of life.

There is a wide scope of treatment recommendations for women going through menopause that cover an extensive range of lifestyles. Such recommendations include such things as complementary therapies and conventional styles of medicine. However, the most productive therapies do tend to possess certain side effects although their benefits may surpass them.

You should begin with the simplest, mildest treatment for your menopausal symptoms that maintain the broadest benefit and the least number of side effects. Slowly you can then progress to stronger forms or doses of management if necessary.

Exercise is an excellent example of a healing measure that comes with minimum drawbacks. This is because the heart and bones are strengthened while your weight is under control. Other benefits are your sleep and energy levels should upgrade. Your sex drive will rev up and your skin will glow.

Estrogen treatment is at the powerful end of the treatment spectrum. Doctors almost always automatically recommend Estrogen for Women with menopausal symptoms as long as they are free from breast cancer. However, numerous women are apprehensive about taking estrogen as the studies on long term effects are not fully verified and studies suggest there is a strong likelihood that it can be linked to breast cancer.

Carlie Edwards publishes online articles & useful information for Women. For info on Menopause visit Menopause Symptoms For a variety of related topics visit Health-And-Beauty-Worx.Com

Menopause Symptom And Alternative Treatments

In the past menopausal women had no real choices when it came to menopausal treastments available. But today there is great news for menopausal women. Traditionally, Doctors only offered hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as the logical and accepted treatment for women with symptoms that are associated with menopause.

However,today we have other treatments available to us. These alternative treatments have been making headlines in regards to menopause and post menopause. We're talking about treatments that are a little more natural and are often very effective. Women have been using alternative treatments for menopause since the beginning of time. You may not be familiar with them so read on!

Here are some of the alternative treatments that are available to you. Take a look and see if any of these alternative treatments for menopause and post menopausal symptoms would possibly work for you.

-Your Diet When you eat a lot of junk food do you ever feel really horrible? Physically? You guessed it, YES, your diet plays a huge part in why some people feel good and why others don't. It's best to stick with as many vegetables, fruits, and grains as you possibly can during this difficult time. Try to stay away from fats and red meat if at all possible. Your body needs proper nutrition during menopause. For women who would like to stay as natural as possible, alternative treatments can be wonderful. However, you need to remember that there will be some women that will still need hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It's always recommended that you make this decision with the help of your doctor. Between the two of you, you can come up with a treatment plan.

-Extra Vitamin Supplements

During different stages of our lives, our bodies will naturally lack different vitamins at different times. Vitamins used in higher doses than usual can help ease the symptoms of menopause. Women using alternative medicine to help with menopause will tell you that this is helpful. While you may be getting the nutrients you need from the foods you eat, you should talk to your doctor about taking extra supplements to help you through menopause.

-What About Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a form of medicine that uses homeopathy, herbs, and other treatments such as acupuncture for illness and/or troublesome symptoms. More and more women experiencing symptoms of menopause are using this method as well. Be aware: Health care experts have warned women who are at high risk for developing heart disease or other serious illnesses correlated with menopause should consider traditional treatments for menopausal symptoms like hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women in the low risk category however can choose to go with a completely natural method such as the ones described here. By combining some of the natural treatments available, you'll find the best solution for you, this is what alternative treatment is all about!

-Herbs For Menopause Symptoms

Herbs have been used for centuries by different groups of people, they are still widely used in the non-Western world. Herbs are quickly becoming more and more common in the West as well. Numerous studies have shown there to be many herbs that are very effective in controlling the symptoms of menopause. One herb to note is Black cohosh. Black cohosh has been widely used for symptoms of hot flashes while the herb St. John's Wart has been a very popular herb for symptoms of moodiness or anxiety.

-Benefits Of Soy

Soy has been shown to help lower blood pressure. It also helps to stimulate our bodies disease preventing antibodies. Women who suffer with hot flashes may want to use soy to help prevent these symptoms that occur while going through menopause. Studies have shown Soy to be very effective in preventing hot flashes. Soy truly has many benefits for the body. If you don't get enough soy, you can always supplement by taking soy tablets, soy milk or even try soy butter and other soy products readily available in our grocery stores.

Carlie Edwards publishes online articles & useful information for Women. For info on Menopause visit Menopause Symptoms For a variety of related topics visit Health-And-Beauty-Worx.Com

Menopause- Testing Time for Women

For many women this period becomes one of the most testing times of all. It will not be proper to say that menopause is a simple passing stage in the lives of females, in fact it is not! Menopause is surely a worrying and difficult time of life for every woman during which she undergoes a lot of changes, physically, as well as mentally. All she needs is support from her dear ones and she will silently sail through this tough period of life.

Previously, menopause was not talked about, but now, women are starting to look at, talk about and own their Menopause. They are taking more responsibility for their own lives. As women get older their thoughts and feelings take a new direction. They become more acutely aware of health, their relationships with family and friends, the economic security and their own inner selves.

This period is the gateway to a transition to a new phase of life for a female. According to Germaine Greer, "Women need to devise their own Rite of Passage, a celebration of what could be regarded as the restoration of a woman to herself". In a society which often regards ageing as useless, it is no wonder many women see Menopause as fearful and confusing. We need to be conscious of our own strengths, self worth and wisdom.

As the time for menopause comes nearer, there are a hell lot of questions in the mind of a female like how to approach the same situations now? Is Hormone Replacement Therapy better? It can become confusing for most of them, but there are alternatives. Physicians are more aware today and understand their needs in a better fashion. They recommend a simple life style with nutrient diet and regular exercise which will help a woman during menopause gain sufficient energy and patience to boost up her self confidence which usually goes down.

Doctors say that 15% of women have no problems when their periods cease. 70% of women, however, experience some symptoms and changes. These can be hot flushes, insomnia, mood swings, and lack of confidence, crying for no reason, weight gain and other changes.

Maybe the biggest concern at this stage is Osteoporosis. As we get older our bone density becomes thinner and more liable for breaking up easily. With a good healthy diet and a general health conscious, women can definitely fight up against osteoporosis.

A small walk in the near by park and some yoga can do wonders for some. Remember, Menopause is not a disorder but, like puberty, is a period of physical and emotional change which affects some women more than others.

Remember, it is your Menopause, your Rite of Passage, so find out as much as you can about the Natural Remedies and as much as possible about the good and not so good aspects of the H.R.T. There is plenty of information out there - talk to your friends: there are some very good books and support groups available.

Harison, an associated editor to Epharma.md, is a contributing author to the http://www.epharma.md for distinct article sites/journals. Please feel free to visit the website http://www.epharma.md/diet_pills.html for more information on Diet Pills related issues. Or write to him AT harison.james@gmail.com. Any comments and /or suggestions will be highly appreciated. Please note that this article is not a substitute for medical advice.

Natural Remedies For Perimenopause And Menopause Symptoms.

More and more women are seeking natural alternative treatments for symptoms of menopause, for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the most compelling reason for many is the association between conventional hormone replacement therapy and a number of serious health risks, including an increased risk of breast cancer and blood clots, although the link has by no means been proven, and the issue is currently the subject of serious debate among women?s health experts. Many women have experienced unpleasant side effects resulting from conventional HRT, including nausea, headaches and vaginal bleeding. Many women simply feel apprehensive at the thought of taking drugs which have been manufactured synthetically.

The whole notion of returning to old fashioned herbal treatments and folk remedies has a certain comforting, romantic appeal. Some of the herbal medicines which are being rediscovered have been used to treat a range of ailments for literally thousands of years. There is a commonly held belief that medicines derived from natural sources are necessarily free from the risk of negative side effects, harmful interactions and allergic reactions. This is simply not true. Whatever kind of medication you choose to take, it?s essential that you fully understand how it works, what dosage level is appropriate for you, and what objective research has been done on its effectiveness and its potential hazards. Your doctor is the best person to provide you with professional, individual advice and attention. Information you find online and in women?s health publications is a useful supplement to your doctor?s advice, and it?s wise to read as widely as you can to get an overall picture of the issues. Your health is the most important thing you have, and while you are free to make your own choices about treating menopause symptoms, it?s vital that you make these choices with your eyes open.

Most experts believe that all of the common symptoms of menopause are caused by the dramatic decline and fluctuations in the body?s levels of estrogen and to some extent progesterone, and the imbalance between them. Approaches to alleviating symptoms generally focus around restoring these hormone levels. Natural treatments are typically made from extracts of plants containing substances which are very similar to the estrogen and/or progesterone produced by the ovaries. The effectiveness of these treatments relies on the assumption that these phytoestrogens and plant progesterones have a similar effect in the body to the body?s own natural hormones. Some herbal treatments work by stimulating glands to produce natural hormones more effectively, rather than restoring the hormones artificially.

Another approach is to treat each symptom individually. There is a range of natural treatments which focus specifically on alleviating common symptoms such as hot flashes, depression, libido problems, vaginal dryness and fatigue.

Estrogen treatments.

Soy

By far the richest source of phytoestrogens (sometimes called ?isoflavones?) is soybeans, and foods made from soy extracts. Soy can be consumed in the form of tofu, soy cheese, meat substitute products such as soy burgers, breads and muffins made with soy flour, and soy drinks, sometimes known as ?soy milk?. Some studies have shown that consuming soy beverages or breads made with soy flour twice daily can reduce the severity or the number of hot flashes, but results have been inconclusive and inconsistent. Soy powders and pills contain much higher levels of phytoestrogens than soy foods, and may have a more significant effect in alleviating menopause symptoms than soy foods, but little is known about the potential hazards. Consuming soy extracts and soy foods may have a range of other health benefits, including reducing the risk of osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease, and lowering cholesterol. Some studies suggest that phytoestrogens may actually help to reduce the risk of breast cancer by blocking the overproduction of natural estrogen in the body.

Herbs containing phytoestrogens

Red clover has been used in Asia for thousands of years to treat skin conditions, asthma, bronchitis, kidney stones, joint disorders and breast inflammation. It is thought to work by improving circulation and stimulating urine and mucous production, or ?purifying the blood?. Red clover has been recently discovered to contain high levels of phytoestrogens, and its usefulness in the treatment of menopause symptoms is being investigated. Some studies have shown the herb to be very effective in reducing hot flashes and improving bone density and strength, while others have been inconclusive.

Dong Quai is an important herb used in Chinese medicine, and has been used to treat PMS, menstrual irregularities and menopause symptoms for thousands of years, although its effectiveness has yet to be clinically verified by Western health practitioners. It is also believed to dilate blood vessels, and is used to treat high blood pressure and circulatory problems.

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is commonly believed to contain phytoestrogens, although clinical studies to confirm this have been far from conclusive. It is a perennial plant native to North America, and is also known as black snakeroot, bugbane, rattleroot and macrotys. The plant has a long history of usefulness as a medicinal treatment, first by Native American people and more recently by alternative health practitioners, and has been used to treat a range of gynecological ailments including menopause symptoms, infertility, inflammation of the uterus and ovaries, and to induce lactation, bring on menstruation, and alleviate labor pains. It has also been used to treat rheumatism, fever, coughs and colds, hives and backache. Some studies have shown that taking pills made from black cohosh extract is very helpful in providing short term relief from a range of menopause symptoms including hot flashes, depression, mood swings and anxiety. However, little is known about the effects of taking the treatment in the long term, and some negative side effects have been reported, including headaches, stomach and gastric discomfort and weight gain.

Maca

Peruvian Maca root is believed to work by stimulating glands in the body to produce their own estrogen and testosterone. Maca has been cultivated in the Andes region for perhaps thousands of years, and has been used as a treatment to increase energy, enhance libido and increase fertility. Maca root is claimed to provide a range of benefits, including alleviating PMS symptoms, reducing depression and stress, increasing athletic ability and creating a general sense of well being. It is also claimed to be effective in treating a wide range of menopausal symptoms, including mood swings, depression, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, hot flashes, reduced libido, sleep disturbances and breast tenderness. Objective clinical research into the effectiveness and the potential hazards of taking Maca root supplements is very scant.

Progesterone treatments.

An alternative view of the causes of menopause symptoms places more emphasis on the role of progesterone, and the imbalance between progesterone and estrogen. ?Estrogen dominance? is a recently identified syndrome, and is believed by a small number of doctors to be the cause of severe PMS and menstrual problems in early adulthood, and a range of severe symptoms as menopause approaches. Advocates of progesterone treatments believe them to be free from the health risks and side effects associated with estrogen based treatments.

Natural progesterone cream

Natural progesterone creams usually contain extracts from Mexican wild yam, which contains a substance which is believed to be similar to the progesterone produced in the body. The creams are applied to the parts of the body where the skin is thinner, such as the breasts, inner thighs, inner forearms or stomach, and are believed to pass through the skin and circulate through the body. Many women have found natural progesterone creams to be very effective in treating menopause symptoms, but there is no evidence to show that the creams lower the risk of breast and uterine cancer, or are free from the risk of side effects as is sometimes claimed.

Chaste tree berry

Chaste tree berry, sometimes known as Chasteberry or Vitex agnus castus has been used since ancient Greek times to treat a range of ailments. It is believed to stimulate the production of progesterone, and has been shown to be very effective in alleviating severe PMS and a range of menopausal symptoms

Lynn Donn is the webmaster for http://www.menopause-symptoms-perimenopause.com Her website includes helpful articles on perimenopause and menopause symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats. Site offers suggestions on how to ease symptoms of menopause and perimenopause naturally using black cohosh, soy and natural progesterone cream etc.

Menopause and Loss

As reported by numerous females, menopause, the final stage in the cycle of female menstruation, contributes to a significant loss of libido. One of the more common complaints from women (and their partners) is the loss of sexual desire and drive. This absence disrupts the sexual lives of countless couples, and therapy is often sought after as an answer to this problem. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss causes, external factors such as physical pain that prevents sexual intercourse, solutions for restoring estrogens, and life situations menopausal women face that contribute to their hormonal causes for libido failure (i.e. body image.)

The period before menopause is known as the pre- or perimenopause period when some loss of libido occurs. The hormone called progesterone is responsible for this downfall and is key to causing a resulting hormonal imbalance. Remember, the job of hormones is to regulate certain processes in the body. An insufficiency in hormones disrupts this balance and creates problems. Loss of libido is not restricted to having a lack of sexual desire. Vaginal dryness and discomfort can force women to avoid having sex altogether. Creams and gels are used to combat this problem. The emotional changes associated with menopause can also affect sexual desires, as women often feel overly aggressive, irritable, and sometimes depressed mental conditions that require peace time instead of hot and heaviness.

Estrogen is the primary sex hormone in a woman. As discussed earlier, a loss of estrogen leads to a loss of sexual desire. Remember, women also produce testosterone (in low levels), and testosterone is also responsible for promoting sexual drive. Lack of energy and depression occur because of these decreased levels, plummeting libido to close to non-existent. In order to restore libido, hormone therapy is highly recommended. Doctors can prescribe testosterone in a liquid form to keep you alert and increase what youve lost. There are gels and creams (such as Alura) designed to directly stimulate the clitoris. These creams often leave you with a tingling feeling that can help you achieve multiple orgasms.

There are over the counter medications out there that combat loss of libido. There are progesterone creams with bio-synthetic qualities that restore safe amounts of progesterone in the body to increase sex drive. There is also something called Phytoestrogen Cream that help balance the levels of available amounts of estrogen in the body and provide homeostasis when there are plummeting estrogen levels.

There are other things that affect menopausal womens level of libido. Not all women have the same levels of sexual drive. For example, 65-year-old women who have already undergone menopause are more likely to have less sexual desire than 49 year old women who has just finished the final stages of their menstruation.

Menopause also affects the way women look at themselves in terms of body. Distorted views on body shape during menopause, when thought is greatly affected, can also decrease the desire for sex. If a woman is taking medicine for depression during this period, her libido can increase more than someone off the drug. Outside factors such as work-related stress, can also determine libido levels in a woman and usually require a shift in perspective to regain balance. In a lot of ways, menopause is a reshaping of who we are and what we want out of life.

About The Author

Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 25 years experience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy and plan development, as well as management of communications and public relations programs for small business sectors. She can be reached at Creative Communications: creative-com@cox.net or by visiting www.menopauseinfo.org or www.internet-marketing-small-business.com