Know About Menopause - Symptoms, Treatment And Diet

Most women start to experience symptoms associated with perimenopause or menopause while they are in their thirties or forties - symptoms that may continue into their fifties and sixties. Those who don't notice menopausal symptoms either went through early menopause when they were young or are, well, dead. So, if you take a serious look at your alternatives with regard to menopause, you'll see that even though you're noticing some uncomfortable symptoms, you're actually quite fortunate. Menopause is only natural and is not at all an indication of the end of being young, sexual, energetic, healthy and beautiful. You can still have it all.

Now that you have a different perspective on the subject of menopause we can continue on and focus on menopause symptoms, treatments, lifestyle and diet to help you get through this transition with ease, confidence and overall good health. Menopause symptoms include:

Weight Gain - Often one of the first signs of menopause that women notice, weight gain is associated with declining hormone levels. It's not unusual to gain an average of about five pounds in the area of your mid-section or abdomen.

Hot Flashes - As your levels of estrogen drop, there's a good possibility that your blood vessels may expand, causing your skin temperature to rise. You'll notice a feeling of warmth moving from your chest, up toward your shoulders, neck and head. Hot flashes can occur several times each day or only occasionally. As with all menopausal symptoms, hot flashes will vary from woman to woman.

Irregular Periods - Your periods may become heavier or lighter than normal and may not be as predictable as they once were (i.e. every 28 days or so).

Irregular Sleep Patterns - You may suddenly wake up in the middle of the night soaking with sweat due to night sweats, and then have a difficult time falling back to sleep. It's also quite common for women to suddenly wake up during the night for no reason at all. No matter how you're awakened, a lack of sleep is likely to affect your mood and can also have an impact on your overall health.

Emotional Changes - Many women find that they're more irritable and moody as they approach menopause. Also, it's not uncommon to feel fatigued, have a decreased memory and experience difficulty concentrating. These symptoms may or may not be attributed to menopause. Yes, fluctuations in your hormone levels can result in some emotional changes, but it's important to factor in life events, as well - perhaps problems with your grown children or caring for an elderly parent.

While there are several symptoms of menopause, there are even more solutions to reduce or eliminate menopausal discomforts. Many women choose to make lifestyle changes that have been proven to effectively reduce the severity of symptoms associated with menopause. For instance, it's a good idea to avoid triggers that have been known to cause hot flashes, such as hot beverages, spicy foods, alcohol, not weather and warm rooms.

Obviously, if sleep is a problem you'll want to avoid foods and beverages that contain caffeine. Also, try reading or taking a hot bath right before bed so that you're relaxed and more likely to fall into a nice sound sleep.

Eating a healthy and well balanced diet can do wonders to help ease the symptoms of menopause. Include fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet, and avoid saturated fats, oils and sugars. You'll want to consume approximately 1,500 milligrams of calcium, plus 400 to 800 international units of vitamin D each day. You may need supplements to reach these amounts. If necessary, discuss this with your doctor.

You'll be amazed by what a regular exercise program can do to reduce and even eliminate many menopause symptoms. If performed correctly, exercise will protect you from many conditions that are common as you get older, such as heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. Exercise and fitness will also eliminate the weight gain associated with menopause, give you more energy and reduce the occurrence of hot flashes.

I'm sure you've heard the term "hormone therapy" (HT), which can help to reduce and eliminate many symptoms experienced by women. Unfortunately, recent studies have shown that the risks of hormone therapy, which include heart attack, stroke and breast cancer, may outweigh the benefits. While these studies may have changed the course of hormone therapy, estrogen therapy remains the most effective treatment for many menopausal symptoms. If you'd like to learn more about estrogen therapy, talk with your doctor to find out of a very low dose will provide you symptom relief.

There are also several prescription drugs that have been proven to decrease the occurrence of hot flashes. These include some antidepressants related to the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Effexor, Prozac, Sarafem, Paxil, Celaxa and Zoloft. Another drug that has been shown to reduce hot flashes is Neurontin, which is approved to treat seizures. Neurontin is also commonly used to manage chronic nerve-related pain. Additionally, Catapres, which is typically used to treat high blood pressure, may also significantly reduce the frequency of hot flashes. Of course, some of these drugs may cause side effects, which include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, sexual dysfunction and other symptoms. If, however, your hot flashes are severe and natural remedies haven't seemed to help, discuss these options with your doctor.

Finally, it's so very important for you to understand that menopause is very natural. As you experience these symptoms remind yourself that your body is acting and reacting just as it was meant to act and react. While there may be periods of discomfort, remember that you're a healthy woman and, as such, menopause is simply inevitable. As stated earlier, this transition does not mark the end of your youth and all that comes with it. With a healthy lifestyle, this can be a very active and beautiful new beginning.

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. This led to her discovery of the significant role that exercise plays in making menopause a very manageable, and even wonderful time in a woman's life. Susan Megge is the author of "Being Beautiful Beyond 40," a book dedicated to helping women to be inspired, confident and beautiful as they approach menopause.

Menopause Information: How to Live Longer, Healthier and Happierx

Menopause is a natural biological and physiological change that we cannot escape. There is nothing to worry about, you are not going to crawl in a hole and stop living.

In fact, you could benefit from menopause. When a woman goes through menopause the biological clock stops ticking, as well, the menstrual cycle ceases. What a grand benefit. It gets better; you will not suffer PMS symptoms.

Menopause in fact is the beginning of new life. Now do not get me wrong, you will experience hot flashes, heart palpitations, night sweats, mood swings, and drying in the vaginal area.

The positive aspect is that symptoms of menopause do not pose any risk to your health. You can reduce symptoms by practicing deep breathing. Deep breathing has proven to relieve women in menopause from symptoms up to 50%. You can also try to stay in a cool environment to minimize menopause symptoms.

One of the major problems that lead to stress is that down through the years people were taught that menopause was the mark of the ending. You heard negative remarks such as, "Oh, she's going through the change." This remark alone put fear in many for years to come.

The fact is you are now beginning to live. You do not have to worry about your children, because they are grown and out of the house. You have the option of starting a new career, or advancing in your current career.

Menopause causes a woman's body to slow estrogen. What you can do to boost estrogen is incorporate soy into your diet, and has sex more than twice a week.

Some women endure depression, and mood swings that cause them to lash out. While no proof is available that links these behaviors to menopause, some studies believe that night sweats and hot flashes has something to do with it.

To live longer, healthier, and happier you want to include exercise into your daily plans. Studies show that exercise, such as walking, can increase chemicals and endorphins which will make you feel better both inside and out. Exercise will improve mood swings, as well as strengthen in your muscles to prevent osteoporosis. In addition, stretch exercises will promote flexibility, mobility, and spare your joints from harm.

Women going through menopause are candidates for osteoporosis, simply because estrogen decreases. Again sex promotes estrogen; accordingly you want to learn to train the mind to enjoy your partner.

Now that you know that menopause is not a bad thing, you can move ahead by accepting changes. Those who accept change, has proven to live longer, healthier, and happier. Change is good. Change is your friend. Change is what helps us to live and grow.

Alex Fir shares a wealth of information on his website Help for Menopause. If you want to learn more about menopause relief visit his site now.

The Importance Of Fitness During Menopause

Learn About the Crucial Links Between Fitness and Menopause

Did you know that a regular fitness or exercise routine plays a major role in reducing the symptoms of menopause? One particular symptom of menopause is weight gain, which, unfortunately seems to develop just as a woman finally reaches a point in her life when she's mature and self-confident, and then the fat starts piling on. This weight gain is quite common and the result of declining hormone levels which causes the metabolism to slow down significantly, even in pre-menopausal women.

The majority of women will especially notice an increased amount of fat deposition around their mid-section, which plays a significant role in contributing to heart disease, the number one killer of middle-aged and older women. Not to worry; this weight can be managed quite easily by simply getting into a regular fitness and exercise routine. Fitness and consistent activity really are the keys to decreasing weight and avoiding the pitfalls of aging. By committing to a regular exercise routine, one which includes weight bearing exercises, women will change the muscle-to-fat ratio, enabling them to increase their metabolic rate and burn calories, even at rest.

In addition to weight gain, women in their thirties begin to lose bone mass at a rate of approximately 1% per year and that rate increases to 2%-3% per year after menopause. Studies have shown that exercise can actually increase a woman's bone density, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis and the incidence of falls and bone fractures associated with osteoporosis. Unfortunately, osteoporosis often goes undetected until bone fractures occur, but by taking preventative measures, such as getting into a regular fitness routine, women can indeed reduce this risk.

Exercise and fitness can also be beneficial in reducing the incidence of hot flashes, a common symptom of menopause. Hot flashes can contribute to impaired sleep patterns and a decreased energy level. Additionally, hot flashes can also affect one's overall mood, which has the potential to negatively affect both personal and professional relationships. While estrogen replacement therapy has been shown to decrease these symptoms, for many women a regular exercise routine appears to be a very viable alternative.

Simply stated, making fitness and exercise a priority will benefit most women who are approaching or experiencing menopause, and the positive results, both physically and emotionally, are well worth the extra time required to begin and continue a regular exercise routine. It's easy to make excuses to not make time to ensure that fitness is a priority, but it's crucial to understand that being regularly active will lead to overall good health now and in the future. The only results you'll see from your added physical activity will be those that are very beneficial to you and those you love.

Susan Megge founded http://www.40isbeautiful.com to assist women with issues related to menopause, such as weight gain, hot flashes, mood swings, etc. Susan Megge is the author of "Being Beautiful Beyond 40," a book dedicated to give women the confidence and inspiration to experience menopause with minimal symptoms and learn to embrace these years.

Avoid Perimenopause Woes

Alternative health care therapies are available to perimenopausal women.

Perimenopause normally happens about six years before full menopause begins.

And No! You don't have to ingest (HRT)a pregnant mare's urine! Besides,it's been proven to be much too dangerous. This has prompted many womento search for other options.

Alternative health care therapies are available to perimenopausal women. Nutrition and nutritional supplementation are biggies to avoid perimenopause woes. Start as early in your younger years as you can. Or if you're already into it, it's not too late. Get serious and you will begin to feel and see some changes.

Besides choosing plant-based alternatives to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also recommended: 1. Reduce stress in your life 2. Diet 3. Exercise is one method of stress reduction that reduces hot flashes 4. Nutritional supplements support and work with a woman's body, not against it5. Prayer 6. Meditation 7.

Yoga and8. Tai chi can all be used to control your body's stress response and reduce menopausal symptoms.

Herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, and other self-help measures supportand work with a woman's body, not against it, thereby reducing the dread of perimenopause and helping to avoid perimenopause woes!To fight hot flashes related to perimenopause woes, keep a portable fan nearby, avoid spicy meals and alcohol, and eat foods high in hormone-balancing phytoestrogens like soy nuts or tofu. Get serious and you canavoid perimenopause woes.

Ruby Boyd's website offers information on achieving Natural Health, Natural Beauty using natural, drug-free methods. Visit Women's Health for additional information on how to avoid perimenopause woes using alternative health care

Here comes "The Change": Managing Menopause

There are a variety of symptoms you may experience leading up to menopause when your periods stop for good. Most are mild, and may involve both the mind and body. Some can be so mild that you hesitate to even mention them to your doctor. Anxiety, bloating, and weight gain, and most of the other not-quite-well symptoms can be attributed to other things.

The first acknowledgement that there's something new happening for some women is that they don't feel the way they usually do, and they don't react in the same way. Situations they might have ignored, or not even noticed, suddenly provoke sleepless nights, mood swings, and even panic attacks.

If you're in your early forties, or even in your thirties, and are experiencing symptoms which seem to have arrived out of the blue, go and see your doctor. They may be a sign that you're going through the perimenopause.

The dreaded hot flash

Host flashes are the most common perimenopausal symptoms, and can make you severely uncomfortable. Women experience them both at night and during the day. If they occur at night, they may even wake you. Although you feel hot, your core temperature is actually going down, as you perspire and as increased blood flows to the skin. Some women experience the flushes as cooling sensations and feel chilled.

You can manage hot flashes during the day by drinking more water, wearing layers of natural fibre-clothing, so you can remove a layer when you're too hot. At night, ensure that your bedroom is cool and that your nightwear and bedding are natural cotton.

Sleep disorders

Sleeplessness and restless sleep is common during perimenopause. The lack of sleep can make you tired, irritable, and unable to concentrate. Night sweats can wake you from a deep sleep, and lead to several hours of lying awake.

The challenge with insomnia is that when you'd been unable to sleep for a couple of nights, you can become stressed at the idea that you won't be able to sleep, and the stress keeps you awake. Try to create a bedtime routine, during which you go to sleep at the same time every night, have a warm drink of decaffeinated coffee or herbal tea, and listen to soothing music to lull yourself to sleep.

Headaches

Headaches are often more common during perimenopause. If you've experienced headaches before and during your periods right throughout your life, you may find that the fluctuating hormones of perimenopause mean that you experience more headaches more often. Try herbal tea or herbal headache remedies to relieve your headaches.

The Challenge

The menopausal years can certainly hold some challenges, However, knowing what is behind the changes and taking control of your own health during these years can make all the difference in the world. The importance of reading all you can, asking your doctor pointed questions, and insisting on having a program tailored to your specific needs can't be overemphasized.

Focus on yourself for a change! This should be an exciting and uplifting phase of your life. Don't let troubling symptoms ruin it for you.

Dr. Martin Milner, ND is author of "The Menopause Revolution" As Medical Director for the Center for Natural Medicine Inc. he has helped thousands of women take control of their own health, balancing their hormones safely and naturally. Visit his site to find out more The Menopause Revolution

Staying Sexy During Menopause

Staying Sexy During Menopause

By Linda Ryan

As more and more articles, books and medical research focuses on the challenges of a baby boomer generation facing menopause, so have the attitudes toward the immortalized Mrs. Robinson of The Graduate. The generation that launched the sexual revolution and was liberated by the pill is not going to accept menopause as the end of their sex lives.

While drug companies and the medical community are scrambling to develop a woman's version of the "blue pill," a new patch dubbed the 'pink Viagra' has already been used by over 280,000 women in Europe to re-ignite their sexual desire. The twist? It uses our sense of smell to activate the 'feel good' hormones.

Scentuelle, developed by CST Medical Ltd, is an innovative patch designed to stimulate the libido by targeting the smell receptors at the edge of our brains with a sensuous blend of aromas. These smell receptors link directly to the limbic system, the part of the brain that deals with happiness and pleasure - including our sexual desire. The non-transdermal (nothing enters the bloodstream) patch has been impregnated with a unique combination of scent molecules and smelling the patch at frequent intervals throughout the day triggers sexual feelings and desire.

"Scentuelle represents an exciting breakthrough, offering women a simple, non-invasive solution to a lack of sexual desire," said Liz Paul, who was instrumental in the development of Scentuelle. She was awarded the British Female Inventor of the Year in 2003 for her efforts to enhance women's sexual health.

Ever since Viagra was introduced to help men with erectile dysfunction, the search was on for a treatment to help women who suffer from a loss of desire. However one thing was clear, for women, feeling sexy starts on the inside. It's about the emotion rather than the motion.

Studies have shown that our most powerful feelings are brought in to being when the emotional centers of the brain are activated by the precise stimulation of hundreds of different types of smell receptors.

According to Dr. George Dodd, a biochemist and leading expert in the field of smell, the heart notes of Scentuelle constitute a blend of scent molecules, which mimic the size, shape, and electrical charge of dopamine, the molecule that causes the brain to release the hormones that make us feel good - even aroused.

With more television shows, movies and books highlighting sexually confident women in their menopause and post-menopausal years, Scentuelle is ideal for women who want to regain the intimacy in their relationship. And, unlike other therapies such as HRT, vaginal estrogen and hormonal creams, Scentuelle offers women a natural and non-invasive solution that does not require a prescription.

Scentuelle is currently sold exclusively through an online boutique at: www.myscentuelle.com, providing women a discreet place to shop.

"Many women who have sexual problems are older women who wouldn't dream of going to their doctors for advice." Paul said. "And, they would feel too threatened or embarrassed visiting a sex shop, no matter how pretty and female-friendly the d?cor."

Now with the last kid out of the house and a Scentuelle patch on their wrist, women everywhere will be able to enhance their sexual relationships.

Linda Ryan manages her own business providing resources and products for women in menopause. She was a former LPN specializing in private patient care for the terminally ill. Email: linda@myscentuelle.com Website: http://www.myscentuelle.com

Linda Ryan manages her own business providing resources and products for women in menopause. She was a former LPN specializing in private patient care for the terminally ill. Email: linda@myscentuelle.com Website: http://www.myscentuelle.com

Treating Menopause Symptoms Naturally

Women who are currently undergoing the natural changes associated with menopause often have a variety of uncomfortable or frustrating symptoms that accompany the change. Although there are many pharmaceuticals available either over the counter or with a prescription, some quick and simple cures are the natural remedies that women have been using for thousands of years. These natural products are able to treat the symptoms of menopause without potentially harmful side effects or drug interactions.

Many women are experiencing problems due to the diminishing estrogen level in their system due to menopause. This level can be artificially replaces using estrogen replacement therapy, but it may have more serious consequences. Studies have shown that some women who participate in estrogen replacement therapies are at a greater risk of breast and uterine cancers than women who did not participate in the programs. Instead of adding hormones to your body, allow it to change naturally and work to control each symptom. Not all women experience each symptom of menopause, so you should only concentrate on the symptoms that are currently affecting your life and body.

By far, the easiest way to treat your menopause symptoms naturally is to change your diet. Eating a healthy, well balanced diet will not only increase you general sense of health and well being, but also help your body naturally adjust to the changes associated with menopause. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables and be sure to steer clear of foods high in fat, which can potentially cause your body to have more issues when it comes to estrogen regulation.

Instead of replacing lost estrogen, women in menopause should consider using an all natural product that works to mimic the effects of estrogen on the body. One such product in phytoestrogens, commonly used in Japan by women affected by menopause. These plant products are naturally found in foods, especially the soy bean. In addition to adding soy based food to your diet, including tofu and soy substitutes like soy milk and cheese, consider taking a supplement of phytoestrogen. The plant estrogen is not nearly as potent as the hormone produced in the human body, so the increased probability of breast cancer is nil.

Regular exercise will also aid a woman?s body through this naturally changing stage of menopause. Just like eating a healthy and well balanced diet, ensuring your body receives the proper amount of exercise will not only affect your overall sense of health, it will also work to ensure your body is at its healthiest during menopause. Consider joining a gym or joining up with a fellow gal pal in menopause in order to ensure you are sticking to your exercise plan on a regular basis.

Supplements and vitamins are also excellent for curing the problems of menopause. Vitamin C is great for individuals who want to strengthen their immune system and prevent general illnesses and other health related problems. This vitamin is perfect for women who are experiencing hot flashes in association with their menopause, as it expands blood vessels and is packed with bioflavinoids, which work to stop hot flashes in their tracks.

Vitamin E is also another vitamin for women who are looking to combat the problem of incontinency, commonly associated with menopause. This vitamin works by building collagen in order to provide the skin with the utmost elasticity. Menopause often decreases the collagen found in skin, so that the skin?and even the bladder?begins to lose its elasticity, therefore causing incontinence. Vitamin E also helps combat stretch marks and wrinkles, so many women take it in order to keep their skin
looking its best.

Since menopause can zap a woman?s energy, it is critical all women in this stage of their life take a supplement rich in Vitamin B. This tiny vitamin works to combat stress and provides your body with a boost of energy. Although it is available in pill format, some women choose to seek an injection from their doctor on a regular basis because the symptoms of menopause have proven too tiring to continue basic tasks.

Treating the symptoms of menopause naturally is an excellent way to avoid pharmaceuticals and still achieve the same results. For women suffering from the common side effects of menopause, these natural alternatives are excellent ways to ensure the change that is affecting their body does not affect their life.

Menopause Hub is an information site that contains articles, a directory and other Menopause Resources. It can be found at: http://www.menopauseinfohub.com

Baby Boomers Face Menopause

Baby Boomers Meet the Challenges of Menopause

The largest number of Baby Boomer women ever are about to enter their menopausal years.

When Erma, now in her 60's, began to experience menopausal symptoms, her Japanese herbologist told her this: The energy her body and spirit had used to menstruate could finally be directed wherever her heart desired. Anthropologist Margaret Mead said, "There is no more creative force in the world than a menopausal woman with zest." She said it more than 20 years ago, and it has never been more true than it is today.

A member of the Baby Boomer generation turns 50 every seven seconds, and as the last boomers begin the journey of menopause, it is the healthiest, most aware, and most youthful generation of women who have ever experienced it. 1957 saw the largest number of births in North America, and all of the women born in 1957 will turn 50 next year. Most of them will experience menopause by the year 2012, if they haven't already.

Despite the huge 50+ population in North America, western culture holds to an antiquated reverence for youth. Yes, it's ironic to call celebrating youth "antiquated," but it is an apt description. This attitude simply gives menopause a bad name.

The truth is that women needn't "pause" when menopause arrives. In 1998, 752 women between the ages of 50 and 65 were polled by The Gallup Organization, and more than half of them reported they were happier than ever. Numerous other cultures look at menopause as a joyous rite of passage like puberty, marriage, and giving birth.

Yes, menopause often brings symptoms that may need to be addressed, but we live in a time when significant research has finally been conducted, offering us numerous ways to manage menopausal discomfort.

Eight Healthy Ways to Manage Menopause

So, what can you do when the transition begins? Here are eight tips to manage "the change."

1. Chrystle experienced menopause early at age 45 and found that Evening Primrose Oil significantly reduced her hot flashes. When she ran out of the oil (which can be taken in pill form), she found out in no uncertain terms how effective the supplement had been - her flashes doubled!

2. If you're like Chrystle, wear layers so that you can be prepared when a hot flash strikes. This will help you avoid uncomfortable perspiration when you're in a social situation.

3. Synthetic and "natural" hormones (sometimes called "bioidentical" hormones) can often combat the vaginal dryness that comes with menopause, or you can simply use a water-based lubricant if sex becomes uncomfortable. There's certainly no reason whatsoever why a woman experiencing menopause should reduce her sexual activity. After all, you can finally say goodbye to tedious birth control!

4. Of course, when hormone levels start to change, this can also cause a reduction in libido. Hormone treatments can sometimes help, as can homeopathic remedies which work to balance hormone levels. Dr. George Dodd, a leading researcher in aromachology, the science of how smells influences behavior, has developed an aromatic patch that is specifically designed to stimulate the emotions that influence sexual desire. While you attend to the hormonal fluctuations, it also helps to do whatever you need to stimulate your mind sexually. Try to find new ways to turn yourself on.

5. Some women have found acupuncture, aromatherapy, and herbs to be very helpful in dealing with menopause. 6. If the hormones cause emotional symptoms, be sure to nurture yourself! Learn stress reduction techniques such as meditation, and take the time you need to care for yourself. The kinder you are to yourself if you experience tears or anger, the easier it will be to deal with these symptoms.

7. All of the things that will help you through the symptoms of menopause are the very same things that will improve your health at any age. You'll simply notice the positive results more than you would prior to menopause. Reduce alcohol, caffeine and refined sugar intake, as well as meat consumption, especially since animals are sometimes injected with hormones. Try to give up smoking, as it will not only increase symptoms but will make you more vulnerable to osteoporosis. Exercise, on the other hand, will reduce symptoms and decrease your risk of osteoporosis. And, of course, drink plenty of water!

8. Most importantly, maintain a positive attitude. Think of everything as a rebalancing of your energy. You can even think of hot flashes as a way of burning stress away, and some women "surf" through their hot flashes by maintaining a sense of humor.

Whatever you do, never forget that being in your twenties - with all of its inexperience and uncertainty - has never been all it's cracked up to be!

Melanie Votaw is an author, freelance journalist and keynote speaker. Email: melanie@myscentuelle.com Web: http://www.myscentuelle.com ,

Melanie Votaw is the author of, 52 Weeks of Passionate Sex and four other books, a freelance journalist and keynote speaker.

Menopause The Issues

Menopause commonly occurs when a women stops ovulating and her periods ceases. Most women reach menopause between 45 and 55 , with an average age around 50. But some reach it before 40, which is known as premature menopause or premature ovarian failure.

The first thing to note about menopausal symptoms is that there is a surprisingly long list of them, and that no list is really comprehensive, because every woman experiences menopausal symptoms in an individual way. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, a decline in libido and changes in the menstrual cycle are very common menopausal symptoms, but there are many others. Some very fortunate women experience these symptoms only mildly, or not at all, while for others the menopause phase can prove a very challenging stage in life

Emotional and mental symptoms are also very common, and can be very distressing. These may include mood swings, depression, irritability, difficulties in concentrating, mental confusion and memory problems.

A decline in libido is another very common menopause symptom. This may be exacerbated by vaginal dryness, and a thinning of the skin around the cervix, which can make intercourse uncomfortable.

Hormone Replacement Therapy HRT has been the standard of care for menopause for women since the 70's. In fact, more than 47 million women every year receive prescriptions for this treatment. However, in recent years this form of treatment has come under attack as it is being thought that it causes an increase in heart disease.

For women who are fearful of HRT as a course of treatment for menopause, there are other means of treatment. The most popular forms of alternative treatment involve the use of plants and vitamins to suppress the symptoms of menopause.

Menopause is a fact of life. You need to know that today you have chooses to help you get though the menopause cycle. There are alternatives to conventional treatments. For alternatives in dealing with menopause, and answers to questions that you my have about menopause go to. http://ment2pause.com

Understanding Menopause

Menopause refers to a stage in woman?s life characterized by a permanent cessation of her menstrual activities. It implies that a woman stops having her monthly menstrual periods for the rest of her life, after she achieves the menopause. A normal healthy woman reaches the menopause between the ages of 40-50. Menopause marks the end of a woman?s fertility and reproductive years. During the menopause, production of the estrogen hormone reduces drastically in a woman and her ovaries stop producing eggs.

It can take 5 years for a woman to achieve the final menopause stage. If a woman has not experienced any menstrual periods for a year, the condition is known as menopause. When a woman is in her puberty stage or childbearing years, her ovaries release an egg every month. This release is known as ovulation. Ovaries also produce the hormone estrogen. This hormone instructs the uterus to build up a lining. This lining allows the implant and growth of the fertilized egg.

As the women nears her menopause years, the production of estrogen decreases. As a result, she will experience irregular menstrual cycles. The irregularities include skipped periods, light or heavy menstrual flow. A woman could also experience random bleeding as well.

Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause is a natural and biological process. It is not a disease. It is just a transition period of a woman?s life. 75% of women experience some or all of the troublesome symptoms during the menopause. There are no common symptoms as every woman?s body would react in a unique way towards the menopause. Here are some of the common symptoms that women show during the phase of menopause.

Hot flashes are landmark signs of menopause. As the level of estrogen drops in a woman, her blood vessels expand rapidly. This causes her skin temperature to rise. This can further cause hot flashes or a sudden spread of warmth to her shoulders, head and neck, starting from her chest. This sudden gush of warmth causes a woman to sweat, and when the sweat evaporates from her skin, she feels chilled, and slightly faint. Women also experience raid heart beating and a feeling of anxiety. The face of a woman looks flushed. She might experience red blotches on her neck, arms and chest area.

These hot flashes usually last up to 30 seconds and in some cases up to several minutes. There is no common frequency or duration of hot flashes as they vary from a woman to woman. Women often experience hot flashes during the initial years after their menopause.

Hot flashes affect the life of a woman directly. If they happen during night, they can disrupt the sleep. They cause night sweats. A woman can often wake up and have trouble getting back to sleep again. This results in lack of restful and refreshing sleep, which can have a knock on effect in the morning.

Irregular periods
As a woman approaches her menopause stage, she experiences irregularity in the menstrual periods. Periods become either long or short. Menstrual bleeding becomes heavier or lighter. A woman might experience skipping of periods. These symptoms mark the onset of menopause.

Vaginal thinning
As a result of menopause the production of estrogen decreases. As a result of it the organs such as urinary bladder, vagina, uterus, and urethra become weak and shrink. When bladder and urethra become weak and shrink, they can lead to infection, leakage of urine and painful urination.

As the tissue lining of vagina shrinks a woman experiences pain during intercourse. A woman might also suffer from vaginal dryness, irritation and itching.

Changes in appearance
During the menopause transition, a woman on an average gains 5 pounds of weight. Initially this weight was believed to get concentrated on hips and thighs of a woman. New researches have shown that the weight might settle in a woman?s abdomen too.
A woman might experience wrinkling of the skin, fullness in breasts, and thinning hair.

Behavioral and emotional changes
A woman might experience fatigue, irritability and frustration during menopause. She might experience decreased concentration and memory loss. These changes are a direct result of hormonal fluctuations in her body during menopause.

Weak bones
As a result of menopause the density of bones in a woman?s body tends to decrease. She starts losing calcium from her bones following the drop in estrogen levels. This can lead to a condition of weak bones known as osteoporosis. A woman also becomes susceptible to fractures.

The menopause is completely a natural phenomenon marking the end of a woman?s reproductive term, but not the end of her life. It is a transition time, the symptoms of which can be effectively managed.

Michael Jason writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Menopause symptoms please visit http://www.menopause-guide.org/ and for additional Menopause related articles please visit the following article page http://www.menopause-guide.org/menopause-articles/

Women???s Health Test ??? Is There an Early Signs of Menopause Test?

Yes, there is a free online women's health test from a leading women's health clinic. Why? As early as in their 30's and 40's, many women begin experiencing symptoms that make them wonder - can these be early signs of menopause?



What are common early signs of menopause? The most common symptoms include PMS, insomnia, fatigue, weight gain, loss of sex drive, hair loss or unwanted hair growth and fibroids. Some women have one or two of these symptoms while others may experience several symptoms at the same time. The result can be mildly irritating or it can be exhausting and overwhelming.

Menopause itself is not an illness but a natural process for a woman's body. There are normal changes in the reproductive system and cycle and ultimately, the reproductive system will cease to function. That is normal. However, certain menopause symptoms are indications of underlying hormonal imbalances or damage from poor eating habits, stress and other factors. And you may feel like you're the only woman to experience symptoms, but millions of women in the industrialized countries are going through the same experience many years before the average age of menopause, which is 51 years of age.

What happens so frequently is that women put enormous demands on their bodies ??? much more stress than it was designed to handle ??? and then do not give it the support it needs. Women likely have demanding and stressful careers. Women have families to take care of on a daily basis. The relationship with one's spouse or partner may not be the best. Aging parents may require help. These and other responsibilities add up in the toll taken on a woman's body.

And at the same time, the woman's body may not be receiving the support it needs to function as it was designed to do. Poor eating habits, lack of exercise, excess caffeine and alcohol add to the problem instead of helping the body cope with the demands placed on it.

This lack of balance between the "demands made" and "support given" is what gives rise to many symptoms. And are the health problems you are having related in any way? Very likely!

When taking the women's health and early signs of menopause test, here's what should be considered:

1. Which symptoms do you have? Certain symptoms are related to each other and are related to the same underlying causes. Knowing which symptoms you have is important information.

2. How mild or severe are your symptoms? Perhaps a symptom is "mild" and it's not a big deal. It may be "moderate to severe", meaning you can deal with it but it is a real problem. Or you may consider it "very severe", in other words, you can barely function because of it.

3. What are you demanding of your body? Are you frequently under stress? Do you not always eat when you should? What prescription drugs are you taking? What about the consumption of caffeine and alcohol?

4. What kind of support are you giving your body? What do you eat, do you exercise and are you taking a high-quality nutritional supplement?

5. What is your age? Your age is important, because you need to compare your health with other women your age.

By taking the online women's health test, you can find out more about your health, symptoms you may have, what those symptoms mean and what you can do about improving your health.


Copyright 2005 Olinda Rola


Olinda Rola is the President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com- a website of physician-recommended natural solutions for a variety of health problems. Visit the website and learn more about ways for improving your health. She is the editor of the free newsletter ???Women???s Health Newsletter???. Go to http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/womenshealthnewsletter.htmlto subscribe.