Menopause Symptoms

Menopause is said to occur in women when the ovaries gradually produce less and less of estrogen and eventually the production is stopped completely. Women suffering from menopause have to get their uterus removed surgically during the final stages. In the next paragraph we discuss the 35 most common menopause symptoms. The 35 most common menopause symptoms are:-

1) Hot flashes that may occur regularly at night with excessive sweat 2) Irregular beating of the heart at sometime or the other 3) Frequent irritation 4) Psychological problem like mood swings and tears due to lack of sleep at night 5) Insomnia or lack of sleep at night due to hot flashes and excessive sweat. 6) Irregular periods where the gap between two periods becomes shorter or longer than normal 7) The loss of sexual drive or libido. 8) Vaginal Dryness 9) Getting tired quickly after doing chores and tasks. 10) Frequent feelings of anxiety and a feeling of being uncomfortable. 11) Feelings of loneliness and doom 12) Difficulty in concentrating on things and mental confusion 13) Frequent memory lapses 14) Incontinence when sneezing or laughing 15) Skin irritations like itchy and crawly skin 16) Aching muscles, joints and tendons. 17) Increase pain and tension in the muscle and joints 18) Breast related disorders like breast tenderness. 19) Frequent headaches and also migraine 20) Gastrointestinal disorders like excess gas 21) Sudden bouts of bloat. 22) Depression several times a day 23) Exacerbation or excessive worrying for existing conditions 24) An increased risk of suffering from a number of allergies. 25) Excessive weight gain and obesity related disorders 26) Thinning of hair and hair loss 27) Dizziness and frequent loss of balance. 28) Irregular body odor 29) Strange sensation under the skin 30) A tingling feeling in the extremities 31) Increased bleeding in the gums 32) Bad taste in mouth and bad breath 33) Osteoporosis 34) The fingernails become soft and cracked 35) Ringing in ears also known as tinnitus.

These are the most common symptoms found in women during menopause. Women should take care to see that none of the problems occur for a long time. In case any of the problems do not subside or get cured after a considerable amount of time then it is necessary to meet the doctor at once. The doctor will be able to diagnose the menopause and the stage that it has reached. The doctor will then start treatment which includes medications, hormone replacement therapy or completely removing the uterus.

Menopause is said to occur in women after the age of 40 years when the ovaries gradually fail to produce enough estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone produced in the body and is vital for reproductive cycle. As a result women often experience vaginal pain and dryness and also irregular menstrual cycle. Let us now delve further into early menopause symptoms.

There are three major early menopause symptoms which are as follows:

1) Irregular Vaginal Bleeding - This is one of the most common symptoms of menopause. The vagina may bleed at unexpected intervals and the period between two menstrual cycle may increase or decrease than normal. There may be excessive vaginal bleeding as well. In other words the pattern of bleeding not normal but highly irregular. The pattern of bleeding differs from woman to woman and also the stage at which the menopause as reached. Also there is no fixed time for a woman to complete her menopausal transition, as all the women are different. It is necessary to consult a doctor immediately if these symptoms persist for a long time.

2) Hot Flashes and Night Sweats - These are also very common early menopause symptoms. A hot flash is a feeling of unusual warmth throughout the body. A woman suffering from hot flash will feel warm even when the temperature of the environment is low. Hot flashes are always accompanied by excessive sweating, especially during the night. Researchers have not been able to find the exact reason for hot flashes nor have they been able to predict when the next hot flash will take place. Hot flashes occur in 40% of the women above the age of 40 years. Hot flashed tend to decrease over a period of several years after menopause is treated.

3) Mood Symptoms - The women suffering from menopause may experience different types of mood symptoms. Many times they feel that they are doomed. They also live in depression often. They lose their confidence and also may suffer from insomnia. Due to insomnia women suffer from severe bouts of mood swings and lose their cool easily.

Early menopause symptoms mentioned above are the most common symptoms. Women suffering from menopause need the support of their family members, especially of their spouses. Menopause should be looked as a natural ageing process than a disorder and it should also be treated that way. The doctors attending to menopause patients should instill a lot of positive attitude and confluence in them.

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Menopause And Your Attitude ? Does It Make A Difference?

If you?re experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, such as hot flashes, weight gain or difficulty sleeping, there?s a good chance that you?re also noticing you?re frequently moody or feeling somewhat depressed. Your moods during this transitional period may be affected by a decline in your hormone levels, as well as life events that can be common ? yet unsettling ? during midlife. It?s been well documented that taking care of yourself, as well as maintaining a positive attitude will help you ease into menopause with few bumps in the road.

I have found this to be especially true for myself and others I?ve interviewed for this piece. Allow me to take a few moments to briefly summarize my experiences since I?ve entered midlife and began noticing symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. A few years ago I started waking up during the night, drenched in sweat. I knew without a doubt that I must have had cancer or some other medical condition; I was too young to be experiencing ?night sweats? associated with menopause and middle age. So, off I went to the doctor, describing my symptoms and explaining that I would face whatever illness I had with confidence and bravery. If I must endure radiation, chemotherapy or some other type of treatment I would willingly do so in order to stay on this earth and witness the upcoming events of my children and future grandchildren. Well, no need to worry; I was simply experiencing what so many other women go through as they enter midlife and the transition into menopause.

No big deal, right? I could handle sleep interruptions, waking up soaking wet. Then, the next symptom popped up, although it was probably gaining momentum without my notice. I was fat; my midsection looked like it came straight out of a cartoon. Once again, I quickly got into ?solution? mode and decided to tackle the stubborn and unwelcome fat that had become my midsection. Fortunately, I eliminated the extra weight gain and was able to lose several inches, regaining what resembles somewhat of a youthful and toned physique.

I decided this ?midlife thing? wasn?t so bad, but then life events have come into my world, thus testing my resolve to get through menopause with a positive and uplifting attitude. You see, I was so very proud to witness my oldest daughter graduate from college; she would be experiencing life and all of its glory, getting a good job and becoming an independent, successful and confident young woman. It was soon discovered that she and her fianc? (also a college graduate) were expecting a child. Prior to my grandson?s birth I was living with a constant worry for the happiness of these two young people ? hoping they would be mature enough to handle the responsibility of a child, marriage and all that goes with these life-changing events. Fortunately, my daughter, son-in-law and grandson are a beautiful family and excitedly expecting a new addition. So, yes, I was able to get through this particular time in my life. I didn?t sink into a deep depression, even though my hormone levels and life situation could have easily triggered such a downward spiral. I continued taking care of myself, eating well, exercising and always trying to see the positive side of situations; after all, constant worry doesn?t fix anything, right? As long as I have my health and my family, nothing can be that terrible.

Again, my ability to remain positive would be tested over and over again. As I write this particular piece, I?m at the gym on this beautiful morning working out, riding a stationary bike. Normally, I would be on the elliptical, but my leg is in a cast. Still, I keep going. Also, under normal circumstances I would be at the gym in the evening, but ? oh yeah ? I was forced to leave my job (I?ll save that story for another article). Still, I keep going. My husband is working out with me this morning and it?s nice to spend some time together. You see, he can be here right now because he?s currently without a job too (laid off due to a sluggish economy here in the Midwest). Still, I keep going.

As you can see, I?ve recently faced many life events that should keep me a little bit down, at the very least. But why? I have good health, despite my menopausal symptoms (as well as my cast), I have a wonderful family and I look forward to my future and all of the challenges and joys that will come my way. My husband is somewhat miffed about the fact that my glass always seems half full, and I guess I question why his is just plain empty. Much research has proven that there really is power in positive thinking. I'm living proof that having a positive attitude can assist women in having the ability to experience this next phase of their lives with confidence and good health, likely reducing many symptoms that can result from entering the menopausal years. I challenge you to look at life a little differently ? with much hope and anticipation. I do believe you?ll begin to feel a greater sense of well being, which may make a tremendous difference in how severe your symptoms of menopause will be.

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

MACA -- Menopause and Mid-life Miracles

"I've been trying Maca for almost a year and I've never had this much energy."

Yes, I've been hearing a lot about the herbal root Maca for months. Both in conversation and in health literature.

In Vista Health Magazine, Allen Glonek writes, "What really drew my attention to maca was the story of one of my patients, a 49-year-old woman who had been on hormone replacement (HRT) for over five years. She had heard of the studies that linked breast cancer, stroke and heart disease with the use of HRT and wanted to stop using the estrogen and progesterone combination immediately...

"She tried soy products, black cohosh, ginseng, evening primrose oil, progesterone cream and numerous other natural remedies to relieve her hot flashes and insomnia but nothing was totally effective until she tried maca. She was able to stop the HRT and get complete menopausal symptom relief with maca in a matter of days. She initially thought that the effects were just placebo but going on and off the supplement proved that the effects of maca were very real. Incidentally, she was also able to go off her antidepressants because her depression and sleep had improved so dramatically."

The anecdotal evidence is certainly worth investigating.

I first heard about it from a friend involved in senior sports. She found that Maca did give her more energy almost from the first use.

What surprised her was the "side-effects." From decreased menstrual pains to increased memory, stamina and libido.

Men using it reported reduced erective dysfunctions and impotency as well as reduced feelings of stress and greatly increased energy levels.

Tests have shown that it increases the estrogen level in women, resulting in raised fertilty and greatly increased sexual satisfaction.

And, in men, increased production of testosterone levels, which results in more vigor, stronger and long-lasting erections, more semenal fluid and more intense orgasms.

Maca originated in Peru.

Peruvian maca root is an adaptogen, like ginseng, and even though Peruvian maca root is not in the ginseng family it shares many similarities to ginseng. Adaptogens are by definition substances that raise the physical body's state of resistance to diseases through physiological health and emotional health improvements. Peruvian maca root somehow supports and rejuvenates overwhelmed, tired adrenal glands eventually resulting in much greater energy, stamina, clarity of mind and spirit, and the ability to handle stress.

If you want to try it, I recommend that you find a reputable dealer. Only the turnip-like root, contains the active ingredients. Very cheap Maca is often Maca mixed with potato powder, it's often not organic or bacteria-free. Some companies grind up the entire plant and sell it as "pure Maca."

There are various sorts of Maca being offered on the international market. There is Maca from Chile, Bolivia and even a chemical Maca. Only the Maca that grows at high altitudes in the Peruvian Andes carries all the positive effects that are described in the scientific researches.

Maca's official designation is Lepidium Peruvianum Chac?n or Lepidium Meyenii Walp.

For more articles on women's issues and marriage therapy, including the popular "WHAT WOMEN WANT: Her Favorite Sexual Positions" and "PANIC ATTACKS -- A Sex Therapist Looks at the Solutions" see The GoArticles of Kathlene Falken

Or do an Author Search at GoArticles.com!

Kathleen Falken has been a marriage counselor and sex therapist for over 25 years. To read more about modern marriage therapy, see SAVE MY MARRIAGE TODAY

Menopause Tips: Exercise and Hormone Replacement Therapy

Getting exercise is an important part of daily life; it helps keep us fit and well and makes us feel better. Growing older should be no excuse for stopping an exercise regime, and in fact it is more important than ever to exercise as we age.

While taking hormone replacement therapy, getting exercise is particularly valuable; taking extra hormones such as HRT can sometimes have adverse effects. For example they may feel irritable with associated mood swings or they may feel they are gaining weight, all because of the relentless fluctuation in hormone levels. Although there is no definite research to prove taking HRT makes a woman put on weight, getting exercise can often make certain she feels better about herself.

Our metabolism usually slows down quite significantly as we get older, which means that even if we have always been slim naturally when younger, we often find it more of a struggle as we get older. Women who have never had this problem may find adjusting their calorie intake to suit their body difficult.

Exercising when you are taking HRT doesn't need to be strenuous. You don't have to join a gym, have the mindset of a triathlete, or get obsessive about it. All you need to do is get in a positive state of mind and tell yourself you are going to take a small amount of exercise every week or, even better, every day.

Walking can be one of the best forms of exercise, and establishing some walking in your everyday routine lets you get a surprising level of exercise.

Walking to work, if possible, is a good way to integrate exercise into your daily life. It's most effective if it takes at least twenty minutes, but any amount is great. If walking to work is not a good option, and you own a dog, walking the dog is not only good for you but also your dog.

Swimming is also a high-quality exercise to do when taking hormone replacement therapy. Swimming exercises almost all of the body. You'll find your body and energy tones up quickly, if you can make do with fitting in a swimming session three times a week,

Taking even a small amount of exercise will also help smooth out mood swings or feelings of depression you may be experiencing, since exercise releases natural feel good chemicals, endorphins, into the blood stream, that make us feel much better. Working out also lowers your risk for osteoporosis and high blood pressure, so why wait? Start this week and reap the benefits.

Visit Medopedia.com, and read more about hormone replacement therapy and menopause weight gain.

Proper Food Helps Against Menopause Symptoms

When women experience symptoms, they can ask their physician about hormone treatment. However, hormone treatment can cause more problems than solve them. A woman can however reduce the symptoms of menopause by simply adjusting one?s diet and taking certain minerals and vitamins. Here are some of the food and vitamins and minerals that could help.

For women entering menopause, they should learn how to control or limit eating saturated fats. This is because fats such as those found in commercial beef, chicken, and pork can decrease the ability of the body to produce estrogen. Women who are entering menopause also possess greater risk of heart attack.

Not all fats are bad. There are fats that are needed for good health because it is the building blocks of fats called the fatty acids. The production of hormones also relies in two fatty acids namely omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. These two fatty acids are not capable to be produced by the body.

Fish oil has lots of omega 3 acids that can help a woman suffering from the symptoms of menopause. It has been known to reduce depression, reduce risk of breast cancer and reduce cholesterol.

One source that has great amounts of omega 3 and 6 acids is the flaxseed oils. It can be taken either by tablespoon or capsules. The oils can also be used as substitute on salad dressings or even mixed with yogurt.

It is also important to limit one?s intake of carbohydrates. It does not only control your weight and also helps relive depression and mood swings. Instead of eating something sweet or fatty when you are depressed, try to control that urge.

Depression and mood swings as found out by clinical research is commonly associated with low blood sugar. Sugar is the source of energy of our body, so when the blood sugars drop, the brain becomes more agitated. This makes us the people crave more sweets like cookies, cakes and ice creams.

However, the amount of sugar our body really needs is really minimal. When the blood sugar becomes more than the body needs, the pancreas will produce more insulin that turns blood sugar to body fat. When the blood sugar rapidly increases insulin production will surge and the blood storage will turn quickly into fat. This will then lead to a person dropping energy levels.

Watch the type of carbohydrate you eat.

Try to balance your diet and the symptoms of menopause you feel will greatly be reduced. Aside from greatly reducing symptoms of menopause, you?ll also be living a healthier lifestyle.

These sites about menopause symptoms and good health are both dedicated to help you find the best information available about menopause and other health issues.

Menopause Problems? Do Something About It!

There's a lot of talk about hormone replacement therapy and their alternatives, but here's something you can do about menopausal problems such as hot flashes that doesn't involve popping pills of any kind and could be just as effective at easing symptoms.

Rest and Relaxation
Rest and relaxation play a vital role in reducing stress and maintaining proper body functioning. One of the most luxurious ways to relax is with a massage. And while you are being massaged, you can relax even more in the knowledge that you are reaping many other benefits like improved circulation, better muscle tone and more efficient elimination of body toxins and wastes ? it?s a buzz that?s really good for you on many levels.

Meditation
Meditation can help relax and calm the mind to help you find inner peace and contentment ? a vital link to appreciating the changes in life. There are many forms of meditation available through, meditation centres, yoga centres and counsellors. Something to suit everyone.

Exercise
There are few things that you can do to get the wide reaching effects of exercise! Apart from weight control, exercise stimulates your internal organs to function better, improves muscle tone, keeps your heart healthy, helps build strong bones, improves the immune system and metabolism, reduces stress, helps you sleep and relax and keeps you supple. How you choose to do it is up to you, here are some suggestions:

- Yoga: Not enough can be said about yoga. It?s benefits are not only physical but emotional and spiritual. Join a class and find out how to do it properly.

- Tai Chi: Gentle and effective. Good for people who are not normally active.

- Walking: Easiest thing to do. Join a walking group or find a friend and explore the neighbourhood. Make sure to balance you walk on concrete to build bones and softer surfaces like grass to avoid injury to knees and improve muscle tone.

- Swimming: Non-impacting and works the whole body. Provides aerobic benefits which help your heart.

- Personal Trainer: Invest in your future by getting a personally tailored program that works for you.

- Gymnasium: If you want the benefits of state of the art equipment and guidance by professionals, a gymnasium may be for you. Find a gym that suits your needs & budget.

The Natural Health Directory provides health solutions and alternative medicine resources for your mind, body and spirit. Visit our menopause resource pages for more information at http://www.thenaturalhealthdirectory.com/menopause.htm

Herbs Bring Menopause relief

Today, the number of women turning to herbs for menopause relief is staggering. With great concern about hormone replacement therapy in recent years, we now see women interested in avoiding chemicals and toxins, preferring a natural path. Because there are so many women now seeking alternatives to traditional treatment for menopause, more investigation is being done to find new options in addition to those that have been used by naturalists for hundreds of years. If you are like so many women who want to find relief from night sweats, hot flashes, joint pain, insomnia, and depression the natural way, then we believe this article will expose you to some excellent options.

First, a great herb for menopause relief, especially when it comes to many of the annoying symptoms is called Dong Quai. In Chinese medicine, Dong Quai, the root of the angelica sinesis plant, helps with many menopausal symptoms. Interestingly, while many women will use this natural herb for menopause relief alone, in Chinese medicine, it is always used as a supportive herb. Regardless, many studies have been performed whereby women taking 1500 mgs of this herb three times a day had improvement in symptoms.

Another popular herb for menopause relief is red clover. Affordable and easy to find, this herb has been used in the United States for more than 100 years. Containing phytoestrogens, which are hormone-like substances, found in certain plants such as soy, red clover is wonderful for treatment of vaginal dryness and hot flashes. Typically, a woman would take between 40 and 60 mgs for about 12 weeks. The reason this is not a long-term treatment option is that red clover has been shown to stimulate cancer cells in the breast.

Next on the list of herbs for menopause relief is black cohosh. This herb is a member of the buttercup family and considered one of the most popular, natural treatment options for menopause. You can purchase black cohosh as a supplement from a health food store or in brand form such as Remifemin. When it comes to anxiety, depression, night sweats, and hot flashes, black cohosh works exceptionally well. Other herbs for menopause relief to consider include evening primrose oil, chaste tree berry, tribulus, St. John's Wort, soy, and ginseng, which seem to ease symptoms overall.

In addition to herbs for menopause relief, you have many other options such as vitamin E. In recent years, a number of studies have been performed showing that vitamin E brings relief for miserable hot flashes. Wild yam is also an option, which can be found in many types of progesterone creams. For this, women experience fewer and less intense hot flashes, the number one complaint among menopausal women. With so much negative attention on hormone replacement therapy, you might consider herbs for menopause relief. In many cases, the natural approach is more successful in treating the body during the change of life than traditional drugs.
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Author Dawn M. Olsen takes the subject of menopause relief to the next level through education, diet, and the latest in alternative remedies in her new eBook "Menopause A to Z - A Definitive Guide to Modern Menopause", available online now at http://www.menopauseatoz.com .

Menopause and Progesterone

Do women going through menopause have lowered levels of progesterone?

Recent research tells us that women do suffer from decreased levels of progesterone and also experience other symptoms such as unexplained weight gain (particularly in the stomach area), depression, fatigue, hair loss, memory loss, mood swings, migraines and loss of libido. A natural cream can balance estrogens without side effects.

Progesterone and estrogen are the two main hormones made by womens ovaries when they are menstruating. Smaller amounts of these hormones are also secreted by the adrenal glands. It's necessary for the survival of the fertilized ovum, its embryo as well as the fetus during gestation.

Progesterone's primary functions include: acting as a precursor to estrogen and testosterone; it maintains uterine lining and aids in gestation; protects against fibrocystic breasts, endometrial and breast cancer; acts as a natural diuretic, helps use fat for energy; can be a natural antidepressant; aids thyroid hormone action; normalizes blood clotting; restores sex drive; normalizes blood sugar, zinc and copper levels; restores proper cell oxygen levels, has a thermogenic effect; builds bone and helps to protects against osteoporosis.

Some doctors feel that menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis and heart disease may not be due to a deficiency of estrogen, but to a relative estrogen excess due to progesterone deficiency.

Synthetic progestins, such as an HRT drug called Provera (a synthetic chemical), do not have the same biological effects as natural progesterone and have been known to cause side effects including: fluid retention, depression, breast tenderness, stroke, jaundice, blood clotting and cervical erosions.

On the other hand, natural progesterone has no known side effects and has been found to be helpful in alleviating symptoms such as PMS and hot flashes. It has also been credited with helping to prevent osteoporosis.

Many doctors now prescribe for women in menopause the use of a low-dose, natural progesterone cream during the last two weeks of the menstrual cycle. The cream is easily absorbed into thin-skin areas such as the breasts, inner arms, neck or belly by the subcutaneous fat and then released into the bloodstream. You should be careful of the dosage level in these products. Some may have none to very little and others provide 20-30 mg in an average application. It's always best to first check with a doctor.

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