Know Menopause and Symptoms - But What Should One Know?

To know menopause and symptoms, one should understand healthy and normal menopause symptoms and unhealthy health conditions.

To know menopause and symptoms means realizing that as a woman ages, the reproductive system will slow and eventually shut down. The woman's regular menstrual cycle will become lighter and less frequent and will eventually cease functioning. This menopause symptom is normal and expected when the woman is in her late 40's or early 50's.

The problem is -- a woman should know menopause and symptoms that mean there are underlying health problems, the most common being a condition called 'hormone imbalance'. Certain symptoms of menopause are signs that health problems exist that should be corrected. If not, the woman is at higher risk for more serious health problems.

Here are examples of such symptoms:

1 - A craving for sweets and/or carbohydrates, accompanied by fluctuating blood sugar levels

2 - Hair growth on the face

3 - Loss of hair or thinning hair

4 - Sluggishness, lack of energy

5 - Urinary tract infections or yeast infections

6 - Fibroids

7 - Weight gain, especially in the hips, waist and stomach, with no change in dietary habits

To know menopause and symptoms, one should know that many women in the western industrialized countries experience one or more of these symptoms of menopause much earlier than the average age of menopause which is about 51 in the USA. A crucial question that should be answered is -- what is a leading cause of menopause symptoms in women?

The answer is related to hormone imbalance. Hormone imbalance can be caused by stress, obesity, poor nutrition, excess estrogen and the lack of ovulation and progesterone. Is it possible to know menopause and symptoms and the role of hormone imbalance in causing premature menopause symptoms? The answer is -- YES!

There is an online test for a woman's hormone health related to menopause and symptoms that can indicate hormones are out of balance. The most frequent condition is too much estrogen and too little progesterone, the two basic hormones required for a healthy woman. This health test has been developed by a leading womens health clinic, it is used in their practice every day, it's available to women online and is free.

If you're a woman in your 30's, 40's or older and you sense your health is not what it should be, take the womens health test online and see what the clinic recommends for your health situation. Understanding what is healthy and normal and what is not is vital when the issue is your energy, your health and well-being.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

Know menopause and symptoms that are signs that the online hormone health test should be taken to see what might be recommended by the womens health clinic appropriate for your symptoms, your age and health conditions. For men, read more about the male menopause symptoms and natural treatments for improving health. 

Surgical Menopause

If you?re facing menopause as a result of a surgical procedure, you?re not alone. As a matter of fact, approximately 36,000 women under the age of 45 undergo total hysterectomies each year, causing them to enter into ?surgical menopause.?

Unlike natural menopause ? even early menopause ? which is gradual, surgical menopause results in a sudden (and permanent) drop in estrogen and androgens, which can often contribute to extremely severe menopausal symptoms. Those symptoms include hot flashes, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, depression, migraine headaches, vaginal dryness and cardiovascular symptoms. Many women have reported hot flashes so severe, their ability to function as they should was significantly affected.

While lifestyle changes can assist many women experiencing these symptoms, most will require hormone therapy, which can also protect you from an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. In addition to estrogen/progesterone therapy, testosterone therapy may also be needed if you have very little energy, are extremely tired and experiencing a loss of sexual desire. Surgical menopause significantly reduces your body?s production of androgens, which can severely affect your sexual drive and function. Also, the drop in estrogen may result in vaginal changes, such as dryness, which can make intercourse quite painful and uncomfortable.

If you feel that you would benefit from testosterone therapy, discuss this option with your health care provider. Typically, testosterone is dispensed in the form of pills, patches, creams and gels. There is also an estrogen/testosterone product available for women, which researchers believe is extremely beneficial for treating sexual dysfunction.

To reduce the risks of heart disease and osteoporosis, be sure to live a lifestyle that is ?heart healthy.? In other words, try your best to maintain a healthy weight by eating a healthy diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. Also, get in the habit of exercising regularly, including both cardiovascular and weight training as part of your workout. It?s a good idea to exercise for approximately 60 minutes, at least three days per week. A healthy lifestyle will ensure that you?ll remain young, healthy, energetic and happy.

Susan Megge is the founder of http://www.40isbeautiful.com, a website designed to assist women as they approach and experience menopause. Susan, a health and fitness expert started experiencing symptoms of menopause several years ago and researched various avenues to deal with these symptoms naturally. This led to her discovery that menopause can be 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 Natural Solutions

As women age, they go have to go through menopause. The most common discomfort during this stage is the sensation of heat that attacks a person without warning. This is known as hot flashes. There are many who try to find natural remedies to address this issue.

A woman I know who supervised a group in the psychology field was undergoing menopause. She would have to stop what she was doing for a moment and she said that she felt her skin was on fire.

This sensation didn?t go as fast as it came but gradually lessened. She felt it affected her work so she decided to find a natural way to relieve the discomfort so she could concentrate on her work. Here are some of the solutions she came up with.

She wanted some preventative steps to keep the hot flashes to a minimum. Since she was a behavioral specialist she decided to figure out what happens before the experience as part of her research.

She found out that stress was an important factor. As a person who had to deal with a lot of stress, the behavioral specialist had to come up with ways to deal with it. One of her methods was to plan daily activities.

She organized her schedule so that all the stress filled tasks were in the morning while it was cool and she gave herself a lot of time to get ready for appointments. The specialist would keep ice nearby at all times and sometimes she could be found with her head in the freezer which she found to be one of her best methods to fight hot flashes.

Another of her favorite remedies was to pay attention to how she dressed. She would layer her clothing, wear items with an open neck, and stick to cotton as things like synthetics and wool don?t breathe.

Changing your habits a little may help you as well. Things like avoiding spicy food, cutting down on coffee and giving up cigarettes may relieve menopause symptoms. These remedies will work and they don?t cost any money to start.

Sarah Thomas provides articles on health matters. You can find more of her work at the site sosmenopause.com

Menopause And Depression

Many women experience bouts of depression as they approach menopause. As a matter of fact, midlife can be considered a period of increased risk for depression in women, the majority taking place in the years during the transition through the menopausal years. This period of time is associated with gradual declines in estrogen levels, which may be linked with the onset of depression.

It can be confusing when trying to determine if you?re suffering from depression, simply going through menopause or experiencing both. This is because many symptoms of menopause and depression are very similar, such as interrupted sleep patterns, fatigue, hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety and difficulty concentrating. It?s important, however, to talk with your doctor if you think you may be suffering from depression; don?t play guessing games with your health because if left untreated, depression can lead to additional episodes, which have the potential to be more severe. Untreated depression can also result in physical complications, such as heart attack and the loss of bone density.

If your doctor thinks that your depression is as a result of declining hormone levels as you?re approaching or experiencing menopause, there?s a possibility he will suggest hormone replacement therapy, which includes estrogen. It?s important to discuss both the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy, including potential benefits to your overall mood. Recent studies have shown that the risks of hormone therapy include heart attack, stroke and breast cancer, and some professionals believe that these risks may outweigh the benefits women can receive from this course of treatment. That being said, estrogen therapy remains the most effective treatment for many menopausal symptoms.

Short term therapy (12-20 weeks) has also proven to combat depression in women experiencing menopause. Especially effective are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on negative thoughts and behaviors that tend to worsen depressed mood and teaches better ways of thinking and behaving, and Interpersonal Therapy, which helps individuals to communicate more effectively with others to help eliminate stressors.

Fortunately, the benefits of exercise in depression are well documented. Exercise helps with the treatment of depression by releasing the body?s mood-elevating compounds, reducing the depression hormone cortisol, providing a feeling of accomplishment and enhancing self esteem. I personally exercise approximately an hour most days of the week, but even exercising as little as ten minutes per day has been found to have beneficial effects for many women experiencing menopausal depression.

You may also want to consider a prescription medication to help you cope with the symptoms you?re experiencing. Discuss this possibility with your doctor because there are several effective and well-tolerated antidepressant medications now available. These medications have been proven to be an essential part of treatment for women who are moderately to severely depressed.

It?s also important to simply take care of yourself by eating a well balanced diet, decreasing your intake of refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol and chocolate. Are you getting enough sleep? Sleep deficiencies can make depression worse, so if you must, develop relaxing bedtime rituals, such as taking a hot bath or reading a good book.

Finally, just give yourself a break. Not only are you experiencing symptoms of menopause, but midlife also brings about life events that can be stressful, adding to the risk of depression, irritability and moodiness. Perhaps your children are leaving home, you?re caring for an elderly parent or have recently experienced the loss of a loved one. All of these events will undoubtedly add stress to an already busy life. Take time for yourself, eat a healthy diet, exercise and know that you?re a strong and capable woman and you will get through this.

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. This led to her discovery that menopause can be a very manageable, and even wonderful time in a woman's life.

Herbal Remedies For Menopause

People becoming educated about the efficacy of herbal remedies for many medical conditions ranging from migraines to skin conditions. Many women have found more success using herbal remedies to combat their menopause symptoms than they did with prescription drugs suggested by their physicians. There are many different options available to women seeking herbal menopause remedies. It is important to learn which ones are most effective and provide the most relief for your particular symptoms.

Menopause symptoms are resultant from decreased estrogen and progesterone production in the ovaries. These hormone fluctuations can wreak physiological havoc on a woman. Among the symptoms a woman may experience are hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, unexplained weight gain, exhaustion , and insomnia. Contain these symptoms is often very difficult and stressful. Prescription drugs can alleviate some of these symptoms; however, the prescription medications have drawbacks. Some have side effects so serious that they can be worse than the symptoms themselves. For example, some of the prescriptions made to treat hot flashes cause itchy rashes that cover the body. Other prescription medications have long term side effects, including diseases such as cancer. Often treating your symptoms with a safe, natural, herbal remedy is the optimal method for coping with menopause.

When you begin searching for an appropriate menopause symptom remedy, it might surprise and overwhelm you to see the vast quantity of available products. It can be difficult to Choose the right product. There are several people you might want to consult as you begin searching. Begin with a visit to your gynecologist. They will be able to advise you as to which herbal remedies are safe and appropriate for you. Moreover, they can also share information with you as to which methods have been effective for their other patients and which have not. In addition to your doctor, you might speak to a consultant in your local herbal store. More than likely, they have talked to other women who coping with the same symptoms. Based on this knowledge, they may be able to point you down the right path.

Black Cohos is one of the most popular herbs used to alleviate symptoms of menopause. This herb is effective for a number of different menopause symptoms including anxiety, hot flashes, and night sweats. The extensive studies on this herb suggest that is very effective. Pasque Flower has also shown itself to be a beneficial herbal remedy for coping with menopause symptoms. It offers a mild sedative-like effect. An herbal combination called MellowPause might also be helpful for some symptoms. It has a soy base, and mixes the power of Black Cohosh and Pasque flower to help you fight hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and insomnia. Menocore is yet another herbal combination that deals with the same symptoms. It contains a mixture of different natural herbal products.

One final product that might be successful on your symptoms is Triatone. The ingredients include Isoflavones, Black Cohos, Dong Quai, Chasleberry, and Licorice Root. This product not only alleviates many symptoms, but it may also leave you with an overall sense of well-being. You might also desire to contact your local natural food or herb store and to find out what natural supplements they carry. In addition to their side-effect free effectiveness, they tend to cost far less than the available prescription options.
Mary Davis is an author for several popular Internet magazines, on women's health and health and wellness topics.

Is Hrt Treatment Advisable For Treating Perimenopause

Menopause begins on the date of your last menstruation. The time before this is called the perimenopause. It starts due to the reduced functioning of the ovaries and can cause mood fluctuations and other physical problems. Ovulation during this time is sporadic or may cease completely. The frequency of menstrual cycles becomes irregular as well as the flow. This phase may last up to ten years before menstruation finally stops.

Usually women experience symptoms like mood swings, altered sex drive and others which are very similar to PMS. The symptoms vary from woman to woman. Some suffer night sweats but not hot flashes. Severe and rapid mood changes, headaches and sleep disorders are common symptoms. Some women experience lack of sex drive accompanied by vaginal dryness and consequent painful intercourse. One of the very frequent problems is difficulty in concentrating. You don?t seem to forget everything and feel that you are losing your mind. There is a story of such a woman in a furniture store who wanted to call her husband to request him to come and pick up the table which she just bought. She just could not remember her own phone number. Her previous sales slips helped the salesclerk to locate her number. Such forgetfulness is common to women going through perimenopause.

Making some changes in your food habits and lifestyle can bring relief to perimenopausal symptoms. Foods rich in soy and flax combined with regular exercise help. Vitamin E supplements and a few herbal treatments are considered effective too.

A viable treatment option is Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT. To keep a balance in the hormone levels, a low dose birth control pill may be advised. An antidepressant to manage the mood swings and a progesterone to handle the PMS symptoms are two popularly prescribed medicines.

In the light of the many controversies surrounding HRT during the past few years, it is wise to discuss the clinical studies with the doctor before you decide which treatment is good for you. The doctor could prescribe an estrogen replacement therapy, or may find HRT suitable which is a mix of estrogen and a synthetic progesterone. Of course there are equal amount of advantages and disadvantages of HRT.

Study results published in 2002 showed HRT resulting in an increased chance of heart attack, blood clots and breast cancer. Chances of fracture and colorectal cancer however are reduced. The results never showed any protection against cognitive disorders and dementia for women above 65 years of age.

If your choice of therapy is HRT, the Food and Drug Administration advises to take the lowest dosage for the shortest duration of time. A estrogen-progesterone combination or estrogen-only treatment is no longer considered viable for the prevention of cardiac attacks.

HRT can be administered in various ways : estrogen-only pills, estrogen-progesterone combination pills, estrogen patches and cream. Pills can be taken in cycles or non-stop. The cyclic intake pills may result in breakthrough bleeding that is monthly, whereas continuous pill regimen may cause irregular bleeding, if at all.

Hormone patches are available. These skin patches when applied on the abdomen or buttocks release estrogen or estrogen-progesterone combination into the bloodstream. Patches are to be kept from three and a half day to seven days. When you apply a new patch, the old one is thrown away. Monthly bleeding may result from the use of patches.

Vaginal creams which release estrogen are also available. Smeared in the area locally around the vulva, eases vaginal dryness and urinary problems.

The best part about HRT is that it can be personalized to suit individual needs. Women should always inform the doctor if there is any discomfort which she feels or any side effects. The treatment can then be modified to alleviate the symptoms.

A woman experiencing perimenopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and mood fluctuations does have many choices for treating them. Only a doctor can tell you whether you should go for HRT. Or you go for herbal cures, physical exercise or other natural remedies. In case you find that you are not getting adequate relief by using these medications, then you should seriously consider HRT.

Amanda Thompsen is a staff writer at Aging Guide and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Wellness Digest.

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.

An Effective Natural Menopause Treatment

Natural menopause treatment is truly appreciated by many women having the symptoms of menopause. They seem to prefer alternative medicines because the use of hormone replacement therapies might be harmful. Natural menopause treatment is known to be effective with its teas, elixirs and topical applications. Natural menopause treatments decrease the symptoms and this is why so many women try them before starting traditional hormone replacement.

The old saying that the cure can be worse than the disease can be applied here. The side effects of traditional menopause treatment are not really pleasant and you should pay attention to the correct dosage. Apart from that, symptoms are not fully controlled even when having traditional treatment. After all natural menopause treatment is much safer than the traditional hormone replacement therapy. Herbal remedies are commonly used in natural menopause treatment. They might be black cohosh, dong quai, maca root and red clover.

All of them contain phytoestrogens which are like the natural estrogen and their main function is to increase the level of the hormone in the body. Black cohosh is the thing that decreases menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It also helps to reduce the irritability and it stabilizes mood swings. If you are taking black cohosh, it is also good to know that it reveals depression and anxiety. It also fights against night sweats and heart palpitations. Dong quai is herb that also treats menopause symptoms naturally. What this herb does best is to dilate blood vessels. When dong quai is combined with black cohosh is it most effective.

Another herbal medicine is maca root. It works as a hormone regulator and helps the stimulation of hormone production. It's most vital function is that it restores libido and increases sex drive. Red clover is the last herb mentioned-above which is used in a natural menopause treatment. It contains high levels of phytoestrogens which work against mood swings and hot flashes. Red clover also protects the organism against osteoporosis. Another thing this very effective herb does is to increase good cholesterol in the blood stream which automatically means lower risk of heart disease for those women taking it.

Even when using natural menopause treatments you should not exceed the recommended dosage and should also be directed. Whatever type of alternative medicine you want to try, it's best if you consult your primary care provider. He might give you sound advice which remedies and therapies are the most suitable for you. Another thing you should do is keep a proper diet and exercise. These two things definitely have positive impact on our health in general, so they also help the reduction of menopausal symptoms.

There are some women who shouldn't use natural menopause treatments because they are not right for them and might have negative effects on them. Before starting any kind of natural menopause treatment you should very carefully read the labels. To conclude with, natural treatments have helped many women live easily in their menopause. If they can work for the others, they might be effective for you, as well.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning women's health. Learn more at http://www.thewomenshealthjournal.com/womens-health/womens-health/an-effective-natural-menopause-treatment.html

Female Hair Loss And Menopause

Menopause is one of the most common causes of female hair loss and one of the least happily endured symptom. Female hair loss can be pretty devastating to any woman in today?s modern society, which emphasizes the importance of an attractive hairdo. Just think on the thriving multi-billion dollar in the hair care industry and the numerous advertisements on shampoo, styling products and hair loss treatments.

Like childbirth, menopause is a natural occurring state for women and ? also like childbirth ? the changes manifested in the body can be traumatic. Women begin menopause between the ages of 30 and 70, with most beginning between the mid 40s and mid 50s. However, menopause can occur unnaturally, that is, after surgery or medical treatment. In this case, the symptoms may be much more severe and female hair loss is much more likely.

Female hair loss is not a guaranteed symptom of menopause. It is less common than, for example, hot flashes and mood changes. Women experience female hair loss to varying degrees and some don't experience at all.

Exactly what causes hair loss is still not clear. But many experts have said that the most common cause is androgenetic alopecia or genetic balding. This refers to a genetic process whereby individual hair follicles metabolizes the sex hormone testosterone. Menopausal women experiencing hair loss experience a higher rate of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. It is the effect of DHT on hair follicles that results in heair loss.

In the same respect, women who have abnormally high levels of male sex hormones can also experience thinning of scalp hair. Signs that these women display include plenty of body and facial hair, abnormal menstrual patterns and enlarged clitoris.

In addition, factors like anemia, thyroid disorders, fungal infections and stressful life situations can cause hair loss in menopausal women.

In the same way that female hair loss shows itself as a manifestation about three months after the originating cause begins, so too does female hair loss take about three months to show the effects of treatment. Estrogenic treatments like soy isoflavones or hormone replace therapies, will need to be implemented for about three months before you can determine whether or not it's working for you.

How negative a menopausal woman feels towards her hair loss differs from individual to individual. In situations where it affects her quality of life and self esteem, it is best to address the problem quickly. A proper evaluation by a professional for causes of hair loss is necessary to determine the underlying medical conditions and an appropriate course of treatment that produce the condition.

Kathelene Capelle writes on acne treatment, natural acne remedy, eczema, dry skin care and massage oils. Get skin care recipes that you can easily prepare from your kitchen! Read them all at http://www.acne-and-skin-care.com.

Alternative Treatments For Menopause And Its Symptoms

The following article lists some simple, informative tips that will help you have a better experience with Menopause .

There is great news for menopausal women today. In the past women have had no choice about menopausal treatments. Doctors have traditionally only offered hormone replacement therapy as a logical treatment for the symptoms associated with menopause. Today however there are other alternative treatments that are making headlines in regards to menopause and post menopause. These treatments are a little more natural and are often very effective. Although you may not be familiar with them, people have been using them since the beginning of time. Take a look at some of these alternative treatments for menopause to see if they would possibly work for you.

Naturopathic Medicine

This form of medicine uses herbs, homeopathy, and other treatments like acupuncture for illnesses or bothersome symptoms. It is being used more and more for menopause as well. Experts warn that women who are at high risk for developing heart disease or other serious illnesses correlated with menopause should consider traditional treatments like hormone replacement therapy. Those at low risk however can opt for a completely natural method such as this one. Combining all of the natural treatments to find the best route for you is what this alternative treatment is all about.

Herbs

Studies show that many herbs are very effective at controlling menopause and the symptoms associated with it. Black cohosh is widely used for hot flashes while St. John's Wart is a popular herb for moodiness or anxiety. Herbs have been used since the beginning of time by different groups of people. They are still widely used in the non-Western world. They are becoming more and more common in the West as well however.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about Menopause . But don't be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.

Vitamins

Those who favor alternative medicine will tell you that vitamins used in higher doses than usually can help ease the symptoms of menopause. At different times in your life, your body will naturally lack different vitamins. While you can often get the nutrients you need from food, talk with your doctor about extra supplements that may help you throughout menopause.

Soy

Soy has many different benefits for the body. It has shown to lower blood pressure and helps stimulate disease preventing antibodies in the body. It has also been known to help prevent hot flashes in women going through menopause. If you don't get enough soy, you can take soy tablets or try soy butter, soy milk, or other soy products.

Diet

Diet is a large part of why some people feel good and others don't. Have you ever noticed that when you eat a lot of junk food you really feel horrible physically? During menopause your body needs proper nutrition. It is best to stick with as many fruits, vegetables, and grains as you can during this time. Try to stay away from fats and red meat. These alternative treatments are wonderful for women who want to stay as natural as possible throughout menopause. Remember however that some women will need hormone replacement therapy. You should talk with your doctor and make the decision together regarding your treatment plans.

As your knowledge about Menopause continues to grow, you will begin to see how Menopause fits into the overall scheme of things. Knowing how something relates to the rest of the world is important too.

Masni Rizal Mansor provide tips and review on menopause symptoms and menopause treatment.

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.

Preventive Measures To Combat Early Menopause

Menopause is a normal biological change in the life of a woman. Menopause is the long, slow process of the reproductive system. For most women this process begins silently around the age of 40 when menstrual cycles start to be less regular.

A woman can prepare herself for the onset of menopause and the symptoms associated with it. Life can be as healthy, independent and fulfilling as any of the younger stages of a woman by proper diets, exercise and habits. Here are a few tips:

1. Every woman must have a healthy diet, rich in fresh fruits, vegetable, whole grains and low in saturated fats and fatty acids. They should avoid dairy and animal products, commercial baked goods and hard margarines. They should reduce their salt intake also.

A healthy diet improves a woman's sense of well-being. It also reduces the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis (porous bones) and some cancers. A diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetable, whole grains, calcium and vitamin D can help you cope with menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It helps fight against heart disease and osteoporosis, which are the negative long-term effects of early menopause. You should take enough calcium to keep your bones strong and prevent osteoporosis.

2. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart diseases and osteoporosis. It also provides a feeling of emotional well being. Half an hour of brisk walking, swimming, cycling or dancing at least three times a week will help maintain joint flexibility and muscle strength. Regular physical activity and exercise also provides a good night's sleep. Also avoid alcohol, caffeine, large meals and working right before bedtime so that you may get a sound sleep.

3. A woman's sexuality is very complex. It involves physical, social, and emotional responses. Good lubrication, a caring and sensitive partner and new positions can help to alleviate pain during sex. Emotional satisfaction also reduces the risk of early menopause.

Whether you are in your 40's and just beginning your journey into menopause or are already there, a healthy diet and exercise will relieve menopausal symptoms. Other alternatives are hormone replacement therapy programs which should be discussed with your physician.

For more information about menopause and hormone replacement therapy, visit http://www.menopauseinfocenter.com and http://www.hormonereplacementtherapyinfo.co

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 Symptoms, Diet, Exercises, Weight Gain: Tips to Sail through Menopause with Ease!

Menopause literally means the last menstrual period. It generally occurs in mid-life, that is around the age of 40. It is characterized by hormonal changes. Menstrual cycle stops and so does the production of some hormones like estrogen. Menopausal women often experiences weight gain along with weakening of bones.

Post menopause, women have have higher risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases because of the inherent hormonal changes. Hot flushes with sudden bouts of sweating are commonly felt by women. Other Symptoms being failing eyesight, hair loss, weak bones, dry skin and erratic sleep patterns. The key to staying youthful and active even after menopause is to follow regular exercise routine and a nutritious diet.

Regular Exercise Routine :

Going in for an exercise program which addresses the entire body is always beneficial. Even exercises like walking, swimming, jogging, dancing are useful. To get a complete cardio workout, involve yourself in some aerobic exercise. You can also hit a gym for some weight training which will increase your strength. Training with dumbbells at home, but under guidance, can serve the purpose for you. It is important to stretch and relax too. Relaxation helps you overcome depression related to menopause. Exercise will also combat weight gain which a women generally experiences during menopause. Yoga is the most effective way to work out. it not only keeps your body active but also keeps your mind stress-free.

Balanced Diet:

Other important issue to handle the most difficult stage for women is to eat a balanced diet with little add-ons. Diet should be particularly high in Calcium and Phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring compounds, similar to estrogens, found in plants. Phytoestrogens can be easily found in soya and tofu. Diet high in phytoestrogens reduces the hot flush by 40%. This is the reason why Japanese women face less severe menopausal symptoms than their western counterparts. Recommended amount: 10-15g of tofu or 2 cups of soya milk. Dairy products, which are high in Calcium, also reduces bone loss to great extent. Recommended amount: 1000gm. Since Vitamin D promotes the consumption of calcium, it is essential to provide enough amount of vitamin D to body. Normal exposure to sun should provide the body with right amount of vitamin D.

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Since drop in estrogen can lead to weight gain, it is wise to undertake some weight loss program to avoid complexities later in life such as diabetes, joint pains, heart-related diseases.

It is also believed that some vitamins are beneficial, specially during perimenopause. For eg Vitamin E relieves hot flushes, Vitamin B2 alleviates perimenopausal headaches, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 help fight depression.

Tip: If you find having sex uncomfortable due to thinning and drying of vaginal lining, use a water based lubricant.

About the Author

Ashley Green: for http://weightloss-health.com/ your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health.

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