Severe Menopause Symptoms Affect Some Women's Relationships

Most women experience hot flashes and other relatively minor symptoms. Some women suffer from severe menopause symptoms that affect their quality of life, their relationships, their jobs and their overall health. Bleeding during menopause or the time leading up to it may be irregular.

Women may skip periods for months in a row, only to be surprised by one at the most inconvenient time. Some women experience very heavy menstrual bleeding during the years leading up to menopause, which is technically when a woman has not menstruated for 12 consecutive months.

Sometimes, when a woman is experiencing severe menopause symptoms like irritability, depression or mood swings that are affecting her relationship with her family or her co-workers, her doctor will recommend hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy may also be recommended for women who are experiencing signs of osteoporosis, vaginal dryness causing painful intercourse and night sweats that are interrupting normal sleep cycles.

As menopause approaches, the ovaries begin to produce less of the hormone estrogen. Needed during a woman?s reproductive years to thicken the lining of the uterus, estrogen also influences the body?s ability to absorb calcium and use it for rebuilding bones and keeping them strong. It has an influence on cholesterol levels, keeping them normal. And, it is responsible for maintaining the vagina. Without estrogen the walls of the vagina become thin and dry. This can lead to painful intercourse, vaginal tearing and bleeding during menopause after or during sex.

Estrogen taken alone increases a woman?s risk for cancer of the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus. Taking progesterone decreases that risk by causing the endometrium to be shed each month or monthly bleeding during menopause. After taking estrogen and progesterone continuously for several months or more depending on the woman, monthly bleeding during menopause may be lessened or stop completely.

Although hormone replacement therapy was the treatment of choice for moderate to severe menopause symptoms for many years, the Women?s Health Initiative study indicates that the risks may outweigh the benefits. The benefits, other than relieving severe menopause symptoms, are believed to be a reduced risk of osteoporosis, colon cancer and heart disease. But, the study concluded that long-term hormone replacement therapy actually increased the risk of heart disease, breast cancer, blood clots and stroke.

In estrogen only therapy, which does not cause bleeding during menopause, there is an increased risk of endometrial cancer, blood clots and stroke, but there appears to be no increased risk of breast cancer or heart disease. Because of the risks, hormone replacement therapy is not recommended as often, nor recommended for long term use. Women who have a family history of certain types of cancer may be discouraged from using it at all. Women who have had breast cancer are generally discouraged, as well.

Since many women can not take hormone replacement therapy or choose not to, researchers have evaluated some of the herbs and plants that were used historically to relieve hot flashes and other more severe menopause symptoms. Black cohosh, among others was found to be effective. To learn more about black cohosh and other alternatives to hormone replacement therapy, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she writes informational articles focused on women?s health for the Menopause and PMS Guide. Visit us at http://www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com

Hot Flashes Are The Most Common Symptoms Of Menopause - But Relief

Hot flashes are symptoms of menopause, but may begin several years before menstruation actually stops and can last for several years afterwards. A hot flash may occur at any time of the day, but there are certain triggers that can worsen the severity and increase the frequency.

Doctors do not know exactly what causes hot flashes. They are considered a ?vasomotor? symptom, because dilation of the blood vessels and changes in circulation are involved. They are believed to be directly related to decreasing estrogen production by the ovaries, a natural part of the aging process. Since, estrogen replacement therapy relieves hot flashes; lack of estrogen is probably the cause.

When a hot flash occurs at night, usually referred to as night sweats, it can interrupt a woman?s sleep, leading to insomnia, decreasing energy levels and overall sense of well being. A recent study indicates that the majority of peri-menopausal women do not feel that hot flashes affect their quality of life as much as emotional changes and mood swings, but mood swings sometimes trigger hot flashes. When a person is angry or frustrated, body temperature raises and anything that raises body temperature can trigger a hot flash.

Sometimes referred to as hot flushes, these sudden changes in body temperature are not believed to threaten a woman?s health. No medical treatment is required, unless they happen frequently, are severe or disruptive to a woman?s life. Most women can get relief by using an herbal supplement called black cohosh. This herb was used historically by Native American healers to correct symptoms related to hormonal imbalances, to help regulate menstrual cycles, as a diuretic and a mild sedative.

Research has shown that women get as much relief from hot flashes when using black cohosh as they do from estrogen replacement. It is highly recommended for women who can not risk estrogen replacement therapy, because of previous cancers or other concerns. Because, the Women?s Health Initiative found that the health benefits of hormone replacement therapy do not outweigh the risks, most doctors no longer recommend this treatment unless numerous symptoms are present and are severely impairing a woman?s ability to function, her relationships or her quality of life. Black cohosh, on the other hand, is being recommended more and more.

There are a number of substances that can trigger hot flashes. Experts advise women to avoid caffeine, salt, alcohol and nicotine. Spicy foods can also bring on a hot flash. For more information about the symptoms associated with menopause and ways to relieve them, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she writes health related informational articles for the Menopause and PMS guide. Please visit www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com to learn more about menopause and premenstrual syndrome.

 

What Is The Best Diet During Menopause - The Answers Are Here

What is the best diet during menopause? Many of the answers are related to phytoestrogens and menopause symptom relief. It may all seem a bit redundant, but I wanted to provide as much information as I could in an easy to understand format. There are so many factors to consider when designing a diet for menopause. The truth of the matter is that this is a health diet that can be used in the years leading up to menopause, follows the recommendations of the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society and can be easily followed for life.

What is the best diet during menopause to prevent osteoporosis?

Low fat sources of calcium, include milk, yogurt and cheese, but can also be found in non-dairy foods, such as fish, spinach, broccoli, kale, some legumes and soybean products. Whenever the subject of phytoestrogens and menopause comes up, you will usually see references to soy isoflavones, which brings us to the next question.

What is the best diet during menopause to relieve hot flashes?

Hot flashes are related to decreasing levels of estrogen. Some plants have compounds that have estrogen-like effects on the body. These compounds are called phytoestrogens. It is believed that the effectiveness of black cohosh for relieving hot flashes is related to the phytoestrogens in the plant. It is known that soy isoflavones are phytoestrogens and menopause symptoms like hot flashes may be relieved by increasing or adding soy into a woman?s diet.

What is the best diet during menopause to prevent weight gain?

Low in fat, rich in complex carbohydrates like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low in simple carbs like sugar, white bread, white rice, etc...

What is the best diet during menopause to improve sleep?

Soy (again) comes out close to the top for its high tryptophan content. Tryptophan is an amino acid that aids the body in the absorption of protein and the production of serotonin. Serotonin transmits signals among nerve endings in the brain and body and is important in regulating sleep cycles. Increasing foods in the diet that contain tryptophan can improve the quality of your sleep. Other than soy, the best dietary sources of tryptophan are chicken breast, yellow fin tuna, beef tenderloin, lamb loin, turkey breast, halibut, shrimp, salmon and snapper. However, beef tenderloin and lamb loin are high in fat and both the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association recommend that you avoid red meat. Studies have shown that carbohydrates increase serotonin levels, as well, which may be why women crave simple carbs during PMS.

What is the best diet during menopause to increase energy?

We need carbohydrates for energy. Although most of the recent research has focused on the effectiveness of phytoestrogens and menopause relief and many of the popular diets are ?low-carb?, if you do not get enough complex carbohydrates in your diet, then you will be tired. When you are tired, you are more likely to grab something sweet. This will backfire and you will end up even more tired. The whole thing becomes a vicious cycle. It is also important to make sure that you get enough B-complex vitamins in your diet. Broccoli, cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables are good sources of B vitamins. Cottage cheese is another good choice.

What is the best diet during menopause to improve mood?

This question leads back to tryptophan, carbohydrates and possibly phytoestrogens. Anything that increases levels of serotonin improves mood. It is not only important in regulating sleep cycles, but mood, as well. Studies have shown that it also affects appetite and may help women avoid gaining weight during and after menopause.

What is the best diet during menopause, overall?

Expert opinions do not always agree when it comes to phytoestrogens and menopause and research is on-going. At this time, all of the research indicates that dietary sources of phytoestrogens are safe and effective. Experts do agree that for overall good health during menopause and throughout life, the best diet is low in fat and rich in ?nutrient dense? foods, which are foods that contain lots of vitamins and minerals, but not a lot of calories. The best food selections are soy (found in meat-less burgers, tofu and many other items, including flour), chicken breast, turkey breast, tuna, shrimp, salmon and other fish, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, kale and other fruits and vegetables of all kinds. Oatmeal and other whole grains, wild rice, nuts and seeds.

Go easy on the salt. Limit your caffeine. A recent study showed that women who drink four or more caramel colored sodas (coke, pepsi, etc) per week have more osteoporosis than women who don?t. Don?t smoke, limit alcohol and watch the spicy foods. Alcohol, caffeine, salt and spicy foods can all trigger hot flashes and worsen their intensity. For the answers to more questions about diet, vitamin supplements, phytoestrogens and menopause, please visit the Menopause and PMS guide.

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she writes health related informational articles for the Menopause and PMS guide. Please visit www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com to learn more about menopause and premenstrual syndrome.

Is There Really A Male Menopause Or Is It Just A Myth?

Many men experience many emotional health changes as they reach middle age. Many have revelations that many aspirations from earlier on in life were not quite what he expected. He may begin to feel like there isn't anything to look forward to anymore in his life. Many women state they can tell their partner is experiencing a change in life, though the fact is it is probably a psychological change rather than a physiological one.

Today, many men believe they should have the ability to maintain the same sexual performance that they did at a younger age. They expect the routine will be the same, and with little complications, from foreplay and erections to ejaculation and orgasm. Of course things change, and most bodily functions (such as sex drive) vary from day to day, so the probability that they will not live up to this standard is likely. In fact, many men especially middle age men believe they are underachieving, sexually speaking.

It is essential for both men and their partner to realize that sexual performance varies, occasionally. There are no set standards when it comes to sex, and both parties should understand that, and not have expectations. A considerate and sympathetic partner is very beneficial to potency continuation in the male.

The male testosterone is crucial in male development. Beginning in the mid-forties, serum testosterone levels tend to decline as age increases. Another thing, which declines, is the weight and size of the testicles. In fact, when compared with 30 something year olds, 70 year old males are generally expected to have about 50 percent of the testosterone concentration.

Almost all older men still have a normal range of serum testosterone levels, though. In men who demonstrate a variety of levels in erectile ability, testosterone levels usually fall within normal range. This indicates that testosterone itself is not generally a cause of impotence, though I can cause a lack of sexual interest.

Scientists may disagree about male menopause, but when it comes to middle aged men, very few doubt that it does, in fact, exist though the term menopause is actually a misnomer when it is applied to men. Women's ovaries shut down during menopause, and men's reproductive glands do not. Male menopause is gradual, and not universal, while female menopause is quicker and pretty much inevitable. Women experience a sudden decline in estrogen, and men only lose about .5% of testosterone annually (beginning around age 40), and rarely reach a level below what is considered healthy. It also does not affect fertility.

Men do have some symptoms of menopause, but it seems to be less biology, and more lifestyle. This is when their habits (smoking, fatty foods etc) catch up with them, they feel vulnerable, realize life is not infinite, and have problems coping. This can result in impotence, muscle loss, depression and stress (which can also inhibit testosterone release).

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as natural male Enhancement at http://www.maleenhancementsolution.com

Relieve Menopause Hot Flashes Naturally

One of the most common symptoms of menopause, hot flashes are not something that must be tolerated. A cure for hot flashes, hot flushes or night sweats is not that hard to find. You just have to know where to look. However, products that help relieve menopause hot flashes for some women may not work for others. So, here we look at several herbal remedies that may be beneficial. Because of the health risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, natural remedies are becoming increasingly popular. Herbs and plants may not be a "new" cure for hot flashes, but they are effective, nonetheless. And we do know a lot more about them than we did at one time, so we do have "new" ways to look at them.

Hot flashes, hot flushes and night sweats are three different names for the same physical reaction to decreasing levels of estrogen. They may begin years before actual menopause and last for several years afterwards. The frequency and severity varies from one woman to the next. Researchers often describe them as "vasomotor" symptoms, because blood vessels and circulation are involved.

Typically the heat begins in a woman's chest, travels up the neck to the face and head. When they occur at night, they may interrupt a woman's sleep, increasing levels of fatigue and sometimes leading to insomnia. From the experiences of other women, we know that caffeine, alcohol, tobacco products and spicy foods can trigger them, as can anger, frustration and irritation. Regular exercise and drinking plenty of water seems to help.

Black cohosh has been the cure for hot flashes for many women. More research has been done concerning the effectiveness and safety of black cohosh than on any of the other herbs that can help menopause hot flushes. But, if you have tried it and it doesn't work for you, there are other alternatives.

Scientists are still unsure why black cohosh relieves hot flashes, but evaluations of the chemical compounds of other plants have revealed an estrogen-like substance, aptly named phytoestrogens. Isoflavones are one type of phytoestrogen. If you read the ingredients on a remedy for hot flushes, you may see "soy isoflavones" or "isoflavones from red clover". These may help menopause hot flashes because they have an estrogen like effect on a woman's body. Some researchers have been concerned that isoflavones or phytoestrogens could have the same side effects as synthetic estrogens used in hormone replacement therapy. So, here's what we know about the risks associated with long term use of synthetic hormones.

We know that estrogen replacement therapy can cause endometrial cancer. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus and estrogen causes the lining to build up, which, without menstruation, frequently led to cancer. Thus, doctors would prescribe an estrogen-progesterone combination therapy. The progesterone would cause the lining to be shed each month, leading to a return of monthly periods, and decreasing the cancer risk. For years, this "combination" hormone therapy was the most commonly recommended cure for hot flashes and other symptoms associated with menopause.

As with many medical treatments, the risks turned up with long term use of this type of therapy. The Women's Health Initiative recently concluded a seven year study of women using hormone replacement therapies of both types. The conclusion is that hormone replacement therapy of any type increases a woman's risk for blood clots and stroke. Combination therapy, which was thought to be safer than estrogen only, actually added the increased health risks of heart disease and breast cancer. An even longer study (more than twenty years) performed by Harvard scientists found that estrogen only increased breast cancer risks when used for more than 15 years. Typically a woman would not use hormone replacement therapy to relieve menopause hot flashes and other symptoms for many years, but when the risks are blood clots, heart disease and stroke, even short term use is rarely recommended as a cure for hot flashes.

While no long term studies have been conducted concerning women who use phytoestrogens or isoflavones to help relieve menopause hot flashes, short term clinical studies have revealed their effectiveness, lack of side effects and safety. Even the idea that phytoestrogens, which are found in soy beans, a health food, might not be safe for long term use seems silly. People eat soy all of the time and have for many, many years.

Red clover, the other most commonly used source of isoflavones, is grown for animal feed. Native Americans used the flower for tea and chewed the leaves raw. Healers used it to treat liver ailments, gall bladder ailments, ulcers, diabetes, tonsillitis, internal cancer, appendicitis, headaches and as a cure for hot flashes and other symptoms related to changing levels of hormones and aging.

Scientific research and the experiences of other women tell us that black cohosh helps relieve menopause hot flashes. Laboratory tests have revealed that black cohosh has no effect on even estrogen sensitive cancer cell lines. But, if this cure for hot flashes does not work for you, try soy or red clover isoflavones. All of our scientific and historical knowledge indicates that these are safe. For information about a woman's supplement that contains both black cohosh and isoflavones at a reasonable price, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for more than twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she writes informational articles for the Menopause and PMS Guide. Read more at http://www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com.

Perimenopause Symptoms ? The Transition

Until you reached this stage in your life, there?s a high probability that you?d never even heard of perimenopause. As a matter of fact, you were probably a bit surprised that perimenopause (the transitional period before menopause) could begin so early in life, and last for ten years ? sometimes even longer.

Symptoms of perimenopause are described almost exactly as those associated with menopause, and may include:

? Weight gain (especially around the mid-section)
? Mood changes
? Night sweats
? Hot flashes
? Vaginal dryness
? Changes in sexual desire (lowered libido)
? Sleep disturbances
? Frequent urination
? Extreme sweating
? Difficulty concentrating
? Other symptoms similar to those you may experience with premenstrual syndrome

If you?re experiencing any of these symptoms, it?s a good idea to talk with your health care provider to rule out any other medical conditions. Once you?re sure that perimenopause is indeed the culprit behind the symptoms you?re now noticing, it?s time to ?step it up? and take the steps necessary to reduce ? and in many cases eliminate ? the discomforts that can be associated with perimenopause.

Your physician will likely encourage you to make some lifestyle changes that have been proven to effectively benefit many women during perimenopause. These include:

? Altering your diet to include soy and flax

? Exercising regularly, incorporating weight training into your routine at least three days per week

? Taking supplements of vitamin E

? Avoiding triggers that can cause hot flashes, such as caffeine; also, it?s suggested that you avoid being in extremely warm temperatures or rooms

? Herbal treatments, such as ginkgo biloba, black cohash or Evening Primrose Oil

Depending on your age, health and medical history and the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may also use various other treatments to remedy your perimenopausal symptoms, such as:

? A low dose of birth control to stabilize your hormone levels

? Antidepressants to level out your mood swings

? Progesterone to alleviate symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome

This transitional period can be a bit frightening for many women, but it?s important to remind yourself that you can indeed breeze through perimenopause and menopause if you simply take care of yourself. You can be as healthy, energetic, happy and beautiful as you?ve always been. As an added bonus, your age has brought you to a maturity level you didn?t have twenty years ago, giving you confidence to be certain that you can be and do everything you set your mind to. You will no doubt enjoy and savor your life if you remain positive and determined.

Susan Megge is the founder of http://www.40isbeautiful.com, a website designed to assist mature women as they approach and experience menopause. Susan, a health and fitness expert started experiencing symptoms of perimenopause and 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.

Early Menopause And Your Emotions

Learning that you?re going through premature menopause can be devastating and it?s not unusual to suddenly fall into a period of depression upon receiving this unwelcome news.

Even if you weren?t planning on having children, learning that you?re suddenly infertile is an experience that can wreak havoc on your emotions. Somehow you feel as though you?re less of a woman or perhaps no longer sexy; as if a very integral part of you has died.

You try to share your feelings with friends or family, but early or premature menopause is something that few others understand. Like suffering a miscarriage or the death of a parent, unless someone has gone through it, they just can?t comprehend how emotionally devastating and upsetting early menopause can be.

Because early menopause is often unexpected, women who experience it are more at risk for depression than are older women who are approaching or experiencing symptoms of menopause. Women who are faced with early menopause as a result of surgery are often even more devastated due to the fact that they?ve not only gone through a major surgery, but a big part of who they believe they were is suddenly gone.

No matter what the reason for early menopause, all women who experience it ? both mothers and career women ? feel a profound loss and a significant amount of grief, shock and disbelief. These feelings won?t disappear right away; as a matter of fact, there?s a healing process that most women must go through before they begin to accept the fact that they?re experiencing menopause prematurely and much sooner than they would have preferred.

One woman I interviewed for this project says ?Once I learned to accept what I had become, I realized there was nothing I could do about it. I finally decided that I would do the best I could to remain young and feel good. What choice did I have?? So, certainly, you will mourn and it will take time, but eventually you will get through this and you will feel better. As a matter of fact, each day will bring less feelings of despair and time will bring you back to your old self ? determined, strong and capable; perhaps even more so than before.

One of the first steps to returning to the old you is by looking in the mirror and seeing how you really are still yourself. Your youthful appearance is still intact; as a matter of fact, all of you is still intact. Yes, your reproductive system is not working the way it should, but you?re still a wonderful, young and vibrant woman with so much potential and so much to offer.

Susan Megge 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. Learn to cope with symptoms of early menopause by visiting http://www.40isbeautiful.com/Early_Menopause.html.

Menopause And Headache

Menopause And Headache

This midlife phenomenon is known as menopause. This type of headache saps the energy out of you. At the end of the headache, you feel that you have been down with some sort of sickness for days together. You feel tired and exhausted. At the peak level of the headache, you feel a throbbing sensation, shooting pain within the head, some corners of the head almost bursting out. The slightest noise, switching on the light or for that matter, even if you open your eyes, you feel terribly uncomfortable. This is the style of menopause headache.

It is the type of headache, not experienced by women, till this stage of their life. It is one of the important turning points in their life. During menopause, estrogen is not produced at normal rates and therefore a woman's hormone system goes out of control. At the end of the menstrual life cycle the progesterone level becomes much less in most of the women, and the types of headaches they never experienced before, fall to their lot.

What is the main cause of this type of unbearable headache? Blood vessels in the brain contract and widen at a fast pace, and the pain nerves are unable to cope up with type of activity, and they stimulate pain.

Watch out for certain other unwanted developments during this period. There could be a sudden change in your eyesight. You may experience a double vision, and in extreme cases, partial blindness is not ruled out. Your hands and limbs may experience a peculiar type of weakness. Inactivity shall be your activity. Your lips will become numb and cold.

Take care of your diet. Remember, you can never be the same person, you were a few months ago. It is an important biological change, and each of such change brings forth its quota of suffering or enjoyment in the life of an individual.

In the case in point, the change may add to your suffering for some time. You may become physically and mentally tired. With no initiative left, you may be a confused individual. Your speech may falter. You may suffer migraine headache attacks.

These types of headaches are common in women. The duration of the headache may be for some hours or for days together. In such conditions you are extremely sensitive to noise and light. You may continue to have a vomiting sensation.

Over the counter medications is not the solution for this type of headache. Certain breathing exercises, yoga asanas and light food will go a long way in providing you the necessary relief.

Many Headache articles are available at Headache & http://www.headacheupdates.com/migraine/

Many Headache articles are available at http://www.headacheupdates.com/migraine/ for Headache.

Menopause Weight Gain - You Can Lost 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.

Helpful Things To Know About Menopause

Menopause is a traumatic time that has to be faced by every female. It causes a host of changes in your body, and the more you know about it, the better fit you will be to get through it smoothly. In this article, we'll discuss some facts about menopause so that you can be better informed about this turbulent period in a woman's life.

- Approximately four thousand women begin menopause per day.

- Roughly one third of a woman's life occurs after menopause.

- Exercise is a key factor in getting through menopause with a minimum of complications. A regular exercise pattern helps to limit the effects of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause: hot flashes, depression, sleep disorders and irritability can all be lowered through a proper exercise plan. In addition, exercise has merit in preventing the physical aspects of menopause. Osteoporosis and heart disease are more prevalent in those post-menopause, and regular exercise can help to curb these risks.

- While hormone replacement therapy is commonly used to help women get through menopause, it is by no means a complete solution and it has problems associated with it. Estrogen that is used in hormone replacement therapy has been shown to increase the risk of uterine cancer. For this reason, it is important for women who have had past cases of cancer to have a thorough conversation with their doctor discussing the merits and risks of getting hormone replacement therapy.

- Low dosage anti-depressants have long been used to help women get through some of the more mental issues associated with menopause. In addition to helping with post-menopausal depression, anti-depressants can help to reduce the amount of hot flashes that are experienced. Another drug that is commonly prescribed to help menopausal patients with hot flashes is clonidine. This agent is used to help patients with high blood pressure and it has been shown to be effective in reducing hot flashes.

- Eating healthy is a key factor in just how many of the menopausal symptoms are experienced by you. Ensure that you are getting enough calcium and Vitamin D, as these two compounds help your body to deal with bone mineralization, thereby decreasing your risk for osteoporosis.

- Smoking can really affect a woman in menopause. Your risk of heart disease is increased when smoking, and certain studies have shown that smoking may increase hot flashes and actually cause menopause to occur earlier than it should.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles for http://iwomensinterests.com/ - In addition, Kadence also writes articles for http://universeofbeauty.net/ and http://forahealthywoman.com/

Seeking Menopause Treatment From An Ob-gyn

In the United States, a large number of women make the decision to visit an Ob-Gyn. Ob-Gyn is defined as the combination of obstetrics and gynecology. A large amount of focus is placed on Ob-Gyns and pregnancy; however, pregnancy related issues are not all that these healthcare professionals deal with. In fact, one of the many services offered by an Ob-Gyn includes information on, the diagnosis of, and the treatment of menopausal issues.

Menopause is often defined as a natural life occurrence. This is because it is something that all women should experience. Menopause is used to signify the end of a woman?s child bearing years and the end of her menstrual cycle. On average, a woman will start to go through menopause around the age of fifty-one. Despite this average age, women can begin to undergo menopause at different ages. It is not uncommon for menopause to start before or after fifty-one years of age.

Most women will be able to determine, often right away, when they start to undergo menopause. This determination is easily made with age. However, as previously mentioned, some women can start to undergo menopause at an early age. In rare cases, women can begin to undergo it as early as thirty-five. Early menopause may make it more difficult to diagnosis. However, there are common symptoms. These symptoms may include irregular menstrual cycles, night sweats, insomnia, decreased sex drive, weakness, and fatigue. In the event that you display any of these symptoms, you are urged to schedule a physician?s visit. That visit may even be with an Ob-Gyn.

When visiting an Ob-Gyn, especially one that you have yet to use before, you may be concerned with your care. If this is the case, you may want to first schedule a consultation appointment. A large number of Ob-Gyns allow their new patients to schedule a consultation appointment, often for a reduced price. This consultation appointment should give you the opportunity to ask your Ob-Gyn questions. As with first time care, with any healthcare professional, there are a number of questions that you should ask.

One of the many Ob-Gyn questions that you should about ask is their professional level of experience. When partnering with a new physician, many individuals are concerned with the level of care they will be receiving. In addition to their experience as a whole, you may also want to ask questions concerning the issues that you are dealing with. For instance, if you are scheduling an Ob-Gyn appointment to seek menopause treatment, you may want to ask the Ob-Gyn questions on their area of expertise with this important health issue. You will find that most Ob-Gyns are more than familiar with menopause, as well as many other women?s health issues, but it may still be a good idea to ask.

It may also be a good idea to ask Ob-Gyn questions on menopause treatment options. Menopause treatment is obtainable a number of different ways. Many of these treatment options rely on the assistance and cooperation of a healthcare professional, but not all do. You may want to ask for your Ob-Gyn?s opinion on other popular treatment options, such as herbs and alternative medicine. These Ob-Gyn questions are important, especially when determining whether or not you share the same views on important health issues, namely the health issues that you are faced with.

Although your main concern, when it comes to asking Ob-Gyn questions, may be on your health, it is also important to determine how you will pay for your care. Many Ob-Gyns accept a wide range of health insurance coverage plans. If you do not have health insurance or if your coverage plan is not accepted, you will want to determine what your payment options are. Many women have a difficult time managing their menopause symptoms without professional assistance. If you are one of those individuals, the cost of your care should be important, especially when it may determine whether or not you are able to receive care.
Do you have ob-gyn questions but are afraid to ask? Find more information on this and other related topics at www.healthline.com

Menopause Symptoms And Solutions

You?ve recently noticed some changes in your physical appearance, your level of energy and/or your overall mood. Could it be that these changes are associated with menopause? If you?re a woman approaching middle age, yes, the symptoms you?re experiencing could very well be associated with menopause, even if you?re still having regular periods. You see, as you approach menopause, your hormone levels begin to decline, which can result in many of the symptoms you?re currently experiencing.

Obviously, the onset of menopause affects every woman differently, and symptoms can range from being very mild and hardly noticeable, to extremely severe and uncomfortable. Common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes or night sweats, difficulty sleeping through the night, weight gain (especially around the mid-section), vaginal dryness, mood swings or depression, feelings of confusion and hair thinning on your head. You?ll not necessarily experience all symptoms associated with menopause, but it?s quite likely that you?ll notice at least some changes occurring as you approach this time in your life.

Fortunately, there are remedies available to lessen these symptoms and make life much more comfortable and even enjoyable as the menopausal years approach. If you?re like many women, there?s a strong possibility that you?ll want to do all you can to reduce the severity of your symptoms by making a few simple lifestyle changes. For instance, if you?re experiencing hot flashes, try to avoid triggers that can contribute to the frequency and/or severity of this annoying and uncomfortable symptom. Many women have reported that consuming hot or spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine can bring on hot flashes. Additionally, feeling stressed or simply putting yourself in a situation where you?ll be in a hot place can contribute to the onset of hot flashes. If you?ve noticed that this is the case for you, do what you can to avoid these triggers. If you can, try to get into a regular exercise routine, as physical activity and exercise have been shown to reduce the incidence of hot flashes.

If you find that your sleep patterns are no longer patterns at all, but instead broken and interrupted periods of restless sleep, there?s a good chance this can be blamed on your declining hormone levels as well. If you want a good night?s sleep (and who doesn?t?) it?s a good idea to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Don?t, however, do so near your bedtime. Similarly, you?ll want to avoid smoking, consuming large meals and working right before you turn in for the night. It?s recommended that you keep your bedroom dark, quiet and cool so that you?re more likely to stay asleep once you?ve gone to bed. If you should happen to wake during the night, it?s a good idea to get up and read until you?re sleepy enough to fall back to sleep.

If you?ve experienced mood swings associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), there?s a greater likelihood that you?re sensitive to hormone changes and will, therefore, probably notice some moodiness and memory problems as you approach and experience menopause. Staying active and getting a sufficient amount of sleep will certainly help to alleviate these symptoms. Not only has exercise been proven to reduce or eliminate several symptoms associated with menopause, but it has been my own personal savior as I began gaining weight, experiencing night sweats and becoming moody and lethargic. When I began a regular exercise routine, one which included weight bearing exercises, the overall improvement in my physical and emotional states was absolutely astonishing.

Of course, some women will simply need to turn to other solutions to eliminate or lessen the severity of menopause symptoms. Vitamin E and some herbs have been known to reduce the incidence and severity of hot flashes. If you should choose to consider vitamins and herbs to assist with your menopausal symptoms, it?s a good idea to work closely with someone who is quite familiar with herbs and vitamins to ensure that you adjust your dosages as needed.

Hormone replacement therapy can help women who are experiencing more severe and difficult symptoms of menopause. As with many treatments, hormone therapy poses some risks, in addition to the possible benefits. It?s best to discuss the pros and cons of hormone therapy with your doctor so that you?re better able to make a well-informed decision regarding this treatment. If you should decide to use hormone therapy, try to use the lowest dose that helps you, and for the shortest period of time needed.

Remember, this can be the start of a wonderful period in your life. Treat your body well and the results will be extremely beneficial now and in the future.
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.

Understanding Your Symptoms Of Menopause

As a woman, you have probably been through many drastic changes in your life. Around early or late teen years came the concept of puberty and periods. Then for some came the miraculous, yet painful process of pregnancy. Once again, your body is ready to go through another hormonal change. It is important to learn and understand what your body will be going through. You will be thankful when you are prepared. Your loved ones will also be thankful when you have somewhat of a handle on this new experience.

Menopause can be identified with a few signs. The most popular sign is the start of irregular periods. Expect to go through abnormal vaginal bleeding. Your period may come once in every three months or so or two to three times a month. Some women come across heavy, painful bleeding, while others have barley any bleeding. It will feel like you are going through a uterine problems, but do not fear, this is the initial stage of menopause. The cause of these irregular periods is due to the fact that the ovaries are shutting down.

Along with wacky periods, you will experience symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and times of depression. Unfortunately, these symptoms can last as long as five years. More symptoms include hair loss, loss of libido, memory lapse, ringing ears, dry vagina, burning tongue/mouth, increased sensitivity to allergies, weight gain, decreased bone density, and muscle and joint soreness.

Among the physical hindrances that menopause brings, the worst symptoms would probably be the mental ones. While the physical symptoms can be annoying, the depression and mood swings can really take toll on a woman.

Now that you are aware of the symptoms, rest assured that there are many remedies. Visit a doctor who can help you through this time and prescribe you medication to ease some of the symptoms. The support of women friends who have gone through or are going through the same thing right now can offer you much encouragement and help you get through this new time in your life. Remember that you do not have to suffer alone.

Thanks for reading. If you found this article helpful you can check out more menopause tips, information, and more articles on my website: http://www.themenopausesymptom.com

Menopause And Weight Gain

If you're like many women who are thirty-and-forty-something, you've probably noticed that you're gaining weight that stubbornly refuses to take its departure. You're also probably thinking that this extra weight couldn't possibly be due to menopause - after all, you're still experiencing regular periods.

Weight gain in pre-menopausal women is quite normal because menopause actually occurs in three major stages and can take 15 years or longer, depending on your age and family history. The first stage of menopause is known as perimenopause, and symptoms include spotting, hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, irregular periods and weight gain.

Most women will notice weight gain as one of the first symptoms of menopause, especially around the abdomen. This is due to the fact that their hormone levels are declining drastically.

One of the hormones that will have an effect on women as they approach and experience menopause is estrogen, which is the female sex hormone that is responsible for causing monthly ovulation. During your menopausal years, your estrogen levels decline rapidly, causing your body to eventually stop ovulating. This is the hormone that seems to play a big role in menopausal weight gain. When your ovaries produce less estrogen, your body will look for other places from where to get needed estrogen. Fat cells in your body can produce estrogen, so your body works harder to convert calories into fat to increase estrogen levels.

Another hormone responsible for your new body is androgen, which can be blamed for sending your new weight to your middle section. In fact, weight gain during these menopausal years is often referred to as ?middle age spread? due to the rapid growth of the mid-section. Often, this is one of the very first signs of menopause.

Women also experience a drop in their testosterone levels during these years. While it?s true that testosterone is known as the ?male hormone,? women have testosterone too, and this hormone helps your body to create lean muscle mass out of the calories that you consume. Since muscle cells burn more calories than fat cells do, with higher testosterone levels you?ll have increased metabolism. Because your body is producing less testosterone during menopause you?ll notice a loss of muscle, an increase in body fat and a much lower metabolism. Muscle burns more calories than fat does, so the more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism will be. As you know, the lower your metabolism, the slower your body burns calories.

Women can benefit a great deal by committing to a regular exercise routine. It's important to know that weight training plays a very important role in losing the extra weight you've gained. You can keep the weight off by building muscle to help burn calories.

In summary, every woman's hormone levels decline at some point in their lives. Yes, this is going to result in some uncomfortable symptoms, but it's certainly not the end of the world. You can naturally reduce a lot of menopausal symptoms by simply making some lifestyle changes that will help to make you look and feel beautiful and energized.
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.

Menopause - You Deserve To Get Relief from Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Get Relief for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats related to Menopause

It seems like the late 30's or early 40's should be when women can have the time of her lives. The kids are probably gone, or at least a little grown up, and the career choices have been made.

Unfortunately, your hormones will soon begin changing and you may soon start gong into menopause. While menopause should be a reason to celebrate (no more monthly cycles), many women experience irritating side effects when there is less of the hormone estrogen in the system. The most common side effect is hot flashes (or hot flushes, as some call them when they cause flushing or redness of the skin).

Only 15% of women do not suffer from hot flashes, for the rest of us, the flashes can last from five to fifteen minutes at a time. Medical professionals have not determined how to tell how long (in months) they will continue. Because the body is trying to compensate to the lower estrogen levels, as soon as it figures out the proper adjustment, the hot flashes will stop.

One way medical science has decided to compensate is with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), which calls for a prescription of Estrogen pills, or a skin patch, to help estrogen levels go back to where they once were. Unfortunately, once you stop taking the pills, your body has to try to compensate again, and the hot flashes will reoccur. However, it is sometimes possible to decrease the dose of estrogen gradually, allowing the body to adjust more slowly.

But there are there natural alternatives for chemical HRT. And it's sad that less than two percent of doctors even mention alternative therapies (maybe because the pharmaceuticals make more money on the Estrogen Replacement Therapy). Thousands of women have tested natural therapies and agree that they work! There are a few natural things you should consider if you're not ready to put another chemical into your body.

Natural Care for Hot Flashes or Night Sweats

When hot flashes occur at night, you will experience night sweats (or worse yet, cold sweats). In the worst cases, sweating can get excessive and soak bedding and nightgowns. Here are a few things that you can do stay as comfortable as possible.

During the day, dress in layers so you can remove items, and put them back on when the hot flash is finished.

At night, wear cotton underwear and gowns that will absorb perspiration. These keep you cooler than synthetic garments.

Most importantly, start keeping a record of your daily routine and try to determine when you are most likely to get a hot flash. Certain foods or drinks can cause an increase in the amount and severity of the hot flash. Watch out for alcohol (especially red wine), caffeine, sugar, fatty dairy products, salt, spicy foods, saturated oils and monosodium glutamate (added to prepared foods to enhance flavor).

Last but not least, there are some herbs that contain healthy compounds that have proven to be affective. One of the main herbs is Black Cohosh, which is a thoroughly researched herb containing phytoestrogens and is approved by the German 'Kommission E" - a body similar to the FDA. You can find Black Cohosh in the appropriate portions in MellowPause.

In the case of severe menopausal symptoms, it is recommend that MellowPause be taken together with Dong Quai, which has been used for many centuries in traditional Chinese medicine.

In time this too shall pass. Menopause usually ends by the age of 51; but hot flashes may, if you're lucky, end much sooner than that.

Evelyn Grazini is a Health and Wellness Researcher, and the Editor at ?911 Menopause,? the site for Free reports on Natural relief methods for menopause symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats. http://www.911menopause.com.

Menopause Weight Gain

Weight gain in menopausal women, particularly in the abdominal area, is associated with decreased levels of the hormone estrogen. Fat accumulates around the stomach area, not around the hips and thighs as it does at a younger age. The exact mechanism of this weight gain is not fully understood. Also, with increasing age, there is more conversion of muscle tissue into fat and a tendency to gain weight. Women going through menopause may become less physically active, or change eating habits. Metabolism also slows down with increasing age. All these factors contribute to cause weight gain in women soon after menopause. Contrary to popular belief, hormone replacement therapy has not been shown to cause weight gain; it may actually have a protective effect.

Weight gain in the abdominal area should be kept in check, as it is associated with an increased chance of developing heart disease. This is accentuated by higher cholesterol levels in post-menopausal women. Weight gain may also lead to reduced physical activity, which in turn can result in further loss of muscle mass and weakening of the bones. Other conditions associated with weight gain are high blood pressure and diabetes. It is therefore important to prevent excess weight gain after menopause.

Steps women can take to limit weight gain are moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes each day and eating low-fat and high-fiber foods such as fruit and vegetables. It is important to avoid crash and fad diets as such diets result in more muscle loss and slow down the body's metabolism. Foods rich in fats, such as chocolate and fast food, should be sparingly consumed or avoided. Regular contact with a physician, dietician or other health care provider can improve chances of successful weight maintenance or weight loss.

Menopause provides detailed information on menopause, early menopause, male menopause, menopause and osteoporosis and more. Menopause is affliated with Endometriorsis And Infertility.

Menopause and Vaginal Dryness

Many women feel vaginal dryness during menopause due to the thinning of the mucus membranes and the loss of elasticity in the walls of the vagina. The reduction in the production of estrogen in the ovaries may cause the thinning of the vaginal lining. This, in itself, does not cause any problems, unless the lining of the vagina becomes inflamed and dry; then it is painful.

Vaginal dryness is medically known as 'atrophic vaginitis,' and it sounds like a disease, though it is not. It can be overcome with simple remedies, such as, a good nutritional program during your menopause. This is an excellent way of preventing your vagina from becoming dry and thin. Other solutions to the problem are the estrogen replacement creams, tri-estrogen cream or triple estrogen cream, and pills that your doctor can prescribe. Certain Over- The-Counter (OTC) vaginal lubricants could be helpful too. Applying Vitamin E oil helps hydrating the vaginal membranes.

If you are on medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants or other drugs with drying potential, these can cause drying of the mucous membranes, aggravating the problem. Doctors suggest a perineal wash (area between the posterior vulva junction and the anus in females) once a day. Women need to rinse the vulvar region (the external genital organs of the female, including the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and entrance of the vagina) with plain water. Opening the labia gently with one hand, water is either sprayed from a squirt bottle or poured gently from a square container.

Menopause, Vaginal Dryness and Sex Though menopause is nature's contraceptive, women need to wait at least a year before giving up on contraceptives.

During Perimenopause, the period leading to menopause, the sexual desire gets diminishes often. The thinning of the genital membranes and vaginal dryness often lead to discomfort during masturbation and sexual intercourse.

Women who have infrequent intercourse could gently stretch the vaginal tissues by inserting a couple of fingers in the vagina during bath. This may prevent vaginismus, a muscular contraction causing the vagina to close, and pain on penetration. Maintaining regular sexual activity, and/or masturbation will help. To aid vaginal lubrication, which is delayed with age, women can ask their partners to prolong foreplay. This could make penetration easy and comfortable.

Treating Thinning of Membranes and Vaginal Dryness ?? Start with drinking 2 liters of water and herbal tea every day. ?? Consumption of soybean stimulates estrogen production, leading to elimination of vaginal dryness in many women. ?? Adding canola, olive, sunflower, or soybean oil to your diet will add lubrication to your body. ?? Doctors suggest applying intra-vaginally, natural progesterone cream once a day. ?? In doses of 200 IU at a time, take 600 to 800 IU of Vitamin E daily. Vitamin E is contra-indicated for hypertension, diabetes or a rheumatic heart. You will need to consult your doctor. ?? One effective way of easing vaginal dryness is to insert a Vitamin E capsule intra-vaginally.

Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 26 years experience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy and plan development as well as management of communications nad public relations programs for small business sectors. She can be reached at Creative Communications; creative-com@cox.net or by vistiing www.everythingmenopause.com, www.everythingandropause.com or www.howtoconquermenopause.com

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.

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 Women's Health

Couples going through menopause often have unique struggles when coping with the new changes and challenges it brings to them both as individuals, and as partners. It is an inner battle mentally and physically for not just women, but men as well. For women, it may be hard to get a male partner to understand and be able to empathise with her challenges. But both sexes go through a form of menopause, and this transition is disruptive and even scary, and a certain level of understanding and communication is required for any one to have a quality relationship at this stage of life.

Nancy Cetel talks about many of the changes couples experience in her book Double Menopause, and what often happens is that emotions, including past hurts, hopes, dreams, etc., that may have been buried or unexpressed in the past, can no longer hidden. It cant be helped the truth will not be held back any longer. For some women, that shows up in pent up aggression that is taken out on a male partner by pushing him away and/or making him unable to relate to you on a physical level. Men need to know that the loss of desire for sex may be caused from the hormonal changes, but there might also be an emotional element that needs to be dealt with.

It is advisable that men in menopause couples acquaint themselves with the effects of menopause, in themselves and their partners, in order to better understand the changes their relationship is going through. Men soon realize that hormonal imbalances are causing unwanted emotional symptoms in women that could lead to verbal spats every now and then. Men need to be aware that emotional changes are likely to occur and that they are not to blame for them but that their partner may require extra attention, love and outward expressions of caring more now than ever before.

Men need to understand that their sexual drives could also have changed as they experience a slower loss of testosterone. To keep sexual interest, partners may need to put more time and attention into the quality of their sex lives and update themselves on what things turn them on at this stag of the game.

Men need to know that a decrease in estrogen in their lovers bodies can significantly alter how she thinks and feels about sex. In addition, vaginal discomfort and thinning of the lining of the vagina can make sex painful so it will not be enjoyable for either of them until they find a solution for this.

More than ever this is a critical time for couples to communicate more about the changes they are both experiencing. Christian Northrup talks about reversing roles as couples go through this transition in her book the Wisdom of Menopause. Men often lose a lot of the aggression that once fueled their younger years and they are happier to stay home and engage in more nuturing activities, that they never paid attention to before, such as cooking. Women, on the other hand, may want to venture out into the world and pursue a long-thought about career. They become more aggressive and passionate about accomplishing things. In this way, the couple almost switch roles in the relationship.

Talking a lot, expressing ideas, and bonding with one another again becomes critical during this transition. Men need to know what is happening to their women on a day-to-day basis, and visa versa. Women want men to cheer them on as they undergo significant changes including dealing with physical discomfort, hormonal imbalances, and possibly venturing out into the career world for the first time!

Men need to know that sex isnt going away totally. Explore sexual alternatives and realize that having less sex is not the end of the world! Experiment with vibrators, and oral sex, if you havent already as these are fine alternatives and to maintain a healthy sex life. Women love toys as much as guys do. Menopause might mean taking more time for foreplay for some women. Get into a habit of communicating your needs to each other and learn to enjoy the changes instead of fighting against them.

The most important thing is that husbands provide a social network for their menopausal wives to rely on. Realize that menopause is only a phase, albeit the end of the old and the beginning of a new one, and its possible to adjust to the changes by remaining aware. By staying informed of each others thoughts and feelings and becoming tolerant and understanding to the emotional pains women can go through, menopause couples can overcome most difficulties. And, who knows, you might like the new person you wake up to better! Think of it as another adventure.

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