Perimenopause Symptoms and Solutions

Have you recently noticed that you?re gaining weight around your abdomen or mid-section, you?re not as energetic as you once were, your periods are somewhat irregular and you simply have an overall feeling of ?blah?? If so, there?s a good chance that you?re experiencing symptoms of perimenopause (the transitional period leading to menopause). In fact, hormone fluctuations during perimenopause can result in many of the symptoms you?re noticing.

As with many women?s conditions, the onset of perimenopause can affect every woman differently, and symptoms can range from being very mild and hardly noticeable, to extremely severe and uncomfortable. Common symptoms of perimenopause include hot flashes or night sweats, difficulty sleeping through the night, weight gain (especially around the mid-section), vaginal dryness, mood swings or depression and feelings of confusion. Most women don?t experience all symptoms associated with perimenopause, but it?s quite likely that you?ll notice at least some changes occurring as you approach menopause.

Believe it or not, there are remedies available to reduce these symptoms, resulting in a much more comfortable and even enjoyable transition as you enter the menopausal years. If you?re like many women, there?s a good chance 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 uncomfortable symptom. Many women have reported that consuming hot or spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine can bring on hot flashes. Also, if you?re feeling stressed or simply find yourself in a warm room you may notice that there?s a greater likelihood that you?ll experience hot flashes. If this is the case, 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?ve noticed 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 an increased chance that you?re sensitive to hormone changes and will, therefore, probably notice some moodiness and memory problems as you begin to experience symptoms associated with perimenopause. 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 perimenopausal symptoms, 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 perimenopause 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 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 perimenopause. As with many treatments, hormone therapy poses some risks, in addition to the possible benefits. It?s best to discuss the benefits and risks 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.

Remind yourself that this can be the start of a wonderful period in your life. Treat your body well and the results will include a healthy, beautiful and energetic you.

Susan Megge is the founder of 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 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.

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.

 

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.

Medical Facts About Menopause

Approximately two million American women enter menopause every year. Menopause indicates the end of woman?s reproductive life.

Menopause causes some huge hormonal changes that are blamed for everything from dry skin to mental illness.

The average age of menopause in U.S. is 51. The huge majority of women enter it between 44 and 56. However, approximately one percent of women experience it before age 40.

Perimenopause is the transition that starts when your menstrual periods begin to become irregular. It ends 365 days after they stop totally. Perimenopause typically lasts from 2 to 8 years.

Technically speaking, menopause is just one day. It is the last day of your final period. However, menopause is confirmed after you have missed 12 consecutive periods.

Going through menopause does not mean goodbye to sex. Sex can be painful because there is a loss of vaginal elasticity and a drop in lubrication.

Hot flashes are more common in early postmenopause than in perimenopause, but they go away sooner or later.

Hormone-replacement therapy is not bad. Doctors can?t agree how long it is safe to take hormones. Lots of experts say forever; others say a year or 2; and a handful say never.

There is no scientific evidence that bioidentical hormones are the safest kind of hormone-replacement therapy.

Menopause is not responsible for depression, anxiety, severe memory lapses or erratic behavior.

A great number of menopause symptoms can be caused by other medical problems. You need to have a systematic checkup.

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

Know About Menopause - Symptoms, Treatment And Diet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

While there are several symptoms of menopause, there are even more solutions to reduce or eliminate menopausal discomforts. Many women choose to make lifestyle changes that have been proven to effectively reduce the severity of symptoms associated with menopause. For instance, it's a good idea to avoid triggers that have been known to cause hot flashes, such as hot beverages, spicy foods, alcohol, hot weather and warm rooms.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 on many topics including Women, Beauty, and Women's Health

All You Wanted To Know About Menopause and Its Prevention

Menopause occurs when a women stops ovulating and her periods ceases. Most women reach menopause between 45 and 55 years, with an average age around 50. But about 1% reaches it before 40, which is known as premature menopause or premature ovarian failure.

For women in their teens and 20’s the loss of their fertility is devastating. They will also experience a long period of postmenopausal life, and hormonal replacement therapy may be advised.

Symptoms:

Menstrual cycle changes Changes in the bleeding pattern Hot flushes Sweats Urinary problems such as incontinence or increased frequency of urination. Dry vagina Mood changes Weight changes etc

Are some of the basic symptoms.

Prevention:

We can prevent early Menopause, by preventing unwanted surgeries, of the uterus or the ovaries unless there is strong indication for their removal. Such Surgeries can lead to autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, Rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disorders. Conserving even a single ovary can help in preventing the onset menopause.

Urban women have access to information or counseling, but unfortunately the women in rural areas of Asia have no such knowledge. The good news for those who would like to rule out doubts about the onset of menopause will soon be available in the form of LH Kits ( Leutinizing hormone ) to check their ovulation especially used with infertility patients. While stress cannot be over emphasized, it has a role in temporary or prolonged cessation of periods.

Treatment:

Generally early menopause too is treated in a similar way as menopause itself, through HRT ( Hormone Replacement Therapy ), life style modification,calcium and good nutrition.

HRT – It must be borne in mind that an extensive study shows that HRT is not a protection against heart diseases as was believed before and infact not quite the “happy pill” – that women had thought is given up to the age of menopause.

About The Author

Venkata Ramana is a Fitness Enthusiast and a Professional Body Builder. Visit his http://www.awbodybuilding.com/ and http://www.awweightloss.com/ websites and gain maximum Information to stay fit and healthy.

venkata@awbodybuilding.com