Birth Control and Perimenopause: When do I stop taking the Pill?

Perimenopause is the time just before menopause. Officially, menopause starts the year after you have finished menstruating, and perimenopause starts three to five years earlier. As your body changes, should you be reconsidering your birth control options?

So you're in your late forties, or your fifties. Your body is acting differently. You aren't sure if the changes are your birth control or your body, how do you react? If you are still getting your period, you can still get pregnant. You should still use birth control until a year after your last period, because often periods become irregular and have a longer time between them during perimenopause. If you have been relying on fertility awareness based methods of birth control, they will no longer work, because you will no longer be able to track your cycle accurately. If you are using barrier based methods of birth control, then you can continue using your regular method (diaphragm, sponge, condoms, etc). The difficulty at perimenopause comes if you are using hormonal birth control, such as the pill, the patch, or the vaginal ring among others.

Some doctors recommend switching birth control pills to a low-dose birth control pill at perimenopause. This would mean switching to a pill that has 20 micrograms of estrogen (such as Alesse or Loestrin), instead of the normal 30 to 50 micrograms of estrogen in a combination pill. The benefits of changing to a lower dose hormonal birth control are that you will still be protected against pregnancy, and your final periods will probably be more regular. Many women find that their side effects are fewer with lower doses of estrogen. NuvaRing is a vaginal ring that is inserted once a month and removed 21 days later; it also has a lower dose of estrogen than most birth control pills.

You are going to have to stop taking birth control at some point in your life. In the past, doctors would randomly choose when to stop you on birth control and when to begin you on hormone replacement therapy for menopause. This often happens around the age of 50. Now, doctors can measure your FSH, or follicle-stimulating-hormone to tell if you are in menopause. This way you can switch hormone therapies directly when it suits your body.

However, being medicated on hormones your entire life is not appealing to many women. You might choose to change to alternative forms of birth control. These include getting an IUD, or switching to a barrier method of birth control (like a cervical cap, condoms, etc.).

Going off birth control can cause difficulties for some women. A woman's body can become accustomed to being on contraceptive pills for years. It will take months for the pill to leave your body. Your body will learn to create different hormone levels for you.

There are many natural ways to deal with the side effects of perimenopause. The most important thing to remember is to maintain a balanced diet and exercise. It sounds overly simple, but for most of us, it can be one of the biggest challenges we face in our busy lives. Proper diet and exercise can help minimize side effects of perimenopause, and it will help you to feel better about yourself.

If you want to try going off birth control pills, you can stop at any time (though many women choose to finish one monthly cycle before ending. Try lowering your caffeine and alcohol intake. Other women use progesterone-cream to help lessen their side effects.

Perimenopause and menopause is a time of great change in a woman's life. This is a time to step back and begin listening to your body. Many women rush around their lives putting everyone else first: take this time to improve your own life by talking to your doctor and making informed decisions about your hormone use during perimenopause.

For more information on birth control, including hormonal, barrier-based, and biological methods, and more information on your fertitility, visit The Guide to Birth Control

8 Ways To Prevent Osteoporosis And Heart Disease During Menopause

Osteoporosis causes bones to lose mass and density. As the bones become porous and brittle, the chance of fracture is greatly increased. Often there are no symptoms and a person only discovers that they have osteoporosis when they suffer a fracture.

Heart disease includes a number of conditions affecting the structures or function of the heart. They includes coronary artery disease (including heart attack), abnormal heart rhythms or arrythmias, heart failure, heart valve disease, congenital heart disease, heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), pericardial disease, aorta disease and Marfan syndrome, vascular disease (blood vessel disease).

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. thus, it is essential to learn how prevent heart disease.

During menopause, many women are easily getting osteoporosis. Indeed, it would also be easy for them to get heart disease.

How is that?

Women, during menopause, might be lack of estrogen. This causes bones to lose calcium and become weaker, putting them at risk for severe bone loss or osteoporosis. A lack of estrogen also increases risk of heart disease.

However, there are steps you can do to prevent osteoporosis and heart disease, such as:

1. Get enough calcium to keep your bones strong. Before menopause, you need about 1,000 mg of calcium per day. After menopause, you need 1,500 mg per day. You also can talk with your physician about taking medicine to help preserve bone and slow down bone loss. Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. Try weight-bearing exercises, like walking, running, or dancing.

2. Eat healthy by including plenty of whole grain products, vegetables, and fruits in your diet. Choose a diet low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.

3. Maintain a healthy weight. Ask your health care provider what a healthy weight is for you.

4. Control your blood pressure. Ask your health care provider what a healthy number is for you and how often you need it checked.

5. If you have diabetes, control and monitor your blood sugar levels.

6. Lower your cholesterol to the right level. Ask your health care provider what a healthy level is for you.

7. If you smoke, try to quit. Ask your health care provider for help or visit this special section of the NWHIC web site: www.4woman.gov/QuitSmoking

8. If you drink alcohol, limit it to no more than one drink per day.

So, if you think that your menopause has begun, it is important for you to pay attention to the eight essential ways to prevent osteoporosis and heart disease.

Riana Lance has a deep concern on health. Get her inspirational guides on How to Cure Insomnia at http://healthifica.com/guides/menopause-stress/ Also, grasp her other motivational health tips at http://www.healthifica.com, a worth-to-visit daily updated blog.

Early Menopause

Early or premature menopause is defined as menopause before the age of 40. Premature ovarian failure, surgery, and chemotherapy may all result in early menopause. About one in a hundred women may experience early menopause; some may be teenagers or in their twenties. Symptoms of early menopause tend to be very similar to those of normal menopause. Changes in the timing and duration of menstrual periods and hot flashes are common.

In some women, early menopause may be due to failure of the ovaries and is called premature ovarian failure. It is thought that such failure is due to hormonal, autoimmune or genetic processes, which result in a depletion in the number of viable eggs in a woman?s ovaries. This depletion may be complete, or, in approximately ten percent of women who have premature ovarian failure, partial. These women have a reduced but possible chance of becoming pregnant. Recent research has shown that female twins may be up to four times more times more likely than other women to undergo spontaneous early menopause. Either or both twins may be affected.

Surgery is another cause of early menopause. When the ovaries are removed or damaged during surgery, there is a rapid reduction in estrogen and progesterone levels and the immediate onset of menopause. Because the hormonal changes are so abrupt, menopausal symptoms tend to be more intense.

Women who undergo chemotherapy for cancer treatment may have premature menopause. Cancer-killing drugs may damage other tissues too, including ovarian tissue. Tamoxifen, a drug prescribed in certain types of breast cancer, has an anti-estrogen effect and can also trigger early menopause. Sometimes, chemotherapy-induced menopause may be temporary.

Early menopause can be extremely distressing, particularly when it occurs in younger women who may not yet have had children or completed their families. Besides treatment of menopause symptoms, some women benefit from counseling to address emotional issues.



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

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.

The Importance Of Fitness During Menopause

Learn About the Crucial Links Between Fitness and Menopause

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

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

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

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

Simply stated, making fitness and exercise a priority will benefit most women who are approaching or experiencing menopause, and the positive results, both physically and emotionally, are well worth the extra time required to begin and continue a regular exercise routine. It's easy to make excuses to not make time to ensure that fitness is a priority, but it's crucial to understand that being regularly active will lead to overall good health now and in the future. The only results you'll see from your added physical activity will be those that are very beneficial to you and those you love. Susan Megge founded http://www.40isbeautiful.com to assist women with issues related to menopause, such as weight gain, hot flashes, mood swings, etc. Susan Megge is the author of "Being Beautiful Beyond 40," a book dedicated to give women the confidence and inspiration to experience menopause with minimal symptoms and learn to embrace these years.

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 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.

The Importance Of Fitness During Menopause

Learn About the Crucial Links Between Fitness and Menopause

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

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

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

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

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

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

List Of Common Menopause Symptoms

Below is a partial list of Menopause Symptoms. As you read through the list I think it will help you to see that these are some of the normal changes you may experience when you're entering the menopause arena! Even though these symptoms can be scary, it can be a comfort to know that you aren't experiencing these menopause symptoms alone! There are thousands and thousands of women just like you and me who face these issues every day. Together we can conquer menopause. Lets take a quick look.

- Irritability - Hot flashes, night sweats, cold flash or clammy feeling - Heartbeat irregularities - Mood swings - Can't get a good nights sleep - Irregular periods; heavy to very light periods, longer or shorter cycles - Loss of sexual interest - Vagina dryness, can be painful during sexual intercourse - Extreme fatigue - Feelings of anxiety and/or depression - Memory lapses - Tenderness in your breasts - Weight gain, especially in the waist and thigh area - Disorientation, difficulty in concentration, mental confusion - Sudden onset of bloating - Losing your balance, light-headed, dizziness - Changes in your body odor - Itchy skin, a creepy crawly feeling - Increased muscle tension - Increase of facial hair

When your hormone levels change you can experience a wide variety of symptoms. Some symptoms will last for a short period of time while others can last for years. While some women just breeze through menopause with little or no symptoms, some of us suffer severely with the menopause symptoms.

What can we do to help ourselves?

Try to keep a diary of your changes. This will help you figure out what is going on with your body. You will start to see a pattern that will help you figure out your transition point into menopause. Keep track of any type of treatments you've tried as well. This will help you gain insight into helping you manage your menopause symptoms in the future.

Every woman will have her own unique experience during the transition into menopause. Just because you have a severe symptom today does not mean its going to last forever.

Remember, there are many ways you can take control of your menopause symptoms. You CAN Conquer Menopause!

A final thought... Don't look at the changes as 'negative' ones. Having a positive mental attitude will go a long way in helping you cope with menopause symptoms.

Carlie Edwards publishes articles & resources on Today's Issues & Topics. For info on Menopause Relief visit Menopause Relief For a variety of topics & issues visit Natural Beauty Tips

Male "Menopause" - The Alternative Anti-Aging Approach

 

If you are a male over the age of 40 and are suffering from weakness, impotence, pain, stiffness, drooping muscles, depression, anxiety, or heat intolerance, you may be experiencing "andropause".

Andropause is a syndrome resulting from the deficiency of hormones, especially testosterone. It's onset and symptoms may not be as dramatic as female "menopause", but its effects can be just as serious. It is interesting that hormone replacement is quite routine in women but barely even addressed in men. The decline in hormone levels in both sexes has an adverse impact on one's state of health. Starting around age 25, DHEA and testosterone levels begin a progressive downward trend. With falling hormones, it is much harder to maintain muscle mass. Things begin to sag and fat begins to form increasingly thick layers around the lower back and abdomen. Stamina is affected and exercise intolerance occurs. Osteoporosis is well-documented in women and occurs in men as well. This can result in hip and vertebral compression fractures. Wrinkles that carve deep crevices in the face are partially due to testosterone deficiency. Libido is reduced and even impotence may develop. These changes are all a result of male "menopause".

Hormone replacement has been available for women for decades and the positive results continue to multiply. In Anti-Aging medicine, it is expected that maintenance of hormone levels in the youthful range (that of a 25-30 year old) will provide substantial health benefit. Proper monitoring of hormone replacement is a relatively recent innovation that makes this therapy much safer. We can now insure proper dosages in the accepted normal physiologic range. Cancer risk is greatly reduced by this refined approach to replacement therapy.

The decline in testosterone occurs as a result of multiple causes and treatment should be directed accordingly. Aromatase (an enzyme that converts Testosterone into Estradiol) increases as we gain years. This increases raises the free estrogens and lowers the free Testosterone. Prostate cancer is correlated with high circulating estrogens. Aromatase inhibitors, such as chrysin, nettle extract, and Arimidex can inhibit aromatse. Testicular atrophy leads to decreased testosterone production. A course of treatment with HCG stimulates testicular development and can boost Testosterone production. A complete vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant supplement plus a proper diet help to correct nutritional deficiencies. DHEA and possible melatonin replacement also serve as alternatives and as adjuncts to testosterone therapy. A diet that includes a large amount of legumes, especially soy, is helpful in providing the necessary building blocks for our bodies to manufacture hormones. Maintaining cholesterol in the normal range (not to high or to low) is also critical for hormone synthesis. Testosterone replacement can be accomplished by the use of creams, pills or even injection. It is best if the physiologic patterns natural to the body are mimicked, which makes injection less favorable. Creams containing natural testosterone are well absorbed through the skin, bypass metabolism by the liver, and are easy to apply, thus making them superior to pills. The potential risks of testosterone administration include increases in red cell mass, worsening of sleep apnea, changes in plasma lipid levels, and fluid retention. There is some concern that testosterone replacement might exacerbate benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). There is no change in PSA with testosterone therapy. You are not a candidate for this replacement therapy if you have an active testicular or prostate cancer. Finally, testosterone supplementation may produce adverse side effects if administered to men with normal levels, hence the importance of monitoring.

With proper replacement, you can expect to regain muscle mass, increase bone density, increase stamina, increase libido, reduce your risk for a variety of cancers and Alzheimer's disease, and live an improved quality of life.

Dr. Rod Rojas is a board certified physician and Medical Director of IHC SKIN LASER & ANTI-AGING CLINIC, member of the prestigious American Academy Of Anti-Aging Medicine.

If you are suffering any of these symptoms, give us a call at The Skin Laser and Anti-Aging Clinic 843-757-8717.

We will be very happy to assist you.

Is Menopause Starting? How Can You Tell

Some women have the expectations that the beginning of menopause will be clearly defined, unfortunately, it's not that simple. Even doctors can't be sure if menopause is beginning or not, even after you've fully explained all your symptoms.

Symptoms of menopause can be symptoms of other conditions as well, this is where the confusion comes in. Your doctor will most likely want to do some hormone testing to determine exactly what is going on. Hormone testing is simply drawing blood. Menopause can be a mystery, it may occur in some women that are as young as 30 years old or wait until a woman is over 60 years old before menopause begins.

It's extremely difficult to predict the timing of menopause. There are several factors that can act as signals however, such as family history. You will be more likely to go through menopause early if your mother did.

Gathering information from your mother or grandmother as to what age they went through menopause can be very helpful but don't expect it to be completely accurate. This is however, a good place to start if you're curious about it. The current data shows the average age for women to start menopause is around 51 years old.

There are many other factors that can help you to determine when you may start going through menopause. Are you a smoker? Studies have shown that women who are smokers are more likely to reach menopause before non-smoking women do. Although this information varies, it is believed that smokers will reach menopause on an average of two years before a non-smoker will. While this is still being studied, it's certainly something to consider.

At present there doesn't seem to be any relationship with menopause and the start of a female's menstruation. It's also not related to motherhood, birth control, height or a persons race.

You can try to recognize the menopause transition, therefore, getting a head start on the process! This transition is referred to as perimenopause. Perimenopause normally happens about six years before full menopause begins.

During the perimenopause transition, your hormones are beginning to fluctuate. You may start to notice irregular periods. Many times these irregular periods deal with the level of the flow and the length of the period.

You may also start to experience hot flashes. You could also find yourself having night sweats, occasional mood swings, and changes in your libido. Although these changes are not as prominent in the beginning, they are present in most women. During perimenopause, the average woman may only experience these symptoms once a month or every few weeks. However, during menopause you'll find these symptoms will most likely occur much more frequently or even everyday.

You'll be able to start recognizing these symptoms as a beginning point to menopause. Keeping a diary is a great way of tracking the patterns that may be developing. Write down things like; how long did your period last; what was the level of flow; did you experience hot flashes and things such as this. By keeping track of what's going on you will have a much easier time talking with your doctor about what patterns are occurring and what steps you need to take next.

Carlie Edwards publishes online articles & useful information for Women. For info on Menopause visit Menopause Symptoms For a variety of related topics visit Health-And-Beauty-Worx.Com

Preventive Measures To Combat Early Menopause

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

The Advantages of Hormone Therapy to Menopause Women

Menopause is a change that any woman would undergo whether she likes it or not.
A woman can be considered menopause when her period ceases. There are changes
that occur in the womans body during menopause, like lesser production of
hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Women are considered menopause when
their menstruation stops for a period of 12 months in a row, the usual age for
women to menopause are ages 45 and 55 years old. Different women experience
different symptoms during menopause on the other hand some women may not feel
any symptoms at all. The usual symptoms accompanying a menopause are as follows:
changes in the period, hot flushes, night sweats as well as sleeping problems
that leads to stress and vaginal changes wherein the vagina may become dry and
thin thus making sex rather painful. Still other women experience thinning of
the bones that leads to loss of height and osteoporosis.



There are ways on how to lessen the effect of menopausal changes like taking
hormones or hormonal pills. These hormones or hormonal pills can reduce hot
flushes, treat vaginal dryness as well as slows down bone deterioration.
However, before taking any hormones or hormonal pills, women should try to visit
their doctors first for a complete checkup in order to get the right kind of
hormones or hormonal pills that would best suit them. Like any medicine,
hormones or hormonal pills have risks and benefits. Hormones or hormonal pills
are not advisable for women who are pregnant, have problems with vaginal
bleeding, have cancers, have or had a stroke or heart attack in the past year,
have blood clots and have liver disease.



The use of hormones or hormonal pills is part of a hormone therapy for women who
are undergoing menopause. In addition, hormone therapy is also termed as hormone
replacement therapy (HRT). Hormone therapy for menopausal women reduces the
effect of menopause in women. Hormone therapy is considered to be one of the
most effective relief for various menopausal symptoms. Hormones also reduces the
chance for women to have osteoporosis. Aside from that, hormone therapy able
women to have an active sex life since it help in the production of vaginal
lubrication. The most common hormones given to women who are undergoing
menopause are estrogen or estrogen with progestin which is another hormone.
Hormones or hormonal pills should be taken at the lowest dose as possible and as
much as possible to be taken only for a short period.

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