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.

Menopause, Moodiness And Men

If you?re a woman experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, this means you?re dealing with hot flashes, weight gain, irregular periods, mood swings and/or other symptoms typical in middle aged women.

Quite often these symptoms are unsettling because you?re entering a new phase in your life and you?re not quite sure what to expect. Your mood swings may be as a result of declines in your hormone levels, but it?s also important to understand that it?s not unusual to experience everyday life events that can also bring on stress, depression or moodiness.

Perhaps your grown children are giving you reason to be concerned, or maybe you?re spending a lot of time helping an aging parent. In addition to trying to keep a home running smoothly, going to work, taking care of parents and dealing with your children, there?s a good chance you?re also dealing with a man (a.k.a. husband or mate).

It?s funny, but some of the personality traits that first attracted me to my husband now are a complete pain in my ?you-know-what.? For instance, I loved watching him get excited over a sporting event or video game. Now, these things irritate me. Not all the time, but when there are more pressing issues to deal with, such as a broken toilet, clothes dryer or numerous other items throughout the house that are in disrepair. I honestly believe that men will always be boys and this is just one more issue we women are faced with, along with so many changes taking place in our own bodies during this period in our lives.

Not only are men boys because they would rather ?play? than take care of responsibility, but so many men can become crabby and demanding at times, very much like small children. My sisters and I took a road trip one year, which should have taken about eight hours. Due to a poor sense of direction and numerous wrong turns, I believe we were probably in the car for a good eleven hours. We all had a good laugh discussing the fact that if our husbands would have been there, the extra time in the car would have been a tragedy equal to that of a nuclear war.

So, what should you do when you?re getting ready for work and your husband is complaining because he?s faced with quite a dilemma ? his coffee is cold. Or maybe he can?t find his blue shirt. Oh no! His wallet?s not where he put it. Unfortunately, it?s in our nature to nurture and take care of our husbands, so we stop what we?re doing and warm his coffee, find his shirt or his lost wallet. But, it?s so very important for you to also take care of yourself during this time. If that means neglecting your husband?s needs once in awhile, so be it. If your mate is in a lousy mood, don?t allow him to bring you down with him. Remember, you needn?t count on his happiness in order for you to be happy. Walk away. If you allow yourself to get into a confrontation or argument you?ll only be hurting yourself, sending your blood pressure sky-high and feeling emotionally and physically drained. If you?re not there to absorb negative feelings, he?ll just need to get over it, right?

Your body is going through some tremendous changes and needs to be well taken care of. If you continue nurturing everybody else and leave no time for yourself, there?s a very good chance that your hormones, combined with the many stressors you?re faced with on a daily basis will result in depression. Not only can depression leave you feeling lethargic, sad and hopeless, but it may also lead to physical conditions as well, such as heart disease and a loss of bone density.

Since the majority of us loves our mates and is still attracted to the boy in them, it?s not likely that we?ll be eliminating this particular ?pain-in-our-you-know-what? anytime soon. But, because you?re a strong, mature, capable and beautiful woman, it?s crucial to remain that way by nurturing your body; eat healthy, exercise regularly and take time for yourself. In a few years you?ll be past this transitional period and if you do as is recommended you?ll feel energized and able to enjoy life to its fullest.

Susan Megge is the founder of http://www.40isbeautiful.com, a website designed to assist women as they approach and experience menopause. Susan, a health and fitness expert started experiencing symptoms of menopause several years ago and researched various avenues to deal with these symptoms naturally. This led to her discovery that menopause can be a very manageable, and even wonderful time in a woman's life. Susan Megge is the author of "Being Beautiful Beyond 40," a book dedicated to helping women to be inspired, confident and beautiful as they approach menopause.

Do I Need Medical Treatment for Menopause?

At least 50 percent of women do nothing about menopause because they consider it a normal transition in life.

Women most likely to seek medical assistance during menopause are those experiencing severe menopausal discomfort or those at risk for developing serious health conditions that can occur during the middle and later years of life when hormone production changes. After a woman's body has made the hormonal adjustments, she faces post-menopausal changes in her body that may require serious attention in order for her to maintain optimal health into her later years of life.

Many women consult a physician when their menstrual periods become irregular in order to find out what's happening in their bodies; or, after their periods initially stop they wonder if they might be pregnant. (It is possible to become pregnant after your periods have stopped, so doctors advise that you should wait one year before discontinuing birth control.) Although a simple blood test can determine whether your body has menopausal hormone levels, blood hormone levels in many women become so erratic during the menopausal transition that menopause could be indicated by the test one week and the next week the results could be different.

Be sure to report to your doctor all discomforts or symptoms of abnormal health conditions you are experiencing, especially heart palpitations or bone discomfort. Now is the time to be very candid with your doctor about your personal health history and any medications you take--prescription and over-the-counter--and to discuss your genetic family health history in detail. This information provides a road map you and your doctor can follow to determine what your future health care needs may be, what preventive health care you may need, and what lifestyle changes may be beneficial. Various medical evaluations may be required to ensure that you are not at risk for serious immediate or long-term health conditions.

As your menopause proceeds, your doctor may want to schedule regular checkup appointments. The frequency of those visits usually depends on your current health status, your health risks, and any medications you are taking, including HRT if you decide it is the right choice for you. The average period of time during which a woman is aware of her menopausal transition is usually five to seven years, although some women may not know for sure when it starts or when it's over. After your body has made the hormonal adjustment, completing menopause, postmenopausal changes that occur in your body may require serious attention or lifestyle changes in order for you to maintain optimal health into the later years of life. The likelihood that you'll have postmenopausal health problems that could lead to serious disorders or disease is based on your personal health status, genetic family health history, lifestyle, and dietary habits before menopause, during menopause, after menopause, and into later life.

Note: When a woman's ovaries are surgically removed before she reaches natural menopause, she will go through menopause immediately.

http://www.bestpuerariamirifica.com

Am I Doing Anything That could Cause an Early Menopause?

Am I Doing Anything That could Cause an Early Menopause?

Your lifestyle can definitely influence when your body will begin manifesting symptoms of menopause, how easy or difficult your menopausal transition might be, and your postmenopausal health. Beginning with your overall health, factors such as diet, stress, physical activity, smoking, drinking, and environmental toxin exposure can also affect when your menopause begins and how smoothly you make the transition. Here's a brief rundown:

* Your overall health, which is definitely influenced by your lifestyle, can determine how well your body adjusts to the changes it's undergoing during menopause and afterward. The ovaries are glands that interact with various other glands located throughout your body, creating the endocrine system. Secretions from the glands stimulate and support every part

of your body. When one of these glands stops producing hormones, it affects all the rest. The body then attempts to rebalance itself naturally. If your body does not need to expend energy overcoming existing health problems, then it can adjust more easily to the changes of menopause.

* Negative stress can be detrimental to the body at any time, but unmanaged stress can increase hormone imbalances leading up to and during menopause, magnifying emotional and physical discomforts you may already be feeling. Ongoing unmanaged stress sends your body into an extended fight-or-flight mode, causing the adrenal glands to continually kick in, providing extra survival energy. Adrenal exhaustion can result, leaving your body unequipped to handle emotional and physical exertion of any kind. Moreover, the adrenal glands are then unavailable to convert androgens into estrogen when the ovaries are unable to do so. Since the adrenal glands play specific roles within the complicated endocrine system, loss of adrenal function at a time when you most need it affects your entire body. This can have a destructive effect on your menopausal transition, as well as your future health, especially your skeletal and cardiovascular systems. Chapter 7 offers many suggestions for how you can reduce the impact of negative stress on your health.

* Women who regularly consume substantial amounts of alcoholic beverages go through menopause earlier than those who do not. Excessive alcohol consumption is detrimental to any woman's overall health.

* Studies suggest that smoking cigarettes affects a woman's estrogen levels, in addition to the other damage it inflicts on the body. Reports also indicate that smokers go through menopause one to two years earlier than nonsmokers or ex-smokers. The longer a woman has smoked and the number of cigarettes she smoked daily seems to move her closer to an early menopause. Women who live with smokers and are exposed to passive cigarette smoke also seem to enter menopause earlier, as do women whose mothers smoked. Smokers are also at higher risk for developing health problems during their postmenopausal years, including osteo-porosis and cardiovascular diseases and disorders. We are only beginning to understand how exposure to toxic substances affects a woman's health, but the news is not good. Contact with chemicals in soil and water is being linked to higher risks of developing breast cancer, endometriosis, and osteoporosis, as well as being generally detrimental to a woman's overall health. Avoiding pesticides and chemicals, including those contained in household cleaning products, is better for your body and for the environment.

* Although the reasons are not clear, studies have shown that women who live at higher altitudes enter menopause years* earlier than women who live at lower altitudes.

Author Info... Annabel Cruz is a researcher that studies Natural healing by combining both Western and Eastern ways. Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine as long as the following information about author/website is included. http://www.bestpuerariamirifica.com

Menopause Werewolf

Menopause Werewolf

Do you send family members running for the hills or are colleagues looking at you like you?ve sprouted two heads? No you?re not turning into a werewolf at the next full moon. If you are a perimenopausal woman, it?s more likely you?re experiencing one of the more common and often misunderstood symptoms of menopause, irritability. The definition of irritability is: a quick excitability to annoyance, impatience, or anger. Sounds about right, on the surface your simply going about your business doing what you?ve always done. You arrive home from work tired and wanting a few minutes to unwind and almost instantly your husband asks what?s for supper, your son wants help with a project, and your daughter wants a ride to a friend?s house. A variation of this scene has played out thousands of times before but tonight your head is teaming with thoughts like?.. ?What you can?t work the stove??, ?Why does it always have to be me helping??, ?Couldn?t she have gotten a ride from her dad??, ?What do I look like the master servant!!?. You may utter a sarcastic quip or snap a retort but you just do it all and wonder what?s wrong with you. Does this sound a little too familiar? What you and those around you don?t realize is there is a major renovation underway.

Urban legend would have it that menopausal women are like werewolves with dropping estrogen as their ?full moon? to trigger the scary transformation from docile caretaker to raging lunatic. In fact mood swings do occur with the menopausal changes in hormonal balance. But the greater change is occurring in your brain. Your brain is essentially rewiring. There is new brain growth, specifically the myelin sheath, the coating that insulates the nerve and speeds up the connection between nerve cells, in the part of the brain responsible for emotional learning. These changes allow for greater clarity. This combined with the decrease in our ?nurturing? hormone, estrogen, accounts for our shift in awareness from caring for others to more self nurturing pursuits.

The irritability usually starts subtly, like low voltage through a wire barely strong enough to keep a pilot light lit. Over time the current becomes stronger and stronger until you could light a stadium with it. The minor irritability, low voltage anger, will continue to build if you ignore it. This is an internal signal telling you to take a look at what?s going on in your life and asking yourself if the situation is really serving you anymore. By answering honestly and taking a clear look at your needs you can renegotiate your relationships to better support you. Changing the unwritten contract in relationships, you know the one that says you do all the cooking or that it?s alright to make last minute requests that rob you of your down time, can be challenging and it takes time.

Here are some other immediate support measures to help ease the irritability.

? Keep alcohol and caffeine to a minimum
? Avoid processed foods
? Be sure to get enough calcium and magnesium
? Engage in stress reducing activities like meditation, yoga, exercise, fresh air & sunshine
? Foster supportive friendships

If ignored this irritability often blossoms into other health issues. After all it?s your body?s way of trying to get your attention to make some changes.

Cathy Brennan, owner of Pathways Coaching, is a Professional Coach specializing in Menopausal Women. She thrives on helping her clients maneuver through the menopause transition and design a life that they can?t wait to greet each morning. She has been a Professional Coach for 5 years and has 25 years experience as a Registered Nurse and Holistic Health Practitioner. To contact call 860-774-0006, email coach@pathwayscoach, or visit http://www.pathwayscoach.com. For a free Menopause Assessment go to http://www.assessmentgenerator.com/H/cRcoachcmb1156881430.html

Skin Changes During Menopause

During the course of the natural menopause process, many women notice surprising changes in the texture and appearance of their skin. Most women begin noticing a generalalized all-over drying of the skin. They also start to notice wrinkles forming where the skin has begun drying.

It is common to turn to estrogen based hormone replacement therapy to treat these and other menopause-related skin problems. The side effects from this type of therapy, though, can lead to further problems. If a cream form of estrogen is used on the affected areas, it can act as a moisturizing agent. However, this cream is unavailable n the United States so most doctors are unable to prescribe it. Progesterone cream has also been successful as a moisturizer, but most doctors believe the side effects outweigh any benefits of prescribing it to their patients. However, there are a number of anti-aging, non-prescription creams that are gaining popularity, and most of them are very effective. It is helpful to keep in mind though, that aging skin is a part of growing older. To some degree, accepting it instead of fighting it may help you retain abetter overall self-image. If you do attempt to use something like estrogen cream, you may have to live with side effects such as general weight gain or darkening skin.

If your skin loses its tone or the wrinkles appear rapidly, it may be an indication of collagen loss. This can result in more serious problems, like collagen loss in the bones. This may indicative of osteoporosis. If you suspect that this is the case, you should consult your physician immediately.

As your skin ages during menopause, you are more prone to developing broken capillaries or spider veins that are visible to the naked eye. One of the best available means to prevent these is full body moisturization. You can begin by increasing your daily regular water consumption. It is also beneficial to supplement your diet with raw flaxseed oil. It can be added to vegetables or salad. Using herbal liposome-containing skin products can also help moisturize your skin. Liposomes transport moisture to the cells below the epidermal layer. This can protect and benefit your overall skin tone.

There are a number of other available products that may moisturize your skin during menopause. Apricot kernel oil, Cocoa butter, olive oil, and almond oil have all been proven to be quite helpful at hydrating the skin. Alpha hydroxy acids naturally rejuvenates the skin by exfoliating it. Check the product labels on these products, to ensure that concentrations contain at least eight percent alpha hydroxy acid. Fruit acids are also effective to promote skin rejuvenation. Two popular examples are papaya and strawberry pastes.

Learn to live with your post-menopausal skin. Take care of it and protect it by remaining out of the sun and applying daily sun screen. Use only products that you know to be effective on your skin. Always consult your doctor or healer when you have concerns or are trying something new.

Mary Brown contributes articles to several well-known web sites, on health and wellness and women's health themes.

Two Types Of Herbs For Menopause Symptoms

Overview of Menopause symptoms

Menopause should not be regarded as an illness or a disease. It is simply an occurrence wherein the woman is entering her second phase of feminine life. Of course, these women are experiencing a gradual discomfort because of the transition?this is only natural. If there are telltale signs of menopause symptoms, you can opt to procure some treatment in order to minimize the feeling of discomfort.

But it is important to remember that any kind of treatment will not prevent you from undergoing menopause process, especially when your age is already falling from and between 48 ? 55 years old. It will only help you to deal a lot easier with menopause symptoms or relieve majority of their major discomfort effects. Your lifestyle might also need some changing especially your smoking, eating, drinking, and sleeping habits in order to minimize the severity of menopause symptoms.

What can herbs do to treat menopause symptoms?

There are many types of reliable herbs available that can treat menopause symptoms. They can maintain women?s healthy life even when menstruation process causes a lot of discomfort and decline in their health aspect. With herbs carefully and religiously applied you may not only alleviate those various forms of discomfort but you will also maintain your healthy life.

Two basic types of herbs for menopause

Phytoestrogenic herbs

These are the herbs or plants that contain natural phytoestrogen, a type of chemical compound, which is similar to the women body estrogen. These herbs work by replacing the lost natural body estrogen with the plant hormones, phytoestrogen. Aside from this, there are other elements of phytoestrogenic herbs that are considered beneficial to menopausal women such as amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Generally, these herbs are an alternative to disorders relating to low hormonal/estrogen levels.

Most popular phytoestrogenic herbs:

? Ginseng. Used to improve your overall vitality and energy, this is a dried root from one of the Araliaceae herb species.

? Ginkgo. Used to enhance memory, prevent memory-related diseases such as Dementia, Alzheimer?s and others. This herb is one of the oldest herbal medicines used in China.

? Dong Quai. Most effective in treating gynecological complaints caused by the change in hormonal production.

? Red Clover. Diseases treated are skin disorders and bronchitis, asthma and spasmodic coughing.

? Black Cohosh. Symptoms treated include depression, night sweats and hot flashes.

Non-estrogenic herbs

In contrast with the phytoestrogenic plants, non-estrogenic herbs, as the name suggests, are those plants that do not produce estrogen chemical structures. These plants are widely recognized by the doctors and medical experts because of their effectiveness to relieve women?s menopause symptoms. Furthermore, they are considered completely safe and do not provide side effects.

The right non-estrogenic herbs contain nutrients that can nourish endocrine system, eventually balancing your hormonal levels. With the proper application, occurrences of the loss of hormones will be reduced as they can promote your body to naturally produce the needed healthy level of estrogen hormones, without the distracting side effects.

Specifically, non-estrogenic herbs will provide relief to the following disorders relating to menopause symptoms:

- majority of the menopause symptoms
- hormonal imbalance
- osteoporosis or bone mass loss
- infertility
- sexual intercourse problems
- cardiovascular disease

It is important to note, however, that even these herbs are a natural treatment you need to research on the kind of plant that you are going to take as not all of these will relieve and alleviate you from those menopause symptoms. There are herbal plants that can cause many other side effects, may it be minor or major.
Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of menopausedomain.com. Visit Jeanette's site to learn more about menopause symptoms

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.

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

Hot flashes and other common menopause symptoms

Menopause is a natural life process for women. It

usually occurs in your early or mid-forties, and,

unfortunately, it is accompanied by a number of

symptoms that can be quite concerning to most

women. Some women experience very few changes

during this time, while others report noticeable

symptoms. The more you know about menopause, the

better prepared you will be to manage any

menopause-related problems that might come your

way.

These symptoms can be an indication of menopause:

Achy joints - hot flashes - temporary and minor

decrease in the ability to concentrate or recall -

changes in sexual desire - extreme sweating -

headaches - frequent urination - early wakening -

vaginal dryness - mood changes - insomnia - night

sweats - conditions commonly associated with PMS

....

Also, increased allergies, rapid heart beats,

breast soreness, tenderness, sudden weight gain,

hair loss, electric shock sensation, in body or

head, osteoporosis, fatigues.

One of the first symptoms most women see in

menopause is irregular or missed periods. When

menopause starts to occur, the estrogen and

progesterone levels, stimulated by the ovaries,

are seriously decreased. This means that the

ovaries no longer get the signal to release the

egg, which means that a woman will often notice a

disruption in her normal monthly cycle.

Another common symptom of menopause is a hot

flash. More than seventy five percent of women who

go through menopause experience hot flashes, in

varying degrees of severity. This makes a woman

feel flush. For example, she can be standing in a

room that is only seventy degrees, but she will

overwhelmingly feel as if someone has turned the

temperature up to ninety degrees. In the very next

moment, though, she may feel as if the room is

only forty degrees, and she is suddenly shivering.

These hot flashes can be accompanied by other

symptoms like dizziness, heart palpitations, or

faintness. Most hot flashes last up to ten

minutes, but not all women experience them to that

terrible degree. Some women simply acknowledge

them and move on. Poor diet and stress levels in

the woman's body have been shown to have a

negative effect on the entire process. Most women

will experience this symptom for five to six

years, though some women have them for the ten to

twenty years prior and following menopause.

Hot flashes typically lead to another common

symptom of menopause, insomnia. Because hot

flashes can occur both during the day and through

the night, many women will find that they wake up

drenched in their own sweat. Often they must get

up to change their clothes and their sheets to

escape the level of sweat that the body has

produced. If a woman is a light sleeper anyway,

and most are after they have children, it can be

impossible for her to fall asleep again.

Interestingly enough, though, night sweats aren't

the only thing that cause these sleep

disturbances. The hormone levels in the blood also

have an effect on the quality of a woman's sleep.

Fixing these hormone levels can sometimes

eliminate sleep difficulties.

Learning to identify the common symptoms of

menopause can help you learn to deal with them on

a much healthier level. Be sure to contact your

doctor if any of your symptoms are causing serious

problems in your life.

Birgit Jurock lives in Roberts Creek on the

Sunshine Coast in British Columbia. Read more

articles about menopause at

http://www.naturalmenopausetreatments.com

Birgit Jurock lives in Roberts Creek on the

Sunshine Coast in British Columbia.

Pueraria Mirifica Builds Up The Breast Produces Hormone In Menopause

Have you ever wondered if what you know about Pueraria mirifica is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on Pueraria mirifica.

A committee is appointed to study Pueraria mirifica. It is reportedly found to be efficient in building up the breast and working as a substitute hormone in Menopause women. The government sector is ready to revise the law for Pueraria mirifica to be a dietary reinforcement product. The result is expected to be known in 3 months.

Dr. Suraphong Suepwongli, the Deputy Minister of Public Health, has said that a meeting of the working group considering Pueraria mirifica, which consister of a group of researchers from Chulalongkorn University, the National Cancer Institute, the Institute of Dermatology, the Department of Medical Sciences, Mae Fa Luang University, etc., was held to determine whether or not it would be possible to promote Pueraria mirifica production as a topping industry for commercialized distribution, as a conclusion of which a national-level committee was set up to be in charge of pushing Pueraria mirifica, with Mrs. Khrueawan Somana, the Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Public Health, acting as the chairman of the working group for revising the law, since it lags far behind the laws of other countries. The meeting also arrived at a conclusion that Pueraria mirifica is clinically efficient in working as a substitute in menopause women and there is a trend that it will be used to build up the breast and to cure Alzheimer's disease by generating a regrowth of cells.

As regards toxicity, there is a conclusion from the National Cancer Institute that Pueraria mirifica is non-carcinogenic and this conforms to a research finding of King Mongkut's Hospital that Pueraria mirifica can also prevent cancer, so there came a conclusion that a national-level committee be set up to be in charge of pushing Pueraria mirifica, which will consider from research at a clinical and the revision of the medicinal herb law, because there is not yet any favoring law, and this law lags for behind the laws of other countries.

So far, we've uncovered some interesting facts about Pueraria mirifica. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

The patent question was extensively discussed, Dr. Suraphong said, because there is already a case of patent registration by a Thai. In fact, that is a patent registration seeking to concoct Pueraria mirifica as an ancient intellectual background. The focus at this moment is a process of turning the effective substance in Pueraria mirifica into a standard product and taking the process to register a patent, which a representative of the Department of Intellectual Property will be invited to joint in considering, and where possible, the patent will also be registered aboard.

Dr. Suraphong quoted Prof. Dr. Urusa Thepphisai, a researcher from Ramathibodi Hospital, as saying that Pueraria mirifica is registered as a traditional drug under the Drug Act, while in the United States of America Europe and Japan it is dietary reinforcement product. The Department of Medical Sciences, the Food and Drug Administration and the Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine have been ordered to collect group of ideas to revise the law within 3 months for the Cabinet to consider subsequently.

Pueraplus is a premuim grade Thai traditional herbal formula derived mainly from White Kwao Krua (Pueraria Mirifica) which contains Phytoestrogens (Natural Plant Estrogen). After many years of research from Thailand, the studies indicated that this herb shows estrogenic and rejuvenate effects to the female body especially at the breast, hip, facial skin, body skin, hair and vaginal epithelium. Thus elevate the appearance of the female secondary sexual characteristics and also the skin beauty.

That's the latest from the Pueraria mirifica authorities. Once you're familiar with these ideas, you'll be ready to move to the next level.

Anchalee Saechin is the webmaster of the pueraria mirifica natural breast enhancement and healthcare product review To Free BREAST SPRAY $ 40 at http://www.pueraria-mirifica.net

Menopause and Sex - What Every Woman Must Know!

As we enter mid-life, changes abound . But for women, it's not only hot flashes and mood swings that can dominate. Indeed many gals discover that the most disconcerting change of all can be the change in they experience in their sex drive.

In short - it can all but disappear.

For some, replenishing those dwindling hormones -with Mother Nature or Father Pharmaceutical - can be a big help.

But what if hormones aren't on your agenda? Not to worry - there are still things you can do!

Indeed, oftentimes small changes in areas of your life you might not even connect with sex - like nutrition, exercise, or even sleep - can make a huge difference in your ability to not only enjoy sex, but actually look forward to intimate encounters.

Here are five things from my book " Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause" that you can try right now to get your libido off and running!

# 1: Take a Nap

Although this probably doesn't sound either sexy or romantic, experts say that fatigue is the number one killer of great romance, not to mention terrific sex. Because night sweats and hot flashes may be keeping you awake at night, don't be ashamed to steal away for a cozy nap any time you get the chance. If you arrange for a rendezvous' with your partner upon waking, you may be surprised to discover how attuned you have become to what may have been "hidden" sexual desires.

# 2 : Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables

In addition to whatever " aphrodisiac" foods you may have heard of, at mid-life doctors say one of the best sex boosters is a healthy diet. Studies show that when the basic requirements for good nutrition are met, hormones function better. And that means you are less likely to feel the "bumps" in your perimenopause road as easily or as often. Also try eating six small meals a day rather than three large ones. This can help keep blood sugar stable which not only increases your energy level, but also can improve your mood and your desires.

# 3 : Quit smoking

You know it's bad for your heart and lungs - but did you know smoking can also put a damper on your sex life? In studies conducted on perimenopausal and menopausal women, doctors found that smoking as little as one pack a day had a greater ability to decrease sexual function than the hormonal changes of menopause! Smoking is also linked to a decrease in estrogen, which can impact sexual response and vaginal sensitivity. The good news: Just months after you stub that last butt, you'll see an appreciable change in your health - including a upswing in your desire for sex!

# 4: Take Time To Relax

Whether it's curling up with a great book, planting petunias in your garden, or taking a pottery class, take time to relax and watch the benefits flow in the bedroom! Indeed, studies show that stress can be the number one thief of sexual satisfaction, and, some experts say it can put a real damper on desire. The link involves an entire cascade of hormonal activity that is set in motion by your response to stress. Once it starts, it can impact a variety of physiological functions, not the least of which is mood - and desire. And, even if you have the desire to make love, being under stress can inhibit both your ability to become aroused and to reach orgasm. So, take a few deep breaths and learn to relax - and you might be surprised at how much better you feel about making love.

Menopause Sex Helper # 5: Buy New Shoes . . .

?or get a new hairdo, change your color, go for a make-over, get a facial, even lose a few pounds. Anything you can do to feel better about yourself IS going to make you feel better about relating to your partner, not just in the bedroom, but in ALL the rooms of your life! Certainly there are important physiological reasons why sex may not be on the top of your list during this time of your life. Sometimes, however, how we feel about ourselves, and even how we view the idea of aging itself, can greatly influence how we feel about having sex and even influence what we think about our own sexuality. Doing whatever you can to enhance your self image - in your own eyes- often translates into feeling better about your partner, your relationship, and ultimately your sexuality and your sensuality.

Colette Bouchez is the author of "Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause: Health, Beauty and Lifestyle Advice for the Best Years of Your Life" and director of http://www.YourMenopause.com. Visit today and get a free mid life health and beauty newsletter!

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