Menopause Symtoms. It's Not that Bad. You Still Can Enjoy

Menopause is the condition when a woman has stopped having menstrual periods for over a year; this means that she is not considered fertile anymore. This phase regularly occurs around the age of 50. It may occur earlier when, due to a disease, a woman lost her ovaries. There are cases when women get to the menopause when younger (about 40 or so). When women suffer menopause when they are less than 40 years old, it is considered a premature menopause. This only occurs in about 1% of all women. Another concept you'll hear is "Perimenopause". This is a term that it's used when women start having menopause symtoms before the actual menopause phase. This period of perimenopause normally appears months or even years before women suffer the actual menopause phase.

Menopause Symtoms

Menopause symtoms vary. Some women don't even experience symptoms; they just get irregular menstrual periods for months before their actual menopause. What most women DO experience are hot flashes and/or night sweats. Some experience vaginal dryness, problems to sleep or mood changes. Some women might experience bladder control problems, headaches, fatigue, depression, heart palpitations, muscle pains. Other menopause symtoms may include discomfort during sex; this is due to the vaginal dryness mentioned before. However some women enjoy sex even more since pregnancy risk is not an issue any more. All women are unique so are their particular menopause symtoms. Menopause symtoms start to appear when levels of estrogens and other hormones decrease in women bodies. Every woman is born with a determined number of eggs in their ovaries. When the number of these eggs decreases to almost nothing, estrogen and other hormones levels decrease too. Hormone replacement therapy has been the most popular treatment to reduce menopause symtoms. However, recent studies have shown long term risk when follow this treatment which have lead patients and doctors to look for new alternatives. Herbal remedies have become very popular an effective. For example, the herb black cohosh is been very effective to treat hot flashes and night sweats. Don't forget to try good vitamin supplements which have reported good results in reducing the suffering of menopause symtoms.

Victor C.'s mother was suffering Menopause and she looked so bad that he started to look for a way to make her feel better during this phase. See what he found in order to help his mom by visiting: http://www.the-best-on-line.com/menopause/menopausesymptoms.html

Menopause Symtoms

Menopause And Depression

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Susan Megge is the founder of http://www.40isbeautiful.com, a website designed to assist mature women as they approach and experience menopause. Susan started experiencing symptoms of menopause several years ago and researched various avenues to deal with these symptoms naturally. This led to her discovery that menopause can be a very manageable, and even wonderful time in a woman's life. 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.

Herbal Combination For The Treatment Of Menopause

When a number of herbs are combined in a singe supplement, it is called a herbal combination. It is often used to treat the uncomfortable symptoms and side effects of menopause.

While herbal combinations used to treat menopause contain many different herbs, some of them are common and are referred to as ?female herbs?. They are given below:

Black Cohosh

Known for its curative properties black cohosh or Cimicifuga racemosa were used by native Americans to cure many female problems. Experiments done recently shows that it contains many ingredients which classify black cohosh as a phytoestrogen,. The components are acetin, cimicifugioside, acetylacteal, 27-deoxyactin, cimigenol, and deoxyacetylateal. Though its exact mechanism of action is not known, various clinical studies have revealed its hormonal properties. This makes black cohosh a popular ingredient in herbal combinations meant for menopause treatment.

Dong Quai

Another oft-used ingredient to treat menopause is a herb called dong quai. Also known as Angelica sinensis, this herb is originally from China, where it has been used as a food additive for more than a thousand years. The herb is used in China to treat various ailments, of which treating menstrual problems and menopause are two of them. It is known as the ?menopause herb? in western countries where it is used to correct hormonal imbalance.

Chaste Berry

This comes in the shape of a large shrub, common to the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. The name is derived from its property to suppress sexual desire. Used by Greeks and Romans to promote chastity, the Chaste berry was used by medieval monks to lessen sexual desire. These days this herb is used extensively to treat various disorders of the female reproductive system. Physicians who believe in naturopathy recommend this herb for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome as well as peri and post menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, etc. No wonder then that chaste berry is used as a herbal combination for the treatment of menopause.

Over and above the herbs mentioned above herbal combinations also contain other herbs which are useful to treat some specific symptoms. Herbs like mix soy, kava, and dandelion root, added with a dose of vitamins E, C, and B, magnesium, and calcium are frequently added to menopausal herbal combinations.

The quantity of herbs which are used for herbal combinations are usually very small, but the overall effect it has on symptoms like hot flashes and other distressing symptoms of menopause is commendable.

Simply because the menopausal herbal combinations draw its benefits from herbs, trying out these on your own should be done with caution. Proper research should be done with each item before ingesting any of the herbs. Because some herbs do not go well with other herbs and could prove to be a health hazard also.

Read the labeling instructions carefully before trying out any of the menopausal herbal combinations, to check whether all the critical ingredients are there or not. Special look out should be made for black cohosh. Also check the number of milligrams of the ingredients in the herbal combination.

To know more about the many herbal combinations available in the market, talk to your health food store attendants. Or better still, talk to your physician if he is a herb believer. Much information is available online also and you can order and get the products delivered to your doorstep.

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

Herbal Remedies For Menopause

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

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

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

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

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

Menopause Weight Gain ? You Can Lose It

It?s probably safe to assume that the reason you found this article is because you?ve gradually, but progressively gained some unwanted weight, especially around your mid-section. This is somewhat surprising since you?ve not necessarily changed your lifestyle or eating habits. As a matter of fact, there?s a good chance you?ve even cut your caloric intake, but still the weight remains. Could this weight gain be associated with menopause? If you?re a woman in your thirties of forties, the answer is ?yes ? most definitely.? Weight gain, as you approach menopause, is quite common and often one of the first symptoms of menopause that women notice. This is true even if you?re still experiencing regular periods.

You see, as you approach menopause your body?s hormone levels are declining, thus causing many changes to occur. As your estrogen levels decline, your body will naturally look for other places from where to get the needed estrogen. Unfortunately, fat cells are capable of producing estrogen, which results in your body working harder to convert calories to fat.

In addition to the declining levels of estrogen, your body?s testosterone levels are also declining. As you may know, testosterone is the hormone that converts your calories to lean muscle mass. Obviously, with lower testosterone levels you?re now losing muscle mass. Since muscle burns far more calories than does fat, your body is no longer capable of burning calories the way it used to.

As you can see, your declining hormone levels are the main culprit behind all of the weight gain you?re now noticing. Don?t think for one minute that you need to accept or welcome this unwanted enemy because you can easily lose this menopausal weight gain. I recently published some inspirational quotes on my website to assist women in their everyday lives. One of my favorites comes to mind when I think about what makes so many women complacent when they?re faced with symptoms of menopause and weight gain. Jim Rohn once said ?Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.? If your goal is to lose the weight you?ve gained, the only thing that can possibly stop you from accomplishing this goal is a lack of discipline.

If you?re willing to put your discipline into high gear you will undoubtedly lose the weight you?ve gained due to declining hormone levels associated with menopause. It?s important that you understand what?s taking place inside your body so that you?re well aware that simply cutting calories will not significantly reduce or eliminate the weight around your mid-section. You must build muscle to turn your body into a calorie-burning machine. You needn?t be extreme, but an exercise routine that includes weight training at least three days a week will give you results that will astonish you.

Remember, ?Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.? Don?t be complacent. You're headed in the right direction because you researched the Internet seeking information regarding weight gain during menopause. Consider this the first step in your walk across the bridge to accomplishment.

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

Male Menopause

Male menopause is the result of decreased levels of the male hormone, testosterone. Most commonly, reduced testosterone is reported by those suffering from underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity or high blood pressure. These diseases are common in men over the age of 45.

While some reduction in testosterone levels occurs normally as men age, there are several conditions in which there may be a more rapid decrease. Testosterone production can be interrupted at any age through damage to the testes. The testes make testosterone, and they may be damaged due to an injury, surgery, radiation, infection, or chemotherapy. Testosterone production is mediated by parts of the brain called the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. So if either or both are damaged or not working properly at any age, they do not send the signals required for normal testosterone production to the testes, resulting in reduced testosterone levels.

When testosterone levels drop, men may experience symptoms similar to what women experience when going through menopause. These symptoms include reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, depression, fatigue, and muscle weakness. Testosterone deficiency has also been linked to osteoporosis in men.

Significant testosterone deficiency can be treated with hormone replacement therapy. However, most men experience a very gradual reduction in testosterone levels as they get older, and do not require any treatment. Also, hormone replacement therapy carries an increased risk of prostate cancer, and should be carefully considered. If a decision is made to undergo hormone therapy, the treatment can be administered through injections, oral medications, implants and patches. To treat symptoms such as depression, doctors may prescribe anti-depressants. Because obesity is a major factor implicated in testosterone deficiency, a doctor may also recommend certain lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise.



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

Menopause - the Wise Woman Way

Discover Wise Woman Ways of approaching menopause and work with green allies to help you through this period of change. Susun Weed shows you how!

WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?

To the MD, menopause is the last drop of blood a woman sheds. A woman can be peri-menopausal (around menopause) or post-menopausal (after menopause) but she can never be menopausal, according to this definition.

To most women, however, the years between the first suspicion of change and the final menses constitute the menopausal years, and we are menopausal throughout that time. This decade of transition is compared by some to non-stop PMS, by others to an extended pregnancy. I see it as a second puberty.

Menopause is puberty prime, and the change from a familiar, known self to new and unknown self is the same: amazing, difficult, rewarding, exasperating, and momentous.

"Do not become alarmed when you experience yourself in totally new ways," sighs Grandmother Growth tenderly. "You are changing, getting ready to be initiated into the third stage of your life. Are you ready for the ride of your life?" Susun Weed, Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way, Woodstock: Ash Tree, 2002

THE STORY OF MENOPAUSE

The onerous physical/emotional changes that accompany puberty and menopause are strongly influenced - both positively and negatively - by cultural, familial, and personal beliefs.

If we expect our new self to be more powerful, more exciting, more interesting than our old self, we willingly undergo discomfort, pain, sleeplessness, emotional variability, and a host of annoyances and distresses. In America today, this is may be the case when we experience puberty, pregnancy, birth, and lactation.

If we expect our new self to be a weaker, less interesting, grayed-out version of our older self, we will naturally resist changing and find the normal abnormalities of change intolerable. This is often the case when American women encounter menopause.

The purpose of this article is not to examine why this is so, or how it came to be so, but to offer a different view of menopause. I want to share with you the teachings I have received from the Ancient Ones, the ancient grandmothers who tell the women's mystery stories. That your journey may be made richer.

"The joy of menopause is the world's best-kept secret. Like venturing through the gateway to enter an ancient temple, in order to claim that joy a woman must be willing to pass beyond the monsters who guard its gate. As you stand at the brink of it, it can appear that only darkness, danger and decay lie beyond. [But] ... as thousands of women from all cultures throughout history have whispered to each other, it is the most exciting passage a woman ever makes."Leslie Kenton, Passage to Power. London: Ebury Press; 1995

GREEN BLESSINGS

And let's take some simple herbal helpers with us on our menopausal journey. Their abilities are subtle and far-reaching. They can help us ease symptoms, provide us with optimum nourishment, help us create healthy hearts and healthy bones, and open us to the uplifting power of Nature.

Nourishing herbal infusions provide an abundance of minerals, vitamins, proteins, and phytoestrogens (plant hormones that are similar to estrogen) at low cost and with little effort.

To make a nourishing herbal infusion:

• Place one ounce by weight (about a cup by volume) of dried herb (do not use fresh) in a quart jar and fill to the top with boiling water.
• Cover tightly and allow to steep for at least four hours. Overnight is fine.
• Strain and refrigerate.
• Drink 2-4 cups a day, hot or cold, mixed with other liquids (water, juice, rum, coffee for example) or taken neat.

I rotate through four nourishing herbs: oatstraw, stinging nettle, red clover, and comfrey leaf. Each herb has special benefits for menopausal women. These four herbs, taken one at a time, and infused in water, are completely safe to use. (They may not be safe if taken in tinctures or encapsulated). I have drunk nourishing herbal infusions on a daily basis for more than twenty years.

But before we go further, let's talk about the purpose of menopause.

"She [the postmenopausal woman] is not a sentiment, she is a requirement."Kristen Hawkes, 1997

THE PURPOSE OF MENOPAUSE

Menopause may be a prime factor in women's greater longevity.(1)

Dr. Kristen Hawkes of the University of Utah reports that Hadza women in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond gather more food than men or women of other ages and they are as important to the survival of their grandchildren as the children?s mothers are.(2)

The postmenopausal woman is the one who has the stored wisdom to help her community survive. She is the Wise Woman, the one who gives us all a survival edge. Dr. Jared Diamond of the University of California at Los Angeles Medical School maintains that menopause is "among the biological traits essential for making us human." (3)

Dr. Hawkes believes that not only did prehistoric women survive past the age of menopause, but that they were instrumental in freeing our ancestors to exploit new habitats, explore new places, and ultimately to spread across the entire planet. (4)

?Kundalini [is] the root [of] all spiritual experiences ....?RE Svoboda, Kundalini Aghora II. Albuquerque, NM. 1993

MENOPAUSE AS ENLIGHTENMENT

As a long-time student of yoga, I am struck by the many similarities between menopausal symptoms and the well-known esoteric goal of ?awakening of the Kundalini.?

Kundalini is a special kind of energy known in many cultures, including Tibetan, Indian, Sumerian, Chinese, Irish, Aztec, and Greek. Kundalini is said to be hot, fast, powerful, and large. It exists within the earth, within all life, and within each person.

Kundalini is usually represented as a serpent coiled at the base of the spine, but women?s mystery stories locate it in the uterus - or the area where the uterus was, if a hysterectomy has occurred.

Yogis spend lifetimes learning how to wake up their Kundalini so they may experience enlightenment. Success causes a surge of super-heated energy to travel through the body, firing the nerves, dilating blood vessels, and altering the nature of reality. Sounds like a hot flash to me.

If Kundalini is released over and over, as it is during menopause, it causes changes in the functioning of the endocrine, cardiovascular, and nervous systems.

Wise women use nourishing herbal infusions, especially nervous-system strengthening oatstraw, fermented foods, such as yogurt, and seaweed (as a food, not a supplement), to help ensure that these changes add to their vitality and longevity, creating what Margaret Mead called "postmenopausal zest".

MAIDEN, MOTHER, CRONE

When we are children, we exist within Kundalini; it is primarily outside the body. At puberty, a two-valved energy ?gate? opens, and Kundalini circulates up from the earth and into the root chakra. The maiden becomes the mother. Kundalini builds up in the uterus and pelvic tissues, ready to create a new life. This stored Kundalini can intensify emotions and sensations, expose powerful feelings, trigger creative outpourings, and generate house-cleaning frenzies. If pregnancy occurs, the Kundalini continues to build for the duration of the pregnancy and is used in the act of birth. If no egg is fertilized, the Kundalini flows out with the menstrual blood, returning to the earth.

At menopause, one ?valve? of the root chakra closes. The mother becomes the crone. The open valve allows Kundalini to enter; the closed one prevents it from leaving. When Kundalini collects in the uterus without an outlet, it causes problems including incontinence, broken hips, loss of libido, and excessively dry vaginal tissues.

STINGING NETTLE

But if the Kundalini is guided (by thought or by hot flashes, for instance) up the spine, then it confers enlightenment not incontinence, flexibility not fractures, vitality not debility, and abundance not withering. Stinging nettle infusion replaces the nutrients and proteins that Kundalini uses up. By strengthening the adrenals and kidneys, and increasing stamina, nettle helps us surf the waves and ski the slopes of our hot flashes.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a wonderful ally for the woman who is awakened by night sweats, whose hair is falling out or becoming brittle, whose energy is flagging (or gone!), whose vagina is dry, who wants to avoid adult-onset diabetes, for the woman who wants to increase her metabolic rate, improve the flexibility of her blood vessels, strengthen her immune system, and find ease for sore joints.

Loaded with folic acid, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, carotenes, zinc, boron, and iron, nettle is a nutritional powerhouse. One cup of infusion supplies 500mg of calcium plus vitamin D, vitamin K, protein, and special lipids, which contribute to magnificent bone health.

SEVEN ENERGY CENTERS

The root energy center is one of seven main energy centers, each of which corresponds to endocrine glands. In even the healthiest of women, disruption of some sort, in one or more of the energy centers (chakras), will occur for at least a short while during the menopausal years.

It is important to remember that the vast majority of uncomfortable symptoms caused by menopause and the movement of Kundalini will be short-lived (less than a year).

Healthy women who have had one or no children generally seem to have the strongest symptoms as Kundalini arises. Women with low vitality, including women who have given birth to six or more children, may have few or no symptoms at all.

• Menopausal symptoms at the root center include menstrual pain, growth of fibroid tumors, flooding, urinary problems, cervical/uterine/endometrial growths/cancers, brittle hips, constipation, diarrhea, vaginal infections and irritations, and hemorrhoids.

  Get help from:

  Motherwort tincture (Leonurus cardiaca). A dose of 10-15 drops counters cramps as it eases hot flashes.

  Red clover (Trifolium pratense), the world's best-known, best-regarded anti-cancer herb, also improves fertility and helps normalize the bowels. If that weren't enough, red clover infusion (not tincture, not capsules) contains ten times more phytoestrogens than soy.

  Whole grains and lentils, beets and burdock are also allies of the root chakra.

• Menopausal symptoms at the navel (or belly) center include bloat, gas, urinary infections, exhaustion, panic attacks, paranoia, and episodes of inexplicable sorrow.

  Get help from:

  Stinging nettle. It is the specific helper for this chakra.

  Additionally, orange foods (especially baked winter squash and sweet potatoes) bring ease and health, improving energy and mood.

• Menopausal symptoms at the solar plexus include indigestion, disturbed liver function, gall stones, a sense of dissatisfaction with one's self, blood sugar and mood swings, adult onset diabetes, anxiety, phobias, and pathological shyness.

  Get help from:

  Herbs such as dandelion, burdock, or yellow dock roots, or milk thistle seeds, used as tinctures. They strengthen the solar plexus, improve digestion, moderate blood sugar and mood swings, help the liver clear excess hormones, and put you on the sunny side of life.

• Menopausal symptoms at the heart chakra include palpitations, breast changes, excess fat deposits on the back and upper arms, lessening of compassion, increase in blood pressure, unwarranted feelings of guilt, and lung problems.

  Get help from:

  Motherwort tincture (not capsules). A dropperful stops palpitations in minutes. Regular use helps stabilize the heart, decreases blood pressure, improves blood flow, and eases emotional distress.

  Comfrey leaf (not root) infusion (not capsules) is a renowned lung strengthener. Popularly known as knitbone, comfrey leaf supplies lots of bone-healthy nutrients.

• Menopausal symptoms at the throat chakra include thyroid problems, excessive weight gain, incoherent rages, nausea, cough, and sore throat. Menopausal women who have swallowed too much "no" during their lives may find themselves making dramatic and amazing statements.

  Get help from:

  Seaweeds, the specific ally of the throat chakra. Soak kombu or wakame with beans and cook, add hijiki or alaria to soups, snack on dulse and kelp. I don't use tablets or powdered products, finding them inferior.

• Menopausal symptoms at the third eye center include headaches, eye problems, near-sightedness, sinus infections, depression, thoughts of suicide, obsessions, insomnia, and mental instability (visions and hallucinations).

  Get help from:

  The mint family. Skullcap tincture strengthens the nerves, eases headaches, and brings deep sleep. Sage infusion makes the mind coherent and clear. Rosemary oil aids the memory and improves concentration. Lavender blossom tea lifts the mood and unkinks wound-up nerves.

• Menopausal symptoms at the crown chakra include hair loss, dizziness, hearing problems, memory problems, dementia, nervous tics, shingles, and unexplained pain anywhere in the body.

  Get help from:

  Comfrey leaf (not root) infusion (not capsules); it's brain food.

  Nettle infusion (not capsules) restores hair and counters compulsions.

  Hypericum perforatum (St. Joan's/John's Wort) tincture (not capsules), used freely (a dropperful every 2-4 hours) can relieve the pain of shingles within a day and often cure it within three. Eases sore muscles anywhere; helps prevent muscle aches too.

SHE-WHO-HOLDS-HER-WISE-BLOOD-WITHIN

As we leave our fertile years behind, so we leave behind our identity as "mother" (irrespective of whether we have physically had children or not). Ready or not, we are introduced to ourselves as old women. Yes, we are yet baby crones, not yet prepared to wield the Kundalini that now flows through us toe to tip. Yet we are crones, women of wisdom, women of power.

When menopausal symptoms are understood as energy movement (or lack of it), we can feel more at ease, not so afraid of being out of control. Instead of feeling victimized by our bodies, we can nourish our wholeness. We can view our symptoms as suggestions for improvement, instead of damning evidence of our mortality. We can focus in on areas that need special attention, extra nourishment.

Quiet time alone in nature, or sitting in a comfortable chair listening to soothing music allows thoughts and feelings to arise and opens the way for the flow of Kundalini. Specific exercises, such as those in Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and yoga can also be used to help ease into the increased energy flow. Green allies such as oatstraw, nettles, red clover, comfrey leaf, and motherwort strengthen us for the increased power. Because we know the outcome is worth it, the day-to-day annoyances are easier to take.

After years of practice, Kundalini moves freely up the spine and out the crown. Our symptoms subside, our overall energy is stronger, better. We hold our wise blood inside. We are the wise women. We are the crones.

Footnotes:

1. Perls T MD, Fretts R MD. ?Why Women Live Longer Than Men?. Scientific American, 1998 August: 102.
2. Angier N. ?Is Menopause a Key to Survival? The Grandmother Hypothesis?. New York Times, 1997: August 18.
3. Ibid
4. Ibid

Susun Weed
PO Box 64
Woodstock, NY 12498
Fax: 1-845-246-8081

Visit Susun Weed at: www.susunweed.com;and www.ashtreepublishing.com

For permission to reprint this article, contact us at: susunweed@herbshealing.com

Vibrant, passionate, and involved, Susun Weed has garnered an international reputation for her groundbreaking lectures, teachings, and writings on health and nutrition. She challenges conventional medical approaches with humor, insight, and her vast encyclopedic knowledge of herbal medicine. Unabashedly pro-woman, her animated and enthusiastic lectures are engaging and often profoundly provocative.

Menopause Weight Gain

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

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

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

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

Menopause and Vaginal Dryness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Staying Sexy During Menopause

Staying Sexy During Menopause

By Linda Ryan

As more and more articles, books and medical research focuses on the challenges of a baby boomer generation facing menopause, so have the attitudes toward the immortalized Mrs. Robinson of The Graduate. The generation that launched the sexual revolution and was liberated by the pill is not going to accept menopause as the end of their sex lives.

While drug companies and the medical community are scrambling to develop a woman's version of the "blue pill," a new patch dubbed the 'pink Viagra' has already been used by over 280,000 women in Europe to re-ignite their sexual desire. The twist? It uses our sense of smell to activate the 'feel good' hormones.

Scentuelle, developed by CST Medical Ltd, is an innovative patch designed to stimulate the libido by targeting the smell receptors at the edge of our brains with a sensuous blend of aromas. These smell receptors link directly to the limbic system, the part of the brain that deals with happiness and pleasure - including our sexual desire. The non-transdermal (nothing enters the bloodstream) patch has been impregnated with a unique combination of scent molecules and smelling the patch at frequent intervals throughout the day triggers sexual feelings and desire.

"Scentuelle represents an exciting breakthrough, offering women a simple, non-invasive solution to a lack of sexual desire," said Liz Paul, who was instrumental in the development of Scentuelle. She was awarded the British Female Inventor of the Year in 2003 for her efforts to enhance women's sexual health.

Ever since Viagra was introduced to help men with erectile dysfunction, the search was on for a treatment to help women who suffer from a loss of desire. However one thing was clear, for women, feeling sexy starts on the inside. It's about the emotion rather than the motion.

Studies have shown that our most powerful feelings are brought in to being when the emotional centers of the brain are activated by the precise stimulation of hundreds of different types of smell receptors.

According to Dr. George Dodd, a biochemist and leading expert in the field of smell, the heart notes of Scentuelle constitute a blend of scent molecules, which mimic the size, shape, and electrical charge of dopamine, the molecule that causes the brain to release the hormones that make us feel good - even aroused.

With more television shows, movies and books highlighting sexually confident women in their menopause and post-menopausal years, Scentuelle is ideal for women who want to regain the intimacy in their relationship. And, unlike other therapies such as HRT, vaginal estrogen and hormonal creams, Scentuelle offers women a natural and non-invasive solution that does not require a prescription.

Scentuelle is currently sold exclusively through an online boutique at: www.myscentuelle.com, providing women a discreet place to shop.

"Many women who have sexual problems are older women who wouldn't dream of going to their doctors for advice." Paul said. "And, they would feel too threatened or embarrassed visiting a sex shop, no matter how pretty and female-friendly the d?cor."

Now with the last kid out of the house and a Scentuelle patch on their wrist, women everywhere will be able to enhance their sexual relationships.

Linda Ryan manages her own business providing resources and products for women in menopause. She was a former LPN specializing in private patient care for the terminally ill. Email: linda@myscentuelle.com Website: http://www.myscentuelle.com

Linda Ryan manages her own business providing resources and products for women in menopause. She was a former LPN specializing in private patient care for the terminally ill. Email: linda@myscentuelle.com Website: http://www.myscentuelle.com

Menopause Primer

Menopause is often cryptically referred to as "the change of life." But as lovely as this sounds, it doesn't tell anyone a whole lot about menopause. After all, there are plenty of "changes to live" experienced by men and women of all ages that has nothing to do with menopause.

Menopause is something every woman with all her reproductive organs eventually experiences. Menopause is a natural part of the biological process. It is not a disease or illness although some menopause side effects can be unpleasant.

Some doctors claim that menopause is a process that can start in a woman in her 30s and last as late as her 60s. But menopause occurs in most women between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause is officially the full stopping of menstrual periods for at least 12 months in a row.

Some of the signs and symptoms of menopause include the obvious, irregular periods. Unpredictability of periods is one of the first signs of menopause. Menstrual periods can suddenly vary between gradually getting lighter, then heavier, and then lighter again.

Another sign of menopause is decreased fertility. A menopausal woman does not ovulate and cannot get pregnant. But women in the menopause transition should still be cautious. Pregnancy in a woman who hasn't completed menopause can still happen, especially if it's only been a few months since her periods stopped. Remember, full menopause doesn't occur until a woman's menstrual periods have stopped for at least 12 months.

Menopause is caused by a woman's estrogen levels decreasing. So a woman in menopause doesn't produce enough estrogen to keep the vagina and urethra well lubricated. So menopause causes the vagina and urethra to become less elastic and drier, causing those areas to become itchier and more at risk for infections. Sex can also be more uncomfortable for women in menopause.

The drops in estrogen levels during menopause can also cause what's called hot flashes. Hot flashes are often the butt of jokes, but can be quite bad for some women experiencing menopause. Hot flashes in menopause last at least 30 seconds to up to several minutes. They're characterized by a flushed face and red blotches on chest, neck and arms. They can happen any time during the day or night.
Other symptoms and signs of menopause include an inability to sleep as well as a modest - usually five-pound - weight gain. Adult acne can get worse during menopause. Plus with decreased estrogen levels in menopause, the small amounts of testosterone every female produces takes over. Because of this, sometimes women in menopause can get coarse facial hair and coarse hair on the chest and stomach.

Menopause is a natural life transition. But sometimes complications in the process of menopause occur. For example, if a woman knows for sure she's in menopause (that is she hasn't had a period for at least 12 months in a row), and she's bleeding from her vagina, she should go see a doctor.

If a woman thinks she's in menopause, but isn't sure, she can always go to a doctor. Depending on the situation, a doctor might take a blood test to determine menopause. In this case, a blood sample is usually tested for the level of estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). During menopause FSH levels increase as estrogen levels decrease. So higher levels of FSH and lower levels of estrogen will show a woman has gone into menopause.

Menopause Hub is an information site that contains articles, a directory and other Menopause Resources. It can be found at: http://www.menopauseinfohub.com

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

Moving Through Menopause

It's a rite of passage that few women look forward to--menopause. The term refers to both the cessation of one's menstrual period, and to the time of transition accompanying this event. While many women look forward to the end of feminine hygiene products, few look forward to the hormonal ups and downs that lead to night sweats, hot flashes, and emotional difficulties. Also known as the "change of life," menopause can be quick and relatively painless or it can be a many-year process.

While menopause typically occurs as a woman ages (it generally occurs between the ages of forty-five and fifty-five), it can also result from surgical procedures that remove a woman's reproductive organs and therefore creates a hormonal state of menopause. Many of the symptoms of menopause are the same. These can include spot bleeding, hot flashes, memory lapse, mood swings, anxiety and depression, and sexual problems.

In recent years, doctors have prescribed hormone replacement therapy for many women during and after menopause to reduce the risks of developing osteoporosis. The risks of osteoporosis, which is the result of bones weakening from loss of tissue, and heart disease increase after menopause. Hormone replacement therapy replaces estrogen, which is thought to help reduce the risk of disease. However, recently, hormone replacement therapy studies showed that the treatment can actually increase incidents of heart disease and breast cancer and does not help osteoporosis. Since these studies, expert opinions have remained mixed on the use of hormone replacement therapy.

Most experts agree that the best course of action is for a woman to discuss her individual situation with a doctor. A woman can discuss the risks of using or not using hormone therapy with her doctor to make the most informed decision.

In addition to hormone replacement therapy, other treatments for menopausal symptoms include naturopathic remedies, changes in diet, vitamins, and other methods to increase overall feelings of well-being. Again, each woman must decide for herself the best options and the severity of symptoms. Some women cope with certain symptoms of menopause okay, while others are less tolerable. Each individual situation is different, and even a woman's tolerance of some symptoms may vary from month to month or year to year.

For those seeking alternative treatments, consider working with a naturopathic physician or someone trained in the use of these types of treatments. Many over the counter remedies are ineffective and some may not be safe. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate nutritional supplements. Some treatments make claims that are exaggerated or unproven, and a woman considering alternative therapies needs to be aware of the ingredients in any supplements.

Generally, the better care a woman can take of her overall health, the better. Remaining physically and mentally active can help offset some of the symptoms of menopause. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, engaging in mentally stimulating activities and spending time with family and friends can make a big difference in how a woman perceives her overall quality of life. These activities can also help a woman feel younger during a time when her body is reminding her that she's not as young as she once was.

Many resources exist to help a woman deal with menopause, including the medical profession, a wide range of organizations, books, and support groups. Becoming involved with an organization or group can be useful in comparing notes and offering mutual support. Information can also provide a woman with a sense of control when her body is acting out of control. Having tools on hand to deal with the daily fluctuations of menopause can make the transition more bearable.

Menopause does not have to be a time of misery as a woman transitions from one phase of her life to another. Many menopausal women live rich, full, and exiting lives.

Menopause Hub is an information site that contains articles, a directory and other Menopause Resources. It can be found at: http://www.menopauseinfohub.com

When Is My Menopause Started?

There are some women who wondered and worried about what will happen when they reach menopause. Menopause is not a scary moment. So, don?t be scared.

In fact, menopause can be a positive experience. It is a chance for all women to focus more on themselves and make changes that will improve their health.

There's no way of predicting exactly when your menopause will occur. In other words, each of us has an internal biological timer that is programmed before birth to set off the hormonal events that trigger both the start and the end of menstruation.

It seems most likely that our individual genes determine the age at which we experience menopause.

But there are things you could do to understand more about menopause. The first step is to learn all you can about the physical and emotional changes that may be ahead of you. In a survey asking women what was the worst thing about menopause, most said, "Not knowing what to expect." One woman added, "You wish someone would tell you -- but you're too embarrassed to ask anyone."

In past generations, many women were too embarrassed to discuss menopause, even with other women friends. Today, thanks in large part to the rise of the women's movement; menopause is talked about more openly.

Many women still remain in the dark about the details of menopause. One survey, for example, found that most women think the average woman experiences menopause at age 45, when the actual average age is between 50 and 51. Also, most women significantly overestimate the length of time the average woman experiences hot flashes, believing it to be five years rather than two.

Although most women experience similar symptoms of menopause, not every woman experiences all the symptoms.

Here are some symptoms you can acknowledge:

- Some women may have frustrating symptoms that start during perimenopause and continue once they have reached menopause.

- Hot flashes have become the hallmark symptom of menopause. Hot flashes are a feeling of sudden flush or warmth, often followed by sweating. They can cause serious discomfort and sleepless nights for some women.

Other symptoms that can start in perimenopause, but also might continue once you reach menopause include:

- Night sweats (hot flashes that happen while you sleep)

- Sleep problems

- Mood changes (mood swings, depression, and irritability).

- Vaginal problems, including vaginal dryness and irritation that can cause pain during sex and pelvic exams, and frequent vaginal infections; urinary problems, including burning or pain when urinating, or leaking when sneezing, coughing, or laughing problems with concentration or memory; less interest in sex and changes in sexual response;

- Weight gain
- Hair thinning or loss

Riana Lance writes about health in some publications. Twice a week she informs her health tips and knowledge in a newsletter. Subscribe to get your free twice a week newsletters so you can stay healthy for the rest of your life from Heathifica.com

Menopause and Weight Loss

During menopause, many women report that the challenge of weight loss becomes even more difficult. The need to lose weight haunts women most of the time, and now more men are reporting the same struggle. When women hit menopause, weight gathers around the waist and hips; despite our best efforts to diet and exercise.

What we know is that this additional body fat is linked to your hormones. Most women follow a conventional low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet with lots of processed foods. Eventually this diet creates a condition known as insulin resistance; see Dr. Schwarzbein's book on the book list. When you are insulin resistant, your body converts calories into fat even when you are dieting. Menopause feels like a losing battle, but it doesn't have to be.

When you are stressed, as the body typically is during menopause, stress hormones block weight loss. Despite adequate food, the body acts as if it's in a famine and stores all spare calories as fat.
This leads to a metabolic disorder called adrenal fatigue.

Many women combine a high-stress life with a low-fat, high-carb diet which creates a powerful hormonal imbalance which causes us to gain weight. Yo-yo dieting exacerbates the problem.
Also, when a woman is on a high-carb diet she is often barraged with a craving for sweets. The body can't maintain optimal blood sugar and serotonin levels, so you snack and drink caffeine to feel better. That makes your insulin resistance worse and the vicious cycle of gaining weight is accelerated.

During perimenopause, women lose estrogen which is an added factor to this problem. As estrogen decreases, the body needs extra fat resources. Other factors that play into this problem, are unresolved emotional issues, food sensitivities, digestive issues such as yeast, and even heavy metal toxicity.

So what do we do?

The most important step is to GET HEALTHY!

Follow an eating plan like the one in the Schwarzbein Principle or the Zone Diet

You need protein at every meal, low carbs, very little to no processed food, and lots of fruit and vegetables

Drink plenty of water

Take nutritional supplements

Try Supplements Designed for Menopause

Stop weighing yourself, use your clothes as a gauge (focus on your health not your weight)

Start exercising - walk 4-5 times a week for 30 minute (it boosts metabolism)

Get help for emotional eating - you have to face your fears to get through them

Reduce the stress in your life, make time for fun and relaxation - strive for BALANCE

Learn to love yourself during menopause and accept who you are and at what stage in life you find yourself

Menopause can make weight loss even more challenging for both women and men. But with the right knowledge and some hard work, it can be done.

The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.



Cathy writes frequently on mid-life issues for women and men particularly menopause, and a copy of her book can be found at http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com
To read a sample of this book go to http://www.everythingmenopause.com/currentissue.html

Menopause and Osteoporosis

We know that our bodies require calcium and vitamin D in order to build and maintain powerful bones. According to his recent book entitled, Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis, by Dr. Alan Gaby, it takes more vitamins than we think to prevent brittle bones including Vitamins K and B; as well as minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, fluorine, silica and boron.

The idea is to provide enough combined supplementation for our bodies to make an abundance of healthy collagen which is the connective tissue used to create cartilage and bones. Collagen also binds our cells together and as a result, someone with good collagen has healthy looking skin whereas another will have thin and wrinkled skin.

A healthy bone cut in half looks similar to a sponge. The body deposits calcium, phosphorus and other minerals onto all of those connective fibers and you get healthy bones! The holes give the bone its flexibility, and you wont have healthy bones if you dont have plenty of collagen on which to deposit the minerals.

Collagen is primarily a protein which is made from amino acids. Our bodies can create some of our requirements but we also need additional amounts from our foods and supplements including lysine and praline. Vitamin C is also required to create collagen.

Now we know how bones can be made stronger, but how is this process affected by menopause? The loss of estrogen due to menopause or possibly surgical removal of the ovaries can accelerate bone loss for a period of up to 8 years. It is well established that replacing that estrogen helps protect against the risk of osteoporosis.

More often, womens bones become fragile as we age and its not uncommon to break bones in the wrist, spine and hip due to osteoporosis. Unfortunately, a fracture such as in the hip, can even shorten our life span so it is important to pay attention to our bone health.

What should be done to prevent osteoporosis from happening after menopause?

First of all, eat the foods that are calcium-rich (about 1,000 mg per day) and can enhance bone growth including: sardines, salmon, seafood, and green leafy vegetables such as swiss chard, beet tops, kale, mustard greens, collards, spinach, dandelion greens, watercress, parsley, chicory, turnip greens, broccoli leaves, almonds, asparagus, blackstrap molasses, broccoli, cabbage, carob, figs, filberts, oats, prunes, sesame seeds, tofu and other soy products.

Vitamin D-rich foods include fish oils such as found in salmon, mackerel, sardines), eggs (including the yolks), sweet potatoes, tuna, vegetable oils and cod liver oil. Getting 15-20 minutes of sunlight exposure daily can also boost production of vitamin D.

Exercise is crucial; in particular, you need weight-bearing exercise such as walking, Tai chi, dancing and weight training to reduce the chances of brittle bones at least two times a week. Include 15 to 60 minutes of aerobic activity two to three times a week. Avoid high-impact activities and include stretching exercises.

Finally, use high-quality supplements prescribed by your doctor or health-care provider, and oh yeah, dont forget to have fun.

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

creative-com@cox.net