Menopause Mood Swings? An Effective Treatment

Although mood swings may not be as annoying as hot flashes for many women going through menopause, they can certainly put a damper on your day. There are, though, several things that you can do to relieve menopause mood swings. Most of them are pretty simple, too. Eating a balanced diet full of plant-produced phytoestrogens, taking a St. John's Wort herbal supplement, and exercising on a regular basis can all help improve your mood during menopause.

Of these three things, exercise may be one of the most advantageous and effective. Plus, exercise has a ton of other benefits, too, including helping you maintain a healthy weight during menopause, which is a time when many women experience weight gain. Besides this, exercise can boost your energy levels and help you combat the fatigue that often comes with menopause. You may, though, be wondering why exercise helps and what types of exercise can help you regulate your moods.

Exercise and Endorphins Affect on Menopausal Mood Swings

Endorphins are brain chemicals - neurotransmitters - that are related in some ways to morphine. They actually are the body's natural chemical response to pain, and they can help ease both physical and mental pain. Your body naturally produces some endorphins when you're in pain, but you probably don't notice them then because all they're doing is taking the edge off. Exercise, though, can make your body produce endorphins - for reasons that aren't yet clear - even when you aren't in any significant amount of pain.

Because there isn't any actual pain to fight, the endorphins that can flood your body during exercise can boost your mood, sometimes for several hours after a workout session. The most endorphin-producing exercise sessions are pretty intense and last for twenty to thirty minutes, but moderate exercise can also produce mood-enhancing benefits during menopause.

Moderate Exercise and Stress Relief to Improve Mood

One of the main benefits of moderate exercise for menopausal women is stress and anxiety relief. Although a twenty minute walk won't flood your blood stream with endorphins to give you the so-called runner's high, a simple walk can do wonders for your general stress levels and feelings of well-being. In one study published by the Journal of Nursing, menopausal woman who participated in a light exercise program for a year experienced a significant decrease in severe menopause symptoms. These women were less anxious and depressed, and they had boosts in self-confidence, as well.

Incorporating Exercise into Your Life for to Balance Mood

Many of the studies on exercise and mood have focused on cardiovascular exercise. There's a reason that an endorphin flood is known as a runner's high; to get this type of serious mood boost, you do have to work out at about 75% of your actual capacity for at least ten or fifteen minutes. However, exercises like yoga and qigong have been shown to reduce overall anxiety and depression levels, as well. As an added bonus, yoga has been shown to reduce the intensity and number of hot flashes during menopause for many women.

So when you go to start an exercise program on your own, you can choose cardiovascular exercises like walking, swimming, and biking, or you can focus on mind-body exercises like yoga and qigong. Here are a few tips on incorporating mood-boosting exercise into your life.

*Start slow. If you have been sedentary for a long time, it's important that you don't start by exercising for an hour every day. If you are getting so sore that you can't move in the morning, that's a signal that you need to slow down. Too much exercise will actually have the reverse effect on your moods, and may cause you to backtrack into some of your menopause symptoms.

*Get some variety. Many women tend to focus on only one type of exercise, but if you combine different types you'll not only have more fun, but you'll also get more physical benefits. Combine cardiovascular, mind-body, and muscle building exercises for the best overall experience.

*Exercise at least twice a week. One study showed that women who exercised two or three times a week got the most mood-balancing benefits. If you want, you can work up to light exercise five days a week, but be sure that you do have a few days where your body gets a break.

Coping With the Emotional Impact of Menopause

Menopause. The mere mentioning of this completely natural and unavoidable condition strikes fear into the hearts of many women. Don't be afraid - menopause is part of nature's grand scheme and should be approached from this perspective. The bulk of women experience the onset of menopause between the age of 45 and 55. It does not mean menopause cannot begin earlier or later, but the condition usually manifests within this range. When the female body enters menopause it heralds an end to the reproductive cycle.

Menopause occurs because the female body no longer produces progesterone and estrogen at the same rate. The production of these important reproductive hormones decreases dramatically leading to a variety of changes. Women know that it won't be long before they never have to endure the symptoms of PMS or their menstruation cycle again. This may sound like a great event - but there are other symptoms that occur including leading up to this point: fluctuations in appetite, insomnia, hot flashes, hazy or foggy thinking, depression, anger, emotional problems, and mood swings.

Perhaps the most difficult of the symptoms to deal with are emotional in nature. Many women report feeling not like themselves. Depression, anger, and mood swings are common and can present many problems.

Fortunately, there is a way to cope with these problems. You are not alone in your struggle. There are millions upon millions of other women experiencing menopause. In fact, statistics state out that each day more than 4,000 women in the United States alone experience the onset of menopause.

This being said, the options for you to seek help are extensive. If the emotional symptoms you are experiencing are severe or last for a long time it is probably a good idea to seek some help. Emotional disturbances due to menopause do not mean you are crazy: it is a natural process that hits some women harder than others. Counselling can help you get in touch with your feelings. Do not try to battle menopause without some sort of support network.

Relaxation may also be key in your battle against emotional difficulties. Try treating yourself to an afternoon at a local day spa or a relaxing massage. It sounds trite but can really make the difference to your overall mood. If you have access to a Jacuzzi the warm water and the jets can put you into a relaxed state. Sound therapy, light therapy, hydrotherapy, aroma therapy, acupuncture, and acupressure can also provide relief - both emotional and physical. Hypnosis has a good track record in helping women manage emotional stress due to menopause.

It is very important that you enlist the support of your friends - many of whom are most likely going through what you are, and also your partner and close family members. Explain to them how you are feeling. Once they understand why you're being snappy, angry or rude they are more likely to be understanding and help you through what can be a challenging time. In addition, there are support groups available where you can get things off your chest and experience a feeling of solidarity.

Besides more traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) there is a wide selection of natural supplements on the market which can provide both physical and emotional relief from menopause.

Make sure you take care of yourself. If you do not take the first step in learning to cope with the emotional side-effects of menopause, nobody will take it for you.

Resources:

Menozac - for immediate Menopause Symptoms Relief from symptoms including:

o Mood Swings

o Anxiety.

o Palpitations.

o Depression.

Can Menopause Relief Be Found With Natural Supplements?

There are a number, in fact, a lot, of products on the market that claim to help bring menopause relief. In this article we will take a closer look at just two supplements.

The first is flax seed.

This is very interesting and hopeful because of a recent study done at the Mayo Clinic. A full report of this study is available at the Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology.

Sandhya Pruthi, MD and colleagues conducted a thorough study that truly gives hope for women suffering from menopause, specifically hot flashes. The results confirmed what many advocates of natural healing had already known and experienced.

In the study, a group of women were given 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed twice a day, which they mixed into their food and drink. These women were having at least 14 hot flashes a week, plus they were not taking any estrogen to relieve their symptoms of menopause.

It is remarkable that these women found that their hot flashes were reduced by 50% and the strength of the hot flash was diminished by 57%! Now, that might not seem like much to somebody who has never suffered the discomfort and annoyance of hot flashes, but it is great news indeed!

What About Side Effects?

There were minimal side effects, especially compared to the usual drugs given as a treatment. These side effects consisted of bloating and diarrhea in a few of the women. This is a far cry from the usual list, such as headaches, nausea, bleeding, insomnia, etc.

It is quite possible that this could be avoided by using a liquid form of flaxseed oil, rather than the ground seeds.

The second supplement is maca.

Since not everyone is familiar with the plant called maca, a little background is in order. Maca is a root grown in the mountains of Peru, where it has long been eaten as a food to give strength and stamina. It also has a very long history as an aphrodisiac.

I first learned about maca when I visited Peru. When I asked my friends about it, they all laughed and had lots of interesting stories to tell! You can be sure I bought some as soon as I could!

The amazing thing about maca is that it can do so many different things for the body and overall sense of well-being. This is because it acts as a hormone balancer in the body. When the body is in balance ,the hormones naturally do their job better, thus the increase in energy and interest in sex.

It also has an amazing ability to help balance female hormones. By supplying the body with the necessary ingredients to heal itself, maca is well known as a wonderful supplement to help bring menopause relief.

Very often shamans and other traditional healers have a vast knowledge of natural ways to bring and restore health. Modern medicine is able to use this folk knowledge to bring new products to the marketplace.

Maca is one of these remarkable plants that has endured over centuries as a marvelous source of nutrition and healing.

Wild Yam Restores Sex Drive During Menopause

Going through menopause is rough no matter how you look at it. Just the thought of going through menopause is enough to make a woman have a break down. The emotional stress is just part of the care package that menopause gifts to women-ha! Their sex drive takes a pummel, they get night sweats, lose sleep at night, and get frequent hot flashes. Plus, just imagine the trip that a woman's partner goes through as their woman goes through this stage. It's bad enough that she is mood swinging and tossing and turning through the night, but her sexual desire has now also left. At least sex drive can be replenished easily. For example, wild yam is crazy popular for helping woman make it through menopause. Wild yam increases sex drive while eliminating a number of other menopause symptoms.

What is it that depletes the sex drive in the first place? You can only imagine the effects that a low amount of estrogen takes on the body. With low estrogen comes low libido. Without libido, there is no sex drive. The term libido literally refers to a person's sex drive and desire. When a woman goes through menopause her libido can be so low that she has little to no desire for sexual activity. During this time sex could be painful and dry and no fun to her. In past history it was thought that women didn't have any business in the bed after they were were not able to reproduce anymore. Thankfully times have drastically changed for the better. Some women do not need a libido boost during this period of their life while others could use a daily assist like wild yam.

Also known as Dioscorea villosa, wild yam has been used to treat menopause by nutritionists since the 1800's. It is a colic root that is home to North America and China. It has been used for treating menstrual cramps, upset stomachs, coughs, and for problems during pregnancy. In the 1950's diosgenin was found in the root of wild yam. Just so happens that diosgenin is a phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogen plants are those that have natural estrogen found in them. Diosgenin can be chemically changed into progesterone. Did you know that this is how birth control was originally formulated in the 1960's?

Wild yam is best used when paired with other high quality extracts. Natural relief supplements are an effective solution for women looking to relieve the side effects associated with menopause. Not only can they relief hot flashes and night sweats but they can restore libido.

Finding Relief Through a Natural Perimenopause Treatment

Most women who are in the age of 30 to 40 are not usually aware of perimenopause, or the stage that ultimately leads to menopause. For some, the difference is only negligible. But for others, the whole experience could be as daunting or even worse than actual menopause. The symptoms could include: hot flashes, decreased libido, irregular periods, urine leakage, mood swings, difficulty in sleeping and vaginal dryness. If you are experiencing any or all of the symptoms described above, you should consider seeing your physician. The best way to get started with your perimenopause treatment is to have it accurately diagnosed first.

Medically speaking, perimenopause could start from ages 30 to 40. Different women may have different symptoms and the condition could last from a few months up to 10 years. Perimenopause treatment is more often neglected because of the main focus on menopause itself. But if conditions described above are giving you severe discomfort, there is a natural perimenopause treatment that you may like. Naturally derived supplements can provide relief to symptoms that could affect our own well being and disposition.

Medical research on such supplements have been done since the late 1940s. Though they are primarily aimed at menopausal women, symptoms of perimenopause could be treated with these as well. Ingredients which contain natural herbal extracts from mother nature could ease your transition and alleviate conditions such as hot flashes, mood swings and decreased libido. One notable ingredient for such perimenopause treatment supplement is the Soy Seed (Glycine Max). It contains phytoestrogens or naturally occurring plant estrogens which could decrease estrogen levels for perimenopausal women and subsequently increase the same for postmenopausal women.

Vitamin E or d-alpha-tocopherol acetate, is a lifesaver for those of us who are experiencing hot flashes and post menopausal women who are experiencing vaginal dryness.

Overcome First Signs of Menopause With a Simple and Natural Menopause Relief Solution

Before the first signs of Menopause can be conquered, they must be recognized. So what are the most common early menopause symptoms? The first symptoms of menopause usually include the following:

- accelerated aging
- allergic reactions
- increasing symptoms of PMS
- dry eyes
- worsening PMS symptoms
- problems with cold feet and hands.
- no interest in sex
- tender, swollen breasts part, or most of the time
- inexplicable weight gain with no change in eating habits
- constant fatigue
- wildly fluctuating emotions that seem almost in-controllable at times
- your blood sugar is low
- frequent headaches
- insomnia, in spite of constant fatigue
- memory problems
- problems with anger and irritability
- anxiety and worry
- bloating
- thinning hair
- depression

If you go to the doctor, you may be told there's nothing wrong, or you may find out you have more serious problems like...

- thinning bones
- thick blood
- irregular cells in the cervix
- thyroid problems
- low zinc levels
- cysts on your ovaries
- uterine fibroids
- high copper levels
- low magnesium
- fibrocystic breast disease
- gallbladder disease
- autoimmune diseases
- breast or uterine cancer

Any and all of these symptoms are considered to be the first signs of menopause. The question is, what causes them. Most people assume they are a natural part of aging, and there is nothing that can be done to overcome them, rather we can only learn to live with them, or medicate the symptoms.

However, some doctors have realized that isn't the case. Rather those first signs of menopause are caused by hormonal fluctuations in the body. Frequently as a woman ages she fails to make enough progesterone to balance the estrogen in her body. When this occurs she enters a condition known as "estrogen dominance". Consequently,the first signs of menopause are actually caused by this hormonal imbalance.

As we near the end of our reproductive years, our hormones frequently become imbalanced. Instead of the normal cycle of about two weeks of high estrogen, followed by two weeks of high progesterone, we experience months and sometimes years when our bodies are constantly flooded with high estrogen levels without enough progesterone to balance it. As widely differing as these first signs of menopause are, balancing your hormone levels can frequently make them disappear within a few months time.

If you've heard of hormone replacement therapy, and don't want to go there, I understand. But have no fear, that isn't what I'm talking about.

Rather I'm talking about using a skin cream that will give your body enough natural progesterone to make up for what your ovaries may not be producing. This cream is widely available without a doctors visit or a prescription. If you are struggling with even half of the symptoms listed above, you'll find it hard to believe that a dab of cream rubbed on your skin once or twice a day can make such a huge difference.

I can assure you from personal experience that using a natural progesterone cream will make many of the symptoms listed above disappear. Before I started using a progesterone cream I had eighteen of the symptoms listed above, including a bout with breast cancer. But since I've started using a natural progesterone cream regularly, none of the symptoms listed above are bothering me anymore. Additionally, such a cream is one of the cheapest supplements available, so it won't be a drain on your finances either.

Restoring a healthy hormonal balance can make those first signs of menopause disappear so quickly that you'll wonder if you were imagining things!

Natural Menopause Treatments - How To Cure Hot Flashes And Other Symptoms Of Menopause

"They are not hot flashes. They are either "personal summers" or "my inner child playing with matches" or "power surges"." Unknown

MENOPAUSE, Are you Irritable, Have Hot Flashes and Mood Swings?

This can be the happiest and most miserable time of life, when you are beginning menopause. You have gotten rid of that monthly visitor but now Mother Nature seems to have a whole new set of problems waiting for you. When you are beginning the stages, the hot flashes are the only symptom, you feel like the situation is manageable. (Usually occurs in or around most women's 40's.) When you get into your 50's you might not be able to sleep, find yourself a little more anxious or nervous than you may be use too. You might start to notice horrible hot flashes and mood swings and generally want to bite the head off of every person (friend or foe) you come across. Dizziness, heart palpitations, headaches, memory lapse, depression, joint pain or even bladder problems along with the possibility of skin problems, oh, don't let us forget to thank Mother Nature again for the decreased libido that will slowly start to make its own general appearance. Let's recap ladies.... the situation now seems unbearable.

PLEASE don't fret, Ladies these symptoms can be relieved and even eradicated with a few lifestyle changes.

Menopause is a prime example of how Western Medicine thinks everything can be cured with a pill or shot. Ladies in this day and age, we're becoming so much smarter than that and are aware this. In fact, lowering estrogen levels in our bodies can be regulated by incorporating some or all of the following things into our diet.

繚 80mg Black Cohosh, two or three times a day has been known to deal with many menopausal symptoms. Give 6 to 8 weeks to take effect.

繚 Flaxseed, 1 to 2 tablespoons daily. Take with 8-10oz water. Water helps hydrate the system from hot flashes and clean system. Drink as much water as you can daily.

繚 Soy Products, if you don't like tofu and such, try soy milk, and no it's really just like thicker.

繚 Plant foods, whole grains fresh vegetables and Fruits have a hormone balancing effect.

繚 Tuna, Cod, and Salmon help with skin conditions.

繚 Cold pressed nut and seed oil regulates estrogen production.

There are also a few things you want to eliminate from your diet. Try eating hormone free animal products, to stop a hormone imbalance. Eliminate Carbonated or alcoholic beverages they can aggravate the hot flashes. (That will probably be the hardest part of all. No carbonated drinks like sodas, but better kidneys as well. No Martini or second glass of champagne, but healthier liver... but trust me ladies, one glass of wine is still allowed so I've been told.)

How To Overcome Menopause And Fatigue

One of the more common menopause symptoms is fatigue. Feelings of exhaustion and lack of energy are associated fatigue symptoms caused by a variety of factors.

Coping with day-to-day activities becomes a heavy burden simply because energy levels are diminished. This has a ricochet effect, directly impacting on relationships with other family members and friends. All in all, menopause and fatigue go hand-in-hand and there are several reasons why it both directly and indirectly causes upheaval in your life.

One of the biggest players in the onset of fatigue is insomnia. Lower estrogen levels can play havoc with vitality levels causing bouts of irritability, mood swings and in many cases, depression. Insomnia denies essential sleep which can only lead to one result...fatigue.

Try These Simple Sleep Assisted Measures

Apart from seeing your doctor and receiving mediacation assistance to help you sleep, other measures worth exploring include:

- taking a hot bath before bed.

- lowering the room temperature in your bedroom.

- eat your meal at least four hours before you retire.

- avoid watching television just before you try to get to sleep.

- avoid coffee but drink a cup of hot milk instead just before you climb into bed.

Fatigue Symptoms Of Menopause

Sexual drive can also be impeded in menopausal women with fatigue. Lower levels of progesterone are produced when menopause arrives and it's not only sex drive that is compromised, but a woman's general demeanor can go from happy and lively to sad and depressed. A feeling of exhaustion pervades her life and complaining about being sick all the time has had some women unfairly labelled as hypocondriacs.

In other cases, eyesight and hearing problems can occur as a result of fatigue while tyroid deficiencies could lead to chronic fatigue issues.

So What Can You Do?

Stress build up is not only a problem for the person suffering it but also for those around you. Relationships with family members become unintentionally strained as you try and cope with menopause symptoms. Here are a few common suggestions which may provide some much needed relief:

- Obviously hormone replacement therapy is an answer but not all women want to go down this path for whatever reason. At least talk to your doctor about it.

- If HRT is not the answer for you then consider herbal remedies and treatments but again, these should be discussed with your doctor.

- Getting adequate sleep at night. This has been discussed earlier with some recommendations already made.

- Don't overdo things such as work and play. Over exercising just puts added stress on your body

- Avoid caffeine enhanced drinks such a coffee. It's an obvious pick-me-up for many people but isn't recommended when menopause "is in town."

- Maintain good dietary practices. Try to avoid low fat diets replacing normal fats with healthy oils. Fat is an energy source which the body needs to function properly. Stick with unsaturated fats.

False Unicorn Root Strengthens Ovaries and Kidneys In Menopausal Women

It is safe to say that no woman looks forward to menopause. It is simply overwhelming with all the side effects your body feels when it goes through this stage. Sadly, every woman faces menopause as she gets older and her body bids farewell to monthly menstrual cycles and its ability to reproduce. That is a lot of change to handle all at once and it doesn't go without side effects. Menopause graces its victims with a fleet of symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, cramps, mood swings, headaches, poor libido, anxiety, and disturbed sleep schedules. False unicorn root is a natural substance that can help treat a number of these unpleasant surprises. Not only does it provide relief, but it helps strengthen the ovaries and kidneys.

False unicorn root is home to eastern United States. The herb has been used for centuries. Early settlers and Native Americans both used the tonic herb as a natural treatment for a number of things-mainly female related. It is the Native Americans that gave false unicorn root the name "Devil's Bit" as they used it as a heal-all herb. Most popularly, the herb helps support healthy female reproductive organs. It helps relieve symptoms associated with menstruation and menopause. It can help with mood swings, cramps, and edema. Edema is another name for the excess water associated with menopause and menstrual cycles. It is the water retention that makes you feel or look blooded. The plant also works to help support healthy kidneys, genitourinary health, and prostate. This is beneficial to both men and women.

Women that are pregnant should not consume false unicorn root. Although the root is useful to help reduce miscarriages, it can also cause side effects if overused. It may cause vomiting-an already dreaded side effect of pregnancy. The herb is not considered dangerous but if you are pregnant and wanting to consumer it, please check with a physician for prior approval and dose recommendations.

You can find false unicorn root naturally in a low, moist grounds. It typically grows to be up to three feet tall and just over a foot in width.

This tonic herb is superbly beneficial for strengthening the uterus and kidneys. This is important for women going through menopause. Women take quite a beating physically when going through menopause. Taking supplements to prepare the body for the change is the best thing a woman can do during this stage in her life. Herbal supplements with false unicorn root in the formula are a great way to naturally restore balance to the body.

Natural Remedies For Menopause Symptoms

Changing hormone levels in the female reproductive system is the real cause of the annoying menopause symptoms. 70% of women have to cope with these symptoms while getting close to menopause. Generally, menopause symptoms begin to appear during pre-menopause stage or at around the age of 40. The symptoms progressively get more extreme as a female gets closer to having menopause.

Here are some of the common menopause symptoms:

1. Hot and cold flashes - These are unexpected attacks of heat or warmth which could trigger redness on face and upper body.

2. Night sweating - So called as it is generally encountered through the night where one perspires greatly while sleeping.

3. Vaginal dryness - A different symptom related to menopause causing deterioration of genitals which makes it rough and thin. This kind of symptom may also make genital area vulnerable to yeast and bacterial infections.

4. Irregular menstrual cycle - A typical symptom of menopause where one has very quick period of bleeding and might have significant bleeding on another cycle. There are additionally periods where a woman doesn't have any bleeding on date.

5. Mood swings - Short-term mood changes which are quite obvious as a woman draws near menopause therefore making the behavior of a female really unpredictable.

Some other symptoms consist of hair loss, loss of concentration, memory lapses, fatigue, dizziness, weight gain, and brittle nails. These signs and symptoms sometimes happens to anyone and of numerous health conditions however are also encountered by women on menopause stage. Severe headaches, breast pain or softness, aching joints and change in body color are likewise menopause related symptoms that are not clearly seen unless of course followed by some other symptoms.

There are several menopause symptoms that differ from one woman to the other. Unfortunately, a lot of women endure these symptoms acidly currently being not completely mindful that there are available natural remedies that may control and make these symptoms manageable without having any unwanted effect. Addition of soybeans and isoflavones on your diet plan could be beneficial in reducing numerous symptoms of menopause. The soy proteins offer estrogen to the body which gets scarce when a woman draws near menopause. Additionally, chaste berry can regulate moodiness and breast pain because it prevents prolactin hormone in the body.

You might also wish to think about a natural menopause treatment which could truly decrease the impact of pain and distress. A couple of clicks on your mouse provide you incredible health discoveries that may reduce menopause symptoms.

Menopause - What Every Women Needs to Know

Menopause is something that happens to every woman. It is a natural part of life. The average for women who enter menopause is 52. Menopause can occur between the ages of 30 into the 60s. Menopause is different for each woman. It can occur quietly or it can be quite dramatic. Mostly, menopause is changes in a woman's reproductive system. As the supply of eggs ages, the body begins to ovulate less thus causing hormone changes. After awhile the estrogen and progesterone levels drop low enough to stop menstrual periods. Sometimes surgery can trigger menopause. Removing the ovaries, radiation therapy to the pelvis area and chemotherapy can trigger early menopause.

There is a time right before menopause that is called perimenopause. It happens two to five years before menopause. But it has been known for women to have perimenopause symptoms 10-15 years before menopause. You can have irregular periods, breast tenderness and worse premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and also low libido.

During the time leading up to menopause menstrual periods can be irregular and very heavy at times. Other symptoms include hot flashes. Hot flashes could be mild to severe. Women could experience cloudy thinking, headaches, mood swings, depression, anxiety, heart palpitations and irritability. These symptoms can happen well before menopause and keep going well after it. It is different for every woman. The hormone estrogen steadily drops for many months before and after menopause so it is possible for symptoms to get worse. After a while the hormone will level off and the symptoms usually get better, however some women have the symptoms beyond menopause, called post menopause.

Most of the time you do not need a hormone test to check for menopause. Usually between you and your doctor you can figure out if you are perimenopause or in menopause. The doctor will take a history of your period and your physical and emotional health. If you had a lot of irregular and heavy bleeding your doctor may do a few tests to rule out any infection, disease, or a complication of pregnancy. Generally, if you haven't had a period in over a year then you are in menopause.

Since menopause is a natural part of life usually no treatment is needed. If the symptoms interfere with your life then making some lifestyle changes may be in order. Try to make an effort to eat well, avoid a lot of caffeine, alcohol and stress. When you get hot flashes you can try a controlled breathing method to reduce them and emotional symptoms. If you think you need more relief after making lifestyle changes then you can try other treatment for relieving the menopause symptoms. You could try Hormone Replacement Therapy with a low dose of birth control pills before menopause begins or a low dose of hormone replacement therapy after menopause begins. There is certain blood pressure medication or anti-depressants that may be prescribed to help relieve symptoms. If you want to go the alternative route then you can try to include soy into your diet or black cohosh.

Genistein Is the Proven Safe and Effective Menopause Relief Supplement

Hot flashes and night sweats are the most common symptom of menopause in 50-70% of menopausal women in developed countries and estrogen hormone replacement therapy is a highly effective hot flashes treatment. However, in recent years the use of estrogen hormone therapy has been substantially reduced due to the finding in the large Women's Health Initiative study that it increases risk of stroke and breast cancer.? Thus, there is a need for a safe and non-hormonal alternative for hot flashes treatment.? One of the most highly studied alternatives is soybean isoflavones. It was suspected that soybeans contain compounds that provide menopausal relief since Asian countries where soybean consumption is much higher than in Western counties only 20-25% of postmenopausal women experience hot flashes and night sweats.

Soy isoflavones are naturally occurring in soybeans and consist of three compounds called genistein,daidzein, and glycitein which make up approximately 50, 40, and 10% of the total soybean isoflavone content, respectively. Since the mid 1990s, dozens of studies have been conducted with isoflavones to determine if they will alleviate menopausal symptoms. However, the findings have been very mixed and it was observed only recently those soy products with genistein as the major isoflavone were consistently effective and those with daidzein as the major isoflavone were mostly ineffective.? This observation has now been confirmed in three published clinical intervention studies in Italy and one recent clinical study in Canada with postmenopausal women given pure genistein that taken together prove its value in hot flash treatment.

In the first study by Crisafulli (2004) 98 postmenopausal women had hot flash reductions greater than placebo of 22, 29 and 24% after 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. In a second study by D'Anna (2007, 2009) 389 postmenopausal women were given 54 mg/day of genistein or a placebo over 2 years.? Hot flashes and night sweats were reduced in the genistein group after one month and reached 56.5% after 12 months but did not decrease further in the second year. A third study by Albertazzi (2005) gave 90 mg/day of genistein or placebo to 100 postmenopausal women for 6 weeks.? Women who had more than 9 hot flashes per day had a 31.25% reduction in the genistein group compared to a 20% reduction in the placebo group.

A fourth clinical intervention study was conducted by Elliott (2009) with 84 Canadian postmenopausal women who received 30 mg of pure synthetic genistein or a placebo for 12 weeks.? After 12 weeks the women on genistein had a 51% reduction on hot flashes and night sweats compared to only 27% for the women in the placebo, a highly significant difference.? Compared to placebo, this reduction in hot flashes at 12 weeks was a net reduction of 24% which is very similar to the 29% net reduction seen in the Crisafulli (2004) study after 12 weeks.? What is particularly noteworthy about this study is that the dose was 30 mg versus 54 mg in the Italy studies and a daily genistein intake of 30 mg falls well within the range consumed by Asians who eat traditional soy foods.The genistein used in this study is branded as geniVida, a product of DSM Nutritional Products. It is 99% pure, soy-free, allergen-free and has an extensive package of safety studies in animals and humans which demonstrate it is safe for daily use.

The geniVida used in the above study is now available in a new product for hot flash relief called i-cool.? To learn more about i-cool and purchase go to SupplementFirst.com.

References Cited:

Crisafulli A, Marini H, Bitto A, Altavilla D, Squadrito G, Romeo A, Adamo EB, Marini R, D'Anna R, et al. Effects of genistein on hot flushes in early postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind EPT- and placebo-controlled study. Menopause 2004;11:400-4.

D'Anna R, Cannata ML, Atteritano M, Cancellieri F, Corrado F, Baviera G, Triolo O, Antico F, Gaudio A, et al. Effects of the phytoestrogen genistein on hot flushes, endometrium, and vaginal epithelium in postmenopausal women: a 1-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Menopause 2007;14:648-55.??

D'Anna R, Cannata ML, Marini H, Atteritano M, Cancellieri F, Corrado F, Triolo O, Rizzo P, Russo S, Gaudio A, Frisina N, Bitto A, Polito F, Minutoli L, Altavilla D, Adamo EB, Squadrito F. Effects of the phytoestrogen genistein on hot flushes, endometrium, and vaginal epithelium in postmenopausal women: a 2-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Menopause 2009;16:301-6.

Albertazzi P, Steel SA, Bottazzi M. Effect of pure genistein on bone markers and hot flushes. Climacteric 2005;8:371-9.

Elliott J, ?Evans M,? Sharma P, Berman B, Guthrie N. Genistein reduces the number and duration of hot flashes in peri/post menopausal women in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial. Experimental Biology 2009, L8471, 4/09.

Anxiety Disorders And The Menopause Link

In today's society women struggle to survive and do more than they are able to, at work and at home. The demands, especially at work, are increasing and more is being demanded of you. Maybe you are also experiencing relationship issues or coping with other persistent problems (children, aging parents, etc).

Many women will experience extreme nervousness, generalized anxiety and sometimes full-blown panic attacks during menopause. For millions, these feelings are overwhelming and can interfere with their daily activities. Anxiety attacks refer to a combination of negative emotions including extreme fear and worry, often accompanied by physical sensations such as palpitations, chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath. If you have not been correctly informed, anxiety attacks can indeed be terrifying. It is important that you know about and understand the hormone-based causes.

What causes Anxiety attacks during menopause?

The causes for anxiety attacks are divided into psychological and physical. However, physical causes (hormone imbalances) are primarily responsible for this issue in menopausal women.

o Psychological causes for Anxiety attacks

Here we have the ones related to uncommon disorders- rare hereditary diseases provoked by chemical imbalance in the brain, and those related to life stresses, fatigue, etc. If these cannot be controlled, your emotional stability is lost, culminating in anxiety attacks. However, these cases are temporary and anxiety attacks usually stop when the stressful event is over.

o Physical causes for Anxiety attacks

Hormonal imbalance is the main cause for anxiety attacks during menopause. Sometimes a trigger is something external, such as very loud noise. At other times, the feelings will seem to appear out of nowhere, without explanation or warning.

Estrogen hormones have a great effect on your mental state, as they regulate the levels of cortisol- the hormone that produces stress and anxiety. Thus, if your estrogen drops, cortisol cannot be controlled, leading to producing more stress and anxiety. Also key is the health of your adrenal system. The adrenals can normally assist with hormone production; however if your adrenals have become severely fatigued, you may not be properly manufacturing enough estrogen, DHEA and progesterone. Without proper levels of these hormones, even a small stress event can rapidly escalate into an anxiety attack.

What do I do about Anxiety attacks during menopause?

The most important step in relieving your anxiety is to find out whether your problem has a psychological or physical nature. If there is an extreme psychological disorder, you may need to be treated by a psychologist or other trained mental health professional. There may be a legitimate need for prescription medications to control the symptoms.

You may ask yourself "Why is this happening to me?" because maybe you have never experienced an anxiety disorder before and taking antidepressants or anxiety medication is a concern to you. There are alternative treatments available in many cases. Work with your doctor to explore all possible health issues. Hormone testing should reveal any imbalances, which can usually be corrected with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, medical massage therapy, acupuncture -- or a combination of these therapies. It will take weeks or many months to fine-tune the treatment, but you have a great chance of full recovery.

Perimenopause Treatments For 3 of the Most Common Symptoms

Perimenopause is not an illness. It is a normal phase of life that women must eventually go through. A friend of mine once said that it's like a filtering device. Women have to go through menopause ... or else, the population would just continue to grow. Now you wouldn't want to be child-bearing forever, do you?

Since this is natural, you have to be prepared once we get to that certain age. The intensity and effect of perimenopause signs and symptoms varies from woman to woman. The hormonal imbalance that causes these symptoms are the ones women would want to eliminate for good - if possible, that is.

Once conclusive tests reveal that you are healthy and with no signs of the dreaded cancer, then it's time for you to get some treatment for the symptoms. Before deciding on what type of treatment though, makes sure that you are now "living healthy". Having a healthy lifestyle would help you lessen the effects of the symptoms.

- Have a balanced diet. Take not of your carbohydrate intake. Oils like omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are good for your body. Take vitamin supplements if you must. And you never go wrong with green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits.

- Exercise. You don't need to go to the gym to do this. Try walking every morning. The fresh air will not only be good for your lungs. Body movement will improve blood circulation.

That said, let's now go on to see what possible treatments or remedies we can have for certain symptoms:

1. Irregular menstrual periods. Progestin is one way to relieve heavy menstrual bleeding. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may also be recommended. Ibuprofen may be of some help with excessive bleeding. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), IUD or birth control pills are also considered. Magnesium intake can be increased as long as there is doctor's supervision. There is the ever-permanent hysterectomy (surgically removing the uterus) and endometrial ablation (using heat to damage and scar the uterine wall), but always consult a doctor first should you want to do any of these. Try to reduce your sugar, salt and caffeine intake. Exercise regularly to reduce the pain. Acupuncture is the way to go for some women, but you should go to a qualified acupuncturist for treatment. Evening primrose oil and flax seed oil helps with relieving the pain from excessive bleeding and breast tenderness. Herbal remedies like Belladonna, Natrum mur and Sulfur are readily available, but you should first make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor for him to provide the right mix of herbs for you.

2. Hot flashes and night sweats. HRT provides relief as well but should not be taken without the consent of a doctor. Take 400 IU to 800 IU of vitamin E. Natural progesterone cream is available over the counter. Gabapentin (drug used to treat migraine headaches) has recently been found to greatly reduce flashes and sweats among women. Alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods have also been reported to be contributors to this symptom. Black cohosh is believed to be effective against flashes and other symptoms. Soy-enriched foods like tofu, miso, soy milk, whole soy beans and the like also helps. Exercise, but don't do so at least 3 hours before going to bed to prevent night sweats. Wear cotton clothes, allowing your skin to breathe.

3. Depression and mood swings. These are sometimes triggered by stress factors such as work, family and relationships. If you cannot control them anymore, then a visit to the doctor may be beneficial. Also, do enjoyable activities such as going to a movie, watching a game, mild exercise, etc. Anti-depressants may be recommended. St. John's Wort, magnesium, sufficient vitamin B complex may be of help as well.

It's always best to consult your doctor or health practitioner for the best possible treatment. Consider the pros and cons if you are suggested to take a certain medicine. In the end, it will still be you who decides what to do.

Natural Remedies For Menopause - Estrogen Supplements That Work Naturally

Though menopause has been affecting women the world over throughout mankind's history, there have always been natural estrogen supplements in the form of home remedies. Many of these have been lost in the annals of time, as modern science focused more and more on synthetic substitutions for the natural herbs and plants that once formed the foundation of medical treatments.

Thankfully, recent decades have brought about a dramatic resurgence in the attention given to these ancient home remedies, and women can now obtain relief from menopause symptoms without suffering the side effects associated with many conventional hormone replacement therapies.

One of the best natural estrogen supplements for menopause is something called Angelica (otherwise known as don quai). An herb found in Eurasia, Angelica has traditionally been used for several purposes throughout history - including efforts to stave off the plague and various malevolent supernatural entities. In China, Angelica has long been recognized as an effective treatment for both menopause and menstrual complications. Its healthy supply of natural estrogen is effective in restoring imbalanced estrogen levels, as well as relieving the most severe symptoms caused by menopause.

When it comes to natural estrogen supplements for menopause, few have seen the world as much as Licorice Root. An herbal powerhouse that once merited burial with such luminaries as King Tutankhamen of Egypt, Licorice Root has seen its share of duty in places as diverse as Greece, China, and India. Like Angelica, Licorice Root helps to balance unbalanced hormones, while also providing the same type of anti-inflammatory benefits that we in the West regularly receive from cortisone. Its naturally occurring plant estrogen can relieve menopausal symptoms, as well as provide greater regularity for bowel movements. One caveat, however - because of its tendency to increase blood pressure, it should be taken with care.

For those who love the Classics - or at least the Greek Classics - there is also the Chasteberry. Its history extends back over several thousand years to the time of Homer (and no doubt even farther back than that). It is perhaps best known for its use in reducing the libido of monks sworn to a lifetime of chastity. As one of the natural estrogen supplements for menopause, Chasteberry relies upon its natural stores of progesterone to excite the natural production of the hormone in your body.

This helps to bring your own levels of estrogen and progesterone into closer balance, relieving many of the menopausal symptoms you may be experiencing. On a side note, the people of China also use it to alleviate the pain and discomfort of both arthritis and migraine headaches.

The list of natural estrogen supplements for menopause treatment is even more extensive than the ones covered here, but these few should provide a suitable introduction to the effectiveness that these products can demonstrate in treating your menopause symptoms. If you have been looking for the right natural product to provide relief for your menopausal symptoms, any of these natural estrogen supplements for menopause should do the trick.

Herbal Remedies for Hot Flashes: Avoiding the Problems of Hormone Replacement Therapy

The most common menopausal symptom for most women is also the most uncomfortable. Women who would otherwise hardly notice the transition into menopause definitely notice hot flashes! The medical treatment that was usually suggested for hot flashes in the past was hormone replacement therapy. While HRT can be very effective in alleviating the symptoms it can also increase your risk of breast cancer and stroke. It is no wonder that so many women are using herbal remedies for hot flashes.

The exact cause of hot flashes is unclear, but hormonal changes and imbalances are thought to be the main reason. Medical professionals consider hot flashes as an estrogen deficiency that can be triggered by stimulants, such as spicy foods (ginger, cayenne, pepper), acidic foods (tomatoes, citrus, pickles), hot drinks, alcoholic drinks, caffeine (chocolate, coffee, cola, black tea), white sugar, stress, hot weather, saturated or hydrogenated fats (margarine, meat), saunas and hot tubs, marijuana or tobacco, intense exercise, and anger. For many women, just eliminating that list of triggers plus using herbal remedies for hot flashes will bring immediate relief.

Hot flashes may last for a few minutes or even up to an hour. They may be mild or very severe. Every woman will experience them a little differently. Hot flashes which occur at night are called night sweats. They can be accompanied with anxiety and nightmares. Not all women experience hot flashes and fewer experience night sweats. However, many women experience both situations when they are going through menopause.

Exercise is a good way of decreasing hot flashes because it decreases the amount of FSH and LH hormone circulation by toning and nourishing the hypothalamus and raising endorphin levels.

Herbal remedies for hot flashes include plants that have the ability to cool the body, such as chickweed, violet, and elder; plants which increase and nourish oxygen utilization of the liver, such as dandelion, dong quai, polygonum multiflorum,, and yellow duck; and plants which contains high phytosterols, most notably black cohosh.

These are some of the most used herbal remedies for hot flashes:

1. Dong quai relaxes and contracts the uterine muscles. Its effect is not estrogenic, which is the main reason for dong quai's effectiveness. It treats hot flashes by stabilizing the blood vessels.

2. Chaste berry or vitex affects the functions of the pituitary and regulates dizziness and hot flashes. Its beneficial effects are altering the secretion of FSH and LH hormones during menopause. It lowers the levels of estrogen while increasing progesterone levels, which keep vaginal walls and bones strong.

3. Black cohosh was used widely by Native Americans and later by the American colonists for relieving menopause and menstrual cramps. Clinical studies have revealed that black cohosh extract relieves hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, and depression.

4. Motherwort lessens the frequency, duration and severity of hot flashes. It relieves anxiety, insomnia, and stress. Frequent usage will produce the best results.

5. Licorice root is historically used for treating various female disorders. It also has been used effectively in treating asthma and infections of the respiratory tract. It also decreases estrogen and increases progesterone.

6. Essential oils of thyme or basil alleviate hot flashes when utilized in baths, foot rubs, when inhaled, or combined with massage oils.

These herbal remedies for hot flashes - when combined with eliminating common triggers - can greatly reduce menopausal symptoms in most women.

Menopause Relief - Are Sleeping Pills One Of The Solutions For Menopause Insomnia?

You see the ads on TV (if you watch TV) all the time: Sleeping pills can bring you menopause relief and they are touted as one of the solutions for menopause insomnia. But are they really the answer?

During menopause and perimenopause, many, if not most, women suffer to some degree from insomnia. Either you wake up and cannot get back to sleep, or you simply cannot fall asleep as you once could. You wake up tired and go to bed tired, but still you cannot get a good night's sleep.

Many factors enter into the insomnia picture: stress, anxiety, hormonal imbalance, temperature changes, changes in routine, and just minor noises can disturb your slumber.

When you look at the overall picture, you can see that there are many things you can do to help with menopause insomnia. The factors mentioned above are all manageable by using natural methods.

What can be done naturally?

• 
  Stress can be managed by using numerous techniques. Our fast-paced lifestyle is mostly to blame, so with some consideration, you can certainly find ways to reduce the stress levels in your life. Perhaps restructuring your day so that you have time for walks, exercise, play or visiting with friends can make a substantial difference.
  
  
  


• 
  Anxiety is very pervasive and destructive. It can gnaw away at your core being and rob you of your energy and good humor. By taking the time to address the underlying causes, you will free yourself of this most miserable guest. Get help with the bills, mend the relationship, ask forgiveness, do whatever it takes to clear your foundation in life.
  
  
  


• 
  Imbalanced hormones can be helped by eating a well balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables. A high quality vitamin/mineral supplement is very helpful as well. This cannot be over-emphasized because the hormones play such a critical role in your sleep patterns.
  
  
  


• 
  If you bedroom is too warm, you will probably wake up because your body is already prone to hot flashes and night sweats. Open the window, get a lighter blanket, but do something to provide for fresh air and a cool room. You will sleep much better. No wonder my own mother slept with her window open all year long!
  
  
  


• 
  Life changes all the time, and especially as menopause enters in. Teenagers grow up and leave home, relationships change, values begin to change, work takes on a different significance and all of this can easily prevent you from getting a good night's rest. Take the time to resolve these changes, accept them and adapt.
  
  
  


• 
  Minor noises that used to go unnoticed can now be most annoying. Flushing toilets, barking dogs, music in the next room, etc. can all keep you awake or wake you up. Often other people are quite willing to be more quiet, if you only ask them. When there is nothing you can do though, you might need to invest in something to mask the noise or cancel it out. Even simple ear plugs can go a long way in masking the unwelcome noise. Some people use recordings of thunderstorms or ocean tides to cover up outside noises.
  
  
  

So, who needs sleeping pills?

There certainly are times when sleeping pills are advised. However, there is no reason to make them the solution for menopause insomnia. There are many safe, natural sleeping pills that can get you over the hump when you need it and they can be a real life saver.

The problem arises when you become dependent on them, especially if they are a powerful pharmaceutical drug with the potential for dependency. It is quite common for women to become dependent on these drugs, and suffer the side effects as well.

In conclusion, take a look at the many natural, simple remedies to get menopause relief. By taking personal responsibility you will find that your menopause insomnia can be greatly reduced, if not eliminated. Sleeping pills have their place, but it should be to temporarily help you, not become the solution.

Menopausal Vaginal Dryness

The Positive Side of Menopause

Menopause is often called "the Curse" or the "Change". Personally I prefer to refer to menopause as "the Change" because not all aspects of leaving the reproductive part of life are negative. There are benefits such as:

• No more messy periods to deal with.
• No more worrying about unwanted pregnancy
• Women who experience heavy or painful periods finally get relief.

The Not So Positive Side of Menopause

There is however, a downside to menopause. You may experience some, or all of the following symptoms:

• Hot flushes
• Irritability
• Vaginal dryness
• Pain during sexual intercourse

The Role of Estrogen

At menopause, less estrogen is being produced in your body compared to the levels that you had when you were fertile. In fact, a post-menopausal woman commonly produces only about 30% of the estrogen that she once produced. Unfortunately, this lack of the female hormone, estrogen causes changes in the vagina - including dryness. Less lubrication being produced by the vagina means more friction in the vagina during penetrative sexual intercourse. This increased friction can quickly become painful.

Some Medical Options for Menopausal Vaginal Dryness

Oral Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Until very recently, most doctors have commonly prescribed oral HRT (hormone replacement therapy in a pill form). Oral HRT dramatically improves menopausal symptoms, but unfortunately oral HRT has been linked to an increased risk of many types of cancer. Breast cancer rates and ovarian cancer rates are significantly greater in HRT users. Many doctors are aware of the increased cancer risk, and advise using the minimum dosage of HRT that can successfully relieve the symptoms and only use it for the shortest period of time.

Estrogen Vaginal Creams

Another medical option is estrogen cream that is applied by smearing in the vagina. Because estrogen creams are applied locally rather swallowed (which then affects the whole body), they are somewhat safer than oral HRT pills. Unfortunately, estrogen creams also increase the risk of endometrial cancer. The common advice is to use them infrequently or as little as possible.

Viagra for Women

Studies have been done by Pfizer, the makers of Viagra that show that taking Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) before sex can help to increase lubrication in women who suffer from vaginal dryness during sexual intercourse.

Please consult your doctor for advice if you are considering any of the above medical options.

Non - Medical and Natural Approaches for Menopausal Vaginal Dryness

Personal Lubricants

The simplest way to treat vaginal dryness is to use a personal lubricant (also known as a sexual lubricant) such as those you find in supermarkets, chemists and pharmacies, adult stores and online. There are even natural ones made from kiwi fruit available.

The Role of Diet

A healthy diet consisting of plenty of fresh foods, vegetables and plenty of good, natural fats is helpful in restoring moisture to skin cells everywhere - including in the vagina.

Natural Herbal Supplements

You may also want to try natural herbal supplements such as Evening Primrose Oil or Black Currant oil, which contain concentrated gamma linoleic acid (GLA) which can help to balance the female hormones.

Bio-Identical Herbal Hormone Replacement Therapy

Consulting a naturopath who specialises in bio-identical (herbal) hormone replacement may bring you amazing relief. Many women have had wonderful results from a naturopathic option such as personalised 'herbal HRT'.

Menopause Sleep Strategies - Tips For Getting the Rest You Need For Health and Resilience

Do not underestimate the importance of sleep as you go through menopause. And yet it's one essential element of health that's often lacking during menopause due to many of the menopausal symptoms that interfere with good quality sleep. Sleep is not only essential to offset the stress of menopause, it's also very nourishing and healing. Not getting enough rest depletes your stress-coping hormones, and as they begin to diminish you lose your ability to deal with life's daily challenges with vitality, confidence and optimism. Sleep is also important for concentration, memory formation and the repair of damage to your body's cells during the day.

Here are some strategies to use to ensure that your menopause self care toolbox doesn't neglect getting good quality sleep. I find it's helpful to group these strategies into three different categories: conditions for high quality sleep, lifestyle behaviors that affect sleep and nutritional choices that affect sleep.

1. Conditions:

Some of these may seem obvious, but it's wise to check these off the list as you read along to make sure you're not missing any of these points.

Do you need a new bed?

Beds were not meant to last forever. It may be an expensive strategy for improving your sleep, but in the long run well worth it. I've been frustrated by the idea that we cannot return beds after we've tried them out at home, though I certainly recognize the logic behind the policy. There are stores that do have a more liberal return policy and carry a wide range of choices, so those are better places to shop.

Test out a bed at the end of the day when you are likely to be more tired. And lay around on each bed. Don't be shy! There is no right or wrong bed. It's a personal choice, so take your time. And if you need a new pillow, get one. That'll make a huge difference as well.

Do you need more or less fresh air at night?

Another individual choice. I prefer lots of fresh air. Some women prefer using fans for circulation or humidifiers and air filters for air quality control. Try different combinations and go from there.

Do you need to sleep in a dark cave to rest your best?

Light sensitivity is important. If you find that early morning light gets you up to early, then you'll do better to create a cave like environment.

Are you sensitive to noise?

Another interesting one. I know some women who can't sleep a wink without ear plugs. Again, it's what works for you. You need to rest well to feel and function your best, so pay attention to what soothes you and what agitates you.

2. Lifestyle behaviors:

When's the best time for you to exercise?

Some women will have a more difficult time calming down after vigorous exercise. If you are one of them, make sure not to exercise for a few hours before bedtime. Also, notice what exercise choices you make, some may affect your ability to sleep differently.

For instance, a cardio class at the gym may over energize you, yet a yoga class may put you in a perfect state for your best night's sleep ever! Play around and try some different choices at different times and see what works best.

What do you do before bedtime?

Most women find it difficult going to sleep straight from a session of the computer. More and more information is surfacing about how interacting with electronic devices affects our brains and emotional energy. I would strongly suggest that you wind down from any electronic devices (computers, TV, telephone etc) at least a few hours before bed. How to use that time instead?

Reading is very relaxing, taking a bath, practicing some deep breathing works wonders, writing in a journal can be helpful so enjoy discovering for yourself what else works to put you in the mood for sleep.

If you're someone whose mind easily wanders to what went wrong today kinds of thought, it will help to think about your day and ask yourself questions like "What am I grateful for, what did I learn today, who did I help today and who helped me?" Reflecting on what you have to be grateful for sets the tone for a restful nights sleep.

3. Nutritional choices:

The most obvious one here is caffeine. If you are sensitive, then stop taking in caffeine early in the day. This may also take some time to figure out but it's important.

How big a meal can you eat before going to bed?

For some of us, being in too much of a digestive state will interfere with sleep.

If you have a sensitivity to certain foods, like wheat for example, then you'll end up feeling stuffed up and congested before bed and that's not a good idea. For some women, alcohol and sugar will keep them up and others can sleep just fine after eating them. Some women can go to bed slightly hungry and others are uncomfortable feeling the least bit hungry.

It all depends, but it is essential to find what works for you. Also, notice how you feel in the morning when you wake up. If you've slept well and wake up feeling groggy, dehydrated, or have a hard time getting up and getting going, then your nutrition the day before is the likely culprit.

Remember that getting a good night's sleep is one key to coping with any menopausal symptom you may be experiencing. Create a checklist of these ideas I mentioned and start to see if any of them are affecting the quality of your sleep in an adverse way. Do this and you'll be sleeping soundly and feeling rested once again.

Symptoms of Menopause That Drive Women Crazy

Have you been experiencing hot flashes, moodiness, and lack of sleep lately? Have you thought that just maybe you are losing it just a little, as if your mental state isn't quite what it used to be? Well, relax. You are just going through menopause! That may not be much relief, but let's get some answers and hopefully that will help.

Yes there are many physical side effects of menopause, and these sometimes cause mental distress on their own. But the irritability and moodiness is something that is very common in many women at this time, and has a very logical explanation. The hormone imbalance that is apparent at this time causes women to act almost like they are going through puberty again in some ways, and I'm sure you still remember how emotional of a time that was! The same thing, only in reverse, is happening to your body now. Instead of a surging in hormones though, you are experiencing a drop in hormones. This is not a steady drop, oh no. The drop, then surge, and then drop again is what causes many of the emotional roller-coaster rides for menopausal women.

Of course every woman is different and has different ways that the symptoms of menopause reveal themselves. Some have a total drop in sex drive, while others experience an increase! This is directly related to the hormones again, some women will have a drop in estrogen and others may experience a sudden drop on progesterone. Not only that, this imbalance can also shift for the same woman from one month to the next which really can through things out of wack. This is quite similar to premenstrual syndrome in that the changes in hormones result in sudden changes in emotions.

So what can a woman do to get help for these sudden changes? There are some natural herbal remedies that have been used for centuries to help balance out hormonal changes. These herbal pills can be found in health food stores and even grocery stores now and some of them are called Black Cohosh, motherwort, Asian ginseng, licorice root, lavender, kava, red clover, and ginkgo biloba. They have different effects, some are for helping to soothe the nerves and others more specific to hot flashes.

Some of these herbs are considered what is known as "phytoestrogens" -plants that act as a natural source of estrogen once converted by the body. These are also found in soy, which is a perfect food for helping to ease the symptoms of menopause. Try these herbal remedies out for yourself and see what many women have said for years about there powers to help balance things out.

Availyn Helps Relieve Menopause Symptoms With Its Natural Formula

With the numerous side effects that follow closely with menopause, finding relief quickly is crucial. Managing side effects like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and low libido is not something that can be done without some help. This is where products like Availyn come to play. Availyn is a natural supplement that works with the body to return balance and synergy. After all, it is the chemical imbalance that causes the uninvited side effects to take over in the first place.

You can go about treating menopause in two different ways. Some women choose to actually prepare their bodies for the trauma it is about to go through. Others wait until the onset of symptoms before they start making steps towards treatment. Of course it is never too late or too soon to start taking a proactive approach about your health, but it doesn't hurt to prepare your body before the storm. However if you are pregnant it is advised to seek physician's approval before diving into any supplement.

Availyn can prepare your body for menopause by promoting a strong uterus and kidney health. On a 1-10 scale--10 being the best--it is undoubtedly better to take a supplement that can bring your uterus' health to a 9 or 10 before hitting menopause, rather than starting at a lower number while menopause strikes. Preparing your body for the end of its reproductive cycle can potentially mean that you can avoid having any real side effects. A great example for this would be the case of Asian women versus American women. In a general assumption, women of Asian descent have a solid amount of soy incorporated into their diet. American women generally do not in comparison. Soy isoflavones are absolutely known for their ability to balance hormones and relieve menopausal symptoms. This being said, studies show that women of Asian descent often dodge menopause symptoms because they have coincidentally prepared their bodies for the trauma. Soy isoflavones are just one of the ingredients used in the Availyn formula.

Other ingredients in the formula are black cohosh root, dong quai, red raspberry leaf, sage, false unicorn root, wild yam, chaste berry tree, red clover, and damiana. Each ingredient is unique for its ability to target menopause symptoms and calm their effects. They work together to naturally treat hot flashes, low libido, night sweats, and mood swings. Herbal supplements like Availyn are supported by nutritionists and healthcare professionals from all areas.

Menopause Relief is Possible with Herbal and Other Natural Remedies

Many women search for menopause relief. Though menopause does not technically occur until a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 months, the symptoms associated with decreased estrogen production can be experienced for as many as ten years before. Menopause natural remedies are designed to address the symptoms that many women experience during this time, including breast tenderness, decreased sexual desire, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, irregular periods, heavy bleeding, depression and moodiness. Thankfully, not all women have all of these symptoms, but even one or two can be frustrating and difficult to deal with. And, from personal experience, I can tell you that we don't have to put up with them and we don't have to take drugs.

Menopause natural remedies may contain only one herb or a combination of herbs, vitamins, minerals and other plant derivatives. The ones mentioned here are only a few of the products that you may see in a health food or drug store. It is important to read the list of ingredients on any product that you are considering. Buy from a reputable manufacturer of dietary supplements and avoid the discount versions. Independent laboratory studies have shown that some of these contain only inactive ingredients or inadequate amounts of active ingredients. If you buy something cheap that is ineffective, this is probably the reason.

Black cohosh is one of the most widely recommended herbs for menopause relief. It was used historically by Native Americans for many purposes, but those which apply to menopause relief are related to its use for the symptoms of hormonal imbalance and as a mild sedative. Sleep disturbances being one of the symptoms for which many women seek menopause natural remedies, it has also proven to be effective in reducing hot flashes and night sweats. Several surveys have shown that black cohosh is one of the most frequently used herbs for menopause relief and that the majority of women feel that it has reduced their symptoms.

Red clover was used historically by Native Americans to correct hormonal imbalances and as a mild sedative. The active component in red clover is believed to be isoflavones called phytoestrogens, which simply means plant components that have an estrogen like effect on the body. In a randomized placebo controlled trial related to menopause natural remedies performed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre in Amsterdam, the study group experienced 44% less hot flashes than the group receiving placebo, a significant difference. Some researchers feel that because of its estrogen like effects, red clover should be used with caution by those women who have a history of breast cancer. A safer choice would be those menopause natural remedies that contain both red clover and sarsaparilla.

Sarsaparilla was used historically by Native Americans to treat a variety of conditions including hormonal imbalance. A recent study in Canada showed that it was effective in eliminating four different human cancer cell lines and has no known side effects. Studies in the US have shown that it is an effective immune system stimulant. Hundreds of studies have been published concerning the health benefits of sarsaparilla.

These three herbs are rarely found in one product. These are the menopause natural remedies with which I am most familiar, because of their use in traditional Native American medicine, a subject I have spent much time studying. Until recently, I had to buy all of these herbs separately, which was quite expensive. But, then I found a product that combines all three for a reasonable price and provides adequate amounts of calcium and magnesium plus a natural antidepressant. I believe it is the best all natural product available for menopause relief.

Increased Cramping During Menopause?

During your late forties or early fifties, you will begin a new stage of life, common to all women--menopause. Some rejoice at the thought to no longer having to buy tampons. Others cry, realizing their childbearing days are over. However, all experience new (and usually unpleasant) changes in their monthly hormonal cycle, one of which is cramping. Increased cramping, unfortunately, is not unusual for women later in life, but there are a number of treatment options. You don't have to live with the pain of menopausal cramps.

If you experienced cramping during your menstrual cycle, you will most likely experience it after you stop menstruating as well. This begins to occur during the first stage of menopause, called perimenopause. You may continue to experience menstruation irregularly during this time, but it is common to get cramps even without bleeding. You have officially entered the menopause stage of life after you have not experienced a period for one year.

At this time, cramping may still occur monthly--just because your ovaries no longer produce eggs does not mean you do not still experience some kind of monthly hormonal cycle--but it is rare, so talk to your doctor to be sure that you are otherwise healthy. Cramps after you have not experienced bleeding for over a year may indicate other more serious health problems. Also talk to your doctor if you have never experienced cramping before, but begin to suffer from cramps regularly.

You have a number of treatment options to relieve the pain you may experience from cramping, and your doctor can help you choose the best course of action for your body. While some women may find relief in simple over-the-counter medicines (the same ones used in earlier years for relief with menstruation cramping), others seek prescription strength drugs. In recent years, the idea of hormone replacement therapy has become a less popular option due to its association with cancer, but some doctors still recommend this course of action.

Natural remedies, such as herbs, are receiving thumbs ups from women across the country, and are now one of the most common treatments for menopausal women, as they help with not only cramping, but with other symptoms as well. This is a type of alternative medicine that is still being studied, but many women swear by the use of herbal remedies. Other alternative medicine treatment options include acupuncture, acupressure, and meditation.

There are also things you can do to relieve cramps at home, without medicine or medical procedures. These are often the same remedies used by menstruating women to relieve cramps during their periods. Try a warm bath to help with the tension and pain. Also remember that regular sexual activity is healthy and a great way to stop cramping. Massage can also be used at home as a temporary fix to cramps.

Overall, it is simply important to keep an open dialogue with your doctor about the numerous changes that are taking place in your body. Cramps are a common problem for the majority of women going through menopause, so you are not alone in your struggle to stop the painful cramping in the perimenopause stage of life.

Menozac - The Ultimate Natural Menopause Relief is in Menozac

The way people view older women influences mature women in how well they cope with menopause. In many regions where the society respects maturity, wisdom and experiences, the menopausal time is attended by far fewer physical and emotional ailments.

For example, in African tribes, where menopause is embraced as a welcomed passage in life, and postmenopausal women are respected for their experience and wisdom, women rarely complain of menopausal symptoms. Similarly, Indian women of the Rajput caste, do not criticize of despair or psychological symptoms during menopause.

In Japan too, where senior women are respected very well, hormone treatment for menopause is practically unidentified. Further, Asian women actually have fewer and less painful symptoms of menopause than those of Western culture. Their diet appears to be a factor that contributes to this. According to the studies of one anthropologist, most Maya women looked forward to menopause, because menopause meant relief from continuous childbearing, and brought them freedom to pursue other interests in life.

But what can be done to alleviate the difficulties of transition for women who have no experience to face menopause and are afraid to face it?

They are not alone, that's the sort of validation they need, for the way they are feeling. And also understanding is vital, as well as a cheerful outlook. As this new chapter in life approaches, make time for deep reflection on new, challenging interests. Many doctors and other experts recommend following general principles of good health in preparing for the transition-nutritious food, enough rest, and short but routine exercise.

And if those things mentioned above are not enough, they can consume a natural treatment to relief them from stressful menopause symptoms. Menozac is an effective formula to set you free from fear to face menopause. It is made from useful plants which have abilities to make older women able to go through this disturbing life transition. For many centuries, its ingredient is well known to relief women from symptoms associated with menopause. This capsule is safe because there's no side effects during the treatment.

Symptoms of Menopause Include Cramps - Here is Your Relief

If the symptoms of menopause you are experiencing include cramps, there is a simple explanation for this. Of course women everywhere remember the cramps that they had when first starting puberty - this was due to the beginning of the first cycles and were related to surging hormones. Well the same thing basically happens when a woman is in menopause, the hormones are receding and then surging, alternately. Luckily it doesn't last long, but for awhile many women will still have cramps.

If you had cramps on a regular basis when you were younger, the fact of the matter is you are more likely to have them again at the onset of menopause. Nobody really knows why although there is a chance that heredity plays a role. When you start to display symptoms of menopause, it's because your hormones are decreasing for the most part. However the fluctuation can suddenly turn into a surge of estrogen which will temporarily give you a feeling of fullness or even cramps that you remember so well. This normally doesn't last for long time, but does vary from one woman to the next just as the other symptoms of menopause do.

There are certain things a woman to take to help ease the pain of these cramps, but taking pain killers such as acetaminophen are only a very temporary solution. Since these over the counter pain relief medications aren't a real solution, only a way to control the symptom, how does a woman fix the real problem? Good question, currently there are some solutions of cramps using foods that are rich in a substance called "phytoestrogens".

How can you get more of these phytoestrogens in your diet? The foods that contain this chemical are already very healthy for you so that is a plus, they include: soy, lentils, tomatoes, multi-grain bread, garlic, alfalfa sprouts, sesame seeds, and flaxseed. If you enjoy any of these foods then by all means stock up on them and see if your symptoms are helped. What if you don't enjoy any of these foods? Luckily they do make a capsule that you can take with phytoestrogens so that is an easier and more convenient way to get the help you need.

There are other ways to relieve symptoms of cramps also, such as a hot bath, some exercise such as a long walk (nothing too vigorous), and even sex which helps to release endorphins which are natural pain killers. However if you find that your cramps are lasting for longer periods of time and won't go away, or are getting more intense in pressure, don't hesitate to see your doctor as this could be a sign of something more serious. Be healthy, and take care of yourself!

Induced Menopause is Not the End

Many women see induced menopause as the end of their life. The thought of not being able to have children is often seen as a death sentence to a younger woman who is forced to go through menopause. They are not worried about menopause relief, menopausal symptoms, pain, or perimenopause. These women are only concerned about not being able to bare children.

Women who have undergone a surgical procedure to have their ovaries removed are forced into an early symptom menopause. They do not go through premenopausal reactions or have any other sign of premenopause; instead, women who have an induction of menopause are thrust into the world of hot flashes, night sweats, and emotions. An induced hot flash is just not the same as a hot flash at the age of 55

Menopause that is caused by a medical condition such as certain drug or radiation therapies is hard for a young woman to come to terms with. Many times the illness related to the drug therapy, or radiation, came on quickly and without warning. Within a matter of weeks or even days, their doctor may have brought up the discussion of inducing menopause.

Removing the ovaries can also induce menopause. For women who have had a surgically induced type of menopause, fertility ends immediately. Levels of estrogen and testosterone will decline much more rapidly than natural menopause. For women who have to go through this type of menopause, the symptoms can be exaggerated and extremely hard to deal with.

All the normal symptoms of menopause are present, like:

* Hot Flashes

* Night Sweats

* Irritability

* Mood Swings

* Anxiety

* Depression

* Formication... the feeling of creepy crawlies all over your body!

None of these menopausal symptoms are fun to go through during natural menopause. When a woman is thrust into menopause, these symptoms can be completely unbearable. The extreme nature of a forced menopause can include one symptom that is exaggerated or it can include all the symptoms being exaggerated at the same time.

On a more positive note...women who go through a forced menopause are likely to suffer their symptoms for a much shorter time period than a woman who goes through natural menopause. Natural menopause can last several years but a forced menopause will last only a fraction of that time.

Menopause is a time of great change throughout a woman's body and her life. For women who go through natural menopause, they have time to prepare for the changes that are about to take place. For a woman who undergoes a forced early menopause, the body and life changes are fast and often unexpected. This expedited menopause can leave the woman with dramatically increased menopause symptoms, which can be very difficult to handle. The plus side is that a forced menopause will not last long.

So for any woman, who has to go through an abrupt menopause, remember that it is not the end and life will go on!

The Best Menopause Lubricant

When women go through the period in their lives that we call the menopause, a lot of changes happen in the body. This is a natural process and something that can be seen as a part of being human. Those changes happen mainly because the hormone balance in the body changes, with lower amounts of a lot of the hormones that controls the bodily conditions, for example estrogen. This hormone is related to the childbearing functions in the body, such as sexuality, menstrual cycles and so forth. When the levels of estrogen go down, a lot of women notice changes in their vaginal area.

What many women are going through during the menopause experience is that the vaginal area becomes dryer and that this leads to uncomfortable or even painful sexual intercourse. This can in many cases feel quite stressful and irritating since going through menopause may make us feel less desirous and sexually aggressive.

Fortunately there are things you can do about this problem that don't have to be either costly or unhealthy. By simply using a menopause lubricant for the vaginal area you can start to enjoy sex again in the same way you used to. A menopause lubricant is simply applied on the clitoral and vaginal area just before sex and in this way you don't have to worry about your dryness. It simply won't be an issue anymore.

Another good thing about using a menopause lubricant is that you will find that your sexual experience can become even more satisfying. There are lubricants that not only make the area moist but that also contains ingredients that creates both a feeling of arousal and gives a more intense sexual experience. This can mean that you will find it much easier to reach orgasm during sex which a lot of women may find it hard to do.

With a menopause lubricant you will get the combination of natural menthol and L-Arginine that works together in the most splendid way. The menthol increases the blood flow to the clitoral area and brings about a great intense sensation while L-Arginine increases the amounts of testosterone in the area. Testosterone is a hormone that is necessary for both women and men if they are to feel sexually aroused. With higher amounts of testosterone, the sexual drive will become greater.

Formulas that are FDA approved have been shown to do the trick for many couples. By using a menopause lubricant like this you ensure that you'll have a satisfying sexual life again. A good lube also is water based which means that it will give a comfortable sensation without any feelings of stickiness or oiliness like other petroleum-based lubricants may leave you with. Menopause dryness need no longer be a problem and you can start to enjoy your femininity again in a very enjoyable way.

Menopause Insomnia, Argh! I Can't Sleep!

Living with insomnia is one of the most challenging health conditions there is. The side effects are dramatic and touch nearly every aspect of life. The good news is that most conditions respond very well to a natural insomnia treatment.

My intention is certainly not to be a medical authority, serious conditions that have chronic symptoms and neurological causes need medical treatment. Yet even such cases are often helped by natural remedies.

Few things in this world can weaken us faster than insomnia. Besides the obvious fatigue, there is the lack of concentration, memory lapses, irritability, and weakened immune system, just to mention a few symptoms.

A lack of sleep has the effect of bringing out the worst in us. The ability to cope simply goes down the drain. Life becomes like an endless stream of event in which we are required to participate; hopefully without making too many mistakes.

Insomnia can take the zest out of everyday life and dull our senses. To top it off, you just can't store up sleep, like food for the winter. Talk about something to bring on stress!

What is insomnia?

Everyone experiences the inability to sleep soundly once in a while. It is when it occurs often that the problems arise. Generally, it is defined as:

1. Trouble falling asleep

2. Waking up a lot during the night with trouble returning to sleep

3. Waking up too early in the morning

4. Having un-refreshing sleep, even after 7 or 8 hours of sleep

Losing sleep can cause problems during the day, such as fatigue, trouble thinking clearly or staying focused, or feeling depressed or irritable. It is not defined by the number of hours you sleep every night. Although the amount a person needs varies, most people need between 7 and 8 hours a night.

It is not necessary to lie awake at night, your mind marching through endless scenarios of sleep-depriving worry. There is a way to find the rest and peace you need!

Types of insomnia and their causes

1. Short Term- Lasting from a few nights to a few weeks.

2. Intermittent (on and off)- Short term , which happens from time to time.

3. Long Term or Chronic-Occurs at least 3 nights a week over a month or more.

4. Having un-refreshing sleep, even after 7 or 8 hours of sleep

Chronic insomnia is either primary or secondary. Primary means that it is not caused by any other health problem. Secondary means that it is caused by a medical condition, such as arthritis, cancer, depression. It can also be caused by a partner who snores loudly or poor sleeping conditions, such too much noise or light.

Women and men

Women are much more likely to suffer from insomnia than men. Some research suggests that certain social factors, such as being unemployed or divorced, are related to poor sleep and increase the risk of insomnia in women. Pregnancy and menopause may also disturb sleep. The well known symptom of hot flashes can cause sleeplessness as well. Menopause insomnia can make your days pretty long, fortunately there is a lot you can do to help yourself.

The inability to sleep well can also increases with age.

Are there any solutions that are safe and effective?

If your inability to sleep is primary, that is, not caused by another medical condition, then there are numerous ways to find some well needed rest.

Many old remedies are very effective and totally safe. For example, the warm milk drink before bed often works wonders.

Various herbal drinks such as chamomile are also very good, and there are many other herbal remedies that are non-addictive and have no harmful side effects.

One technique I have used many times is playing soothing sounds such as a rainstorm or even the purring of a cat. These products are designed specifically as sleep aids and have the added benefit of drowning out unwanted noise.

Sleeplessness During Menopause: Helping To Get A Good Night's Sleep

Sleeplessness in a woman during menopause may encompass various symptoms. Studies all show that a lack of adequate sleep may lead to irritability, a lack in concentration and a weak immune system. This article is for women who are experiencing certain sleep disorders due to menopause. A woman may often find that menopause is a stressful time to go through. She experiences various symptoms that she might find upsetting. It is important for a woman to understand what her body is going through at this time of her life. This article will discuss the treatment options that may be taken to ease her sleeplessness.

For a woman who is going through menopause, the inability to sleep properly is upsetting. On average, healthy adults need about seven to eight hours of restful sleep each night. Many women during menopause do not achieve a sufficient amount of sleep. This may eventually start playing havoc with their emotions and normal everyday life. It may put a heavy strain on personal and work relationships causing emotional disturbances. Fortunately, the inability to sleep may be controlled and also treated.

Sleep and Peri Menopause

The most common sleep disorders in menopausal women are sleep apnea and insomnia. These sleeping symptoms are closely correlated with other menopausal symptoms. Sleeplessness and night sweats may disrupt a sleep pattern by causing menopausal women to wake up several times at night. This may then lead to anxiety or depression or other frustrating debilitating symptoms. A woman might experience fatigue, increased irritability, damage to relationships and an inability to concentrate in her daily tasks.

The main reason why women develop the inability to sleep during menopause is the fluctuation in hormones. Hormones like progesterone, testosterone and estrogen are all very important hormones that play an important role. When these hormonal levels start to fluctuate, it may affect the ability to sleep well. During menopause, progesterone and estrogen levels gradually decrease, fluctuating moment to moment. This imbalance of hormones may cause a host many other symptoms.

Three approaches may be considered in treating sleeplessness and the quality of sleep. These are lifestyle changes, alternative medicines or drugs. Simple changes may help to improve the quality of sleep and overall health. Meditation and yoga are great techniques for reducing stress. Regular exercise and a healthy diet may help make a positive improvement in sleep. Diet is very important for better health. Eliminating nicotine, caffeine and alcohol may help in getting a good night's sleep.

Phytoestrogen herbs may be used in treating progesterone imbalances in women. Black Cohosh is an example of a phytoestrogen herb. Several phytoestrogen herbs contain estrogenic components that are produced by the plants soy or wild yam. Phytoestrogens mimic the natural occurring estrogen in your body. Studies show that herbal treatments may successfully treat hormone imbalances. When the cause of hormone imbalances is treated, then your sleepless night may improved.

Healthcare physicians may recommend lifestyles changes to help with hormone imbalance. It is sometimes not that easy for a woman to change her lifestyle routine. Complementary medicine may be an option to drug therapy, which has proven to be very helpful in treating hormone imbalances and improving sleep.

Sleep and Progesterone, a natural choice

Natural progesterone cream may be a safe and successful hormone replacement therapy to improve sleep. Natural progesterone gently balance's a woman's hormones to the body's natural state. Natural progesterone cream contains bio-identical progesterone molecules that are identical to progesterone found in a woman's body. Many healthcare physicians who use natural progesterone treatment instead of ERT or HRT, have achieved successful results.

Dr. Dalton, of England, documented in the1950's that natural progesterone cream is a treatment for depression and mood swings. Dr. Prior, of Canada, documented the effects on runners when progesterone was low. Dr. John Lee used natural progesterone treatment for all hormone imbalances from infertility, PMS symptoms and symptoms during the transition of menopause. Dr. John Lee used natural progesterone cream instead of HRT or ERT for decades.

Many Doctors use bioidentical progesterone cream as a natural hormone replacement therapy, mainly because it safely reduces most of the symptoms caused by menopause including difficulty concentrating. Progesterone is usually a precursor to all other hormones inside the body including estrogen and testosterone. Progesterone balances the ratio of low estrogen or high or low progesterone. Natural progesterone cream is the only bioidentical hormone that may efficiently achieve relief for your symptoms. Natural progesterone cream addresses the cause of hormone imbalance, therefore may help relieve your symptoms.

Natural progesterone cream treats a hormonal imbalance at its own source. It is the only natural remedy that addresses the cause of hormone imbalance. The cause of hormone imbalance is the ratio of estrogen to progesterone and decline of all hormones.

This is for education only. It is not intended to treat, prevent or cure a medical disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult a health care professional.

Menopause Cancer, Aging and Every Woman's Worst Fears

Startling New Evidence Demonstrates Shifting Concerns Related to Aging, a New Survey Shows.

Due to long existing cultural mores, American women have always dreaded getting older. Even though the current economy is nearly at the level of the "Great Depression" the sales of health and beauty aids are at an all-time high. Despite the risks, elective surgical procedures geared to extend or enhance beauty are being adopted by younger and younger women, even teenagers.

The number-one fear of all women and especially those past the age of 50 is "losing attractiveness or becoming invisible". Second, most aging women fear "being left alone" (losing a spouse). At number three, "becoming homeless" is an entirely new entry to the list. Fear of becoming homeless is directly related to the ever-increasing number of home foreclosures, homes "underwater", amount of personal debt, and the steady decline in retirement investment values.

Previously at number two or three, the "fear of developing some form of cancer" (for women past the age of 50) is still in the top five but comes in at number four. This is quite a dramatic change in that retaining the financial income and support of a spouse which could also affect a woman's ability to keep her home (number three), has pushed the more uncertain risk of (developing) cancer to number four.
"Being dependent on others" comes in at number five. American women past the age of 50 are perhaps the most independent in history. The thought of becoming dependent on others, even family members, is distasteful to many. The real fear is more about the loss of power and control, or being told what to do. After a life-time of making day-to-day and long-term decisions, aging women are not likely to want to give this up. In a way, their independence largely defines who they are.

Menopause and Losing Attractiveness

Unfortunately, many working menopausal women over the age of 50 feel that they must constantly "look over their shoulder" as new, more attractive and younger women enter the work force. Employers incessantly concerned over the "bottom line" may see younger female job candidates as less costly than their older counterparts. In addition to the advantage of youthful good looks, new hires are often willing to work for less pay and are less likely to drain medical insurance payouts than older employees.

Many working menopausal women have the added stress of being the sole family income provider (after their husbands have died, were laid off, become physically incapacitated, or are otherwise separated from them) and may also be solely responsible for the family's health care benefits.

To some, nothing could be less sexy or attractive than the term "menopause", especially if the woman in question begins to exhibit signs of memory loss, irritability, fatigue and incontinence. Some of physical signs of menopause might also be perceived as off-putting and include excessive hair growth or loss, sweating, belly fat build up, etc.

Menopause and Being Left Alone and Homelessness

Congruently, menopause symptoms may also confer a greater risk of being left alone and eventual homelessness.

Symptoms of depression, irritability, and mood swings, coupled with a rapid decline in sexual desire, can alter the dynamics of a once health marriage. All too frequently, these symptoms can lead to constant bickering, arguing, alienation and divorce. After years of companionship and life-partnering one might hear; "I don't even recognize you anymore, who are you?"

Unfortunately, the family home is also a causality of the divorce break up.

Menopause and Elevated Cancer Risks

Older persons are at greater risk of developing cancers of various types than younger persons, for several reasons. As we age, our bodies retain more cancer causing toxins and xenoestorgens than our livers can handle. We become more susceptible to these potential catalysts as our immune systems lose functionality. Past the age of 50, the level of protective hormones in our body's also begin to decline.

Additionally, Menopause symptom treatment pharmaceuticals (HRT and Bioidenticals) and even the Isoflavonoides taken from soy have known carcinogenic properties.

Menopause and Being Dependent on Others

If a menopausal woman has already lost her husband and home, chances are that she may also become dependent on others. Dependency may mean a loss of personal control which alone could cause friction with care-givers, especially if they are family members. Unfortunately, far too many elderly persons are "warehoused" in retirement homes or assisted living facilities where they are left to survive their "golden years" virtually alone with only the occasional token visit from friends and family.

FemFlax is an all-natural plant based menopause symptom management supplement that not only curbs the immediate symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats, but also relieves the omnipresent symptoms of anxiety, mood swings and depression frequently associated with postmenopausal women.