Menopause Hot Flashes

Hot flashes is the most widespread symptom faced by American women going through menopause - about 75% of such women suffer hot flashes.

Hot flashes makes a woman feel hot in the neck and the head. Heart palpitations, dizziness, headache, sweating, nausea and anxiety may accompany it. The face flushes so that it becomes red. When it is over, a feeling of chilliness comes. A mild attack may last only a few seconds, but a severe one can last as long as an hour. It starts just prior to menopause in most women; most of them are rid of it when they complete the process, but in some it continues well into old age.

With the onset of puberty, hormone production increases, which protects the women from many an illness. With menopause, these hormones decline. For some women the reduction is gradual, and their problem with hot flashes is mild or nil. With others, the hormonal levels fluctuate widely, and this causes most of the menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes. The processes that cause the hot flashes are well-recorded. The blood vessels on the neck and the head dilate and the blood flow increases. This gives the warm feeling and other symptoms. But why the blood vessels dilate is still a debatable point.

There is an interesting study done on menopausal women from Hong Kong, Pakistan, Mexico and Japan. Only 10% of them suffer from hot flashes. It has not been possible to pin down the factor that makes this difference.

The women getting mild hot flashes may be able to get on with their life, taking these incidences as some inconvenience. A moderate hot flash needs some management. Lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet and relaxation techniques can help. Over-the-counter medicines like Vitamin E and Vitamin B6, blood pressure medication like methyldopa and clonidine, and anti-depressants like epinephrine and serotonin reduce the severity of the problem.

But for women with severe attacks, medical intervention with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) seems to be the only solution. Though the effect of HRT is quite good, the side effects, particularly long-term, are very controversial.

Every women need to make a personal decision about what treatment to take, considering the pros and cons in consultation with her physician.

Hot Flash Remedy - Three That Are Natural and Effective

Do you find yourself feeling warm while others don't? If you do, then you might be experiencing hot flashes, a common symptom of menopause caused by decreasing levels of estrogen. Around 85% of American women experience hot flashes in varying degrees as they approach menopause; 20-50% of them continue to feel hot flashes for the first two years after their last period. The intensity of the hot flashes decreases with time, but they can be very uncomfortable while they last. Thankfully, you can use a hot flash remedy that is completely natural to soothe discomfort and decrease the severity of your menopause symptoms. Enjoy a good night's sleep and a pleasant day with these three natural hot flash remedies.

Vitamin E for Hot Flash Relief

Most people think of the antioxidant vitamin E as a single substance working alone. The fact of the matter is that vitamin E is actually made up of several different antioxidants - four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). The alpha tocopherol vitamin E is the only type that the human body can store and maintain. It is also a popular subject of scientific research, and one of the few natural substances that delivers consistent results to women suffering uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Not only was alpha tocopherol found to relieve hot flashes; it can also combat vaginal dryness, boost the immune system, and reduce the risk of heart attacks.

If you intend to take vitamin E for menopause relief, consider investing in a vitamin C supplement too. Research shows that vitamins E and C are a highly effective antioxidant team, with vitamin C enhancing the effects of vitamin E.

Progesterone Cream to Keep You Cool

The symptoms of menopause are not so much caused by the drop in hormones as an imbalance in the ways estrogen and progesterone get depleted. Estrogen levels only fall by 40-60% during menopause, but progesterone levels can drop to as low as zero. This happens because of the loss in ovarian function. The ovaries are responsible for producing natural progesterone but once ovulation stops, the ovaries no longer secrete this hormone. Progesterone is critical to your body because it inhibits the harmful effects of estrogen, particularly cell growth. If left unopposed, estrogen can promote unhealthy cell growth, which can lead to the formation of tumors - and if there isn't any progesterone left to stop this from happening, this can cause severe health problems.

One interesting discovery made by current research is that natural progesterone cream is more effective at reducing hot flashes and other menopause symptoms than estrogenic substances. A controlled scientific study involved the participation of 120 menopausal women who experienced hot flashes daily. Half of them were given 20mg of natural progesterone cream a day, while the other half were given a placebo. Not only did the progesterone cream reduce hot flash episodes significantly (83% reduction in the progesterone group, compared to 19% reduction in the placebo group); it did not reduce bone density the way synthetic estrogen does. Take note that the word "natural" is used - the synthetic progesterone progestin has been found to cause breast cancer, especially when used with synthetic progesterone.

If you'd like to explore the benefits of progesterone cream, it's best if you see a naturopathic doctor and take a saliva test to measure your body's estrogen and progesterone level. This will help your doctor determine the appropriate dosage, or if you might benefit more from a natural estrogen supplement. Progesterone cream is very easy to use: apply as directed in areas with thin skin such as the throat, chest, breast, or inner arms.

Maca to Keep as a Hot Flash Treatment

Instead of taking hormone replacement therapy, thousands of American women depend on a root crop from Peru for menopause relief. This root is called maca, and it has been a popular Peruvian remedy for thousands of years. Only lately have Western women realized how critical maca can be to their health. Unlike phytoestrogenic plants like black cohosh, which work on the ovaries to regulate their functions, maca works on different organs like the adrenal gland, pituitary gland, and the pancreas to reduce the symptoms of menopause. This ancient remedy has also been found to maintain the libido during menopause by increasing the endocrine gland's output. Take note that maca itself does not contain any hormones; rather, its effects on the pituitary gland produces the precursors needed to raise progesterone and estrogen levels. Unlike hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which shocks the body and throws it into a state of confusion, maca's effects work slowly, naturally, and produce very few side effects.

Want An Easier Menopause? Take Action Now!

If you're a woman over 40, it's highly likely that you're in your menopause years.

Not happy with that? Disbelieving?

Here's the bald truth - menopause is a natural, unavoidable journey that every woman alive must make - and the transition can take 10 or more years from start to finish! You can choose to accept menopause reluctantly, or you can decide to find the joy and the lessons this honorable life passage has for you. At its most basic, menopause is an emotional and a physical transition from one stage of life to the next. And I know you'll agree that change is always best when handled with grace, rather than denial or resistance.

If you have to ask 'Is this menopause?' about symptoms such as skipped periods, unusual weight gain, unexplained exhaustion, sleep issues and more.Then yes, the answer is: it is!

Many women go through menopause without any trouble. But if you're one of the ones who finds menopause is interfering with your quality of life, take immediate action and prevent bigger problems down the line. Face what's happening to your body and don't wait until you have a humongous problem to solve. Remember, in menopause as in life: "pain is inevitable; suffering is optional!"

Begin with the end in mind by deciding what you want. Then be consistent with the remedies or actions you've decided to take. You're wasting your time and money, and contributing to your own misery, if you stop and start treatment that makes sense for you.

Many natural remedies require several weeks or months before you really know if they're helping you or not. Make a commitment to give the remedies time to work. You didn't develop your menopause challenge in a month or two, so give it a few months to turn around. Quite a different approach from hormone therapy which deals with symptoms only, can be required for years and result in serious side-effects.

It's important for you to take 100% responsibility for your own health and wellness and make choices that are right for you. Make sure your menopause remedies or lifestyle choices make your life easier or at least fit into your life without too much effort so you'll stay motivated to continue them.

If you don't know which natural remedies to try, start slowly with something will contribute towards your greater health and wellness - usually your digestive system. Digestive enzymes, cleansing, whey protein shakes all contribute towards digestive wellness.

Addressing digestive issues first is the strategy herbalists call 'circling the dragon' because you're treating the 'big picture' - your overall health and wellness - before you attack a specific complaint. The bonus is you just might resolve several health challenges simultaneously and a more targeted approach may not be necessary.

Whatever else you decide to do to improve your menopause transition, I highly recommend that you eat more foods that will help you manage your blood sugar, immune system and weight. These include whey protein shakes, garlic, dried sea vegetables, maitake and shiitake mushrooms, raw fruit, green vegetables and fresh vegetable juices.

If you have troublesome menopause symptoms it's always a good idea to improve your diet and make it a habit to do a regular nutritional cleanse to get rid of toxins hidden in body fat and organs.

You may decide to take whole food supplements, herbs or homeopathy known to help women make an easier menopause transition.

You may decide to choose a homeopathic remedy such as Sepia that is known to help many women resolve their pre-menopausal symptoms including mood swings.

You could choose herbal menopause foods such as maca root, pycnogenol or herbal tea made with herbs used for hundreds of years to relieve troublesome menopause symptoms.

Remember, the best menopause symptom treatment is prevention. Decide on a course of action while your menopause signs and symptoms are relatively mild. If you wait too long to take charge of your health and wellness, you may find yourself in a crisis, forced to choose medical intervention that you don't want, in order to find symptomatic relief.

Popular Home Remedies for Hot Flashes and Why They Work

More and more women are looking for natural hot flash relief or "home remedies" for hot flashes. For many years the treatment of choice was hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but the medical community has now identified the risks associated with long-term use of HRT. Since some women begin to suffer from hot flashes, bed sweats and other menopausal symptoms five or six years before their menstrual cycles end and then may continue to have them for several years afterwards, it is not unusual for a woman to need relief or treatment for ten years. The longer she uses HRT, the greater her risk of developing serious medical conditions including cancer, heart disease, blood clots and stroke.

There are several types of home remedies for hot flashes. There are the things that you avoid, because they may trigger hot flashes or worsen their severity. There are the things that you can do to relieve or possibly prevent the frequency of them. And then there are herbs, botanicals and even some foods that may provide hot flash relief. First, we'll look at the things that typically trigger hot flashes; those things to be avoided.

Caffeine, Nicotine, Alcohol & Other Triggers

Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants. Stimulants increase blood pressure and cause blood vessels to dilate. One of the body's natural reactions to stimulants is "flushing". While decreased estrogen production causes hot flashes or "flushes" during perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause, anything that would ordinarily cause flushing, can trigger hot flashes. Even though alcohol is a depressant, rather than a stimulant, it still dilates the blood vessels, increases blood pressure and can trigger hot flashes.

Other hot flash triggers may be unique to the individual woman and may require a symptoms diary to identify them. For example, many women find that spicy foods trigger hot flashes. Certain vitamins, over the counter drugs, prescription and illicit drugs (like marijuana) may trigger hot flashes, if they increase blood pressure or cause the blood vessels to dilate. When drugs or vitamins are necessary for other health reasons, it may not be possible to avoid them. Herbal home remedies for hot flashes may be helpful, in these cases, but prescription drugs can interact with some herbs. Your doctor, pharmacist or herbalist should be able to advise you about any herbal remedies that should be avoided, if you are taking medication.

Things That Help

Hot flash relief may be a simple matter of wearing loose fitting, lighter weight or cotton clothing. Cotton allows perspiration to evaporate, cooling the skin off more quickly and making you feel more comfortable. Dressing in layers can also help. You can take layers off as your body heats up and put them back on, if you become chilled afterwards, as many women do.

Regular exercise provides hot flash relief for many women. It may be that the heat you generate while moving around helps the body stay at a more comfortable temperature throughout the day. Diet can also be a factor, which brings up the last of the home remedies for hot flashes.

Dietary, Herbal and Botanical Home Remedies for Hot Flashes

A lot is being said about soy beans for menopausal symptoms. Soy beans contain a compound called isoflavones, which are plant estrogens or phytoestrogens. These phytoestrogens may have an estrogen-like effect on a woman's body, provide hot flash relief and possibly relieve other menopausal symptoms. While some experts suggest that adding soy to the diet may be a better choice than dietary supplements that contain the active compound, the research conducted thus far indicates that dietary supplements decrease hot flashes much more effectively than food products such as soy flour. For women who are allergic to soy, isoflavones can be found in other plants, such as red clover.

Black cohosh is one of the most popular home remedies for hot flashes. Researchers have found it to be even more effective than soy isoflavones. Sarsaparilla is an ancient remedy for hormonal imbalances and may provide hot flash relief. Ginseng is effective for some women, not for others. Chasteberry, although often recommended, does not appear to reduce hot flashes, but can be helpful for other menopausal symptoms. Wild yam is sometimes recommended because it contains a compound that can be used to create synthetic hormones. Dong Quai root is another one of the home remedies for hot flashes, but some scientific studies have found that it is ineffective for hot flash relief, though it may improve other symptoms. For more information about these and other supplements that may be helpful during menopause, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.

Home Remedies For Vaginal Dryness - Treat Vaginal Dryness and Boost Libido Naturally

Vaginal dryness is one of the most common sexual problems in women. Millions of women suffer with it mostly as an effect of menopause. The underlying causes of vaginal dryness is a drop in the estrogen levels.

Some of the most common signs of vaginal dryness include sever itching or burning sensation in the vagina, bleeding during intercourse and urinary tract infection.

Women who experience this dryness often experience pain during intercourse and a major fallout of this sexual problem is reduced interest or desire to have sex which can even affect your relationship after sexual gratification of both the partners is one of the most important aspects of a healthy relationship.

Estrogen production declines during menopause and this is what is the underlying cause of vaginal dryness in women. This makes the walls of the vagina thin and dry and reduces elasticity.

There are various options available that can help women overcome this problem. Various creams and lotions exist that can provide enough lubrication for satisfactory intercourse.

However, the best option is herbal or natural libido enhancers. These are supplements that can help boost libido in women and cure vaginal dryness as well.

Herbal Libido Enhancers

Though men have been the focus of sexual enhancement industry for long, women are finally getting their due. There are more and more products being launched to promote sexual wellness and treat various disorders in women.

This is a great step in the right direction and more and more women are now buying supplements to give a much needed boost to their sex lives.

These supplements are a blend of various herbs, nutrients and vitamins that:

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  Increase blood flow to the genitals- Good blood circulation is of utmost importance as far as a robust sex drive and proper sexual function is concerned in both men and women. Reduced blood flow is a major cause of decreased libido. One of the herbs that can increase blood circulation is Ginkgo Biloba and various studies confirm that when ginkgo supplements are given, women experience a boost in their libido or sex drive.


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  Increase the production of Estrogen- Since the major cause of vaginal dryness is reduced estrogen levels, restoring it is the solution as well. Certain herbs like Dong Quai are the perfect way to increase estrogen levels without the side effects of hormone replacement therapy.


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  Increase Testosterone Levels- Testosterone is not just the male hormone. Women also produce it, although in smaller quantities. Reduced testosterone levels can lead to a dip in female libido. Herbs like tribulus terrestris help boost the production of testosterone naturally.


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  Increase secretion of nitric oxide- Nitric oxide secretion is important to help blood vessels dilate so that more blood can flow into the clitoris and ensure improved sexual function. Herbs like epimedium sagittatum or horny goat weed help increase the secretion of nitric oxide.

Find out more on the the most popular and widely acclaimed Natural Supplements for Women that are clinically approved and have enriched the sex lives of thousands of women by helping them overcome problems like vaginal dryness and libido naturally.

Solaray PhytoEstrogen For Menopause Relief

Solaray PhytoEstrogen is an herbal remedy in pill form for women suffering from menopausal symptoms. It treats discomfort and the depletion of certain vitamins that happen during the active stage to ease the process until it is over for a healthier outcome.

There are quite a few ingredients included in the mix that allow for a happier menopausal stage and allow levels to be regulated and symptoms to be diminished or at least lessened. Night sweats, hormonal imbalance, hot flashes, high blood pressure, insomnia, mood swings and depression are just a few of the symptoms that can be included in the list of discomfort that most women have to face while going through menopause.

One of the most important ingredients in this pill, is the dong quai. It is an element that is commonly used in herbal remedies for menopause. It is also known as female ginseng because it helps increase circulation of blood flow which can lower blood pressure. It is good for all stages of menopause. It is even helpful during PMS.

Soy is another common ingredient that is included in the list of this recipe for relief. Soy isoflavones act similar to estrogen does in the body naturally, and it can help to regulate a portion if not all of the hormonal imbalance that happens. That is the basic idea behind this item.

Another common ingredient is black cohosh which helps to get rid of hot flashes whether it is fighting against them slowly or snuffs them right in the beginning. As the pill is taken more and more, the hot flashes will happen further apart and less intense at that.

Other helpful ingredients that take care of high blood pressure, sleep loss, night sweats and other such discomfort include MexiYam, grapefruit juice concentrate, maltodextrin, cellulose, magnesium stearate, silica, ginger root, licorice root, saw palmetto berries, pygeum bark and alpha galactosidase.

Taking one pill a day may relieve many symptoms from menopause including hormonal imbalance. It is not a requirement to take it every day although the more regularly it is taken, the better the outcome will most likely be. It is best to take this pill with food and water.

Since there are a lot of different herbs in this remedy it is best to check with your doctor of course before starting the treatment. It is best to avoid this pill for pregnant or nursing women.

Menopause Diet Recommendations Include Soy, Calcium and Phytoestrogens

A good menopause diet should be well balanced and nutritionally sound. Foods that should be eaten regularly during menopause are "nutrient-dense" foods. Foods to be taken during menopause are the same foods that everyone should eat, in appropriate amounts for their caloric needs, on a daily basis. The problem is that the typical American diet does not include many of these foods, so as a woman nears menopause and begins to notice symptoms, she may need to make changes in her diet, adding foods that she is not in the habit of eating.

According to information supplied by the USDA, "Nutrient-dense foods are those foods that provide substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals and relatively few calories." Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat sources of calcium are all nutrient dense foods. Processed foods that have added sugars and oils are not nutrient dense. Alcohol is high in calories, but has no real nutritive value. If hot flashes are a problem for you, then you should avoid alcohol and sugar, as well as caffeine, salt and spicy foods. That covers what should be left out of a menopause diet. Now let's look at the foods that should be eaten regularly during menopause.

To find foods to be taken during menopause, you need to look at vitamins, minerals and other compounds that are particularly important to women during this time of their life. Calcium, Vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B-complex, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, potassium, fiber, isoflavones and phytoestrogens are all recommended for a menopause diet. Obviously, there is no single food that contains all of these and eating the right foods in the right combination every day can be difficult. Supplementation or a good daily multi-vitamin provides insurance that a menopause diet contains adequate amounts of each of these. The USDA now recommends that anyone over the age of 50 should add B-12 and D supplements, even if they eat a healthy diet.

Calcium rich foods that should be eaten regularly during menopause include skim milk, fat-free cottage cheese and yogurt, spinach, broccoli and seafood. The RDA for calcium ranges from 1000mg per day to 1500 mg per day. If your mother had osteoporosis (porous, brittle bones that fracture easily and is characterized by a loss of height and humped back bone), then a calcium supplement is a good idea, but be sure to take it with a vitamin D supplement or your body cannot easily absorb the calcium. Additionally a recent study has linked inadequate intake of vitamin K to osteoporosis, although the connection is unclear.

Phytoestrogens and isoflavones are plant components found in soy, whole grain cereals and red clover (an herb). Soy is one of the most commonly recommended foods to be taken during menopause, because it is the best known source of isoflavones. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that have estrogen like effects on the body and can thus reduce the symptoms associated with reduced estrogen production, such as hot flashes. Soy is also a good low fat source of protein, iron and various other nutrients.

No discussion of a menopause diet can be complete without mentioning the importance of regular exercise. Certain things cancel out the positive effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation. One factor that cancels out the effect of calcium is lack of exercise. Women who spend less than four hours a day on their feet are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Exercise reduces the symptoms of PMS and peri menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and insomnia. Regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease, another illness found in many post-menopausal women. Increasing physical activity reduces the likelihood that a woman will be overweight. Overweight and obesity have recently been identified as risk factors for developing cancer and have long been known to increase the risk of heart disease. So, substitute the foods that should be eaten regularly during menopause for the red meat and high sugar, high fat foods that you once ate and increase your level of physical activity.

If you make the necessary lifestyle changes, including adding foods to be taken during menopause to your diet and you still suffer from symptoms related to menopause and peri menopause, a number of natural herbal products may help, including red clover and black cohosh. Additionally, there are some natural remedies that contain adequate amounts of isoflavones that may be helpful if you do not like soy products or are allergic to them. A menopause diet may not provide relief from all of the symptoms you are experiencing at this time, but some of these natural products should.

Try A Natural Approach to Menopause

What is happening to me?

You feel your heart begin to race. You experience some combination of sweating, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, headache, weakness, or a feeling of suffocation. A sudden, intense, hot feeling flushes your face and upper body and you begin to perspire, a little or a lot. You may feel a chill at the beginning of the episode or at the end.

If this sounds familiar to you, you are all too aware of the affect hot flashes can have on your lifestyle. It is simply a change in hormonal production that acts as a passage to the second half of life, but it can also be the beginning of new energy and a deeper self awareness within.

Eighty-five percent of the women in the United States experience hot flashes as they approach menopause and often one or two years after their period stops. Hot Flashes are the result of the hormonal changes that occur during menopause, but they can be dramatically affected by lifestyle and treatment choices. The pituitary hormones begin to flow continuously at high levels and the ovarian hormones, estrogen, progesterone and androgen, begin to slow down.

A diminished level of estrogen has a direct effect on the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for controlling your appetite, sleep cycles, sex hormones, and body temperature. A drop in estrogen confuses the hypothalamus and causes the brain to respond and alert the heart, blood vessels, and nervous system of overheating. The message is then transmitted by the chemical messengers, epinephrine, norepinephrine, prostaglandin and serotonin.

Under normal circumstances, this is how your body keeps you from overheating, but when the process is triggered by a drop in estrogen, the brain is confused. Skin temperature can rise as much as six degrees centigrade during a hot flash. Your body cools down when it shouldn't, and suddenly you are soaking wet with little or no warning. Hot Flashes most commonly occur n the morning, and at night. A sudden severe episode can be very frightening and may be misinterpreted as a heart attack.

For most women hot flashes are mild to moderate, but a small percentage of women experience hot flashes so severe, they seek medical attention to control them. The more rapid the transition to menopause, often after being medically induced, the stronger your symptoms may be. Other factors that may affect the severity include weight, fat to muscle ratio and smoking.

What can I do?

Always begin with the least aggressive and most natural approach when treating your menopausal symptoms. Studies have shown that medication is not always helpful. Many doctors and pharmaceutical companies see menopause as a deficiency disease, instead of a passage of life. So, it makes sense to them to view estrogen replacement as the only viable solution to restore vibrancy to menopausal and post menopausal women. Aside from the misconceptions of this type of thinking, estrogen therapy is not known to be safe for women, particularly women with a history of breast cancer.

Here are some positive steps you can take:

• Avoid Pressure: Allow more time to plan your day, as much as possible, around the time you normally experience hot flashes, and give yourself a chance to relax between commitments.


• Avoid Mood Altering Substances: Alcohol, caffeine, diet pills, smoking can all contribute to more severe reactions during hot flashes.


• Avoid Heated Situations: Hot or spicy food, hot tubs, saunas, hot showers, hot beds, hot rooms and excessive outdoor heat will intensify hot flashes.


• Avoid Uncomfortable Clothing: Dress in layers to adjust to body temperature swings. Wear breathable fabrics


• Exercise: It will reduce hot flashes, increase endorphin levels, help you sleep better, lower cholesterol levels, improve libido, minimize mood swings, improve self image and strengthen both skeletal and muscular systems.


• Use Relaxation Methods: Breathing exercises, meditation, massage, hypnosis and yoga are all methods proven to reduce stress and the physical affect that stress can have on your body.


• You Are What You Eat: Follow a low-fat diet and avoid processed foods to maintain a healthy weight for your body.


• Use Natural Herbs: A mixture ofdon quai, a female tonic, chasteberry, which regulates the female reproductive system and damiana, used as a tonic and female aphrodisiac may be beneficial when taken once a day, preferably mid day. A common regimen would be to take these herbs until you no longer experience any hot flashes, and then begin to gradually reduce the dose and stop completely. Other plant estrogens that women have found effective in treating hot flashes over the centuries can be found in ginseng/panax, evening primrose oil, licorice root, red raspberry leaves, sarsaparilla, spearmint, motherwort, black cohosh, and wild yam. These herbal remedies, may be effective at reducing hot flashes. However, their relative safety in women who have had breast cancer is not known. Always use great caution when considering plant estrogens and always consult your doctor.

Menopause is one of life's most natural processes, not a disorder. All of the pressure of pregnancy, premenstrual and menstrual demands are gone. And because women develop, sexually, much later in life than men, many say that after menopause, their sex lives actually improve.So, relax, prepare, listen to your body and enjoy the ride.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Pre Menopause Symptoms Can Happen at Any Age

Unfortunately, pre menopause symptoms can present themselves at any age. Women, however, don't always recognize them for what they are because they feel they are too young to be experiencing signs of early menopause. The sad fact is that often there is little if anything that can be done to alleviate these symptoms of early menopause which often show up in the early thirties, sooner rather than later than most women expect.

One of the first noticeable symptoms is irregular menstrual cycles. Some women find that their cycles are either longer or shorter and often much heavier than normal. Some women will even experience light spotting throughout the month. If you are noticing these symptoms, especially over the course of several months, you should consider discussing the possibility that you might be experiencing pre menopause and rule out the possibility of something more serious.

Other signs of pre menopause are night sweats and hot flashes. Some women even find that these symptoms impair their ability to sleep, as the act of lying down seems to bring on a hot flash. Once finally getting to sleep you may find that you wake covered in sweat or simply have difficulty remaining asleep. Mood swings are another indicator. It really makes sense when you think about though. Lack of sleep, changing hormones, and hot flashes would not exactly make for a happy camper.

Other symptoms of pre menopause include dry skin and hair loss. These symptoms will generally not subside until actual menopause begins. After menopause sets in many of these symptoms will completely subside. The bad news is that this could last for several years until menopause actually sets in.

Pre menopausal symptoms can be felt by many women as young as 30 or those who have had hysterectomies. Some women are fortunate enough to never experience one single symptom of pre menopause throughout their entire menopause and pre menopause process. If you have one or more of these symptoms it is important that you don't worry, but equally important that you discuss these things with your doctor. Menopause is a natural part of life for women and something that shouldn't be feared.

Hot Flashes, Chills, and Night Sweats Reduction

There is to be sure that coping with the awful chills, night sweats and hot flashes symptoms is one of the most irritating and frustrating cases of a person's life. Knowing that these things are caused by hormonal imbalances does not make the situation any better. The only matter that happened during this time is finding a method to correct the imbalance and go on with your life in healthy and enjoyable manner.

Transdermal absorption technology has proven to be the most effective treatment for hormonal imbalances. All that stands for it which applying a product with hormonal supplement through the skin is your best option. Once you use a hormonal supplement that is more than just a topical treatment and is planned to reach the hormonal system itself, those hot flashes, chills and night sweats will become a thing of the past. Have a look at some of your bodily functions that will improve with superiority treatment.

Improved Concentration and Focus

Among the most important areas of your life that are affected by hormonal imbalances is your focus level and concentration. Without the skill to concentrate and take care of everyday jobs, the quality of your life is dramatically reduced. Hot flashes and night sweats experience like the least of your concerns. With a hormonal treatment that surely works, you can find that your work life, home life and other pleasure experiences will be better. For once, you will live in the moment rather than not being sure which moment you're in.

Better Sleep

Some experts, doctors and anyone with a lick of sense understand that sleep is critical for our good health. Unluckily a hormonal imbalance can badly affect how well you sleep and the quality of sleeping. Many people get chills or night sweats which disrupt their sleep patterns and cause undue fatigue. By taking care of the imbalance and using natural hormone supplement, you can easily rest easy at night and feel better during the day.

Lessened Stress and Tension

Nowadays people have bouts of serious stress in our modern world. That part is okay as long as the tension goes easily. Once you live with a hormonal imbalance, the tension and stress become chronic and damage the quality of your life. As the imbalance is corrected, you have the great opportunity to feel relief from the stressors and have the natural ability to adequately control your reactions back in place. There is not a more relaxing experiencing in the entire world.

Hot flashes, night sweats and the other symptoms of a hormonal imbalance can be cured naturally and effectively. Menopause treatments that mention in our website are wonderful products to treat the imbalance and live your life the way it was intended. Night sweats and insomnia do not have to control your life any longer.

Menopause Relief-Find a Safe and Natural Cure For Menopause Insomnia

Insomnia is a very common condition, especially as the female hormones begin slowing down production of the very hormones that give your body signals to fall asleep. There are several safe and natural ways to find menopause relief, without spending much money at all.

What if you have tried everything you know of and still cannot fall asleep, or get a good night's rest? Perhaps one of the alternative methods could hold the answer. There are several techniques which have proven to be very effective for many women.

Behavioral approaches to insomnia

A sleep therapist or clinician can often help when everything else has failed. They are trained in alternative approaches to insomnia, such as acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, light therapy, and sleep restriction therapy.

These alternative methods are very personal and require your open participation. If you are suffering from insomnia, this is not much to ask though. Obviously, it requires more than taking a pill, but the benefits far exceed the short-term quick fix of a sleeping medication. Very often, the alternative method is able to deal with the underlying issue and truly solve the problem.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recently changed it's guidelines and recommends behavioral therapy as a first-line treatment for insomnia. Studies have shown that the therapy is much more effective than sleep medications, plus there are no negative side effects, only positive ones.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

This therapy trains you to change your attitudes toward sleep. For example, it is well known that just thinking about insomnia and all of the problems associated with it can enable the insomnia to continue. It is like a self fulfilling prophecy.

It also teaches you to change your sleep hygiene. Poor habits, such as keeping a TV on all night, or a radio can seem to help you fall asleep, but actually it robs you of deep sleep and the rest you need. Other habits, such as drinking alcohol to induce sleep, or keeping a light on can have the same effect as the TV.

The main idea is to develop long-term positive attitudes and patterns of sleep through personal change. This is why CBT is so effective- it gets to the root of the problem, rather than offering a quick, chemical fix.

CBT has also been shown to be effective for both primary and secondary insomnia. This is very promising because many people have serious problems associated with the chronic lack of sleep brought on by both types of insomnia.

These alternative methods hold great promise as a safe and natural way to find menopause relief. It requires a bit more time and personal effort to learn and use, but the benefits are permanent and very effective.

Night Sweats and Perimenopause Relief

It may begin gradually as the menopause symptoms don't necessarily start all at once. Gradually you will realize your sleep being disrupted by night sweats. Perimenopause may be the culprit while it is the prelude of menopause for the uninitiated.

This is your first sign that the hormones in your body are start changing and gearing down for you to stop releasing viable eggs. For many women being torn between joy and sorrow is very common. On one hand, soon things like tampons and birth control won't be important anymore. On the other hand, your child-bearing days will be numbered and it's natural to feel a sense of loss.

Just like menopause, perimenopause is also in essence of a hormonal imbalance. With that type of condition there come symptoms which are trying to your patience and can limit your pleasure in life. The following are just a few ways in which this natural part of your life can take its toll.

Problems with sleeping

Night sweats during perimenopause are just one of the things which can influent your sleep while this hormone change is taking place. Drenching sweats are bad enough however you may also suffer hot flashes, chills and anxiety attacks. It is impossible to be totally productive as the body isn't well rested. This is one of those symptoms which must be controlled to give you a happy and productive life while you are preparing to enter a new phase of life. There is nothing wrong with looking for hormone supplements to get a feeling of normalcy and a good night's rest.

Sex drive function

Go ahead and blush if you need to however perimenopause can have an unpleasant effect on your libido. Although you may not care however your partner probably does. In all seriousness, a decrease in sexual desire is often noticed during this period.

As noted above, this condition should not be agreed to limit your life or your experiences. It is important to get the support you need to balance your hormones and continue to enjoy your relationship in the way you usually have. If you are having night sweats during perimenopause it should at least be for a pleasurable reason.

Gastrointestinal tract problems

Perimenopause and night sweats will feel like the least of your problems if gastrointestinal tract problems become obvious. Sometimes you may be able to ignore hot flashes however constipation is something else all together. Using a hormone supplement can help you from some embarrassing not to mention painful experiences. Hormones affect every system of our bodies and regulating those balances is incredibly important.

Fortunately you can save yourself from the more unpleasant menopause symptoms and night sweats. As perimenopause is a normal part of a woman's life, she needs to take care of herself and apply menopause treatment which mention in our website for a safe way to continue to enjoy her life. Moreover night sweats relief and freedom from the other menopause symptoms is worth using.

The Best Menopause Remedies Target Mood Swings, Depression and Anxiety

Unlike the many different prescription drugs that are currently on the market which offer treatment from the symptoms of menopause, the best menopause remedies beg to differ. Whereas the prescription drugs are only able to successfully treat but a few of the known symptoms of menopause, and quite often required added supplemental prescription drugs to relive additional symptoms, the best natural cures for menopause utilize premium and greatly researched, all natural ingredients that target all of the known symptoms.

This is perhaps why more and more women are now tossing their prescriptions in the garbage pail, along with the many known side effects that using such drugs can cause, and instead are looking to natural cures for menopause to find safe and effective, and more affordable treatment of their ailments.

Proprietary Herbal Compounds are the Key
What if there was a natural menopause remedy that offered a proprietary compound that targeted all of the known symptoms of menopause? That is what most women are quickly finding out. By using well research and clinically and scientifically proven herbal compounds, the best natural cures for menopause do indeed target most or all of the known symptoms. The sufferer does not have to worry about taking several pills per day, or missing a pill and suffering from additional symptoms.

Differences Between Natural Cures for Menopause and Prescription Drugs
The best natural cures for menopause have undergone intensive research and development periods, where leading experts have derived potent and all natural herbal compounds that target not a few of the symptoms but all of the known symptoms of menopause. Additionally, the best menopause remedies do not cause any side effects, and unlike the recent links to increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers that have been found in the popular prescribed prescription drugs, natural cures for menopause do not cause any known side effects, work more efficiently, are far more easier to acquire and do not impose a greater risk of contracting cancers.

Natural Progesterone Cream For Menopause Relief

Progesterone is a female sex hormone, and like many sex hormones it begins to decline when women reach the menopause. Although most menopause related problems are thought to be related to declining estrogen levels, women are encouraged to take a combination of estrogen and progesterone as progesterone protects the lining of the uterus and decreases the risk of endometrial cancer.

Although scientific research has not yet corroborated the theory, many people believe that menopausal symptoms are actually due to an imbalance in hormone levels, rather than simply a decrease in estrogen, and that using progesterone on its own could relieve this imbalance. This is particularly worth trying for women who avoid traditional HRT because of a family history of heart disease.

Taking progesterone transdermally (through the skin), as a cream, gel or patch seems to be a more effective way of absorbing the hormone into your blood than taking an oral pill. Taken orally, the progesterone has to pass through the liver, where it loses much of effectiveness. In theory taking progesterone transdermally requires a dose five to eight times smaller than taking it orally, to achieve the same results.

However, taking the hormone through the skin makes determining the dosage difficult because each person absorbs at a different rate depending on their skin type and temperature. Progesterone cream also needs to be applied very precisely in the right places to be really effective.

It is essential, when you are buying a cream, that you make sure it contains natural and not synthetic progesterone. Natural progesterone has exactly the same chemical structure as the hormone produced by the ovaries in menstruating women, by the placenta during pregnancy and by the adrenal glands after menopause.

While administering natural progesterone may affect the regularity of your cycle, synthetic progesterone has many more sinister side effects. As well as abnormal menstruation it can cause fluid retention, nausea and depression, and increase your cancer risk.

Cream containing natural progesterone should only be available on prescription. You may be offered an over the counter alternative containing diosgenin, which is a plant steroid found in Mexican yams. The belief is that the human body can convert this substance into natural progesterone, but there is no scientific evidence to support this, so the yam cream is best avoided!

As well as treating symptoms of the menopause, natural progesterone cream has also been used effectively to treat pre-menstrual syndrome. Wellsprings manufacture a progesterone cream and they say that it really addresses the root cause of PMS which is a hormone imbalance, rather than simply alleviating the symptoms.

Wellsprings also suggest a variety of other benefits for all women in using natural progesterone cream. These include achieving quality sleep, promoting thyroid hormone activity, reducing hormone related migraine, preventing water retention, decreasing risk of breast and uterine cancer, stabilizing blood sugar, and avoiding depression.

Understanding Menopause and Heart Palpitations

Menopause can bring a lot of symptoms to a woman. During this period, there will be a lot of changes in her hormones that will lead to several physical, emotional and psychological problems. The most common symptom is heart palpitation. This is the sudden increase in the heart beat even in times when one is not exerting too much force. Let's understand the relation between menopause and heart palpitation.

The heart palpitations that occur during menopause are said to be a result of the hormone fluctuating. It is due to the changes in the levels of progesterone and estrogen that can create confusion in the body. That is what causes the heart to beat aggressively while the body sweats copiously. Women who are taking some hormone replacement therapy or HRT will feel an increase in the palpitations of the heart during their first attempts of the treatment.

These palpitations actually go away within a few months after they begin occurring. The body just needs to be settled with the changes in the hormones. Even though menopause and heart palpitations may occur together, they are not considered as health problems for they are practically normal. What we need to understand is how to accept these changes as we age.

Some cases of palpitations occur due to stimulants. When you are entering the menopausal period, it is best to cut the regular intake of coffee, alcohol, nicotine, diet pills, decongestants and all caffeinated drinks. Stimulants only add to the increase of the heart beat which can worsen the palpitations.

Other causes of heart palpitations that need a more serious medical attention are hypoglycemia, anemia and thyroid problems. If these are added with some menopause symptoms, it can be very dangerous to our health. If this happens, we need to get ourselves checked by the doctor and see what procedures or medications can help cure it.

The usual relation of menopause and heart palpitation will only need a healthy lifestyle. Of course, as we enter middle age to old age, there will be changes in our emotional being that is related with menopause. We need to make sure that we keep a calm pace. If we get mad and irritated very easily, then I could trigger more of the palpitations. You won't notice it at first but it can happen a few hours or minutes after being furious.

Maintain a peaceful, serene and happy life. Avoid stress and anxiety as much as possible. Make sure that you know how to control your emotions before your emotions control you.

Sexual Difficulties and Menopause

A lot of women are happy to be going through menopause because this saves them the worries and fears of unwanted pregnancy. They also tend to be more in touch with and comfortable about their sexual needs and desires than they were earlier in life. Regrettably, there are also many women who find that menopause has an unfavorable impact on their sex lives. There are a number if different changes that can occur during menopause that may cause sexual problems.

Many of the sexual difficulties menopausal women experience are a direct result of declining levels of sex hormones. Among other things, deficiencies of the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone often produce shrinkage and dryness of the vagina and reduce sexual desire. Over half of all women at menopause and beyond are bothered by dryness of the vaginal tissues. This can lead to discomfort and even pain during sexual intercourse.

There are several different strategies that you can use, either singly or in combination, to overcome vaginal dryness and fragility. For a temporary lubricating action, you can use a bland jelly, or vitamin E cream, which also has a healing effect. These can be used before or during sexual intercourse, as needed. There are also products, such as Replens, that are formulated especially for this condition and that, when used on a daily basis, are supposed to offer longer lasting relief. These products are available at drug stores without prescription.

To actually restore and strengthen the vagina, however, you need to use a hormonal cream or vaginal suppository, especially if your menopause was early or you want to resume sexual activity after a long period of abstinence. Hormonal creams and vaginal suppositories rejuvenate, thicken and moisten the mucosal folds and lining of the vagina and they improve circulation, thus restoring the capacity of natural lubrication and orgasm. If you feel that your vagina has shrunk, this can be overcome by regularly massaging the inside and opening of the vaginal walls using an estrogen cream. Place some estrogen cream on your fingers and rub it into the vaginal walls, gently stretching the walls apart and exerting gentle pressure backwards at the opening of the vagina. There is not need to stretch excessively and cause any discomfort. Ten minutes daily of this gentle massage and stretching will suffice. Estrogen creams and suppositories require a doctor's prescription, as they contain hormones; known brands are Premarin, Estrace and Ogen. For some women, the addition of testosterone to the vaginal estrogen cream can make it much more effective than estrogen cream alone in restoring sexual responsiveness. You can ask your doctor to write a prescription for your pharmacist to mix you a special vagina cream containing both estrogen and testosterone. You may massage your entire vaginal area with this cream for three to four weeks, after which time you should need to use it only twice a week. Most menopausal women find hormonal creams suppositories much like an aphrodisiac and make them feel sexier.

Does Every Woman Have Menopausal Symptoms?

The most common menopausal symptoms are hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia, mood swings, fuzzy thinking, and loss of libido.

Studies have found that some women only experience one or two symptoms that they can easily live with. However, most women have symptoms that they feel require treatment. But even when women do have symptoms, they don't have all symptoms all of the time. Some symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and fuzzy thinking are the result of the pendulum swinging between high estrogen and low progesterone, a scenario common during the perimenopause years. All symptoms come and go like acne, breast pain, and heavy bleeding. Though symptoms like vaginal dryness and decreased libido can happen at anytime for a multitude of reasons like medications, medical treatments, or after child birth, they are usually more noticeable after hormones settle in the post menopause years.

Fluctuating Hormone Levels

The phase menopausal symptoms refers to the body's reaction to fluctuating hormone levels.But the symptoms of menopause are not caused by the lack of estrogen but by the fluctuations in hormone levels. Symptoms resolve as hormones rebalance, it can take as little as a few months or for many women a few years for the body to settle into its new comfort zone. Nonetheless, with a little non drug intervention you can feel more like yourself during the rough spots of transition.

Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): What the Evidence Shows

Menopausal hormone replacement therapy has proven not to be the wonder drug that many thought it would be. We now know without doubt that menopausal hormones:

• Increases the risk for invasive breast cancer.


• Increases the risk for heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots.


• Increases incontinence and uterine prolapse.


• Does not prevent heart disease.


• Does not prevent Alzheimer's disease.

Alternatives to HRT

Acupuncture

As an alternative to drug therapy, acupuncture influences the body's flow of energy along the body's pathways called meridians. The hair fine needles used during an acupuncture session stimulate points along the meridians to correct health concerns or imbalances. The theory of Acupuncture is that it treats the root cause of the health problem instead of just the symptom to produce a healing effect.

Herbs for Symptom Relief

How do you choose?

Today, a stated 85% of the world's population use herbs as their first step solution to what ails them. Menopause symptoms are no different. Below is a list of ingredients known to treat the multifaceted problems of hormonal balance. It is the combinations of ingredients that produce the desired state of wellness. Don't try this at home! Either work with an herbalist or purchase a product that is specially designed and clinically tested to support your body during hormonal imbalances.

Bayberry: Traditionally used for intestinal upset, inflammation of the throat, and discharge due to vaginal irritation.

Black Cohosh: Used in Europe for over 40 years, and known worldwide as an alternative to estrogen therapy for symptoms of menopause. Efficacy and safety are confirmed by long-term clinical experience, controlled clinical studies and toxicity studies which substantiate its safety.

Capsicum: The fruit of the plant is authorized in the German Pharmacopeia and the Commission E monographs for the relief of muscle spasms. In the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary, capsicum is used as a carminative and stimulant, and recognized by the U.S. FDA for use in over the counter products for arthritis and neuropathic pain.

Damiana Leaf: Traditionally used to ease feelings of sadness, low energy, hot flashes, low libido, and classic symptoms of PMS.

Ginger Root: Anti-nauseant, anti-motion sickness and an aid for digestive upset are the classical uses of ginger. Ginger is valued the world over, as a culinary herb, home remedy, and medicinal agent. Ginger extracts have been extensively studied for a broad range of biological activities including antibacterial, anticonvulsant, analgesic, antiulcer, gastric antisecretory, antitumor, antifungal, antispasmodic, antiallergenic, and other activities.

Kudzu Root: High in isoflavones, such as daidzein, as well as isoflavone glycosides. Known for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine under the name "ge-gen" and used to treat thirst, muscle aches and pains, allergies and migraine headaches. The historical application of Kudzu for alcohol abuse is a major focal point of modern medical research.

Licorice Root: The German Commission E approved licorice root for inflammations of the upper respiratory tract and for stomach ulcers. Today, Licorice is one of the most extensively researched medicinal plants. Dietary consumption of licorice root extract may also help to lower cholesterol and act as an antioxidant.

Red Clover: Shown in clinical studies to relive menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats. Studies also indicate that the isoflavones in red clover may decrease bone loss and have a protective effect on the lumbar spine in postmenopausal women. Red clover isoflavones have been shown to have a positive effect on blood pressure in certain populations.

Red Raspberry: Historically red raspberry has been used to strengthen the uterus and ease uterine cramping, help strengthen women's wombs in preparation for childbirth and aid with morning sickness.

Sage: The German Commission E approved sage for upset stomach and excessive perspiration (such as that may occur with hot flashes and night sweats) and for inflammation of the nose and throat. Traditionally sage was used to increase fertility, stop bleeding, and to promote regularity in a woman's menstrual cycle. Also used to heal minor skin wounds, treat hoarseness or cough, and improve memory function. In India, sage was used to treat intestinal gas, upset stomach, and infections.

Valerian Root: The German Commission E has approved Valerian for restlessness and sleeping disorders and recognized for its benefits in the national pharmacopeias of Austria, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Russia, and the United States, among others. The European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy notes that Valerian is used for tenseness, restlessness, and irritability, with difficulty in falling asleep.

Is Menopause Itching Driving You Mad!

Menopause and itching is an issue that can cause plenty of debate between those experiencing the symptoms and the medical profession. However, for women experiencing at times, almost unbearable episodes of itching and in some cases, over several years, and being told it's all in their head is not what they want to hear.

Itching And Menopause

Yes, itching and menopause is a real issue but it seems the problem is associating sudden episodes of itching with menopause. Itchy eyes, armpits, arms, thighs and legs. Descriptions such as "it feels like my skin is crawling with insects" seem all too common.

There have been suggestions episodes of itching could be associated with allergic reactions to some foods or even quitting smoking and caffeine related drinks but for women over 40, the one common denominator could be it's a symptom of menopause.

So what can you do? The obvious answer here is to visit your doctor and describe the symptoms being experienced. The problem is, many doctors are often baffled to come up with any logical explanation which leaves many women searching for alternatives.

Alternative Treatments

Menopause itching is handled differently by individual women. Some just grin and bear it and hope it goes away. But this can prove a fruitless exercise especially if the symptoms last for several years. Others resort to lotions and moisturizers with some success while homeopathic solutions in many cases, have proven successful. Detoxing is another solution which is not too common but could provide some much needed relief.

The Common Denominator

Menopause itching seems to correlate with episodes of hot flashes. The itching is normally due to dry skin and can be intense for elongated periods of time. Hormone replacement therapy is the obvious solution when the skin becomes dry due to a lack of estrogen but many women are loathe to have HRT. This is understandable as it's an optional treatment method and many choose to seek alternative treatment.

Helpful Solution For Menopause Itching

Whether your itching is related to menopause symptoms or not the worst thing a woman can do is suffer in silence. It's amazing how many women seem to just grin and bear itching episodes when they've exhausted traditional medical options. Joining a women's health forum is a smart alternative.

Going online an doing a search for a women's health forum is a great first step. When you are presented with forum options, check to seem how many members are listed and if membership numbers are in the hundreds or even thousands, then sign up and read through the posts. When you feel confident enough to make a post, highlight your problem and ask if other women are experiencing the same problem and if they've found a workable solution.

Don't worry about losing your anonymity as joining a forum under a pseudonym is normal practice and your identity is well protected. Menopause and itching is a frustrating time for many women but suffering in silence is not always the best option.

Natrol Black Cohosh Review for Menopause Relief

Black Cohosh is an all-natural ingredient used for its medicinal properties. It is from the buttercup family and is a plant native to North America. In native American times this plant was used to treat a whole host of conditions such as menstrual cramps, muscle pain, sore throats, coughs, indigestion and arthritis.

In more recent years it was used for rheumatism (arthritis and muscle pain) but has recently been found to be useful in the treatment for the side effects of menopause such as hot flashes and night sweats. Black Cohosh also have some interesting chemical effects that may promote healthy brain function in a similar way to serotonin. It is known to mostly help with the immune system, hormonal balance and inflammation of the body. Hence it's many different uses. Its effects on menopausal women are similar to that of estrogen and it is often clamed that it also supports the proper use of estrogen in the body.

The fresh dried roots and underground stems of the plant are the part used medically and can be taken in many forms such as teas, capsules and liquid extracts. This makes the supplement easy to consume for people who have problems swallowing pills or capsules.

One study found that the extract was beneficial to menopausal symptoms over a six-month period. However, a year long study did not find any significant health benefits in the particular test group used. More research is still being done on the effects of Black Cohosh as so many women claim to use it effectively and continuously.

As Black Cososh is said to possibly promote the production of estrogen, it is to be taken with care. Women with medical issues focused around hormonal changes and productions should stay away from this extract. For example, women who are pregnant or have any cancer of the breast, prostate, ovaries or uterus.

Black Cohosh has some possible side effects such as indigestion, headaches, nausea, perspiration, vomiting, weight gain and low blood pressure. Excessive doses can lead to seizures, visual disturbances and slow or irregular heart beat. However these are rare and if the extract is taken as recommended are very unlikely. Of course, if a consumer has any allergies to plants and flowers it is important to find out if Black Cohosh is appropriate to be taken.

As a single extract, women are directed to take two capsules per day. The benefits and effects of the supplement may take some time to occur but are said to do so if taken regimentally.

Menopause - Why Am I So Irritable?

Menopause is described as a condition rather than a disease. It is frequently referred to as a "Woman's Issue." Few, if any woman would admit anticipating its onset, although most women are aware of its unavoidable arrival. Beginning between the ages of 40 and 55 years, (and even as early as the 30's for some women), the activity of the hormones estrogen and progesterone begin to decrease. This might occur slowly, in a natural expected sequence, or suddenly if the ovaries are surgically removed. As the body attempts to adjust to the fall in the hormonal levels, the menopausal woman begins to experience several emotional symptoms.

Irritability has been described as one of the most frequently occurring emotional symptoms of menopause. Several descriptions have been used to describe the symptom and with various degrees of severity. These include being short or bad-tempered, cross, or on edge; and being mildly, moderately or severely ill-tempered. Further, family and friends and affected women describe the behavior as becoming angry or upset for every-little-thing.

Women, who are mildly and moderately affected, described it as annoying. At this level, it is mostly obvious to themselves and some close family or friends. On the other hand, it is quite evident to everyone when women are severely affected. At this stage, the woman is so cross and quick tempered, that the symptoms are described as emotionally challenging and embarrassing; if not overwhelming and draining.

The short-tempered behavior occurs in the female during menopause due to a combination of occurrences. These include, but are not limited to (a) the biological effects of a lowered level of estrogen and progesterone which occur due to the ovaries receiving less stimulation from the growth hormones (b) surgical removal of the ovaries, mostly due to a disease. In either case, whether the loss occurred naturally or surgically, the emotional self feels the loss and will try to regulate itself to the change.

For example, as the woman's emotional-self attempts to cope with the hormonal imbalance by making her extra alert to every thing. She feels so irritable that she often has trouble sleeping. The insomnia leads to tiredness and difficulty dealing with stress. This becomes a sleepless-tired-stress-irritable cycle, which, unless the problem is identified and practical measures taken to break the cycle, the woman can become overwhelmed.

Natural Menopause and Premature Menopause

Short-temper is also experienced by the woman who mourns the loss of her ability to reproduce. This occurs for most women and especially women who lost their ovaries unexpectedly. To help minimize the sudden onset of menopause, whenever possible, many surgeons will avoid removing both ovaries. If one ovum is left in place, it can continue to produce enough estrogen and progesterone that can help to prevent the rapid onset of menopause. This allows the woman to progress naturally to menopause when her body is matured and more ready for the change.

For women who must have the uterus removed, it is important to discuss with your gynecologist the possibility of leaving the ovaries in place, if at all possible. Women who are able to keep their ovaries intact can continue to enjoy a satisfactory level of well-being of not having to deal with premature menopause. Women, who do not have the option of keeping their ovaries intact, should discuss all available alternative options and treatments with the gynecologist prior to surgery.

How to Manage Irritability During Menopause?

Whether the woman is feeling severely cross because of premature or naturally occurring menopause, she may find the symptom overwhelming, and might consider the following practices that have been reported to be helpful by women who have had similar experiences.

Food and nutrition: Soya products for example, milk, beans, tofu. Tofu, for example have been used steamed, stir fried, and in stews.
Rest, exercise, relaxation and massages: While an after dinner walk before bed time has been proven beneficial, late naps close to bed times should be avoided. Late naps tend to interfere with a good night sleep, and so does vigorous exercise before bed time.

On the other hand, relaxing or winding down before bed time, have been used to encourage a good night sleep. For example, reading pages of a romantic novel or poetry, and listening to soft music. Some women have also reported feeling more calm after resting in a quiet place and taking 10-20 deep breaths periodically. For example, thinking on pleasant and positive thoughts while breathing in, and exhaling negative thoughts.

A warm bath and/or a slow back rub have had similar effects. Soaking the feet for 5-10 minutes in warm water followed by a foot massage have also been quite soothing (test water temperature with elbow before sub merging feet - if water feels too warm for your elbow, add cold water until it is comfortable). Further, some women have benefited from the use of Herbals and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), of which, several varieties are on the market.

Menopausal women experience varying levels of being ill-tempered as the emotional self attempts to adjust to the fall off of estrogen and progesterone. In trying to seek relief, for persistent or severe irritability, the woman may be inclined to try unusual foods, exercises, or medications. Whether over the counter medications or other substances are tried, medical approval is encouraged prior to engaging in unfamiliar practice(s).

5 Signs of Early Menopause Symptoms

For most women menopause begins around age 45, with the process completing approximately seven to ten years later, depending upon the women. However, one woman out of every one hundred experience early menopause symptoms. Depending on the age of the woman, these symptoms can be misinterpreted or missed completely, especially if the woman is very young. Here are some of the signs to watch for to detect early menopause.

1- The most commonly noticed early menopause symptom is irregular bleeding. However, this is the most unpredictable symptom as well; it is different for every woman. Some women experience occasional bleeding, excessive bleeding or irregular menstrual cycles with more or less time between them. It is very common among premenopausal women to miss one or more menstrual cycles and then have one or two in a row, only to start missing them again.

2- Many women tend to associate early menopause with hot flashes. A hot flash is the warming of the entire body and is normally followed by perspiration. Hot flashes are often associated with night sweats, which can drench the with sweat while sleeping. This is no scientific explanation for the occurrence of hot flashes or night sweats, but almost 40% of women suffer from this early menopause symptom. For most women hot flashes last about five years, however, about 10% of women will experiencing hot flashes and night sweats for 10 years.

3- Mood swings are often sited as an early menopause symptom; however, there is not any conclusive research to that effect. It is now being thought that the changes in mood may be more directly related to the lack of sleep that some women experience because of night sweats. This is an especially valid idea if the woman has a history of depression, this history added to the loss in sleep can cause the mood swings.

4- Age is the most common reason for the onset of early menopause symptoms, however there can be other factors for this change in life to occur. If a woman has had a hysterectomy, this can be often be the reason for the symptoms. This is the rationale behind putting women on hormone replacements following the surgery.

5- Premenopausal like symptoms can also be caused by excessive weight. For example, many obese women do not have normal menstrual cycles and experience irregular bleeding patterns. It is important to speak with your health care provider if you feel that you are experiencing any of these early menopause symptoms, they will be able to rule out any other health related issues.

Relieve your Menoapausal Symptoms with these Herbs for Hot Flashes

Menopause is an inevitable stage in every woman's life. It is the time when the decline of hormones significantly affects all body systems. Due to this natural drop in hormones, some natural side effects will also occur. One of the most annoying to most women is hot flashes. This uncomfortable hot sensation drives most women to seek different remedies to alleviate the problem, including natural herbs for hot flashes. Hot flashes are not really a disease, even though it may feel that way. These days, the type of treatment you use can be very important to your future health.

Women's Health Initiative or WHI is an organization concerned with issues relating to menopause. In the past, Hormone Replacement Therapy had become the accepted treatment to ease hot flashes. As the popularity of HRT increased, WHI conducted studies to uncover the risks. The clinical study concluded that the risk of having complications is heightened with HRT. Stroke, blood clots, breast cancer and heart disease are some of the related risks. In addition, there are other side effects associated with HRT, such as breast tenderness and leg pains.

Although HRT can reduce the chances of osteoporosis, the other risks can be far more life-threatening. As women and the medical community became increasingly aware of this, many have increasingly begun using herbs for hot flashes. Studies are continuously conducted to explore the benefits of herbs in medicine, especially in terms of hot flashes. Certain plants are found to be effective for relief of the symptoms.

Soy beans are known to contain isoflavones which are effective chemicals to decrease the harshness of hot flashes. Isoflavones also help in the production of hormones to compensate for the menopausal decline.

Another herb which is frequently recommended even by medical science is black cohosh. It has an efficiency percentage of 90% when used to relieve symptoms, making it the most effective herb for hot flashes. Scientific laboratory tests have further demonstrated the advantages of black cohosh. One of the big ones is that this herb neither encourages the growth of the cancerous estrogens nor thickens the lining of the uterus. In addition, there are other health benefits that black cohosh offers aside from those associated with hot flashes.

Other herbs that can relieve hot flashes are red clover plants. Historically, native healers made use of these plants to correct hormonal imbalances. For those women who have allergies to soy beans, red clover is a good alternative. It also contains isoflavones similar to those found in soy, making it another good herb for hot flashes.

Sarsaparilla is another herb that has become a popular subject for studying hot flash remedies, as well as cancer prevention. Just like red cover, sarsaparilla has also been used to correct hormonal imbalance going all the way back to the infancy of this country. To guarantee the effectiveness of these herbs for hot flashes, sarsaparilla can be added to black cohosh and the combined nutrients can be used as dietary supplements for menopausal women.

Natural herbs are safe and economical to use. There are rare side effects reported of those utilizing the natural greens in the environment. However, since the use of these herbs involves traditional medicine, some doctors may express their doubts. On the other hand, before trying any herbs for hot flashes, it is important to discuss it with your doctor first. The severity of your symptoms will have a lot to do with your final choice of treatment.

Treat Menopause in Natural Way

Natural remedies are always gaining momentum when it comes to menopause symptom. For many years, women fought fatigue, hot flashes and other menopause symptoms through hormone replacement therapy however today there are more natural ways to fight. When it comes to menopause symptoms, natural remedies are the best option as they work without introducing dangerous chemicals or hormones into your body.

Effexor for menopause

Effexor is a drug which was originally designed to combat bipolar disorder. A few years back it was discovered that it can alleviated hot flashes in some patients. While it looked like a promising drug for menopause relief soon women were reporting very uncomforting side effects to the drug.

These side effects included dramatic change in vision, high blood pressure, headache and difficulty urinating. Since it causes so many problems, it makes a patient wonder if the cure is really worth the price you pay with your health and well being.

Neurontin menopause medication

Neurontin is traditionally used with other medications to cure partial seizures. It is also used to alleviate the burning nerve pain which sometimes continues for months or even years after an attack of shingles. Just like Effexor, it is another type of drug which potentially useful for treating the menopause symptoms however it also has some devastating side effects.

It is even recommended that patients who are applying this drug abstain from driving. When it comes to menopause, natural treatments are a much better option. With a little searching, you can find many herbal remedies for menopause.

Herbal remedies are so much better as they help to replace the work of estrogen without introducing foreign synthetics or drugs into your body system. Natural menopause remedies work to nourish your hormonal glands and help you with the natural production of estrogen hormones. This also works to treat hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.

When your menopause symptoms are relieved, you body need not to work overtime to regulate your temperature and you don't get fatigued. If you want relief and you want to manage menopause, the best way to do so is through an all natural product like menopause treatment product which mention on our website. When it comes to menopause, natural menopause treatments are best and they provide amazing results without complicated and unsafe side effects.

Natural Things to Take to Help With Menopause - Your Menopause Relief Finally

Natural things to take to help with menopause can be located right in your local drugstore, as long as you are aware of what your body can handle. Many women unfortunately go through most of the menopausal symptoms while the lucky few only face one to none. I will briefly explain most of these symptoms and what you can take to get through them easily.

Symptoms in Different Women
As stated above, it's common for most women to experience numerous symptoms while others happily deal with none. A woman that has very few symptoms can be the effect of great health, different culture, or their overall lifestyle in general. She may deal with a mood swing every now and then or an occasional hot flash every blue moon. While many other women may suffer from anxiety attacks, mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, brown spotting, vaginal dryness, water retention, loss of intimacy, and weight gain. This can be solved with the help of a few products.

Treatments for Symptoms
Some natural things to take to help with menopause issues would be black cohosh, Damiana, and red clover. These three are the most common over many other treatments. Black cohosh and red clover act as a hormone replacement which balances out the imbalances in the woman's hormones. Damiana is great for increasing the intimacy. Very often, loss of intimacy with your partner can occur during the menopausal period and Damiana is great for getting it back. I recommend speaking with your doctor prior to trying any of these to help you further your education about your body and minor side effects.

Additional Menopause Information
Menopause symptoms usually occur within a 2 to 10 year period around a woman's mid-40s and late 50s. In very rare cases, it can occur as early as age 35 and end as late as age 60. This time doesn't have to be as devastating for you as it is for most women now that you've acquired this information. My last recommendation is exercising and eating right. Add plenty of omega-3's, zinc, calcium, water, and pasta to your diet while exercising at least for 30 minutes a day.

Calcium Levels Are Key to Menopause Relief, PMS, and Chronic Insomnia

Research journals and nutritionists continue to clarify the relationship between declining levels of estrogen and lowered calcium levels in women. Adelle Davis, the first nutritionist to base her recommendations on science-based studies says, "The amount of calcium in a woman's blood parallels the activity of the ovaries. The blood calcium falls to such an extent during the week prior to menstruation that PMS, nervous tension, irritability, and perhaps mental depression result. During the menopause, the lack of ovarian hormones (estrogen and progesterone) can cause severe calcium deficiency and menopause symptoms such as irritability, hot flashes, night sweats, leg cramps and insomnia." In light of this, sleep problems in women caused by a lack of calcium, can be helped by taking natural sleep aids containing this important mineral.

Helen Bishop MacDonald concurs with this in her article from the journal "Nursing British Columbia". She says that, "Aging, combined with the estrogen reduction that occurs at menopause, results in an estimated 20 to 25% deterioration in calcium absorption in women from 40 to 60 years of age."

The National Institutes of Health fact sheet on calcium discusses several factors that can affect calcium absorption. Vitamin D helps improve calcium absorption. Your body can obtain vitamin D from food and it can also make vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Dietary sodium (salt) and protein increase calcium excretion in ratio to the amount their intake is increased. Increasing dietary potassium intake (such as with 7-8 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, and with blackstrap molasses) may help decrease calcium excretion, particularly in postmenopausal women. Alcohol can affect calcium status by reducing the intestinal absorption of calcium.

We think of calcium as food for our bones, but it's also a natural sedative and sleep aid that releases the sleep-inducing amino acid tryptophan. Calcium is directly related to our cycles of sleep. In one study, published in the European Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels in the body are higher during some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. The study concluded that sleep problems and disturbances, especially the absence of deep sleep or interference with REM sleep, are related to a calcium deficiency. Restoration to the normal course of sleep was achieved following the normalization of the blood calcium levels.

Regarding the relationship between calcium and insomnia, and the use of sleep aids, Adelle Davis says, "A calcium deficiency often shows itself by sleeplessness and insomnia, another form of an inability to relax. The harm done by sleeping tablets, to say nothing of the thousands of dollars spent on them, could largely be avoided if the calcium intake were adequate."

To find help for sleep problems, look for natural sleep aids containing highly absorbable forms of calcium, as well as magnesium and Vitamin D. For the best absorption, the ingredients should be formulated with carrier oils such as evening primrose. This oil that has been shown to increase mineral absorption, reduce calcium excretion, and increase bone density.

Adelle Davis recommends calcium is best taken by balancing it with about half as much magnesium, and complementing it with Vitamin D. Davis says, "Because calcium is less well absorbed and the urinary losses are greater when the output of estrogen decreases, such calcium-deficiency symptoms as nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, headaches, and depression are also the most common menopause symptoms. These problems can be easily overcome if the intakes of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D are all generously increased and are well absorbed."

Menopause - Synthetic Or Bio-Identical Hormones For Menopause

What is the best hormone for menopause treatment: synthetic or bio-identical hormones? You may choose bio-identical hormones, but you may be wrong.

Although body-made estrogens are the best estrogen for menopause, they are totally ignored by medical science. Of cause, drug companies do not want you to remember that the human body can make estrogen, because they can not make money from you. How about doctors? They never talk about body-made hormones besides synthetic or bio-identical hormones for menopause.

The bottom line is that sufficient estrogen is essential to good health, and excessive estrogen is dangerous to your health. There are three types of estrogens for menopause: body-made estrogen, bio-identical estrogen and synthetic estrogen.

Both synthetic and bio-identical hormones are foreign hormones to your body. Your body can't tell the difference, and only drug companies can tell the difference. The bottom line is that synthetic hormones are from natural resource (horse urine; bio-identical hormones have to be synthesized in the lab in order to be absorbed by the human body, since the human body can't use plants' hormones.

Some chemists may argue that bio-identical hormones have the same chemical structure as body-made hormones. However, the chemical structures of body-made hormones are dynamic: they are changing every moment. The bio-identical hormones have only a fixed structure, so they are not bio-identical at all.

Above all, it doesn't make sense to argue synthetic or bio-identical hormones, since even body-made estrogens can cause cancers when they are excessive.

"Do I have estrogen deficiency or not" is the right question to ask. If you do have estrogen deficiency, either synthetic or bio-identical hormones can do the job, but don't overdo it.

Coping With Menopause Depression

Depression in women is a big concern, especially later in life. Changes to their bodies can cause a female to feel less like a woman and cause her to withdraw from her normal lifestyle. Depression is treatable with both herbal and prescription medications. Some women may even need to seek professional help to deal with all the changes that are happening and the loss of the ability to conceive children. Changes in diet and exercise may be all that is needed to combat some of the symptoms like night sweats, hot flashes, and weight gain.

Change of life is a natural process by which women, usually 45-55, begin to have changes physically, emotionally and mentally. Because of the changes to the women's body, depression is a big concern. This is, in part to the hormonal changes that their bodies are going through. A woman can start to have negative signs like irritability,short temper etc that would lead us to suspect that she's going through menopause. A woman naturally has a decline in her reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Progesterone, the hormone that regulates her monthly period will be produced less, causing ovulation to become less predictable. Estrogen, a female hormone, regulates the reproductive cycle. Menopausal changes will begin to occur when the level of estrogen in the body starts reducing. Women sometimes will be depressed due to these body changes. Women can develop facial or body hair, decrease in breast firmness,weight gain and irritability. This is a good time for a woman to visit with her physician, to diagnosis the "change of life".

There are multiple reasons why a woman may go through, what is called symptoms menopause... Some women may experience a early total hysterectomy, which is the removal of all the female reproductive organs. Usually, a hysterectomy is preformed due to very irregular periods, or the development of tumors or cysts. Other women may experience this, due to chemo or radiation therapy.

Symptoms of the menopause can vary from one female to the next. Depression, being of high concern, is not the only thing that a women should expect to occur. There are other changes that can occur. Vaginal dryness, pain in intercourse, vaginal itching, changes in sleep pattern or sleep disturbance, increased abdominal fat, possibly due in part to the increase in craving carbohydrates, thinning hair, acne, weight gain, memory loss, fatigue, mood changes, depression hot flashes.

Depression, one of the symptoms for menopause is also a mental disorder. One should suspect possible depression if sleep has been disturbed, sadness persists more than 2 weeks, there is a feeling of inadequacy, lack of interest in participating in particular activities,that have been an interest prior to this change. Usually there is a pre-existing history of depression prior to the signs of the menopause symptoms. If you are suffering from depressive symptoms,it is very important to go and see your doctor as soon as possible. Depression can be easily treated and should not go untreated. Women should make an appointment with their physician.. It may be that the depressed female may just need replacement hormone therapy, vitamins, antidepressants or some sort of mood altering medication, which her physician could prescribe.

There are also some life style changes and home remedies that will aid in lowering the negative symptoms and making one feel better about themselves and no female has to live with the depression.

Hypothyroidism and Menopause - How They Can Be Relieved Naturally

In the United States, more than 20% of the women in menopause are diagnosed with hypothyroidism - a sluggish thyroid. Women need to understand the consequences of menopause on the thyroid, as with the increase in age, more women are affected by hypothyroidism. Menopause and hypothyroidism have common symptoms, such as depressed mood, decreased energy and decreased memory, among others. Often these symptoms are taken to be due to menopause, leading to delayed diagnosis of hypothyroidism.

Hormones in women's bodies are balanced delicately and hormonal imbalance occurs during pregnancy, peri-menopause, and menopause. In the time leading up to menopause, the clockwork menstrual cycles may begin to become erratic. This could be because of highs and lows in estrogen and progesterone.

Hypothyroidism, which is seven times more often associated with women than with men, also occurs because of hormonal imbalance. Certain doctors feel that estrogen dominance - excess of estrogen combined with low progesterone - typically occurs in early peri-menopause. They feel restricting estrogen dominance prevents complications in peri-menopause, including hypothyroidism. In fact, estrogen is required to be counterbalanced with progesterone to avoid hypothyroidism.

Treatment Options of Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism - the under-active thyroid is primarily due to the underproduction of the thyroid's main hormone - Thyroxine (T4). This hormone has to be converted to the active thyroid - the Triiodothyronine (T3), by the liver. Then only it can be effectively utilized by the body. Different practitioners have their own ways of tackling hypothyroidism.

Most prescribe Synthroid, Levoxyl or Levothyroxine - the synthetic T4 - for hypothyroidism. This is fine, if women are capable of converting this T4 into T3. For others, who are poor converters, Cytomel - a synthetic T3 - is prescribed to covert their low T3.

Many women do not believe in synthetic hormones for treating their hypothyroidism, and relieve their symptoms with nutrition, exercise, stress-relieving techniques and such natural treatments. Rich nutrition is the basis of hormonal balance. Rich nutrition should consists of:

繚 Multivitamins and/or minerals

繚 Essential fatty acids

繚 Calcium and/or magnesium

Such essential nutrients, when supplementing a healthy eating plan, support the body's endocrine, immune and other vital systems.

Some doctors recommend using a progesterone cream for treatment of hypothyroidism. Progesterone, which is essential for building many of your body's most important hormones, is also vital in offsetting estrogen dominance, which is one of the most common conditions in peri-menopause and hypothyroidism. Application of progesterone cream gives an immediate relief to the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Women in menopause or peri-menopause are required to massage about half a teaspoon of progesterone cream into their hands and body. It is advisable to use twice daily for 21 days, to discontinue for 7 days, and repeat the procedure. The cream is required to be massaged on the thighs, stomach, inner arms, and the buttocks. It is recommended that you increase your water intake to avoid dehydration.

Many doctors recommend against prolonged use of progesterone cream after menopause. Short-term use is recommended after menopause, especially when weaning off Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

How to Choose Natural Supplements for Menopause Symptoms Relief

Selecting the most effective natural supplements for menopause symptoms has really become an important concern for quite a few women especially as they begin to move through peri-menopause and closer towards menopause age.

Natural herbs also tend to be experiencing a real increase in interest these days as well, considering the numerous

potential health risks associated with Hormone Replacement Therapy are now becoming more widely known.

Perhaps one of the most important, yet least known factors to keep in mind when choosing your natural supplements is to always check that the company producing these products also incorporates what are known as "standardized herbal extracts".

Put simply, these kinds of health supplements are developed using only the highest grade natural herb extracts and the standardization process basically ensures that you're always ingesting precisely the same quantity of ingredients from one capsule or dosage to the next.

Dosage consistency is actually a huge problem for a lot of non standardized natural supplement manufacturers, which might be the reason why you have perhaps read or heard in media at some point that most over the counter and store bought health supplements don't contain all of the ingredients and/or amounts claimed on their product's label.

Each dose could have an excessive amount, not enough and even nothing whatsoever of the listed ingredients.

You definitely will likely want to avoid this situation in any supplement you're taking since far too much of any one ingredient might cause negative side effects but not enough will very likely give you no effects whatsoever.

Deciding to buy solely those supplements that use standardized extracts helps prevent this problem.

Secondly, always look for and choose the most proven ingredients. Natural supplements for menopause symptom relief will always include herbs such as:

• Chasteberry

• Black Cohosh

• Red Clover

• Dong Quai

• Wild Yam

Chasteberry is used quite a lot in menopause supplements because it also is known to contain estrogen and progesterone-like natural compounds. This may also play an important role in helping to manage luteinizing hormone just as black cohosh does, and it too has also been proven to be very effective in minimizing PMS symptoms.

Many health practitioners and experts believe that black cohosh's efficacy comes from being able to decrease and lower levels of luteinizing hormone that's produced in our bodies in higher amounts during menopause.

The increase of this particular hormone is thought to be the cause of many of the more unpleasant symptoms that are associated with menopause.

Wild Yam has without a doubt become well recognized as a natural option for the purpose of helping to normalize female hormones, especially during the menopause.

Red Clover is one of the widely used herbs with respect to menopause symptoms that include hot flashes, night sweats, migraine headaches, and even mood disturbances. Although not as widely recognized as black cohosh, red clover can help to minimize the symptoms of menopause as well as premenstrual syndrome because it contains phytoestrogens that behave very much like natural estrogen in the body.

Apparently, the estrogenic effects seem to differ depending on what phase of menopause women are usually in.

Interestingly, when it comes to pre-menopausal women with normal levels of estrogen, isoflavones can have an anti-estrogenic effect whereas in post-menopausal women that have reduced estrogen levels, isoflavones will act as a form of weak estrogen.

Dong Quai is surely among the most renowned natural herbs for menopause symptoms relief. It produces a gentle estrogenic effect and also provides a balancing effect on a woman's hormonal system. Dong Quai has actually been used for over a hundred years by women of all ages as a natural health tonic of sorts and today it still remains a well respected herb due to its countless natural health benefits.

How Does Hormone Imbalance Affect You? Menopause Symptoms Explained

The effects of hormone imbalance on menopause symptoms is one of the least understood aspects of the menopausal change that women undergo as they enter middle age. Hormones are essential for the proper functioning of the human body, and even slight changes in them can result in major shifts in the way in which the body operates. Understanding these effects can help many women to better cope with the variety of changes they experience during this often confusing and disruptive part of their lives.

The glands that produce female hormones begin to reduce their production around age 50. Though there have been numerous studies conducted to determine exactly why this is the case, experts have only been able to make educated guesses thus far. Some believe that these glands were originally designed to produce estrogen and other hormones throughout the course of a woman's life, but that a doubling of life expectancy coupled with poor nutrition, little exercise, and dramatic stress increases have placed such tremendous pressure on these glands to produce more for a longer period of time - thus resulting in them ending production earlier than intended.

Most experts, however, prefer to look at the effects of hormone imbalance on menopause symptoms as a natural part of life that must be dealt with by the women who experience them. The fact is that declining hormonal production results in a series of menopause related symptoms that affect nearly every aspect of a woman's life.

The primary effects of hormone imbalance on menopause symptoms occur as a result of the decline in the woman's production of progesterone. This results in symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia, and otherwise unexplained weight gain. In addition, women also experience mood swings, a reduction in libido, and even depression over the changes their bodies are undergoing.

The decline in the body's production of progesterone is a necessary step in ending reproductive capabilities, as women have fewer and fewer ovulation cycles as they get older. Without an ovulation cycle that requires progesterone production to counter the increase in estrogen, a hormonal imbalance occurs that can create menopausal symptoms.

The effects of hormone imbalance on menopause symptoms can be sufficiently disturbing to cause some women to seek hormone replacement and other therapies in an attempt to bring their bodies back into hormonal balance. In fact, many doctors recommend treatment to curb the effects of hormone imbalance to enable their patients to enjoy a better quality of life not only during the stages of menopause, but afterward as well.

If you are in your late 30s or early 40s and experiencing menopausal symptoms, you may actually be suffering from the effects of hormone imbalance on these specific symptoms. The good news is that you may not be headed toward early menopause, but may instead require hormonal treatments to restore your body's natural balance of estrogen and progesterone. You should consult with your physician to determine the exact causes of your symptoms, and discuss the treatment options available to you.