Saturday, August 3, 2013

Pre Menopause Symptoms


Contrary to what many women think, menopause is actually a long period, and it may or may not include any symptoms. The only solid symptom of menopause is periods that are irregular and that eventually stop. Actually, you can only name the date of your menopause in retrospect, since menopause is defined as your last menstrual cycle, and you have to have been period-free for a year before you can say when menopause was. However, most women do experience some symptoms during perimenopause, so it's good to know the pre menopause symptoms so that you can prepare yourself early.

At first, some of your symptoms may seem related to PMS, since one of the main symptoms of early menopause can be mood swings. Women who are in perimenopause - which is the time period when the body's estrogen levels are dropping and menstrual cycles are becoming irregular - may also experience symptoms like hot flashes, lack of mental clarity, sleep troubles, headaches, and racing hearts. You may also experience breast tenderness, decreased sex drive, and vaginal dryness.

Luckily, most women don't experience all of these menopause symptoms - or at least not all at once. Different women will begin menopause differently, depending largely on their lifestyle choices and genetic predispositions. In general, it's thought that women who had severer PMS symptoms will have severer menopause symptoms, though this doesn't always hold true.

When you do start experiencing some symptoms of menopause, chances are likely that you may experience some mixed emotions. Menopause is a natural part of life, but it can also be a difficult thing for women to deal with because it is a distinct sign of aging and because it marks the end of your childbearing years. However, instead of fighting this completely natural process, you can work with your body to make things easier. The sooner you start making healthy lifestyle changes that will improve your experience of menopause, the better.

Some Changes to Make for Pre Menopausal Relief

Although some doctors will recommend hormonal replacement therapy for severe menopause symptoms, this approach has been shown to have many negative side effects, including an increased risk of cancer. Instead of taking this approach, which actually attempts to reverse some of the natural hormonal changes of menopause by supplementing hormones that the body is no longer producing, you can make some lifestyle changes to make your transition through menopause a graceful one.

One of the main things that you can do to help yourself during pre menopause is to eat right. You should be getting plenty of fruits and vegetables. Focus on incorporating different colored plant foods into your daily diet, since this will give you a wider variety of vitamins and minerals. Also, getting plenty of protein, fiber, calcium, and iron can help alleviate some symptoms. To eat right and maintain a healthy weight, which is also important, try to eat several small meals each day and include complex carbohydrates and protein in every meal.

Getting enough sleep and exercise is also important to pre menopausal women. You may feel more tired than normal during pre menopause, which is natural. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night will help, as will exercising on a daily basis. If you have trouble getting enough sleep because you're experiencing insomnia, consider using a natural herbal supplement like chamomile or valerian to help you get to sleep at night.

Taking these simple, healthy steps as soon as you feel menopause symptoms coming on will help you ensure that you get through menopause with as little fuss and bother as possible. Instead of using a dangerous clinical treatment to ease your symptoms, dealing with them in a healthy, proactive way will leave you feeling healthier and more confident through this natural phase in your life.

Are You Suffering From Menopause And Arthritis?


Climb up to a life free from menopause arthritis

Recent studies have shown that women in their late forties and early fifties are displaying signs of menopause arthritis - a form of osteoarthritis triggered by menopause. Was it not enough that menopause brought on the hot flashes, night sweats and a variety of aches and pains which kept a woman up at night, that menopause arthritis has now been added to the list? The thought of a flight of stairs makes you want to balk and makes you want to move to a more comfortable but expensive apartment on the ground floor.

But before you start looking at adapting your lifestyle to accommodate this new phenomenon, understand what is happening with your body first.

Understanding what is arthritis

Osteoarthritis or arthritis is a common complaint of women in the age group between thirty to fifty years. Arthritis is caused by the wear and tear of the cartilage around the joints. As this wear and tear is gradual arthritis usually is a complaint of people belonging to an older age group.

Menopause arthritis - What is the connection between the two?

Arthritis has always been more of a complaint with women than with men. The logical hormone connecting menopause with arthritis then seems to be the hormone estrogen. When a woman's ovaries stop producing eggs during menopause her body experiences hormonal imbalances. Especially the levels of the hormone in a woman's body start reducing. Researchers have laid the blame for arthritis on estrogen because of the following reasons:

· The occurrence of arthritis in twice the number of women as the number of men suggests that the trigger to arthritis has to be some hormone exclusive to the female body

· Pregnant women have experienced the symptoms of arthritis more extremely than the average woman. A pregnant woman is also known to have higher levels of estrogen

There are multiple causes which trigger arthritis. While estrogen leads the race in this matter, there are other changes in the woman's body which affect arthritis. During menopause, owing to the hormonal imbalances, a woman is prone to gaining more weight. The weight gained adds more pressure on the knees, causing further wear and tear of the cartilage.

Besides estrogen, there are other hormones in a woman's body which experience the imbalance brought on by menopause. The secretion of these hormones causes the tissues and cartilages around the joints to deteriorate more rapidly.

Menopause arthritis can it be avoided?

There is no fool-proof plan which will keep you free from the clutches of menopause arthritis. However, the onset of arthritis can be prevented by taking small but simple steps:

· Applying hormone topical creams on aches and pains which begin early, can delay the onset of the arthritis. These creams are designed to balance out the estrogen levels in the body and hence help relieve the pain caused by inflammation

· Regulating your diet and switching to a gluten-free diet will make sure that you do not gain more weight and add more pressure on your knees, aiding the wear and tear of tissues around the knee joints. Weight gain also affects other joints besides the knee, like the back, ankles and wrists

· Using a mild anti-inflammatory cream during peri-menopause delays the onset of menopause arthritis

· Using supplements to strengthen the bones from an early age, prevents the early onset of arthritis

Menopause arthritis Herbs that can help

There are also home remedies you can resort to when you begin to first experience the aches in your joints. Indian researchers have placed great faith in the practice of Ayurveda and the use of medicinal herbs to ease aches and pains which lead to the arthritis caused by menopause.

· Boswellia - An Indian herb with no side effects interrupts the inflammation in the joints and the release of biochemicals which cause pain. Many women who have used this herb during perimenopause have had a menopause free of joint and back aches

· Turmeric - Turmeric is the wonder herb of India. The uses of turmeric are vast and varied, primarily used as an antiseptic to heal wounds, turmeric is known to have curcumin which reduces inflammation and eases pain. Application of turmeric paste over aching joints reduces the pain

· Cayenne - More popularly famous as a spice, Cayenne contains capsaicin which works as a soothing painkiller on joint aches. Capsaicin actually encourages the body to release its own hormones responsible for relieving pain

While menopause arthritis is a painful truth most women have to deal with, it does not have to become a way of life. There are natural and medical ways to prolong the onset of arthritis and to deal with its early onset. Switching to a healthier diet and taking care of your body from an earlier age will help you have a more comfortable and pain-free menopause.

In conclusion the best practices for handling arthritis or any of the other 34 menopause symptom is to take a proactive approach to staying healthy, eating a clean, adding more daily fibers to each meal, lower fat and sugar intake, and exercise at least 30 minutes everyday.

The Age of Menopause


A person undergoes through many stages and development during his lifetime, but for a woman nothing was more complicated than the menopausal stage. This was a painful and complex part of a woman's life especially during the dark ages when menopause relief was unheard of. Nowadays, due to advance technology the signs and symptoms of this condition have been lessened to some extent.

When the word menopause is mentioned, people would normally think of women beyond the age of child bearing anywhere from 50 to 60 years old. Most people have heard of it and practically all women will experience this by the time their 55 or it can be as late as 60 for some. This stage in a woman's cycle is absolutely normal and is not seen as a sickness. However, contrary to what a lot of people think, there is what health professionals call premature menopause. This condition can affect women between 15 to 45 years of age. It exhibits the same symptoms as the regular menopause except that it happens early to some women.

There are a variety of causes why this happens to younger ladies. One reason is Premature Ovarian Failure. This is a condition wherein some women may have ovaries that do not function well or correctly. Their ovaries may not be able to produce eggs anymore while some fail to generate the hormones required for ovulation. This can be of genetic cause or for some as an auto-immune disorder.

Another cause for premature menopause is because of surgery done to the woman. Operations such as hysterectomy or oopherectomy and women who have endometriosis, polyp or those with ovarian cancer may all have the tendency to experience premature menopausal at such early ages. There are premature menopauses occurring to women who are undergoing chemotherapy or any other cancer treatment. The therapy and radiation not only eliminates the cancer cells but other cells as well like hair and ovarian cells of women.

Symptoms experienced are almost always the same as that of the regular menopause. They may have hot flashes, headaches, some may have joint pains, insomnia and night sweats. Some may experience fluid retention just like those who have regular menopause do. It is said that in some women with premature menopause, the signs and symptoms are more intense. This is due to the quick dwindling of estrogen because of surgery, illness and other causes and can make a lot of women undergoing this premature condition to be depressed.

While there is no known cure for such phenomenon, there are some treatments to experience menopause relief. One such treatment is hormone replacement therapy which is combating the rapid onset of menopause by ingesting estrogen. The support of family and close friends of course is essentially important to help a woman go through this difficult period and to also lend a helping hand after the recovering from the condition. There are naturally younger women who have suffered menopause who go through depression for the simple reason that they are unable to bear any child. And in this case the support that friends and family can give will aid them and let them know that there is still life even after menopause.

Menopause Symptom Relief - Which Approach is Right for You?


We've talked about all the various 35 menopausal symptoms that you may
experience, as well as the health implications of various treatments. Having
said that, let's face it: Most women don't need to know about
treating each and every possible symptom, they want to know how to treat the
symptoms they are experiencing RIGHT NOW. You may want to simply know how to get
a good night's sleep. You may need those irritating hot flashes to simply be
gone by the time you get on that plane for your vacation. Or, you might need a
solution for that incessant vaginal dryness before you go to that convention.
Either way, your most urgent need is probably to simply treat the handful of
menopause symptoms that are screwing up your days, right? Fair enough. Today,
let's discuss find the approach to relieving some of those symptoms that's right
for YOU.

Options for Treating Your Menopause Symptoms : Three Different Approaches

One of the best strategies (in my opinion) of approaching the treatment of
the menopause symptoms you are experiencing is to simply start with the least
risky approaches, and go on to riskier treatment methods only if necessary.
Unless you're in a truly desperate situation (i.e. your symptoms have so
overwhelmed you that even functioning day-to-day is becoming nearly impossible),
it's much more prudent to try the lowest level, safest possible approach first,
moving up to the net level only if that fails. The levels of treatment (as we're
discussing here) are:

1. Lifestyle Changes

2. Alternative Therapies

3. Drugs & Surgical Procedures

Changing your Lifestyle

For many women, overcoming menopausal symptoms is simply a matter of making
changes to the way they eat, exercise, or go about life. This approach involves
the least amount of risk, as most of the lifestyle changes are simply common
sense. If hot flashes are ruining your day, try dressing in layers. In addition,
eating say (such as tofu, etc.) can decrease the frequency and severity of hot
flashes. There is a plethora of information out there regarding the effect
changes in your diet can have on your menopause symptoms.
The good news is that you CAN take many steps to reduce your symptoms without
taking hormones:


  • Dress lightly and in layers

  • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods

  • Practice slow, deep breathing whenever a hot flash starts to come on
    (try taking six breaths per minute)

  • See an acupuncturist

  • Use relaxation techniques like yoga, tai chi, or meditation

  • Eat soy foods

  • Remain sexually active to preserve elasticity of your vagina

  • Perform Kegel exercises daily to strengthen the muscles of your vagina
    and pelvis

  • Use water-based lubricants during sexual intercourse


Alternative Therapies

When the natural (and safest) approaches don't work, then it might be time to
take it up a notch. This second level approach to treating your menopause
symptoms involves using herbs and other dietary supplements to help alleviate
your symptoms, and even a possible visit to an acupuncturist (don't fret ladies
- even my dog has had acupuncture - it works wonders!)

While this approach still involves very little risk when taken carefully, you
still need to approach as an educated consumer. A few of the herbs to consider:



  • Black cohosh ( cimicifuga racemosa) This is a good estrogenic
    herb that acts specifically on the uterus to reduce cramps and congestion.
    It is also good for relieving hot flashes. It may also help to reduce
    cholesterol levels and blood pressure.


  • Chaste tree ( Vilex agnus- castus) This herb is a hormone
    balancer that is used to alleviate depression at menopause.


  • Damiana ( Turnera diffuse) Damiana is a pituitary regulator
    and antidepressant. It is also an aphrodisiac and is of benefit for sexual
    difficulties. Not be taken too frequently!


  • Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Dandelion is a wonderful
    herb for the liver.


  • Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) High in natural plant estrogens
    called phytosterols and helps to reduce the symptoms of estrogen deficiency.


  • False unicorn root (Chamaelirium luteum) An estrogen regulator.
    It has a direct action on the uterus and ovaries and is considered to be a
    corrective herb for women.


  • Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) This herb improves brain function,
    circulation, and oxygenation of all body cells. It is helpful for symptoms
    of fatigue, memory problems, and depression.

That's just a handful of the dozens of available herbal treatments. There
are dozens available.

Drugs & Surgery - the Last Choice

While the importance of lifestyle and natural treatments have gained much
ground over the past two decades, there are still some women whose symptoms are
so severe that they simply feel they MUST go to this third (and most risky)
level of treatment. this approach to treatment involves drugs (hormones and
other types of pharmacological therapies) and both major and minor surgical
procedures. Unfortunately, side effects are unavoidable with this approach, and
they can range from only mildly irritating to devastating to your lifestyle.
having said that, if your symptoms are sever enough, or you simply do not trust
(or have time for) a more natural approach, then the side effects may be well
worth it to you. Keep in mind that while the side effects and risk may be well
worth it toy you, you simply must educate yourself exactly what using these
synthetic approaches to treatment can do to your future health.

Remedies For Lack of Sexual Desire During Menopause


Women approaching the age of menopause many times have certain symptoms that can be easily identified - one of these is a tendency to lose interest in sexual activity. There are many reasons for this, but hormones play the largest role of course. When a woman starts to feel that the symptoms of menopause, in particular lack of interest in sex get too overwhelming, it's time to make some lifestyle changes.

Although some women are actually quite happy not to return to the active sexual life they once had, many are quite dissatisfied at the thought of not being intimate with their mate again. If you fall in that second category, then there may be certain things that you can do to increase your desire again, and also increase the lubrication in the vaginal walls that is another symptom of menopause. Here are a few helpful tips to get back to being sexually active:

Increase sleep - Many women starting menopause are having night sweats and insomnia, which can make the desire for sexual activity much lower. Increasing your sleep time will help, but that is easier said than done! There are many herbal remedies to help a woman sleep better, such as Valerian root, catnip, chamomile tea, and kava root extract.

Increase lubrication - Women many times stop having sexual activity due to the pain that is involved in intercourse due to dryness of the vagina. Fortunately there are remedies for this such as progesterone creams that significantly increase this hormone in the affected areas, and tend to balance out the lack of progesterone which causes this problem. Natural progesterone cream can also help other symptoms of menopause including reduced hormone related headaches, depression, indigestion, and even increases in risks for certain cancers.

Increase circulation - At a certain age many women stop having regular exercise, which is bad for many reasons. Exercise not only has benefits for helping keep bones stronger, but also increases blood circulation which is critical for good health and also for increased relaxation and stress reducer. If you are stressed out and this is part of your reason for avoiding or not enjoying sexual activity, then some exercise will certainly help. Also many women enjoy a massage to help relax and ease stress, which can lead to increased sexual enjoyment as well. Take a warm bath, try a some yoga, even the effects of aromatherapy can ease tension and put you in the mood for sexual activity.

In conclusion, there are many symptoms of menopause that can adversely affect a woman's desire for sexual activity, and finding a remedy for each of these individual symptoms can sometimes help increase desire. Every woman is different though, so find what works best for you and start enjoying life once again.

Signs of Menopause - What Are the Signs That You Are Approaching Menopause?


The signs of menopause include a variety of complaints affecting many body systems. How a single event--shutting down of ovarian production of sex hormones--so dramatically influences our body, is a validation of the important role played by hormones.

The following symptoms are all associated with the transition from child bearing to post child bearing years. Their order has no particular meaning except for hot flashes and night sweats, which is the most common complaint women voice with regard to menopause.

Hot flashes and night sweats

One of the first signs that you are entering perimenopause (the two to five year period before your menstrual periods stop) is the onset of hot flashes and sweats. Hot flashes and sweats affect 75-80% of Western women as they transition out of childbearing into menopause.

I have discussed hot flashes and sweats at length since it is a major complaint of women in transition. More information on hot flashes and sweats and natural remedies for them can be found through the link at the end of this article.

But there are many other signs that menopause is approaching, or that you are in perimenopause. These bodily changes are a result of falling levels of key hormones produced by the ovaries. As the body and brain adjust to falling levels of hormones many of the body's organ systems and functions are affected.

The symptoms listed below are all signs that ovarian production of hormones is decreasing. They may or may not be a part of a woman's transition.

In fact, women in other parts of the world don't experience nearly the number of ill effects when transitioning through menopause. This is due to many variables, but particularly to diet and lifestyle. For instance only 10 to 15 percent of Japanese women report experiencing hot flashes and sweats.

Here are some of the symptomatic complaints experienced in transition, over and above hot flashes and sweats.

Erratic menstrual periods

One of the first clues that you are entering perimenopause is erratic menstrual periods. Even if your periods have always been regular, as your ovaries begin to shut down secretion of estrogen and progesterone, your periods will probably become irregular. It is possible to experience spotting and even heavy bleeding for a couple of days in between menstrual periods. Other women experience very light, short periods. Periods can lengthen to every three months or more.

Heavy bleeding during periods is another problem experienced during perimenopause. Bleeding can sometimes continue for days. Erratic secretion of estrogen and progesterone is the cause. Often progesterone levels drop before estrogen does. This results in what is referred to as "unopposed estrogen" meaning that the effects of estrogen are no longer balanced by the rhythmic cycling of progesterone. During the menstrual cycle estrogen stimulates the buildup of the lining of the uterus. This endometrial lining is then sloughed off during the period. When estrogen is unopposed, the lining of the uterus builds up more than usual, resulting in more material to be sloughed off, and thus a heavier and longer period.

Depression, irritability and anxiety

The symptoms of perimenopause can be stressful and unnerving. Hot flashes and sweats are unpredictable and can be embarrassing. They also result in lost sleep. More than 40% of women also report physical and mental exhaustion during perimenopause and menopause. These complaints can be part of a vicious cycle wherein hot flashes disrupt sleep and sleep loss contributes to problems with one's energy levels, with fatigue, and even memory and concentration. A natural consequence is frequently feelings of depression. Feeling down, sad, on the verge of tears, having no drive and frequent mood swings can all be due to depression. Irritability and anxiety are also frequent complaints in perimenopause. Feelings of nervousness, aggression and inner tension are common. Feelings of anxiety are often associated with hot flashes.

Sleep problems

Between 40 and 60% of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women report sleep problems. In many cases difficulty sleeping is due to hot flashes and night sweats which disrupt sleep. Sometimes the insomnia is due to anxiety which is another common complaint in perimenopause. During the transition to menopause one's sleep patterns often change, and the insomnia associated with this time period may be due to a changing sleep pattern.

Headaches

Migraine headaches can begin to occur during perimenopause. The cause is attributed to fluctuating levels of hormones which impact a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. This part of the brain is involved in many core body functions, including temperature control, blood pressure, etc. Constriction and dilation of blood vessels throughout the body is in part regulated by the hypothalamus. Migraine headaches are what is called a vascular headache, meaning that they result from excessive constriction/dilation of blood vessels in the head. When hypothalamic regulation of blood vessels falters, migraine headaches can result.

Heart problems

In this case "heart problems" does not refer to a heart failure, heart attack or coronary thrombosis. The heart problems associated with perimenopause refers to a feeling of discomfort in the heart. The Menopause Rating Scale describes heart problems as "unusual awareness of heart beat, heart skipping, heart racing, or heart tightness". Remember that during perimenopause it is the fluctuating levels of key hormones in the body that causes problems. A core part of the brain that regulates many body functions, the hypothalamus, is responsible. One of the functions of the hypothalamus is to control the body's stress response. The stress response is responsible for mobilizing the body for action. This includes increasing blood pressure, muscle tone and heart rate. As the hypothalamus becomes erratic in its regulation of the stress response, symptoms such as a racing heart are experienced. These heart problems are not a danger to ones survival, but can be unnerving to experience.

Vaginal dryness and sexual problems

A decrease in the normal vaginal discharge can be the first sign of perimenopause. The lining of the vagina is sensitive to estrogen which maintains its health, strength and thickness. When estrogen levels drop a decrease in natural vaginal lubrication can occur. More than 30% of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women experience vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness and the other symptoms of menopause contribute to loss of libido or sexual desire and to sexual problems as well. One may experience itching and discomfort in the vaginal area, and local pain during intercourse. The drop in estrogen levels also impacts the pH of the vagina. A low pH (acid environment) helps protects against vaginal infections. With the drop in estrogen levels and loss of acid protection, more frequent vaginal infections may result. While many of these symptoms of perimenopausal and menopause improve or disappear with time, vaginal dryness can continue indefinitely.

Bladder problems

The tissues lining the bladder are also sensitive to estrogen, which also maintains their strength, thickness and health. Fifteen percent of perimenopausal and menopausal women experience an increase in vaginal and bladder infections. Frequent and painful urination, increased frequency of urination during the night and a feeling of needing to urinate even when the bladder is empty are associated symptoms.

Joint and muscle pain and stiffness

Some studies have reported that joint and muscle aches and pain are a more common complaint than hot flashes in some groups of perimenopausal women. Back pain and stiffness is often reported in more than 50% of perimenopausal and menopausal women. Joint pain, muscle soreness and stiffness not attributable to injury or other causes is also a frequent complaint.

Natural remedies for menopause complaints.

Numerous natural remedies for menopause complaints have been documented. Because of the risk factors now associated with hormone replacement therapy, knowing and using these natural remedies are the key to getting relief.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Panic Attacks and Safe Menopause Relief


My good friend had a ticket to fly to Norway, something she had wanted to do for years. To my utter amazement, when she got to the airport she suddenly became filled with such anxiety and fear that she simply could not board the plane.

This was my first introduction to a panic attack, in fact, I had never even heard the term. Eventually, she discovered that she had a very severe hormonal imbalance that had weakened her system to the point that the stress of international travel just pushed her over the edge.

She is a wonderful woman, but had the bad habit of completely over-committing herself. Her heart was always open to help others, often to the point of self-neglect. On top of it all, she saw this as a sign of religious dedication and selflessness.

Her kitchen was full of naturalistic remedies, but her real problem was adrenal fatigue. No tonic or herbal substance can replace rest and sleep. Her life was a continual whirlwind of activity, all for a good cause, for sure; but in the end she essentially just burnt out.

Adrenal fatigue and anxiety

The relationship between adrenal fatigue and panic attacks mights seem distant at first. However, once you see how stress and exhaustion drain the body and cause a hormonal imbalance, it all becomes very simple and clear.

Adrenal fatigue takes place when the body is subjected to incessant stress. The adrenal glands are responsible for the production of adrenaline, which gives you that burst of energy to react to stressful situations. When the demands are continual and unrelenting, eventually adrenal fatigue sets in and you become very vulnerable to many symptoms, such as a panic attack.

During menopause this is often magnified because the natural production of progesterone diminishes. The progesterone normally helps to bring a calming and balancing effect, but when the supplies are low, anxiety and tension often take over.

What can you do about panic attacks?

For people with severe anxiety disorders, medications can help. For most women, who have subclinical and chronic anxiety or panic attacks, there are safe and gentle natural methods to find relief. There are physical and emotional causes, each must be addressed to get a lasting solution.

Many women are on the go constantly. With demands from stressful jobs, raising children, caring for parents, and relationship issues, it comes as no surprise that panic attacks are one of the most common symptoms of menopause.

The emotional aspects

Learn to say no. My dear friend just could not turn down a request for a favor, to her own demise. You just cannot do everything, nor should you Take steps to manage the stress at work. Maybe that new promotion just is not worth the stress. Get some help with your work. Siblings, relatives, and friends might be able to share the load. Perhaps a trade of labor could work out for everyone.
Resolve the relationship issues, if possible. Things left to themselves tend to decay. The peace of mind from a healthy love life is immeasurable.

The physical aspects

Take time to rest. Learn the art of napping. Nobody can live a healthy life with 4-6 hours of sleep a night- at least not for long.

Take care of you mental and physical health. No need to be a martyr! Get exercise and fresh air, make sure your diet is full of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Find a good source of high quality vitamin and mineral supplements. The idea is to help your body recover it's hormonal balance.

Try various products to get http://safemenopauserelief.com/Natural_Menopause_Relief.html natural menopause relief. There are quite a few available, such as flax seed, red clover, progesterone cream, black cohosh and maca. One may not work for you, but almost certainly something will help you. Give it time, experiment, monitor the results, or lack thereof.

Never give up!

Menopause Anxiety: Returning To Normal


Anxiety is a psychological symptom of menopause that is a real problem for women. Statistics show that women are two times more likely to experience anxiety than men are, and being a menopausal woman increases your chances even more. Menopause anxiety is a very serious symptom that many menopausal women face each day. Although anxiety can strike at any time during a woman's life, the hormonal changes in a woman's body create this anxiety in women. It is extremely important that you speak to your doctor about symptoms and manifestations of your anxiety. These days, it is now possible to control your anxiety naturally with no harmful side effects.

During an anxiety attack, a woman can feel nervous and tense. This overwhelming feeling comes from general or persistent worrying. A few of the symptoms that many menopausal women feel during an anxiety attack are shortness of breath, shallow breathing, muscle tension, tiredness, and less energy. Menopause anxiety can continue to increase until the cause of the tension is resolved. A woman's hormones are thrown out of control during menopause. This can cause anxiety along with 33 other menopausal symptoms. No one wants to suffer endlessly with unexpected anxiety attacks. There must be a natural remedy available for menopausal women.

If you find that you have trouble sleeping at night because of heart palpitations, or you always feel as though disaster is right around the corner, you need something that can end your menopause anxiety once and for all. Medical science is more advanced now than ever. You can have a remedy for anxiety without harmful side effect or without adding harmful toxins and chemicals to your body. Scientists have women like you in mind when creating new remedies. All-natural solutions are becoming available more and more each day that are helping women with these menopause issues now. They claim to offer amazing results that some women swear by. It may be worth talking with your doctor to see if these solutions available today are right for you.

Why Am I Having Allergies During Menopause?


Menopausal changes that occur during change of life have been linked to over 34 symptoms, some of which are quite unusual. Unlike the familiar menopausal symptoms of hot and cold flashes, heavy unusual sweating, irritability, mood swings, and lapses in memory, for example, many menopausal women are experiencing unexpected allergic reactions. And so, instead of seeking relief from the predictable symptoms, some women find themselves asking, "Why am I having allergies during menopause?

Change of Life Reactions to Substances And Pollens

Allergy is described by Webster's Dictionary as, "Abnormal or pathological reaction to environmental substances as pollens, foods, dust, or microorganisms." Pollen is described as, "Dustlike, usually yellow grains containing the male reproductive cells of flowering plants." Many people, especially children may suffer from various reactions to pollens. However, for many women, any substance during menopause is their first encounter.

Reacting to various substances during change of life is of great concern to the women who are affected. Some of the frequently reported symptoms include: bouts of severe hay fever that present like the common cold; reactions from various foods, fragrances and or perfumes; and asthmatic attacks. I was surprised when a close friend recently told me that her doctor prescribed "an Asthma-pump" for her. With further inquiry, she revealed being thrown in a quandary when she developed frequent bouts of asthma. She said no one in her family has asthma, and she had no prior history herself. However, after many years of being menopausal, she had several frightening experiences with difficulty breathing; tightening in her chest; and wheezing. After various potions and remedies, she was referred to a Pulmonary Specialist who has been added to her list of doctors.

Another acquaintance related a similar story of developing unusual skin reactions during change of life. After months of being menopausal, she reported breaking out in hives and itchy skin on several occasions. Concerned, she visited several doctors, and finally, an Allergist, who determined that her reaction was to fish. The doctor informed her that these reactions during change of life were becoming quite common; and that her skin condition was due to the fish with a hormone-menopause connection. Her avoidance of fish has relieved her symptoms.

The Allergy-hormone Connection

Some women might never experience allergies during menopause. However, for women who do, they can be assured that although the symptoms might be subtle and challenging to diagnose, many doctors are making the connections between these unusual hormonal responses change of life. Women are therefore being encouraged that a visit to the doctor should not be rushed. Time should be spent to explain to the doctor (a) any physical, mental, or lifestyle changes that occurred since her last visit (b) all symptoms being experienced - no matter how mild (c) ask what the doctor thinks might be causing the changes (d) if the doctor suggests treatment, ask for explanations and for alternate treatments (e) explain any past, present and family history that might be related to the allergies. The information you provide your doctor might assist in making a connection between the possible causes of your allergies during menopause.

Early Menopause Symptoms Can Happen As Early As 15 Years Old


Menopause affects the lives of women no matter what age she has. The truth is it does not only affect women who are over 60 years old. It also affects women as young as 15 years old. It is more common than one would like to think. It happens for a number of reasons but there are times when doctors are unable to find out what brings out the early menopause symptoms to a young woman. One thing is for sure there is an extreme dip in the estrogen levels which causes the symptoms to happen.

There are a variety of early menopause symptoms and they are body shape changes, night sweats, hot flashes, water retention and others. There are psychological symptoms too such as depression, emotional roller coaster ride, cravings, etc.

Do not be disheartened though because there are treatment options for women who have early menopause symptoms. There is hormone replacement therapy wherein one takes additional doses of estrogen through oral medication or estrogen patches.

However, you should also know that there are no cures for menopause so get a good support that will get you through these times. You will definitely be caught in surprise when the early menopause symptoms occur so friends, family and other women who are undergoing through the same thing at any age will be able to help you out. Having menopause is not the end of the world. In fact, there are certain advantages to it. You just need to have the right support.

Ayurveda - Natural Relief For Pitta Menopause Symptoms


For thousands of years woman transitioned gracefully from childbearing days to wise family matriarch with little more than a few aspirin and herbs. In many cultures they don't even have a word for menopause. Only in the west is it treated as an illness or something unnatural.

According to Ayurveda, the 5000 year old healing and medical system from India, a woman's "change of life" is easily managed by a dosha (constitution) pacifying diet and lifestyle. Ideally, if she has implemented pitta pacifying therapies prior to menopause, during the perimenopausal years, she will likely have few or no complaints.

Yet, our western diet and lifestyle is creating an increase of unwanted and unmanageable symptoms for woman in their 40's and 50's. When out of balance the pitta type woman will experience anger, frustration, extreme hot flashes, loss of energy, loss of focus, frequent periods, extreme night sweats, menopausal acne, and even hair loss.

To restore balance the pitta type woman should follow a pitta pacifying diet, especially during the summer months or if she lives in a warm climate. She should avoid foods and activities that are over heating. Swimming is a good exercise choice for pitta type menopause as it promotes lightness and cools the body.

Therapeutic grade essential oils can be very beneficial during menopause instead of hormone replacement therapy. Three oils I recommend for pitta types are:

1) Peppermint: it is refreshing, cooling, reduces mental fatigue, lack of concentration, acne and cramps.

2). Lemon Balm and Rose: are effective at reducing anger, frustrations, and fever and vaginitis. Lemon balm is a natural hormone and blood pressure balancer. and can relieve sweating.

3) Champa: is an aphrodisiac, hormone balancer, and mood enhancer.

These oils can be added to a carrier oil for daily abhyanga massage, or to a bath. Frequent or daily use will provide relief and restore harmony and balance when combined with other pitta pacifying lifestyle regimens.

Menopause Relief


Menopause can be a difficult time for many women. Reductions in circulating estrogen hormone levels result in a number of physical and physiological changes, which in turn may lead to mental and emotional stress. While short-term hormone replacement therapy helps many women, most symptoms of menopause can be relieved with simple lifestyle changes.

Weight gain during menopause can be distressing. Shifting to a low-fat, high-fiber diet and controlling overall dietary intake can help control weight gain. Diets rich in phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens, may offer additional relief. Soy products, such as tofu, soy milk and soy powders are rich in phytoestrogens, and help lower cholesterol. Linseed products are also a good source of phytoestrogens. Regular exercise, for approximately 30 minutes several times a week, can also help control weight gain. Added benefits of regular exercise are conversion of fat into lean muscle mass, which helps burn off excess calories even while resting. Furthermore, exercise may help improve conditions such as low energy levels, mood swings, sleeplessness, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Many women suffer from irritability, mood swings, and depression during the onset of menopause. While some of this may be attributable to the stress of undergoing a major life change, any such symptoms should be carefully evaluated by a physician and appropriately managed. Depending on the severity of symptoms, lifestyle or drug treatments may be prescribed. While there is no scientific proof of its efficacy, some women claim the herb St. John's Wort offers relief in depression. Any attempts at self-medication should be discussed with a physician.

Dry and wrinkled skin is a common complaint among menopausal women. Estrogen skin creams may help; these can be prescribed by consulting a dermatologist. Stopping smoking helps maintain healthy skin and has numerous other health benefits. Avoiding excessive exposure to direct sunlight, and using UV-ray blocking skin creams, can also offer relief.

With a healthy diet and exercise, menopausal women can improve distressing symptoms such as weight gain and mood swings. For more serious depression, drugs may be prescribed, and for wrinkles, estrogen cream and avoiding the sun can help.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Get Your Menopause Night Sweat Questions Answered


Menopause night sweats are commonly found in pre menopausal women. In fact, three out of four women in this stage experience hot flashes and night sweats. The only thing worse than waking up in a pool of sweat is waking up freezing cold in a pool of sweat. So, what causes this often too common occurrence?

When the change starts to take place, there is a hormonal balance that goes on in the body that is controlled by the hypothalamus. This section of the brain tries to balance mind and body. When hormones shift during pre menopause and menopause, the body and mind try to remain hormonally balanced. When women's nerve/hormone pathways are more sensitive to changes taking place, hot flashes and/or night sweats begin to occur.

Menopause Night sweats are actually caused by hot flashes, which are caused by the decrease in ovarian estrogen output. When you get a hot flash during the day, you are able to control it by fanning yourself, drinking cold water, and soaking up the sweat.

However, at night, when a hot flash occurs, the body has to take care of it by itself. The decrease in estrogen causes the hypothalamus to regulate your body temperature. But at this point the brain and the body are not working together. When the brain decides to lower your body temperature, your body's defense system goes into action and tries to warm itself up by releasing heat.

In order to release heat, the heart rate is increased so more blood can be circulated and the sweat glands open on the skin. This is all going on unnoticed behind your back as you sleep. If you don't wake up at the beginning of the sweat cycle, your body will continue to sweat and eventually the sweat turns into cold water, which in turn makes your body need to heat up even more. It's an unending battle and not a pleasant thing to wake up to.

That being said, menopause night sweats and hot flashes are not always brought on naturally. Stress and anxiety commonly make night sweats worse, as well as caffeine, alcohol, hot drinks or spicy foods. All of these things can work against your body's natural defenses and make matters worse.

Allergies During Menopause - Can Progesterone Help Relieve Them?


Menopause is said to have set in when a women stops ovulating and her period ceases. Menopause allergies are common with some women. Most women reach menopause between the age of 45 and 55 years and the average age for reaching menopause is around 50 years. However, 1% percent of women reach menopause before 40. Referred to as premature menopause, or premature ovarian failure, menopause brings with it a host of discomforts, including allergies from various allergens present in the environment. The immune system of menopausal women goes into disarray and many become susceptible to allergies during menopause.

Menopause Allergies: What Are They

Allergens are substances, most often eaten or inhaled, which can cause an allergic reaction when recognized by the immune system. The medical world has not been able to come up with a comprehensive list of allergens, because sensitivities vary from one individual to another. To make matters worse, it is possible to be allergic to literally anything.

Menopause Allergies: Causes

The main cause of allergy in menopausal women is usually progesterone. It is very rare and difficult to treat, but occurs often enough to cause discomfort and pain. Allergies include a broad variety of symptoms and have an effect on people in different ways. The severity of allergic reactions can depend on the type of allergen, the level of exposure and each individual's immune response.

Menopause Allergies: Symptoms

Medical research on progesterone, irrespective of its origin, whether synthetic, produced by the body or from natural supplements or application of creams, has observed and accredited progesterone with causing rare allergic reactions to the user. The symptoms can be rashes to urticaria, better known as 'hives,' or life-threatening reactions like anaphylactic shock. Progesterone, produced by the body, has caused very severe allergic rashes in menopausal women is very difficult to treat.

Menopause Allergies: Effects

Allergic symptoms during menopause can result in acne, rosacea, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Some relief givers are different topical medications for the problem. Certain type of seborrhea responds well to antifungal drugs like ketoconazole cream, others respond well to sulfa-based compounds. Some need occasional short courses of cortisone creams. Menopausal women should be careful not to overdo the cortisones. This can have damaging side effects, if used over a prolonged period, or if the medication used on thin skin is too potent.

Other menopause and allergies issues extend to inexplicable episodes of anaphylaxis due to abnormal reactivity to progesterone that tend to be pre-menopausal, but may occur anytime. The pathogenesis of this disorder is unknown, but laboratory studies indicate that progesterone may either induce histamine release from basophiles directly or make mast cells more susceptible to other mast cell degranulators.

Evidence of estrogen and progesterone hormone allergy discovered by researchers in Austin, Texas, shows that some women with menopausal allergies, like asthma and migraine headaches, might be experiencing allergies to their own estrogen and progesterone hormones.

Women patients who experienced health changes during their menstrual cycle had higher levels of IgE antibodies against progesterone and estrogen than menopausal women did. Allergies can be caused seemingly unexpected. What you are allergic today, you may not be allergic to tomorrow. Menopause and allergies is an increasing problem for the medical practitioners the world over, but efforts are on to find healthy solutions for them.

Gout Pain Relief - Alarming Side Effects Of Pain Relief Drugs For Gout


Millions of people are on the lookout for gout pain relief and for good reasons, too. Since you are reading this article, we can assume that you have suffered from the severe attacks of pain as well as tenderness in the joints that characterize gout.

It is a pain so severe that crawling on your hands and knees when gout strikes is a part of life. It is a pain so extreme that even the weight of the sheets on your skin can seem like a million tons.

We can understand. Gout affects men and women usually beginning at age 35, although men are more predisposed to it than women. But women will have the same vulnerability as men once the menopause years come prancing by.

Fortunately, gout pain relief is possible and we are talking about natural ways, too. Yes, your doctor can prescribe oral medications to lessen the pain but these drugs have side effects that can aggravate your suffering.

Let's consider the more popular form of pain relief - the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs control the joint pain and inflammation but can cause serious side effects like stomach pain, ulcers and bleeding, not to mention that these can only manage a certain amount of pain. You probably know NSAIDs as ibuprofen, naproxen and indomethacin.

And then there is colchicine. It is effective, yes, but only when given at the start of the symptoms. You will also suffer from intolerable side effects like vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.

Last, corticosteroids are the last resort for people who cannot take the NSAIDs and colchicine. These are effective for gout pain relief but you will not like its side effects of lessened ability to fight infection, slower wound healing and progressively thinner bones.

How to Tell If You Are Going Through Premature Menopause


Many women think they are going through premature menopause, but are not 100% sure. It could be their body is going through something else.

That is why every woman should understand critical information about this so you can know if this is what you are dealing with.

First it is important to understand that premature menopause when a woman experiences symptoms of menopause at an early age. For some women it can be as early as in your 30s or 40s.

there are women that do experience menopause early, but most women on average won't experience it until the age of 50. Basically any woman that experiences symptoms of menopause earlier than 50 is said to be experiencing early menopause.

There are many causes to early menopause that you need to be aware of. For some women it is genetics. Other women experience it because of a medical operation that they had to go through.

Autoimmune diseases are another cuase of women experiencing menopause earlier than they should. You want to talk to your doctor about this so they can help you determine what is causing your early menopause symptoms. They will also be able to help you get relief from the symptoms you are experiencing.

Most women that deal with early menopause will stop having their monthly period. If you just stop your period altogether talk to your doctor about it because this is a good sign your body is going through the changes of menopause earlier than it should.

To tell you if you are dealing with menopause early there are many symptoms that you want to watch for. Here are some of the most common ones to watch for.

- Night sweats

- Lack of sex drive

- Trouble with sleeping

- Vaginal dryness

- Bladder control loss

- Difficulty concentrating; feeling disoriented or confused

- Mood swings

- Hot flashes

These are just the most common symptoms but not all of them so be sure to find out all of the symptoms so you can watch for them.

To help you relieve your discomfort there are some good ways to deal with early menopause. Eating healthy and exercising are two of the biggest things you can do. Also stay away from alcohol, caffeine and other foods and beverages that can cause your symptoms to flare up.

You will have a much easier time determining if this is what you are going through now that you know this important information about premature menopause. Talk to your doctor because they can be a big help for you during this time in your life.

How to Get Relief from Indigestion and Bloating During Menopause


There are a number of women who report that along with the other symptoms of menopause, they also suffer from indigestion, flatulence, and sudden bloating. Since menopause causes so many discomforts, and such a roller coaster of emotions, this symptom can be both embarrassing and uncomfortable.

Indigestion and bloating during menopause, also known as, gastrointestinal bloating is when air fills the stomach, giving you a full feeling. Even though your stomach remains the same size, your clothes will begin to feel tighter, and you, very uncomfortable.

Excess intestinal gas is produced in the intestines. Sugar located in foods like fruits, vegetables, and junk food can contribute to this extra bacteria.

Other causes of indigestion and bloating during menopause is poor digestion.

When you are going through menopause, the lack of estrogen in the body can cause digestion to slow down. Having a deficit of lactose, an enzyme that helps the body digest, can also contribute to this symptom. Such vegetables as cauliflower, Onion, and broccoli can add gas to an already bloated intestine. 

The imbalance of hormones can also be the cause of indigestion and bloating during menopause. Progesterone, in the correct doses, has a calming effect on the body, but if the body is receiving too high a dose, it can cause bloating, and breast tenderness. Getting relief for this symptom can be by adding estradiol, a form of estrogen, can be prescribed by your doctor to relieve this symptom.

Your diet plays an important role as well. If you consume too much protein, this can add to the bloated feeling associated with menopause because your body can't digest it all. You can get relief by adding Beano aid to your diet by adding soy products, such as tofu to your diet. Also making sure that you eat a balanced diet, eating the right fruits, and vegetables, dairy products, meats, breads, and fats will also help aid in this uncomfortable symptom.

Looking towards a more natural way to aid in indigestion and bloating during menopause is the use of herbs. Since the herbs help to restore the balance of your hormone level, you need to make sure that you know what stage of menopause you are in by visiting your physician so that you know exactly where your hormone levels are at. You also need to make sure that any herbs or natural supplements have no adverse reaction to any other medications that you are taking. Also, because this is a natural remedy, it may take up to four weeks for you to notice the changes. 

Another relief to bloating and indigestion during menopause is to drink an herbal tea that is rich in minerals. These minerals help handle the waste loads to lessen the bloated feeling associated with excess gas in the stomach and intestines. Herbal teas are also rich in calcium, which aids with bone density loss. Such teas that can be used are, raspberry, dandelion, lemon balm, nettles, and green tea.

Related Articles:

Menopause Symptoms Relief


Symptoms of menopause

  1. Hair loss: hair loss during menopause is due to low thyroid function.it is also connected to deficiency in estrogen levels. Hair follicles need estrogen for hair growth, thus when estrogen levels fall, so does hair growth.

  2. Changes in menstrual: this often the first symptom of menopause. Longer or shorter periods, heavier or lighter periods or missed periods start happening.

  3. Hot flashes and night sweats: a hot flash is a sensation of a sudden feeling of sweat often accompanied by sweating. Many menopausal women mention hot flashes as a symptom.

  4. Vaginal dryness and urinary problems: less availability of estrogen makes the walls of the bladder, urethra, and vagina drier and less flexible. This makes the tissue more easily damaged and more prone to infections, leading to women feeling radical emotions like sadness and anger.

  5. Mood swings: women become more emotional. They can feel sadness and anger.

  6. Depression: some women also experience depression that continues for two weeks.

  7. Some women also experience sleepless nights.

  8. Fatigue is also one of the symptoms the women experience.

Natural Menopause symptoms relief

  • Natural herb extracts: Phytoestrogenic herbs have ingredients of Menozac are comprised mainly of herbs with phytoestrogen which helps in menopause symptoms relief.

  • Wear cotton whenever u can.this helps in soaking up excess sweat.

  • Reduce the intake of sugar and fatty foods.this because some foods aggravate the symptoms.

  • Having a balanced diet helps in menopause symptom relief because unhealthy side effects are significantly reduced.

  • Exercising gradually: having a proper diet and a good workout are indispensable to menopause symptom relief.

  • Thinking about menopause helps you to be mentally prepared for the onslaught. You have to know as much as possible about this time of your life but don't become obsessed with it.

  • Use of natural progesterone cream.it is safe, easy to use, and relatively expensive for most women and has no harmful side effects. It is applied on the skin and the progesterone is absorbed in the bloodstream.

  • Fish and dairy products can be used in menopause symptoms relief because it helps in the dryness of the vagina.

  • Communication with a person you trust is a simple natural way and helpful method to relieve yourself from menopause symptom.

  • Taking your time to bask in the sun also helps the women in their menopausal state.

If you are young and have no idea about menopause it is high time that you learn about it. For those at menopause stage, don't only rely on unnatural methods of controlling menopause but also put into consideration the natural methods that are also healthy.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Menopause - How to Get Relief From Menopause Symptoms


Menopause is a stage which every woman has to go through in their lives. As every woman has a menstrual cycle, they will go to experience menopause symptoms that basically the signal of the end of her menstrual cycle. The menopausal stage can happen anywhere from a few months to a few years to pass and the symptoms of menopause which woman has to cope with are often quite severe.

As there are actually many different symptoms of menopause which you may find yourself dealing with, there are a few, which are very common such as insomnia, hot flashes, fatigue and headaches. These are a few of the most commonly reported menopause symptoms and which you are going to need to find a suitable menopause treatment for.

Getting Relief From Menopause Symptoms

To relieve your menopause symptoms, there are a few methods which you can consider. First of all, if you want to get relief from the symptoms of menopause, you should try some menopause relief products like medication. The medication for menopause is generally prescribed therefore, you have to go through your doctor for this. Your doctor will ensure that you get a large enough prescription in order to treat your menopausal symptoms.

There are other methods to get relief from the symptoms of menopause as well, and it's really going to depend on just what types of menopause symptoms you're dealing with. For example, if you notice that insomnia is the biggest issue you're dealing with, then try to adjust and create a bedtime routine for yourself. Drink a tea or have a hot bath before you sleep and go to bed at the same time every night.

This is a great way to get relief from menopause symptoms as it will help your brain and body stick to a routine, and you're going to begin getting used to go to bed at the same time every night. You may have to try out a few matters before you are actually able to get relief from the symptoms of menopause which you need here, however, it will still be more than worth it. By going through these methods, you will realize that you aren't going to have to struggle as much to get through this menopausal phase. Moreover, not everyone notices that you're going through menopause as it is very personal for most women, and they don't want to let others know.

Natural Remedies For Vaginal Atrophy - Can You Really Fix This Disorder Yourself?


Do natural remedies for vaginal atrophy exist? If your doctor has told you that you suffer from this condition, you may be wondering what your options are. Do you have to start on hormonal replacement? Or is there a natural way to restore vaginal tissue?

First of all, you need to understand what causes this disorder. Only then can you know how to treat it.

The Cause

This condition occurs where the lining of the vagina starts to thin. Over time, this progresses to be a serious condition. It's caused by a lack of estrogen, generally brought about by menopause. Early symptoms include vaginal dryness. As the disorder progresses, sex becomes increasingly painful and may even cause bleeding. But to get a diagnosis, you do need to see your doctor.

What You Need To Do To Treat It

To treat it, it makes sense to replace estrogen in your body. That is why most doctors will prescribe low-dose estrogen therapy to help you. However, this treatment plan is not without side effects. Plus, there is the risk of cancer from the extra estrogen.

How Estrogen Helps

Fortunately, many women have found relief using natural sources of estrogen. Many plants contained what is known as phytoestrogen. You find the highest concentration of this in soy and other legumes. However, most of these foods do not contain enough to effectively reverse vaginal atrophy.

Looking To Natural Remedies to Treat It

But other natural remedies for vaginal atrophy include supplements that contain a higher concentration of this phytoestrogen. These usually also contain a mix of vitamins and minerals that help keep you in optimal health. Plus, many women have found them to be effective at treating vaginal atrophy.

How to Survive Menopause?


Menopause means "change of life cycles" or the cessation of ovarian cycles for women.
Women can start to experience symptoms of menopause as early as in their 30s regardless of average menopausal age of 50+.

These symptoms are triggered by hormonal changes as women approaching their midlife phase.

It is impossible to predict when a woman will have a menopause onset, it does not matter the age at which she starts having her periods or even, what age her mother became menopausal.

Often women become menopausal around the age of 55.

Menopause means that, the ovulation ceased, the ovaries do not produce eggs any longer and the woman body loss the ability to be fertile.

The woman body does not produce estrogen and progesterone anymore and menstruation cycle stop completely.

When the woman is undergoing a menopause she might experience some or all of these symptoms:

*Irregular periods... shorter and heavier periods, phantom periods, shorter or longer cycles
*Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
*Mood swings, irritability
*Fatigue and depression
*Anxiety and feelings of dread and doom
*Hot flashes, night sweats
*Sleeplessness
*Dry vagina and loss of libido
*Memory loss and lapses
*Difficulty in concentrating, mental confusion and disorientation
*Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons, muscles tension
*Headaches and migraines
*Itchy and sensitive skin
*Incontinence
*Thinning or hair loss
*Vertigo, episodes of losing your balance
*Changes in body odor
*Bleeding and sensitive gums
*Indigestion, nausea and bloating
*Electric shock sensation under the skin and in the head
*Ringing in the ears
*Fingernails break and crack easier
*Osteoporosis (after a few years)

One of the most annoying and bothersome symptom of menopause is not hot flashes but weight gain.

Studies show that there are factors that occur during menopause that may increase your ability to gain weight and have a harder time getting it off.

During menopause most women notice body and a skin change, one of the most common issues is a weight gain, especially around middle section of the woman's body.

These make women in their menopausal state more sensitive to weight issues and are sometimes insecure of the fat accumulating in their body naturally as they age.

One factor that could be a reason for weight gain is that you will have a lower estrogen level. Estrogen is the female sex hormone that is responsible for ovulation. Studies conducted with animals show that a lack of estrogen leads to a large amount of weight gain.

Menopause is a tough and hard to deal with. But there are many menopausal relief solutions available in the market today. You could try anti estrogen, hormone relief or simply use herbs. Herbal treatment might be more natural and less invasive way to treat symptoms of menopause. You will find that there are herbs that will provide menopausal relief naturally without any health risks involved.

*However did you know that there is such a thing as male menopause too?

Male menopause is called 'Andropause', it is usually though of not to exist because men usually do not have a definite period of menopause like women since they do not have periods.

However, you have to know that male menopause does exist. Male menopause is when the 'androgen' (testosterone) levels decline in the aging male or the state of having low testosterone. This decline happens not only when men age, but also might be caused by several diseases, like diabetes.

Some of the symptoms of male menopause include:

*Fatigue, weakness, depression, and sexual problems.

Testosterone decline in men is usually a much slower process due to the drop of hormonal level in the body as women experience during that period of menopause. During 'Andropause', bodily changes occur very gradually in men and may be accompanied by changes in attitudes and moods, fatigue, a loss of energy, sex drive and physical agility.

Menopause is natural and totally normal so men do not have to fear it. However, most men experience this decline in hormone late in their lives (about 60s to 80s).

As we age, we have to remember to take care and ease into our age better by eating healthy, regular exercise and a positive outlook in life. We can battle the signs of aging by arming ourselves with knowledge and awareness about what happens in our body as we age.

Menopause or 'Andropause' will eventually catch up with us, but we can avoid being "cranky old people".

We all just have to find an easier way to ease into menopause and still lead a positive lifestyle.

Perimenopause Treatment Myths


For many years, women believed in pharmaceutical companies when they said hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the best perimenopause treatment. Nothing could be farther than the truth! Although HRT has given some relief to women suffering from hot flashes, night sweats, and other symptoms, there are many other treatments that are natural for menopause that are safer and even more effective. HRT aggravates hormonal problems suffered by menopausal women by skewing the balance of estrogen and progesterone. A large number of unopposed estrogen and too little progesterone will place you at risk for breast cancer, blood clots, and strokes. Below are some widely-believed myths about HRT's benefits and the studies that proved them wrong.

Myth: HRT will maintain your cardiovascular health during menopause
It was widely assumed that HRT and synthetic estrogens reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This conclusion was based on large studies that observed lower rates of heart problems among menopausal women on HRT. However, current findings show that women who recently had a stroke or heart attack are at greater risk of getting a second stroke or heart attack after they start taking HRT. Aside from that, research from the Women's Health Initiative showed that even healthy women who take HRT will have a slightly increased risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack within the first two years of therapy. This effect had a stronger association with combined oral estrogen and progestin treatments; studies show that the effect of estrogen on cardiovascular health varies according to the mode of delivery.

Because of these compelling new findings, the American Heart Association recommends avoiding HRT for the reason of preventing heart disease. In addition, women who have had a stroke, who have heart disease, or are at risk for both should avoid synthetic hormones.

Myth: HRT will help you avoid breast cancer
The decades-old myth that the oral contraceptive pill and HRT are the secrets to a woman's good health has long been disproven. Harvard University's Nurses' Health Study, the largest, longest-running study on female health in the United States, discovered that HRT actually increases the risk of breast cancer. Researchers found out that women who used synthetic estrogens during menopause had a 30% increased risk of developing breast cancer than women who did not. Some HRT treatments include progestin (synthetic progesterone) to balance out estrogen and to prevent uterine cancer. Although this combination was successful in terms of the latter, researchers discovered that progestin actually increases the risk of breast cancer by 40%. The risk for HRT-related breast cancer increases with a woman's age and the number of years she has been taking these hormones.

Myth: HRT will help stave off dementia
Dementia, a progressive cognitive disorder characterized by memory loss, impaired reasoning, and impaired language use, was thought to be prevented by HRT. New research shows that HRT actually shrinks the brain and causes cognitive impairment. These findings were confirmed by a study from the Women's Health Initiative published in the Journal of the American medical Association. Researchers looked at over 4,500 women over the age 65 who had no memory problems at the start of the trial. Half the participants took HRT, the other half took a placebo. Five years later, there were 61 cases of dementia, with 66% of them belonging to the HRT group. Not only was HRT unable to prevent dementia; it actually doubled the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. While only 20% of women who have mild thinking problems will experience dementia, do you really want to risk it with HRT?

Safe perimenopause treatments
Instead of HRT, consider safe menopause treatments like natural progesterone cream. Unlike synthetic progesterone, which increases the risk of uterine cancer, natural progesterone cream fights off the excess estrogen in your body that may be triggering your menopause symptoms. You can also increase your consumption of soy and other foods with phytoestrogens (plant estrogens). Phytoestrogens are far weaker than synthetic estrogen, which means it can provide relief without causing estrogen dominance and other complications.

Eliminate PMS Symptoms


PMS has been defined by more than 150 symptoms, ranging from mood swings; weight gain to acne. The symptoms vary from woman to woman and cycle to cycle. The symptoms may be mild, moderate, or so severe as to be incapacitating. The mental causes for PMS are created through thought patterns allowing confusion to reign?ot feeling good enough and giving power to outside influences and/or rejection of the feminine processes. PMS includes both physical and emotional symptoms. Common symptoms are:

• Nervous system symptoms: insomnia (sleeplessness), hypersomnia (sleeping for abnormally long periods of time), fatigue, lethargy, agitation, a change in sex drive, clumsiness, dizziness or vertigo, paresthesia (prickling or tingling sensation)

• Gastrointestinal symptoms: upset stomach, constipation, nausea, diarrhea,

• Cardio vascular symptoms: Heart palpitations (rapid fluttering of the heart), sweating, red flushing in face, neck and upper chest

• Fluid and electrolyte symptoms: bloating, weight gain, oliguria (reduced urination), appetite changes or food cravings, anorexia,

• Skin symptoms: acne, oily skin, greasy or dry hair

• Physical symptoms: headache/migraine, joint or muscle pain

• Mood-related ("affective") symptoms: sadness, crying, anxiety, anger, irritability, tension, frequent and severe mood swings, lack of enthusiasm, low self-esteem

• Mental process ("cognitive") symptoms: decreased concentration, difficulty remembering, indecision

The metaphysical way to eliminate PMS requires one to change thought processes about oneself in the scheme of life, replacing those thoughts with positive affirmations??/p>

• I now take charge of my mind and my life. I am a powerful, dynamic woman! Every part of my body functions perfectly. I love me. I am balanced and peaceful in all changes of cycles, and I bless my body with love.

In addition to changing self-defeating thoughts, dietary changes provide significant relief for PMS, peri- and menopausal symptoms.

It is a known fact that Japanese women tend to suffer with menstrual symptoms or hot flashes only about 1/3 as often as American women. Women on vegetarian diets also complain of hot flashes far less than women who eat meat. Of course, you don? have to give up those steaks?ut doctors and nutritional professionals suspect that the difference is largely due to the use of soy products in the diets of these women, and many women have realized that by incorporating some soy in their diets, their menstrual symptoms and menopausal symptoms have abated considerably.

Other important supplements are:

Flaxseed: High in phytoestrogens (especially lignans), flaxseed also is high in omega-3 fatty acids -- a key helper in fighting heart disease. And, like soy, it? a good all-round helper in your body. It? high in phytoestrogens, flaxseed can help minimize symptoms like hot flashes. Studies have shown that it can help lower LDL (the ?ad?? cholesterol. Studies have shown that it helps fight breast cancer and other cancers. It can help prevent heavy bleeding -- a common symptom when you?e first beginning to enter premature menopause and going through erratic periods. Because it? high in omega-3 acids, it help ease symptoms like breast tenderness, cramping, and other PMS-like discomfort.

Red Clover (available under the brand name Promensil) is another phytoestrogen high in bioflavonoids. Like other phytoestrogens, red clover has been shown to reduce hot flashes, help fight osteoporosis, and generally minimize other menopausal symptoms. But there have recently been other studies that found that it wasn't as helpful as initially believed. As with so many other supplements, the jury is still out.

Vitamin E and Citrus Bioflavonoids: This combination is a hot-flash buster -- with studies showing that taking these two supplements together helps combat hot flashes. 400 IUs of Vitamin E along with 1200 mg of bioflavonoids taken in the morning and again before bedtime has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes. (One note: Vitamin E isn? safe for everyone. If you have rheumatic heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, or take digitalis drugs, Vitamin E can be harmful. So be sure to check with your naturopath about the appropriate dosage.)

One study (conducted in the 1960s. . . unfortunately there have been few more recent studies) found that, after only one month, over 50 percent of the 94 participating women taking 1200 milligrams of bioflavonoids along with 1200 milligrams of Vitamin C stopped having hot flashes completely and another 34 percent had a drop in hot flash frequency and intensity. Studies have also shown that bioflavonoids also appear to help relieve moodiness, anxiety, irritability and other emotional side effects of menopause -- and can help fight vaginal dryness. Vitamin E helps with vaginal dryness (you can even use it as a vaginal suppository -- just putting the capsule in your vagina.)

Vitamin A or Beta Carotene: If you?e suffering from vaginal dryness -- or if you?e noticed a change in your skin texture, a drying or loss of elasticity, Vitamin A or beta carotene can help. Vitamin A (which is what beta carotene converts to in your body) helps maintain tissues, skin, and mucous membranes?elp fight against vaginal dryness and skin changes that often come with low estrogen levels.

B-Vitamins: This family of vitamins helps in coping with premature menopause, both in terms of helping combat symptoms and fighting negative long-term risks. B vitamins can keep your energy levels up; support your liver function ( a definite plus if you?e on HRT, as oral estrogen is broken down by your liver); prevent vaginal dryness; increase your resistance to infection; help maintain your adrenal gland function -- which is where the precursor to estrone (the form of estrogen still produced by your body after menopause) is produced. B vitamins are considered stress fighters -- so can help you to deal with the emotional symptoms that crop up during premature menopause such as: anxiety, irritability, mood swings, even insomnia.

In addition, if you?e on HRT, it? a good idea to be sure you?e getting B-vitamins either through your diet (whole grains, beans and brewer? yeast are all good sources of B vitamins) or in a multi-vitamin or B-complex supplement, since studies have shown that HRT may cause a deficiency in B2, B12, B6 and Biotin.

Calcium: A definite must to help prevent osteoporosis, calcium can also help lower blood pressure, reduce triglyceride levels (that sometimes rise in women on some forms of HRT.) Magnesium: Magnesium is a very important calcium helper -- and also helps fight the crashing fatigue that often comes at the beginning of premature or early menopause by boosting energy levels.

Potassium: helps boost energy. It regularizes your heart beat, which can help if you get palpitations -- a fairly common symptom of menopause. In addition, it can help you cope with water retention and bloating, both of which are side effects with certain forms of HRT, particularly progestins such as Provera.

Black Cohosh: helps cut down on hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, it help with cramps, heavy periods and other menstrual irregularities. Studies conducted using black cohosh have shown that it appears to be quite effective, especially for hot flashes. And some researchers believe it may help prevent osteoporosis and reduce bone resorption, although no long-term studies conducted on humans have substantiated this.

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus): This (like black cohosh) appears to act like a progesterone and has been used in Europe for many years to alleviate PMS symptoms as well as menopausal symptoms. It may help diminish both LH and FSH and appears to affect your pituitary function. Different studies have found that it reduced menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes and irregular bleeding. It is helpful for breast tenderness, primarily because chasteberry suppresses prolactin production. Typically, it takes about three to four weeks to notice results. One note, however: While chasteberry is widely used in Europe, there have been no double-blind placebo studies conducted on it.

Evening Primrose Oil: A good source of GLA (gamma linoleic acid), evening primrose oil has been used by many women to help fight PMS symptoms -- many of which are the same as menopausal symptoms. It? a good bet to help prevent bloating, water retention, breast tenderness, cramps and vaginal dryness.

St. Johns Wort or Sam-E: If you?e finding yourself more easily depressed, St. Johns Wort or Sam-E may help. Widely touted as a natural tranquilizer, this herb helps relieve irritability, depression, and fatigue. Over 23 different studies have found that it? effective in fighting depression -- when hormone levels plunge suddenly.

Kava Kava: Helps in reducing anxiety, fighting depression, and leveling mood swings, kava kava has been shown to be quite effective. One recent study found that women with menopausal symptoms taking 100 mg of kava kava three times a day reported a difference after only one week.

Valerian: If you?e suffering from insomnia, a common symptom, valerian may help. It? used widely in Europe to treat sleep disturbances, as well as for nervousness and menstrual problems. It? also known as an anxiety reliever -- so may help with mood swings and tension.

Altering your diet in small ways can have the greatest positive effect on your body. For instance, by staying away from hot drinks, you?e not giving your body reason to ?eat up??and produce a hot flash. At the same time, reducing your caffeine intake (which often comes in the form of hot drinks, including coffee and tea) will naturally help you sleep better at night, which will keep your mood and mental state healthy.

Lastly, replacing these drinks with water and juice will keep your bones and muscles well-lubricated, prevent osteoporosis from settling in, and temper your general aches and pains. We know it? no easy task to give up coffee, but think of the endless benefits of this one relatively minor change to your diet.

One of the most commonly complained about symptoms of menopause is the weight gain that seems to come along with it. Put simply, your body isn? burning calories in the same way it once was, so if you don? change your diet?ven if it? already a healthy one ??you?e bound to gain a few pounds around the waist.

Changing your diet now, simply by avoiding a few foods that are bound to make other symptoms worse, while increasing the foods high in certain vitamins while remaining low in calories, will help you to maintain your figure while giving your body the nutrients it needs to fight off the worst symptoms of menstruation or menopause.

For instance, foods high in potassium, including most fruits, will help you keep your mind sharp while promoting healthy water flushing throughout your body (which will reduce cramps and bloating), while keeping your muscles and bones lubricated and strong ??including your needy joints and your thinning vaginal walls. In short, this is the time in your life when ?n apple a day??couldn? ring more true!

Oily fish--including salmon, tuna, and vegetable oils, are often recommended by nutritionists for anyone wanting to keep their minds sharp. But these oils are also useful in helping keep your muscles from drying, while helping your digestive system.

Everything from Vitamins C and E to herbal remedies such as Dong Quai and Wild Yam Root are superior to abating the menstrual and menopausal symptoms than any pharmaceutical. You can explore the countless ways in which these small changes or additions to your diet will not only combat the unique symptoms you?e going through, but the ways in which you can identify these symptoms quickly to lead a healthy life during your menstrual years and long after menopause.

Soy is a mystery to most Americans. Many of us would buy a chunk of tofu, which, let? face it, is somewhat tasteless. However, you don? need to move to Japan to figure out how to add it to your diet. You don? need to give up eating cheeseburgers to enjoy the occasional veggie burger, but adding some soy to your diet has abated the negative symptoms of menstruation and menopause for millions of women. If you?e not eaten many soy products, don? turn up your nose yet?n addition to abating your negative menstrual, peri- or menopause symptoms, you may find that you actually like it! Not to mention soy is a lot less expensive compared to prescriptions, surgery and negative aftereffects.

Relief From Menopause Symptoms - 3 Steps


During pre-menopause and menopause, women go through an array of symptoms that are sometimes debilitating. In this article I will review 3 steps that you can take to get some relief from menopause.

You have to remember that during menopause, your body is going through some hormonal changes. Two hormones are particularly affected. Progesterone and estrogen. With the decline of estrogen your menstrual periods come to a halt.

There is a subtle balance between estrogen and progesterone as they work together. Because progesterone declines to zero during menopause, women tend to become estrogen dominant because although estrogen declines also, many women continue to produce some estrogen. A lot of the menopause symptoms are due to this estrogen dominance.

Here are 3 steps for relief from menopause symptoms.

1. Change your diet

Focus on eating more fruits and vegetables, lean meat and plenty of fish so you get enough of the healthy fats that are so important for the production of hormones.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol as they worsen night sweats and hot flashes.

You should eat more soy derived products. Drink at least 2 cups of soy milk per day. It has been found to help with hot flashes.

Stay well hydrated by drinking at least eight 8-ounces glasses of water a day. They will help you also with the hot flashes.

Supplement with 1,000 to 1,500 mg daily of calcium and vitamin D. That will slower the bone loss that is associated with menopause.

Take Black Cohosh supplements, it has shown in studies to relieve menopause symptoms.

2. Opt to be as stress free as possible

Stress has been shown to block the estrogen receptors and worsen menopause symptoms. For relief from menopause, add meditation and deep breathing to your daily routine. Taking up yoga may also be a good idea.

3. Consider bioidential hormone replacement therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been used for a long time for relief from menopause symptoms. However, studies have shown an increased risk of breast cancer and stroke when women used the regular synthetic hormones. That's why women have been attracted to the more natural bioidentical hormones. They are identical to the hormones produced by the body and practically do not have any side effects. They are controversial however by many in the medical community because they are not patented by the pharmaceutical industry. If your menopause symptoms are severe and if you have tried the natural remedies with no success, it may be time to get relief from menopause symptoms with bioidentical hormones.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Black Cohosh Side Effects, Benefits, and Menopause Symptoms


What is Black Cohosh?
Black cohosh extract has been gaining a lot of popularity and recognition in recent years for its numerous health benefits. However, Native Indians have known about the power of the black cohosh herb for hundreds of years - and they have used it to treat and cure an astounding array of disease and illnesses. Today, this powerful herb is also known as Cimicifuga racemosa and Actaea racemosa. It is widely available as a supplement, but there are certain things you must know for your good health in order to properly use this herb.

Black Cohosh Benefits
One of the foremost uses of the Cimicifuga racemosa herb today is as a natural menopause treatment. And it has come about with very promising results. Some of the incredible black cohosh benefits you should know about include the following:

  • Menopause

  • Breast cancer

  • Hot flashes

  • Mood swings

  • Vaginal dryness

  • Migraines and headaches

  • Perspiration

  • Arthritis and osteoporosis

  • Heart palpitations, and

  • Sleep disturbances

Cimicifuga racemosa has gained considerable attention in particular for the benefits it provides for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

The research backing up Cimicifuga racemosa for menopause symptoms is growing and very promising. To help demonstrate this, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reported that short term Cimicifuga racemosa and Actaea racemosa use may help women with some menopausal symptoms. When a hugely significant medical body like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists makes a statement such as that, you had better be wise enough listen.

Interestingly, there is also more research literature and findings coming out for the use of Cimicifuga racemosa supplements in men. It's not as well documented as female menopause, but male menopause is certainly a real and valid concern. Natural treatments for prostate cancer and male-pattern baldness are prime areas for new research.

Side Effects of Black Cohosh
With all the positive benefits surrounding Cimicifuga racemosa, it may sound too good to be true. But let's be very clear. It's important to remember that cimicifuga racemosa, or any supplements or medicines for menopause are not free of side effects. When it comes to this natural herb it is still particularly important to examine the side effects when you are pregnant or considering pregnancy.

Additionally, you need to also be aware that there are similar sounding supplements that may be a treacherous cause of confusion. For example, there is both blue cohosh and white cohosh. Although they have a similar name, these two herbs are known to be toxic and should never be used in place of Cimicifuga racemosa and Actaea racemosa. In fact, you will probably want to avoid these two herbs entirely.

Final Word on Black Cohosh Supplements
In conclusion, Cimicifuga racemosa and Actaea racemosa supplements have many promising benefits, especially when it comes to menopause. However, the side effects and possible drug interactions are definitely areas you should look into before beginning your supplement program.

Menopause and Perimenopause Symptoms Are Magnified by Alcohol


My wife began Perimenopause at the the age of 31. We are both pretty active social drinkers. She had never had problems with becoming overly drunk before I met her, and I had not noticed anything but good moods. She was under control and knew when to quit.

She probably began Perimenopause at around the age of 32. That is very early and neither of us had any experience with the Menopause process. She is 43 now and that is a long and fatiguing period.

Perimenopause symptoms never just popped up and became obvious with her. By that, I mean it wasn't one day and bam, hot flashes. All the symptoms began to appear, but we just didn't really pick up on it. I believe this is what women see and feel as going "crazy". You know I think that it was more like, "boy she's in a bad mood today". It began to happen more often, but I don't really notice that. When the frequency becomes noticeably closer together I began to question what was going on. This brings up a little side issue.

I have a close relative who has been a raging alcoholic for 20 years. He and I were similar in many ways. We were often compared as being much alike. But I am an optimistic guy with an upbeat personality. He is very dark. We both joke a lot and laugh, but his humor is meaner and darker. His teasing is more cruel. This is something I knew, but didn't see as anything but "we were just different".

By the time he became a full blown alcoholic sometime in his later 30s I wondered if was just a chemical thing. Now I don't think so. I took him to several rehab stints. We consulted with physicians and psychiatrists and what I learned is that often people don't just become alcoholic. They are made. By that I mean there is some pain to living. The darker personalities hurt more. Maybe they start out as insecure, angry, jealous, pessimistic and moody. The alcoholic begins to drink to mask pain. It is a self medication. Life just doesn't hurt as bad when you are buzzed. I have had several professionals tell me that was happening with my relative. But what surprised me most is that many professionals specializing in alcoholism believe that it takes 15 to 20 years to become a full blown addiction alcoholic. For many years they are actually self medicating.

Is it the same with the menopausal woman? I don't see how. Her entire body make up is changing dramatically in inconsistent ways. Who can tell us what might happen here? With my wife, her tolerance of alcohol began to change. Women in this kind of emotional pain would logically look for something to slow down the rush of emotions, moodiness, hot flashes, and sadness. A drink seems harmless.

But, what begins to happen in women is too rapid, more dangerous. Where one time, my wife could have social drinks all evening and everything was normal and fine. Two days later she might stagger and slur her words. She would say things she could never have meant, and then simply not remember what it was that she had said.

As the months and years went by, there emerged another pattern. She would gulp drinks when on her period and then drink more slowly and conservative when not on a period. Red Wine was and is now taboo. It's very appealing to her, but brings on the worst episodes. Isn't that weird? One form of alcohol causes a different reaction than another? But Red Wind is just too hard on her. She didn't just have "hot flashes" on red wine. It was "hot days". Which demonstrates again the importance of communication. I can observe and she can describe what is happening to her.We believe red wine causes more intense hot flashes. Please give us some feed back if you read this and you agree.

As I said, this all moved slowly, but now I'm convinced that we watched the changes and should have seen the symptoms. But we both missed it. I suppose that I'm more to blame. I could observe the changes. She was not aware. The dark and moody feelings that she was having were causing her to seek out the masking or "self medicating". The feelings of menopause symptoms were very real to her and drinking made it seem better. There may have been nothing new happening in her life, but she was sure there was. Now we know this. If we had good sense we would both quit drinking. But, we haven't quit and probably won't. Now, she can warn me when she knows a period is coming and I limit her drinking. Red Wine is now out. It is so off of the list.

A friend of ours who is the same age as Andrea once said, "I can't drink red wine. It makes me hate my husband". My suspicion is that she was in some stage of Perimenopause. It is a very funny statement, but an even more serious subject. I am not going to moralize or preach against drinking. I'm going to point out that the man and the woman in the relationship need to both research, communicate and observe. Only by working together can a relationship involving Menopausal women (and they all will eventually be Menopausal) thrive.

Promensil Menopause Relief Supplement


Menopause is a natural and beautiful part of a woman's life and not something that should be dreaded and feared, but embraced with understanding. This is NOT to say however that certain symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable, and cause a great deal of emotional distress as well. To remedy the problem, one cannot expect to stop menopause of course, but stopping the symptoms has become quite possible.

Promensil is one of these examples that is leading the charge in bringing traditional medicines that have worked for millennia into modern patient practices. More often than not people believe they need costly prescription drugs to deal with such natural human moments. Anti-depressants are prescribed more often than not, and when the side effects of the pills are stacked next to the side effects of menopause, one may wonder which is worse. There is also a high risk of dependence and it takes several weeks to build up enough in the blood to be truly effective.

Plants produce estrogen as well as people, and although they are not exactly the same, the former can help a person's body greatly. By utilizing red clover isoflavones, natural estrogen production is supplemented and encouraged. This gives the female body the push it sometimes needs to feel more balanced, which is top priority in a situation such as this. It is the imbalance that causes the trouble and turmoil, and the imbalance is more often than not a side effect of today's world. Stresses placed on women have not diminished, but increased over time, and much the food and medicine we consume has damaging hormonal repercussions. It is no surprise the problem exists, and for an unnatural problem, i personally prefer a natural and safe solution. All the ingredients can be spelled, and there are only a few in total, making it far less dangerous to use the medicine than most other supplements available. Many consumers fail to realize that the "herbal" and "natural" alternatives still contain strong chemicals, and the medications they are trying to avoid are nothing more than derivatives of what they are taking themselves. Complete with nasty side effects and sometimes dangerous potential.

I much rather would prefer something I can trust like a natural supplement that is of the earth. Supplementing one's naturally produced estrogen with that of plants has been a common practice since before recorded history, and has stood the test of time because of its effectiveness.