Menopausal Bleeding: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatments

Most women enter menopause between the ages of 40 and 50, and this is the point where their monthly menstruation cycles stop. However, it is possible for a woman to suffer from menopausal bleeding during this stage. This abnormal bleeding is one of the many menopause symptoms and it can lead to something more serious if not treated immediately. When this condition occurs, you are advised to consult a doctor. You should get yourself checked and treated immediately before it gets worse.

The Causes

Menopausal bleeding can be caused by several factors:

- Hormonal changes: The female sex hormones change drastically when a woman enters menopause. During this stage, the production of these hormones decreases and it causes a hormone imbalance in the body. This condition triggers various menopause symptoms and it may also cause abnormal bleeding.

- Hormone replacement therapy: Women often undergo hormone replacement therapy to cope with menopause. The medication can stimulate the uterine lining to thicken and then shed. This is what usually happens in monthly periods.

- Endometrial cancer: Women who are suffering from this type of cancer usually experience menopausal bleeding.

The Diagnosis Techniques

Your doctor will run some tests to know whether or not your bleeding is dangerous. The most common diagnosis techniques include:

- Endometrial biopsy: This test involves taking a small sample of the lining of your uterus. This sample is then examined to know if you have endometrial cancer or not.

- Dilation and curettage: This test is somewhat similar to endometrial biopsy; it involves the opening of the cervix and surgical removal of a small part of the uterine lining. After that, the tissue is examined carefully to determine the exact cause of the abnormal bleeding.

- Hysteroscopy: A hysteroscope (a type of endoscope) is inserted through your cervix to see if there are any abnormalities inside of uterus.

The Treatments

Some of the treatment options available for menopausal bleeding include:

- Hormone therapy: The purpose of this therapy is to stabilize the uterine lining. Commonly, the endometrium of women who are suffering from menopausal bleeding is either too thin or too thick. Therefore, a hormone therapy is needed to stabilize the tissue and stop the bleeding.

- Hysterectomy: This is surgery is performed to treat abnormal bleeding that is not caused by cancer.

- Alternative treatment: If you prefer to use natural remedies, you can try increasing your daily vitamin intake. B-Complex vitamins, vitamin A and vitamin C are helpful for reducing heavy bleeding.

Treatment Options for Menopause Symptoms

Menopause simply refers to a woman's ending of menstruation. Commonly the term is used to refer to the entire span of time during which ovarian function declines and menstruation stops. Sometime around forty, a woman might notice that her period is different - how long it lasts, how much she bleeds, or how often it happens may not be the same. However with adequate treatment and good personal hygiene, the symptoms most women experience entering and living with menopause can be greatly reduced.

In looking at the possible treatment options for managing menopause, it should be noted that there is no doubt that the severity of menopausal symptoms is a physiological phenomenon and is affected only slightly by a woman's emotional adjustment, satisfaction with her life, anxiety or tranquility over aging or similar concerns. Sometimes, menopause symptoms go away over time without treatment, but there's no way to know when.

Generally, eating a healthy diet and exercising at menopause and beyond are important for a woman to be and feel at her best. Most women do not need any special treatment for menopause. However, some women may have menopause symptoms that need treatment. Several treatments are available. It's best to discuss treatment options with her doctor in order to get the best possible treatment. It should be noted that there is no one treatment that is good for all women.

General treatment options for Menopause symptoms

Hormone Therapy (HT)

If used properly, hormone therapy (once called hormone replacement therapy or HRT) is one way to deal with the more difficult symptoms of menopause. It's the only therapy that is approved by the FDA for treating more difficult hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Hormone therapy most commonly involves estrogen, or estrogen combined with progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone.

There are many kinds of hormone therapies that can greatly relieve the symptoms of menopause, but no decision about hormone therapy should be made without careful, individual evaluation and discussion with a doctor. This is due to the fact that like with all treatments, hormone therapy has both possible benefits and possible risks.

Fewer than half of women who are post-menopausal are on hormone therapy, despite the obvious, even life-prolonging benefits many women could receive from this treatment. However, hormone therapy is not for every woman. Women are complex individuals; personalities and preferences differ, and so do reactions to hormonal intervention. Tailoring the hormonal replacement to one's individual needs is most important.

A woman deciding to use HT should use lowest dosage that helps and for the shortest time needed. A check with the doctor is necessary after every six month to see if hormone therapy continuation is still necessary.

Considerations before undertaking Hormone Therapy

Some benefits of hormone therapy include the reduction of hot flashes; treatment of vaginal dryness; slow down of bone loss; and sleep improvement (thus decreasing mood swings). However, for some women, hormone therapy increases the chances of blood clots, heart attack, stroke, breast cancer and gall bladder disease.

Specifically, women who think they are pregnant; having problems with vaginal bleeding; have had certain kinds of cancer (such as breast and uterine cancer; have had a stroke or heart attack; have had blood clots; have liver disease and have heart disease should not take hormone therapy for menopause. Hormone therapy could also cause vaginal bleeding, bloating, breast tenderness or swelling, headaches, mood changes and nausea.

Natural Treatments for Menopause

Some women may decide to take herbal or other plant-based products to help relieve hot flashes.

Soy products

Soy contains phytoestrogens (chemicals that are like estrogen). But, there is no proof that soy - or other sources of phytoestrogens - really does make hot flashes better. And the risks of taking soy - mainly soy pills and powders - are not known. The best sources of soy are foods such as tofu, tempeh, soy milk, and soy nuts. These soy products are more likely to work on mild hot flashes.

Other sources of phytoestrogens include herbs such as black cohosh, wild yam, dong quai, and valerian root. Again, there is no proof that these herbs (or pills or creams containing these herbs) help with hot flashes.

Products that come from plants may sound like they are safe, but there is no proof they really are. There also is no proof that they are better at helping symptoms of menopause. A woman should make sure to discuss these types of products with her doctor before taking them. She should also tell her doctor about other medicines she is taking, since some plant products can be harmful when combined with other drugs.

Exercises

Regular physical exercise, especially brisk walking (a 15-minute mile) and swimming, helps keep bones and muscles strong. A woman should first talk to her doctor to see what's best for her. The goal is to exercise regularly so you can lower the risk of serious disease (such as heart disease or diabetes) and maintain a healthy weight. Also, weight-bearing exercise of any kind (including walking) counteracts osteoporosis, and swimming helps arthritis (in assisting flexibility). Exercise maintains muscle tone and cardiovascular capacity, and also gives a sense of general well-being and burns extra calories.

Specific treatment options for menopause symptoms

Hot Flashes

Some women report that eating or drinking hot or spicy foods, alcohol, or caffeine, feeling stressed, or being in a hot place can bring on hot flashes. Try to avoid any triggers that bring on your hot flashes. Dress in layers, and keep a fan in your home or workplace. Regular exercise might also ease hot flashes, but sometimes exercise can cause a hot flash. If hot flashes continue and hormone therapy is not an option, ask your doctor about taking an antidepressant or epilepsy medicine. There is proof that these can relieve hot flashes for some women.

Vaginal Dryness

A water-based, over-the-counter vaginal lubricant (such as KY Jelly) can be helpful if sex is painful. A vaginal moisturizer (also over-the-counter) can provide lubrication and help keep needed moisture in vaginal tissues. Really bad vaginal dryness may need hormone therapy. If vaginal dryness is the only reason for considering hormone therapy, an estrogen product for the vagina is the best choice. Vaginal estrogen products (creams, tablet, and ring) treat only the vagina.

Sleeping Problems

One of the best ways to get a good night's sleep is to get at least thirty minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. But, don't exercise close to bedtime. Also avoid large meals, smoking, and working right before bedtime. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided after noon. Drinking something warm before bedtime, such as herbal tea (no caffeine) or warm milk might help you to feel sleepy. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool, and use your bedroom only for sleeping and sex. Avoid napping during the day, and try to go to bed and get up at the same times every day. If you wake during the night and can't get back to sleep, get up and read until you're sleepy. Don't just lie there. If hot flashes are the cause of sleep problems, treating the hot flashes will usually improve sleep.

Mood Swings

Women, who had mood swings (PMS) before their periods, or postpartum depression after giving birth, may have more mood swings around menopause. These are women who are sensitive to hormone changes. Often the mood swings will go away with time. If a woman is using hormone therapy for hot flashes or another menopause symptom, sometimes her mood swings will get better, too. Also, getting enough sleep and staying physically active will help a woman to feel her best. However, mood swings are not the same as depression.

Memory Problems

As people age, their memory is not as good as it once was. Some women say they have "fuzzy thinking" as they reach menopause. This may be caused by changing hormones and can improve over time. Getting enough sleep and keeping physically active can help. If memory problems are really bad, a woman might need to talk to her doctor as this is not caused by menopause.

3 Natural Ways to Ease Menopause Sweating

Menopause sweating isn't a topic that's notorious for the girls night out. However... It should BE! Since 80% of women that are over the age of 35 sweat like a 350lb linebacker at summer camp, it's worth talking about. Hot flashes and menopause sweating is synonymous; they're both like having an acute visit to hell. You can feel the sweat coming on. Its usually starts from underneath the skin of the face and expands outward to cover your entire face and neck area. Worse yet, it's uncontrollable. You're sitting or talking with a co-worker or worse your boss and buckets of sweat starts streaming down your face.

Other than your face feeling like it's engulfed with flames there are a few other discomforts that menopause sweating brings with it. Here's a short laundry list; nausea, mood swings, loss of libido, night sweats, vaginal dryness, dizziness, weight gain, memory loss, and depression. Fortunately, there are natural treatments for menopause sweating that can actually relieve your symptoms and help you live a more normal life. I'll share those remedies with you as well as some information.

Most people don't really understand menopause. Part of the reason for that is because of the miss-information about this mid-life change. If you're wondering if you are experiencing menopause or just stressing...having just one of the above symptoms combined with your age could mean menopause. While modern medicine doesn't quite know exactly how to cure it, through research, (trail and error) below are a few of their best suggestions.

Your Diet: Watch what you eat. You should avoid caffeine, sodas, junk foods and sweets. Decrease the amount of commercially raised pork, chicken, and beef that you consume because they could contain a high amount of saturated fats and decrease the body's ability to metabolize estrogen.

Black Cohosh: This is a very popular widely used herb that's taken to treat menopause symptoms. Its been proven to achieve positive results relieving night sweats, vaginal dryness, depression and anxiety attacks.

Soy: Estrogen production is lacking during menopause. A group of chemical compounds found in soybeans are similar to the estrogen produced in the body. These compounds are called phytoestrogens and eating foods rich in these compounds help alleviate low estrogen production in the body.

Botanical Alternative Menopause Treatments - Know What to Look For!

There are plenty of products on the market currently that make all sorts of promises and claims when it comes to the treatment of menopause symptoms. Of course most women who are experiencing the symptoms of menopause already know that the different medical treatments also come with their fair share of associated risks, and plenty of side effects. This is why it is becoming more and more commonplace for women to seek natural, and botanical alternative treatments for menopause, where the treatments are all-natural and have minimal side effects yet maximized results. Here is what you should look for any botanical alternative that promises to treat menopause.

Ingredients to Demand from the Best Botanical Alternative Menopause Treatments
o Assure the product is from a reputed nutraceutical provider
o Make sure the ingredients are clinically proven to combat the symptoms of menopause
o The product should balance the hormone levels naturally
o Provide relief from associated symptoms like: hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, depression, poor sex drive and weight gain
o Should increase your energy levels and help fight anxiety and tension
o Should not be overpriced or cost near what a medical treatment would
o Should be comparable or as effective as medical or soy treatments

Seeking out a botanical and all natural menopause remedy can be hard. Because there are so many different brands and supplements that currently clutter the marketplace, it can be hard to know which ones are effective. One key rule of thumb is to insist upon the aforementioned ingredients, while at the same time also demanding that the natural menopause treatment which you seek provides clinical proof that the key ingredients contained within work, and that it does not have any known side effects. By following these rules of thumb, you can assure that you are spending your money on the right natural solution to treat the associated ailments of your menopause.

A Natural Alternative For Relieving Hot Flashes, Mood Swings, And Depression

Millions of women suffer from the hormonal imbalances of PMS and menopause. These imbalances cause physiological effects of heavy, irregular bleeding, sleeplessness, cramping, mood swings, hot flashes and depression, and countless other symptoms that inhibit a woman’s ability to function normally under fluctuating hormones. Most women have sought the help of over the counter drugs and prescription medication in order to alleviate these symptoms, putting themselves at risk for potential serious side effects from synthesized drugs. Interest in natural remedies has grown over recent years and more and more women are turning to plant-based products to regulate hormones and relieve symptoms of menopause and PMS. A combination of the most effective natural remedies for these symptoms gives women optimal relief without synthetic drugs or hormones.

Recent decades have proven that synthetic hormones and medications can prove more dangerous than beneficial. Every year popular medications and over the counter drugs are pulled from the shelves due to health risks and hormone replacement therapy has proven to cause severe health risks such as heart attacks and cancer. But women continue to search for relief from the symptoms of menopause and PMS. Many of these women have gone on and off hormonal therapy and medications, constantly searching for relief from hormonal symptoms as well as release from the side effects of prescription medications. Millions of women suffer from these side effects but, until lately, have had no other alternative to traditional synthesized medicine.

Thanks to the increase in interest of natural remedies, more and more doctors and scientists have discovered the beneficial results from patients using herbal and natural remedies. Dr. Kalyami Kumar OB/GYN began seeing severe health side effects from patients using hormone replacement therapy and began studying the benefits of some of these natural herbs. As a result, she discovered that a specific combination of black cohosh, red clover, wild yam, and soy provided women with the relief they so desperately needed without the dangerous side effects of traditional treatment.

A synergistic blend of these ingredients helps create hormone balances within the body and provide symptomatic relief for problems commonly associated with menopause and PMS. Estrogen, one of the major hormones associated with PMS and menopause, can cause severe cramping and bleeding when in excess. Balanced supplements, like those found in Estrosym, are designed to balance out the estrogen dominance with natural ingredients. For example, black cohosh binds to estrogen receptors and makes the body believe it is receiving and creating estrogen, providing an opportunity for the body’s own hormones to come into better balance. But, in order to maintain proper levels of progesterone and estrogen, women must incorporate wild yam, a supplement containing molecules that convert to progesterone and counteract the estrogen dominance in the blood. Wild yam also produces a calming effect, settling the moods of women while balancing the hormones associated with moodiness and anxiety. By balancing the hormones naturally, supplements provide relief from the bleeding, cramping, hot flashes and mood swings so commonly associated with hormone fluctuations.

Menopause and PMS cause stress and anxiety even without imbalanced hormones. Normal and abnormal fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone cause both physical and psychological stress, eventually resulting in both bodily and emotional discomfort. Dr. Kumar has created a means by which women can alleviate both the hormonal fluctuations and the symptoms commonly associated with these imbalances. A synergistic blend of supplements relieves heavy bleeding, cramping, hot flashes, moodiness, depression, sleeplessness, and even promotes bone health and collagen synthesis. By providing all the benefits (visit: [http://www.estrosym.net] ) of traditional medication without the use of synthesized drugs, natural supplements provide women with the relief they need and the safety they deserve.

Yeast Infections and Menopause - Critical Tips to Cure and Prevent Them

Caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a fungus, yeast infections are the most common of all vaginal infections. They are not sexually transmitted and are often caused by menopause. Of all vaginal infections, yeast is one of the main symptoms of menopause, caused by the fluctuating hormones leading to bacteria in the vagina going out of control.

Baths, excess moisture in the vagina, or damp or tight clothes may lead to an infection. The signs of yeast during menopause, as well as otherwise, are: inflammation, continued itching and irritation, pain during intercourse, frequent urination, and a thick, white discharge from your vagina.

With the drop of estrogen levels during menopause, the walls of your vagina become thinner and weaker. During intercourse, the walls become irritated, leaving tiny scars and scratches, enabling bacteria to thrive. Higher levels of estrogen, due to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also increase the chance of an infection. Damp and moist vagina, due to increased vaginal discharge caused by higher levels of estrogen, is a great breeding ground for yeast and bacteria.

Menopause, Yeast Infections and Treatment

Infections can be treated by OTC (Over-The-Counter) medication in the form of creams and suppositories. Before using these medications, it is always advisable to have a proper diagnosis. Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, and other types of vaginal infections have similar symptoms. This makes it imperative to confirm that you actually have yeast infection before starting medication. Although creams and suppositories are sold as OTC medications, you will need prescription for oral medicines.

Before resorting to strong medications, you could try the following alternate treatments for yeast infections:

繚 Tea Tree Oil: Seek professional advice before trying this treatment. Tea tree oil suppositories kill yeast infections present in the vagina.

繚 Yogurt: Many women suffering from yeast infections apply un-pasteurized yogurt, which contains lactobacillus acidophilus or 'good' bacteria, directly into the vagina. You could use a small spoon, a spatula or an old vaginal cream applicator, to apply yogurt at night for three to seven nights to restore the balance of bacteria in your vagina. You may need to put on a sanitary pad to avoid messiness.

Avoiding Yeast Infections

Unfortunately, this kind of infection tends to recur. To prevent recurrence, or to prevent having it in the first place, you could try the following:

繚 During shower, wash the vaginal area to keep it clean, and completely dry it before dressing.

繚 Cotton panties and pantyhose with a cotton crotch are preferable. 繚 Do not share towels.

繚 Undergarments should be washed in hot water and avoid using softeners.

繚 After a swim or a workout, change your clothes immediately.

繚 Do not use scented sanitary pads or tampons, and frequently change them.

繚 Avoid douching, using heavily scented soaps, perfumes and talcum powders.

繚 During sex, ensure your vagina is well lubricated, and use water-soluble lubricating jells.

繚 It is better to avoid sex, if it is painful.

Fibromyalgia and Menopause Facts For Women

Are you suffering the symptoms of menopause? If they include symptoms such as muscle stiffness and soreness, tenderness around the knees, elbows, hips and other joints, or pain and numbness in the hands or feet, then you may have the beginning of what's known as fibromyalgia. What is it? It isn't a disease as such but a condition that affects the joints and soft tissue including the muscles, and also includes fatigue in most cases. It also affects mostly women, which leads many doctors to believe it may be related to menopause.

The reason many doctors and others believe that fibromyalgia is related to menopause is that the majority of sufferers are not only women, but women over the age of 40 (approximately 80% according to statistics). So how are they related? That remains to be seen, but many researchers believe that an imbalance in hormones is partly to blame, even though they cannot find evidence of which ones specifically as of yet. Current focus is on the brain chemicals that control sleep cycles and mood, hormones released by the pituitary which are sensitive to estrogen, and possibly even changes in growth hormones. This link is likely because many women who suffer fibromyalgia are approaching menopause, have recently had a baby and are over 35 years of age, and women who have had either a tubal ligation or a hysterectomy.

The worst part about fibromyalgia is that there is no cure as of yet, only treatments that can help ease the symptoms. Treatments vary according to varying symptoms but include certain exercises specific to affected areas, pain relieving medications or muscle relaxants to help ease discomfort, and in some cases injections of analgesics to specific areas. There are other therapeutic treatments such as massage therapy, heat therapy, and a new therapy called hydrotherapy which involves movements in the water that help with circulation and don't involve putting pressure on the joints like other forms of exercise.

Some doctors and health specialists think that diet can play a role in helping to prevent fibromyalgia, eating more holistic foods that are full of nutrients such as phytochemicals and antioxidants, for instance. Eat more organic foods such as fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and even dried fruits. Drink plenty of water each day, which many people hear about but fail to follow through on, make it a habit. Some dieticians believe that lowering your intake of sodium rich foods and completely eliminating additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG's) and artificial sweeteners like Aspartame can help to relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia. Recent studies show that the practice of eating a vegan diet may even help alleviate symptoms.

Bleeding After Menopause is Actually Quite Common - But What Are the Causes?

Okay, you are having all of the symptoms, mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, memory lapses, loss of libido, weight gain and more and you think 'wow, I'm definitely in menopause' and boom, you have another period after months of having no periods at all. Perhaps there is something wrong, or perhaps this is perfectly normal, but the bottom line is that no woman wants to see Bleeding After Menopause because it is typically proof positive that they are going to have to start counting the days again until they are officially post menopausal.

Bleeding After Menopause is actually quite common and there is usually no reason to get overly worried if this happens. In most cases bleeding will occur because of the hormonal imbalance that is going on in the body, even if you are taking HRTs or natural supplements to help you manage your hormone levels. The bottom line is that your body is changing and some spotting or even a full blown period is perfectly natural during this time. It can be frustrating, especially if you have gone several months without a period, but there is no reason, generally, to get too worked up over this common occurrence.

However, if you are experiencing Bleeding After Menopause and it has been more than four months since your last period, then you will want to visit your doctor as soon as possible (you should see your doctor regardless of the time between periods, but after four months it can be indicative of a more serious health problem). If you are taking HRTs and your body is also producing estrogen you could be endangering your future health because of the flood of estrogen in your body. Also, it could be an indicator of false menopause and your doctor will need to check you for other medical issues that could have caused your period to initially cease.

While there many reasons that you could experience Bleeding After Menopause, the most common reason is hormonal imbalance, which can typically be corrected with a change in your medication, whether it is an HRT or a natural remedy. A trip to your doctor is always a good idea in these cases to ensure that you are in your best possible health and that there are no underlying causes for this to happen.

Menopause - 5 Tips to Overcome Post Menopause Problems

Menopause and aging in general are associated with some emotional torments; depression, irritability, suspicion, insomnia etc. These emotional elements have wrecked havoc in most advanced marriages. Some people wonder why marriage of over twenty years with children could suddenly breakdown. Therefore, to every woman, post menopausal years particularly the first five years must be jealously and wisely guarded.

Do not forget that it is in this particular time that most men of the old used to take up new wives as the culture then permits. Therefore, during your menopausal and post menopausal period, you must vow to secure your marriage, not through fighting but through knowledge and wise counseling. It is expected that when a woman is not capable or willing to give what a man expects from her, there may be possibility of misunderstanding. This kind of misunderstanding abounds in most marriages particularly at a time the woman starts getting dry and aging.

Therefore, to have a stress-free menopausal period, you must be ready to cushion, conquer and overcome the associated challenges in your marriage. You can achieve these successfully with the aid of the following key points and tips:

Overcome Post Menopause Problems 1: Look Good For Life Is Good
One way to deal with menopause problems is by looking good. It would be most unfortunate for you to leave yourself unkempt and dirty simply because you feel you have given the man children. If you feel so, you may get more than you ever bargain. Menopausal and post menopausal periods are very crucial and sensitive. It is the time to look good. That you are advancing in age does not mean your beauty has tarnished. No! You must be clean, make up and remain on. Your breast must be seen standing, even if it is standing with the help of foam or iron brassier. Pay attention to your looks. Don't forget that it is your beauty not necessarily character that attracted your husband to you for the first time. Menopause is truly a challenging moment for every woman but you can make good the time by putting more beauty on yourself.

Overcome Post Menopause Problems 2: Sacrificial Love and Good Character
Sacrificial love is the kind of love that lives for the sake of others. Without mincing words, post menopausal period may demand more than you can freely give or accept but for the sake of peace, you may need to go extra miles. Against your sexual convenience, if your husband is in need of you, give yourself cheerfully without making it a subject of strong contention. However, where need be, make your husband understand your feelings through reasoning together with him but never make him a victim of circumstances. Otherwise, you may end up making him a 'sugar daddy'.

Overcome Post Menopause Problems 3: Avoid Suspicion
Post Menopause problems will be reduced to the minimum if you can keep away from suspecting your partner. It is very characteristic of humans to analyze situations and make conclusions. Suspicion has shown to be the root cause of marriage disaster in most countries. As a man comes back from work, the wife would be searching the pockets of his wears with intent of finding lip stick or another woman's left over to confirm her suspicion. Some smell their husband's wears in view of perceiving a strange perfume or odor, which of course must be from another woman. Some women go further to send spies after their husbands with hope of catching them in the 'very act'. Friend, always know that your assumptions or conclusion could be dead wrong. Your own heart can deceive you. As a matter of fact, you may never find peace in your marriage if you toll the path of suspicion. The irony of it is that which ever fault you seek in a man, you are most likely to find it because man is n imperfect character; perhaps, the very reason for seeking 'help mate'.

Overcome Post Menopause Problems 4: Don't Listen to Peer's Advice
Most victims of marriage disaster don't usually initiate the counter productive actions themselves. Rather they acted based o what they were advised by a friend or a group of friends. It is important for you to know that during the period of menopause and thereafter, there are variable changes that occur in the male counterpart generally. At such time, some men may be almost impotent and thus have little or no affection for sexual activity, while others may be battling with one form of sickness or the other. If you abide by this rule, you'll sure overcome your post menopause problems.

Menopause, Bloating, Hot Flashes - And Now Acne!

If you`re suffering from acne AND menopause, you have my sympathies.

Menopause can cause a dip in confidence at the best of times. Your body starts behaving in ways that you never expected or experienced before - hot sweats, bloating, incontinence! Which is enough to knock anyone sideways. But then you look in the mirror one morning and you can see the first signs of a breakout. I don`t mean a few harmless pimples here and there, but blackheads, whiteheads and small pustules. The type where your skin looks like a ripe tomato and a new blemish seems to pops up every couple of minutes. I can tell you that it`s a horrible experience.

Your first response may be to rush out and buy the strongest medication that you can lay your hands on, and if you have really bad acne, that may be necessary, but before you do that why not try to control your breakout without visiting the pharmacist.

Acne affects menopausal women more than you may imagine, in fact it`s quite a common problem. And unlike teenagers, who are warned about the dangers of eating sweet, greasy foods, for us older ladies, things are not quite so simple.

As with almost all menopausal symptoms, it`s those pesky hormones estrogen, testosterone and progesterone that are mainly responsible for our less than perfect complexion. They fluctuate greatly as our body goes through the menopausal changes and consequently, we experience all of the associated menopause symptoms.

I was fortunate, in that I had worked in the cosmetic industry for many years and so my skin care routine was impeccable. I had always insisted on natural products, with no added color or fragrance (and animal friendly), that may cause an allergic reaction. I drank plenty of water and never went to bed without removing every last trace of make up. As I got older, I changed only my moisturizer and made sure that it was rich enough to nourish my skin, but did not clog the pores. I also exfoliated weekly without fail, which many women do not do, but which does make a big difference as the dead skin cells do not slough off as efficiently on mature skins. This not only makes the skin look dull, but the dead skin cells will block the pores and cause spots.

It is a not true to say that acne is caused because people fail to wash their faces often enough. Too much cleansing or scrubbing the skin harshly can make acne worse.. The best way to cleanse the face is to gently wash it twice daily using a mild cleanser. Be careful to remove make-up without harsh scrubbing.

If you do find yourself in the grip of menopausal acne, don`t be tempted to buy the strongest cleanser possible and literally try to dry out every last bit of oil on your skin - as this would be counter productive and leave you with flaky skin which still had pimples. Cleaning away all of the surface oils doesn't help menopausal acne, as it starts under the skin

Of course, it goes without saying, that no matter how tempting, don't pick or squeeze your spots because you can cause infection and the skin will certainly become red. By stressing and being self-conscious, you will only draw attention to yourself and stress can, in fact also trigger an acne breakout. Worrying and fretting about your face, affects your hormones and will not help your emotional state - or your skin.

In time, the acne will improve and eventually disappear completely. But in the meantime - apart from trying to maintain a sense of humor - here are a few other suggestions to help combat menopausal acne.

* Practice relaxation techniques
* Drink plenty of water
* Use gentle products that won`t aggravate your skin
* Speak to your doctor about stopping hormone replacement therapy if you think it is the cause of your acne
* GENTLY exfoliate twice a week
* Exercise will get the blood pumping, increase your oxygen intake - and help improve your complexion.

....And did I mention retaining a sense of humor always helps?

Does Amberen Work?

Amberen is meant to help women get rid of the causes of menopause symptoms but does Amberen work? In this article I will investigate whether it works or not and whether it is worth purchasing.

Sadly, for many women, there are very few options when they first realize that they are going through menopause. Even in the modern times we live in the treatments for menopause remain very limited. Many doctors try and get their patients to opt for Hormone Replacement Therapy. While this can be very beneficial in getting rid of the symptoms it can also have a number of adverse side effects and can even cause cancer and other more serious complications.

Fortunately, Amberen is now on the market and provides a new solution. Instead of trying to replace hormones Amberen stimulates the glands and makes them produce more hormones. It does this through a series of succinate salts, and is the only product on the market which uses these salts to this effect.

Thousands of women have now been helped by Amberen and it is gaining popularity across the country. It has helped many women get back on their feet and have similar energy levels to what they had previously. Furthermore, it gets rid of annoying symptoms like hot flashes and insomnia too.

Despite this, Amberen might not work on every single woman. This is why it is recommended to go for the free trial to make sure that the product works for you. If it doesn't then it is easy just to cancel and send it back. You won't be risking anything because the product is completely natural and doesn't have any adverse side effects.

Low Energy During Perimenopause: Natural Ways To Help Raise Energy Levels

Women who are going through the transition into menopause often feel low energy. It is probably the most common symptom felt during this time. Women feel the loss of energy along with irritability and difficulty concentrating throughout the day. This article is for woman going through perimenopause and feel a loss of energy. It is important that a woman understands the changes occurring in her body during this stage of life. By understanding the symptoms of perimenopause, she may learn about natural approaches to low energy that can make her feel better.

Women complain of energy levels, feeling tired, weak and fatigued most of the time. This low energy may be caused from physical and mental conditions. Having no energy may be frustrating for a woman, as low energy affects both her body and mind at the same time. A normal cause of feeling tired and loss of energy is fluctuating hormone levels. Low energy is typified by a lack of any energy, without drowsiness.

Stress, progesterone deficiency, lack of regular exercising, obesity, exposure to pesticides and chemicals and an unhealthy lifestyle are some factors that may contribute to low energy. Estrogen dominance, the Pill, heredity, junk food, poor diet and excessive alcohol are all culprit for low energy too. The two main hormones in a woman's body are estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones are produced ovaries and may control a woman's menstrual cycle. Estrogen and progesterone need to be in ratio to each other to feel good. This balance keeps a woman healthy, with no symptoms of hormone imbalance or low energy.

Menopause starts when a woman ovaries has permanently stop egg production. Menstruation has stopped for one year. When menstruation stops, women can no longer have any children. Many women may start experiencing unpleasant side effects. In the perimnenopause stage. On average, a woman may reach menopause by the time she is 52. Perimenopause happens when a woman's ovaries start decline.? A significant decrease in progesterone and estrogen production begin to happen. Women may start to experience an irregular period and other symptoms.

Fatigue and Immune System- Progesterone may also affect the health of a woman's bones, immune system and the liver. When the levels of progesterone start to decline, symptoms and signs of perimenopause may start to appear. There are treatment options that may help to improve lack of energy. These options are lifestyle changes, natural and alternative supplements, bio-identical hormones, medications, or HRT.

Natural progesterone cream is a safe and effective hormone replacement therapy that may gently balance a woman's hormones. Natural progesterone cream contains bio-identical molecules that mimic a women's natural progesterone. It is effectively the same molecule as the progesterone that your body produces. Many women who use natural progesterone cream have experienced positive? results.

Dr. Dalton, of England, documented in the 1950's that natural progesterone cream is an effective treatment for regulating periods, depression and mood swings.?Dr. Prior, of Canada, documented the effects of low progesterone with active runners. ?Dr. John Lee used natural progesterone treatment for all hormone imbalances from infertility, PMS symptoms and symptoms during the transition of menopause. Dr. John Lee used natural progesterone cream treatment instead of HRT or ERT for decades.

Natural Choices for Low Energy

Natural treatments to improve energy levels may be techniques for stress reduction such as meditation or yoga, a healthier diet, regular exercise and bio-identical hormones.? Diet is especially a key to a healthier lifestyle and keeping low energy at bay. Eating properly keeps blood sugar levels balanced in addition to hormone levels. An example of a natural treatment is natural progesterone cream. The molecules in natural progesterone are bio-identical to the hormones found in women and may stimulate a woman's endocrine system, which regulates the hormones in a woman's body. This is done to balance the hormones of a woman's body in a natural and safe way. Natural progesterone cream has become a very popular natural remedy among functional medicine physicians.

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

For women who are experiencing low energy, alternative medicine combined with lifestyle changes usually proves very effective help to lessen the symptoms. By educating themselves and being pro-active, more women today may combine alternative treatments and a healthy lifestyle to help them deal with progesterone imbalances. It is important for a woman to understand that low energy may be eased with a natural treatment.

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

Loss of Libido During Peri-Menopause: Get Your Sex Drive Back Naturally

Loss of libido or low sex drive may affect up to 40 percent of women and is actually very common during peri-menopause. For a woman who is experiencing a lack of sexual desire during peri-menopause, this article may set her mind at ease in knowing that she may be helped and that she is not alone. By understanding what her body is going through, this article may offer some natural solutions. It is very important for a woman to understand an open, honest dialogue with her partner may help. Other signs and symptoms of menopause are vaginal dryness as well as irritation. These symptoms maybe linked to loss of libido.

The Cause of Low Sex Drive
Like most menopausal symptoms, a lack of sexual desire is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance. A reduction in the level of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone may be responsible for a reduction of a woman's sexual drive as well as loss of energy. Other factors may also be responsible for this common symptom of peri-menopause. There may be a physical cause such as sexual dysfunction, vaginal dryness or a hysterectomy. A psychological cause may be from stress or concerns about growing older. It may be that relationship problems, such as a lack of any meaningful intimate communication may contribute to or exacerbate the situation.

How to treat low sex drive naturally is a personal choice. Loss of libido may be treated with various methods. Lifestyle changes including diet as well as exercise may help, not only for loss of libido, but also for anxiety and stress as well.

Recommended Treatments:

• Bio-identical Hormone-Natural Progesterone Cream


• Acupuncture


• Herbal Remedies

Recommended Foods:

• Kidney beans, liver, red meat and oysters (zinc)


• Buckwheat, almonds, leafy greens (magnesium)


• Dairy, nut, fish (protein)


• Soy milk, tofu (soy products for vegetarians)

Recommended Exercises:

• Yoga for relaxation and flexibility


• Kegel exercises strengthen the vaginal muscles


• Aerobics for circulation and heart health


• Stretching for stress relief, relaxation and improved muscle tone

Boost your libido with Progesterone

Progesterone is an important hormone in maintaining the sexual health of a woman. The levels of progesterone significantly decline, as women transition into menopause. This decline of hormones causes fatigue, irregular periods and other symptoms of menopause. Loss of libido or low sex drive is probably the most difficult symptom for a woman to deal with during her change of life. An unpleasant drawback is it may cause relationship problems, unless each partner understands the cause may be a decline of progesterone. Bio-identical natural progesterone is the choice for many women and men. The woman's partner may feel rejected. The woman may feel unattractive and withdraw. Talking to each other and discussing anxieties and fears may ease the emotional side effects. Counseling may be beneficial to both partners.

Natural Ways For Treating Low Libido or Loss of Libido

Three approaches should be considered when treating low libido or loss of libido. These are lifestyle changes, natural progesterone cream or drug therapy. Naturopathic doctors recommend a stepladder approach to all health issues. It is always recommended to start with the safest option before progressing to the next level of treatment. Lifestyle changes involve minimal risk but a lot of self-discipline. Simple lifestyle changes have been proven to improve your health. Treatments such as herbal remedies, natural progesterone cream along with diet and exercise, is the safest initial approach before using prescription drugs. Always start with one safe natural treatment and see how effective it is before you use HRT drug therapy. An alternative approach involves no risk and a very effective way in treating lack of sex drive. It might involve a few different therapies.

A popular approach is herbal remedies and bio-identical hormones. Bio-identical Natural Progesterone Cream with Wild Yam and Chaste Tree Berry is very popular with health care professional and is used by women of all ages. Alternative remedies may be effective, safer than drugs and a valuable option. A natural progesterone cream is the only practical option for treating a hormonal imbalance right at its own source. Natural progesterone cream is the only natural remedy that addresses the cause of hormone imbalance. The source of hormone imbalance is the ratio of estrogen to progesterone and the general decline of all hormones.

Hormone estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), is another option for women who are suffering with a low sex drive. There are certain risks involve with estrogen hormone replacement therapy such as an increased chance for developing certain cancers in women. Now, there are clinically proven options for HRT that are safe and effective. Natural progesterone cream is a bio-identical hormone cream that gently balances hormones and provides relief from many menopause symptoms including loss of libido. A woman does not have to feel that a low sex Drive and loss of libido is a problem that is going to stay with her for the rest of her life. By understanding that this is actually a very normal condition that happens in every woman's life, she may relax in the knowledge that she has help and options. The milestone stages of ever women's life begin with the start of her menstruation, childbearing years, perimenopausal years and they end with Menopause. Each stage needs to be embraced and empowered. Natural progesterone cream helps women restore their natural balance and restore their libido, increase desire and increase happiness.

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

Help For Menopausal Hair Loss

Among the many changes of menopause that are not so welcome, many women are devastated to see the condition and quality of their hair undergoing a change. We expect to see some grey or silver hairs, to reflect the fact we have gained so much wisdom, but we do not want to see thinning patches or in more drastic cases actual hair loss!

Why It Occurs

Such changes are part of the aging process but is more noticeable as women get into their 50's as changes to our skin, eyes, joints and, of course, weight reflect the hormonal changes that are going on as women approach menopause. It can also be related to thyroid disease. When progesterone levels fall as a result of lack of ovulation, the body responds by increasing its production of the adrenal cortical steroid androstenedione. This steroid is an alternative precursor for the production of other adrenal cortical hormones. Androstenedione conveys some male like properties, one of which unfortunately is male pattern hair loss.

There is also an everyday explanation: as we age, hair becomes a little finer and weaker, which leads to a flatness, loss of body and a greater tendency to split ends, causing a degree of frizziness. It can also be due to the effects of hair-care treatments, dyes and styling; particularly the habit of twisting or pulling your hair up into bands which break the hair.

What You Can Do About It

Maintaining good progesterone levels is a priority, as when its levels rise the androstenedione level will gradually fall and normal hair growth will eventually resume. It is not an overnight solution as hair growth can take 4-6 months for the effects to become apparent, but you can support the process by paying attention to diet and supplements.

The next key element for healthy hair is to ensure a good supply of omega-3 fatty acids. Dietary sources include salmon, sardines and herring and you should try for at least two servings a week. If you don't like fish then supplement with agood quality fish oil. Vegetarians, and everyone else, can also get a good source from flaxseed, which can be ground and sprinkled on cereal or salads.

Another super supplement for healthy hair is GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) and an excellent source is evening primrose oil.

Summary

Hair loss is a devastating emotional blow, but there is no need to despair. Taking positive action as early as possible will in many cases help minimise the loss and support healthy hair growth.

10 Tips For Treating Smelly Feet & Ridding Odors - Reasons Why Your Feet Stink and Treatments

Have you got a problem with smelly feet and no matter what you do or have tried to rid the foot odor the smell remains? Are your smelly feet more of an embarrassing issue for you or a problem you see as unhealthy? Foot odor is common and successfully treated on a daily basis.

If you're looking for a cure then you need to know the root cause for the odor occurring. Knowing about conditions/disorders that could be responsible for you're smelly feet will help you greatly in your attempt to treat prevent or rid the odor.

There are two primary issues known for giving rise to smelly feet (Sweating and shoe leather.) The body needs to sweat, it is a vital function the body can not do without. Although stale sweat might smell unhealthy, it is however not normal for the body not to perspire. Sweating helps to maintain body temperature. It also assists in removing waste products from the body. Unfortunately for some folk and because we as individuals differ, some sweat more than others to a degree where medical attention is necessary. If you sweat more than the normal required amount needed to keep the body cool then you could have what we call hyperhidrosis.

The chief reason for smelly feet is duly caused by bacteria, or to be more exact, of the waste product of the bacteria ingesting the sweat. Bacterium is not good and if build up remains in one spot without being washed away the bacteria excrete waste gives rise to a malodorous odor. Different types of odor occur on people because of various bacterium types.

Help prevent foot odor

To do this you need to maintain a high level of hygiene.
Wash the feet daily with warm soapy water this will help kill bacteria and leave your feet smelling fresh and not cheesy; If necessary bathe them 2 or 3 times a day. Use an anti-bacterial soap to disinfect the feet.

Change socks regular putting on a clean pair after every wash. I know it sounds stupid having to point this out but people are known to wash their feet and then put back on the same smelly socks they have just taken off.

Particular fabrics that socks are made of can cause the feet to sweat more. Avoid wearing nylon socks and wear cotton or natural fibre materials which absorb sweat. If possible it will help tremendously to wear a different pair of shoes from time to time. This gives the ones you have removed time to air ridding moisture and smell.

Try placing odor eater inserts inside your shoes. Do not spray antiperspirant/deodorant onto dirty feet. Trying to cover up foot odor this way do not make a great mix (Scented cheese.)

If you tend on using a new method/solution for treating stinky feet get your GP to give you the thumbs up first.

1. Deal with foot odor by soaking your feet in strong black tea for half an hour daily for 7 days. The tannic acid in the tea destroys bacteria and closes the pores keeping the feet dry for longer periods.

2. Sprinkle talcum powder over the feet or dust with baking soda to help reduce heavy sweating. Alternatively soak your feet in 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water.

3. Mix two tablespoons of Epsom salts in two quarts of warm to clean and freshen up the feet, this solution helps keep feet dry.

4.Throw out any shoes that you can not remove the smell from.

5. Avoid wearing plastic shoes.

6. Fill a bowl with warm water and add oatmeal, squeeze oats till water is milky then soak for 10 minutes and pat dry.

7. Rub alcohol on the smelly feet after every bath or shower. If feet sweat a lot wear two pair of absorbent socks for a fortnight and change every 4-6 hours.

Remember not all treatments work the same on each individual. Be wary and cautious about unfamiliar products. If the problem of smelly feet still persists after having tried most options to rid the smell then call in and see your doctor because a sudden onset of stinky feet could be the result of a medical problem. Your feet excrete toxins from the body so try cleaning out your bowels. By all means soak your feet but be dubious of solutions you use as a soak because the body absorbs through the skin. Your purpose is to rid the body of toxins and not add more to your system.

8. Some smells is caused by the same bacteria that cause acne so consider using 10% benzoyl peroxide

9. Try placing dryer sheets in each shoe. It helps cover the smell, however this is not an ideal solution as you are looking to rid your problem of smelly feet and not disguise them.

10. Try soaking your feet in mouthwash.

I am only the messenger here delivering what I have heard to work for ridding foot odor so it is vitally important for the health of your feet not to practice any suggested methods without medical confirmation to say it is safe to do so.

Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which the body sweats excessively for no given reason at all.

It is characterized by abnormally increased perspiration, in excess of that required for regulation of body temperature. A patient can feel at a loss of control because perspiration takes place independent of temperature. Different emotions can affect the body in different ways and anxiety is namely one for exacerbating this problem. People who suffer with nerves over their sweating tend to experience more sweating episodes. Other reasons given for excessive sweating is caused by certain foods and drinks.

Body parts we link as common areas for sweating are the hands, feet and the groin because they are the most active sites for perspiration occurring due to the relatively high concentration of sweat glands located here.

Your doctor will examine you in order to identify if you are suffering from primary hyperhidrosis or the secondary sort which can happen at any time in your life. The latter could be brought about by disorder of the thyroid or pituitary gland, diabetes mellitus, tumors, gout, menopause or specific medications. Medics have tried treating excessive sweating with oral tablets, creams, lotions, deodorants, electrical gadgets and acupuncture but sadly the success rate for most severe cases is somewhat limited. Surgical treatments have been around for the last 50 60 years. Clearly the early surgical advances were quite insidious causing complications. Since the improvement of optical surgical equipment endoscopic surgeries became the standard for different processes.

For people who suffer profusely from hand sweating then endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is the favored treatment. If sweating is more serious under the armpit then axillary suction curettage is a regular method used for control. If excessive sweaty feet is the concern then as the main presentation, or if ETS did not cure, then the problem is usually dealt with with using lumbar sympathectomy as a surgical remedy. It is not known what causes primary hyperhidrosis but what we do know is that people suffering from it face major challenges throughout the day. Challenge it back and get help.

Did you know that the foot has more than 250,000 sweat glands? So is it any wonder why we have the problem of sweaty feet.

Andropause - Male Menopause And The Dangers Of Testosterone Therapy

Once a man reaches the age of 30, the testosterone production in his body will decrease by an average of 1 or 2 percent per year. This drop in hormone levels is very much different from the huge drop in hormones that is known as menopause or andropause that happens in women. This slow drop of testosterone levels in men is commonly known as male menopause or andropause. The rate of loss of testosterone can vary quite substantially depending on the man. Many men in their 70s have testosterone levels that are equal to those of an average man in his 30s.

Symptoms of Male Menopause/Andropause

Physical

oLess endurance for physical activity

oGain in weight

oBone deterioration

oLoss or thinning of hair

oSleep disturbance Psychological

oIrritable/moody

oIndecisiveness

oAnxiety and fear

oDepression

oForgetfulness and difficulty concentrating sexual

oDecease in sex drive and enjoyment of sex

oIncreased anxiety and fear about losing sexual potency

oIncreased fantasies about having sex with a new and younger partner

oMore relationship problems and fights over sex, love and intimacy

If you go see a doctor, he's more than likely to suggest Testerone Replacement Therapy as
the cure. Instead of me going through the things that are involved in Testerone Replacement therapy let me just focus on some important information you should know that the Doctor may or may not tell in regards to Testosterone Replacement Therapy.

Nasty side effect of Testosterone Replacement Therapy:

Probably the most dangerous effects of testosterone replacement therapy is the affect on prostate disease. Unknowingly, many men have small prostate cancer that would likely never produce symptoms. Testosterone can actually make prostate cancers grow, so one of the side effects of testosterone replacement therapy would be that it could cause unnoticed prostate cancer to become stronger. Testosterone also is known to worsen a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate called benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Testosterone replacement therapy should only be taken for men who have past blood tests showing that they have low testosterone levels as who have no prostate disease. No matter what the situation is, men taking testosterone need to be checked frequently for prostate cancer. These testings can detect cancer in its early stages, making the problem much more easy to deal with and curable.

For those who have an erectile dysfunction caused by an abnormal low testosterone levels than testosterone replacement therapy may be just the thing for you. Testosterone works by correcting a hormonal deficiency and doesn't directly deal with the hormone levels in the body. The forms in which Testosterone can be taken are: pills, patches, topical creams and/or injections. Some of the side effects include: liver dysfunctions, increased red blood cell counts, increase risk of stroke and the enlargement of the prostate.

Menopause - How Early Is Too Early?

There are plenty of alternative treatments such as biofeedback and medical treatments, such as hormone therapy that can help a woman cope with her menopause symptoms. However, despite the available treatments, some women don't only worry about the symptoms of menopause; they worry about entering menopause too early.

What is considered early menopause? Early menopause is characterized by not having your period cycle for 12 consecutive months prior to being 45 years of age. Aside from early menopause there is also premature menopause which occurs before age 40, and is commonly known as premature ovarian failure (POF) if it occurs naturally. POF simply means that a woman's ovaries are malfunctioning and prematurely shutting down in her 20's, and 30's, decades before they naturally should.

What is the cause of early menopause? Early menopause can occur for a number of reasons, some of which include:

Autoimmune disorders - It is estimated that 2/3 of women who suffer from POF have autoimmune disorders; a medical condition characterized by the body's immune system malfunctioning and attacking itself. In the case of POF, the autoimmune disorder eventually results in the destruction of ovarian function.

Chromosomal Irregularity - This is a hereditary condition in which a woman has a defective X chromosome. In short, if one of a woman's two X chromosomes is defective, it can interfere with egg production which can result in early menopause.

Total hysterectomy or Oophorectomy - When the ovaries and uterus are surgically removed (total hysterectomy), or when only the ovaries are removed (oophorectomy) a woman is put into menopause, regardless of her age.

Chemotherapy or radiation - Certain types of chemo and radiation treatments for cancer can damage the ovaries and put a woman in menopause right away.

Other reasons why a woman may experience early or premature menopause include:

- Ovarian damage that results from surgery

- Viral infections

- Hyperprolactinemia (Overproduction of prolactin causes amennorhea - cessation of periods)

- Thyroid disease

- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (characterized by skipped or missed period cycles)

- Cushings disease (characterized by overactive adrenal glands and can result in amenorrhea)

- Family history

The following are the signs and symptoms of perimenopause (stage before menopause occurs) to watch for -

Irregular periods (Skipped periods or change in duration or frequency)

Infertility

Vaginal dryness

Hot flashes

Breast tenderness

Stress incontinence (bladder control issues)

Restless sleep and/or insomnia

Headaches

Gastrointestinal upset (constipation, diarrhea, nausea, bloating etc.)

Tingly or itchy skin

Thinning of hair or hair loss

Weight gain

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Moodiness

Anxiety

Irritability

Low sex drive

Mental fogginess

Depression

Extreme fatigue

Emotional detachment

Lack of concentration

How can you determine if you are experiencing early menopause? If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or others that are not listed and you suspect you may be experiencing pre-menopausal symptoms, it's time to bring your speculations to your doctor.

There are three main tests you can take to determine a menopause diagnosis -

FSH test - A follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) test is used to test a woman's FSH levels. If levels are high it's a sign that the ovaries have stopped producing sufficient estrogen and could mean that the body has begun menopause.

Blood test - You can ask your doctor for a blood test to determine estradiol levels. Estradiol is a form of estrogen and the levels decrease when the ovaries begin to fail. Therefore, low estradiol levels may be a sign of early menopause.

Thyroid test - A thyroid test is a good idea because many perimenopause symptoms mirror thyroid problems. Therefore, this test will help you determine if what you are experiencing is indeed early menopause.

If you are diagnosed with early menopause, you will find that there are different treatment options to help you cope with symptoms. Be sure to talk to you doctor about all possible treatments.

Possible Side Effects of Black Cohosh

What is Black Cohosh? It is a natural herb found in the United States and was something that the Native Americans used to treat women's illnesses. They would brew it into a tea and drink it for relief from the common side effects of menopause. This has continued to be a treatment today for the relief of menopause symptoms and is found in pill form.

There are some possible side effects of black cohosh just as there are with any other medication. However, they are not very common. Most women use black cohosh without any side effects at all. Some of these include an upset stomach, headache and weight gain. The degree to which you will experience side effects will depend on the amount that you are taking.

Your general all around health will also have some impact on the degree of frequency or severity of the side effects of black cohosh. Dizziness is also a possible side effect of black cohosh, so you will need to be careful depending on your daily routine.

If you are pregnant you should not use this herbal treatment as it has been found to increase your risk of miscarriage. You should also not use this herbal treatment while you are breast-feeding. If you are not pregnant or breast-feeding and your health is otherwise in good condition, you are safe to use this medication. For the most part, if you are perimenopausal or menopausal, black cohosh is a safe, very effective herbal medication.

The results you will have with this herbal remedy will vary, as is the case with any medication. We are all different and that means that we will all react differently to the medications we take. The side effects of black cohosh will vary and you may gain more weight than the next person or not gain any at all.

It is also recommended that you keep track of what you are taking, how much of it you are taking and how often you are taking it. This information should be shared with your doctor to help prevent drug interaction risks with other medications.

Benefits of Estrogen Replacement Therapy

When a woman reaches the menopausal stage or if her ovaries have been removed, her body stops producing estrogen naturally. As a result, she begins to suffer from menopausal symptoms.

Generally, estrogen production drops drastically after the age of 45, although decline in hormone levels begin much earlier on in life. In the beginning, the declining levels of estrogen in the body are not noticed. However, as women age, the steadily declining levels of estrogen affect the body in more telling ways. Physically, the menstrual period stops. This the beginning of the uncomfortable experiences associated with menopause.

Menopause brings with it many physical and psychological problems. The most popular among these is hot flashes, depression and extreme mood swings. There is also a steady decline in vaginal lubrication. In addition, some women also start suffering from osteoporosis at the time of menopause. This is serious because women begin to lose their bone mass as early as 35-40 years of age. However, in the absence of estrogen, calcium depletion speeds up and bone mass erodes quickly. That is why older women are more susceptible to bone fractures.

The best way to make up for the imbalance in estrogen levels in the body is to replace it as it gets depleted. This is what estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) does.

Estrogen replacement therapy aims at increasing the levels of estrogen in the body. It may be administered through a patch, vaginal ring, gel or skin cream. It has been seen that administering estrogen transdermally is perhaps the most effective way of taking in estrogen. In this method, estrogen enters the bloodstream directly without it being metabolized by the liver.

However, even though estrogen replacement therapy was highly sought after in the beginning, interest in the therapy began to wane as high incidences of cancer, heart problems and other undesirable side effects began to be associated with estrogen replacement therapy. Synthetic hormones, it was found, could lead to serious side effects. That is what led to the development and use of natural hormones in hormone replacement therapies.

Natural estrogen has a number of beneficial effects. Its greatest appeal is its molecular structure which is similar to the molecular structure of human hormones. Natural estrogen also has a modulating effect on the hormones in the body. This allows the even metabolism of hormones in the body. This has potent therapeutic effects.

Specifically, ERT helps cut the risk of developing osteoporosis, colon cancer and perimenopausal symptoms. Other remarkable effects associated with ERT include youthful looking skin, better sex life, sharper mind and lower risk of developing Alzheimer's.

For estrogen replacement therapy to be effective, it is necessary that patients undergo highly customized treatments. It is also true that women who benefit the most from this therapy include those who are most affected by symptoms like hot flashes and those who are most likely to develop osteoporosis due to a slim frame or the regular use of tobacco or alcohol.

King Bio Menopause Relief Formula Review

When trying to choose what to do about your menopausal symptoms, you may come to find how many countless options there are, and how many of them play on the sensitive emotional and physical state created by menopause. There are far too many to list, and each claims to hold some secret power that no other of its kind does. It runs the gamut of herbal remedies to prescriptions, to holistic treatments too. There are few I trust, however King Bio has been tried and found true. The first and most attractive prospect is safety. Most prescription medicines come with many very nasty seeming side effects. Some are so severe that when you compare the side effects of menopause in conjunction to the side effects of the medication, you may wonder why you began with it at all.

Herbal supplements are more often than not the best way to get the relief so desired without dealing with so many undesired things as well. Circulation and balance are two things that must be maintained at all costs in a menopausal woman. Hot flashes, mood swings, and anxiety of all forms can be attributed to these, and oftentimes the best and only way to combat it is with supplements. Amyl nitrosum has been used for centuries at least, and is known the world over to be very helpful in specifically the anxiety and nerves often associated with menopause

The reason why King Bio is so unique is that it comes in spray form. It can be used safely up to six times daily as needed, and contains the very common ingredient Sepia as well. Sepia works wonders in the realm of depression and mood swings, and you can be menopause will feel much less severe if you are not suffering from mood swings as well as depression and anxiety that causes them.

The icing on the medicinal cake here is Lachesis. Lachesis is one of the oldest and most commonly used remedies for treatment of estrogen imbalances during this time. More and more in our modern world women are finding their hormones to be increasingly unbalanced. There are not many treatments for this outside the realm of "prescription drugs" but this is one of the few and one of the best. Combining these three effective and tried and true ingredients into a fast acting and discrete spray is a safe and effective way to administer the medicine that is often very necessary at this point in a woman's life.

Andropause - Know the Natural Treatment and Herbal Supplements

Andropause is similar to menopause, but it is found in men. As menopause affect the life of the female, andropause affect the life of the male. Andropause is related with the set of gradual psychological and physical changes among the men of middle age from 40 to 55. Like female, male also suffer from drop in the hormone level, testosterone in the male and estrogen in the female. Usually men suffers from the bodily changes which occur very gradually and they are also accompanied by changes in mood, attitude, fatigue, physical agility, loss of energy, sex drive and other health problems like weak bones, heart disease etc. sometimes it is confused with the Male Midlife Crisis. It is often called male menopause.

As the age of the men increases, it lowers the level of testosterone which results into andropause. It is said that after the age of 30 usually testosterone decrease per year by 1-2 percent. Testosterone is the male hormone which is essential for the normal sexual behavior and also to produce erections. Many metabolic activities of the male like bone formation, carbohydrate metabolism, prostate gland growth, liver function are also affected by it.

Symptoms of andropause may vary from person to person. The major symptoms of andropause are decreased libido or interest in sex, erectile dysfunction with loss of erections, inability to sleep, night sweats, depression, bone loss or infertility and thinning of the bones.

Some of the natural treatments for andropause:

1. Exercises are very effective for andropause. As the symptom of andropause is directly related with depression exercise will help in improving the mood. You will also feel better due to increase in endorphins. So make a habit to play tennis, go for run, grab a basketball and head to the court.

2. Make a habit to eat properly as good eating habit will have a positive impact on mood and energy. Increase the intake of folic acid, B12, vitamin D and Omega-3 fats. Intake of these diets will decrease depression. We can receive Omega-3 fats from walnuts, salmon and flaxseed, B12 from lean beef, eggs and cottage cheese, vitamin D from milk and folic acid from fortified whole- grain breakfast cereals, broccoli organs and from oatmeal.

3. Intake of alcohol must be restricted or at least reduced. Different body reacts differently with the consumption of alcohol. So remain careful about the frequency and consumption of alcohol. As alcohol also contributes to the depression and it is one of the causing factor of andropause so it must be avoided.

Where Can I Buy Amberen? Shall I Buy Amberen Online?

Amberen is used to treat the menopausal symptoms in women. Amberen is a clinically tested medicine for menopause with thousands of satisfied customers around the globe. Amberen is composed of natural ingredients having no side effects at all. It is easy to use and easy to buy medicine.

Menopause has many frustrating and annoying symptoms ranging from mood swings to irregular menstrual cycles. Hence it gets very important for women, especially working women, to get rid of such irritating menopausal symptoms. When it comes to getting rid of menopause symptoms, there are many different ways and treatments to do so. It is wise to select a treatment which has minimal or no side effects on your body. Amberen has successfully treated many women in all parts of the world and has thousands of satisfied customers.

Amberen is the only and the best product in the market which contains patent-pending molecules that boost the hormonal level of the body. In the menopause phase, the ovaries gets weaker and produce less hormones and towards the end of the menopausal phase, ovaries cease to produce any hormones.

Difference between other medicines and Amberen

Amberen gives power and strength to ovaries and enrich ovaries to produce more estrogen in the menopause phase quite naturally. Amberen doesn't produce any artificial hormones neither it contains any supplements. While on the other hand, there are medicines which boost the hormonal level in the body artificially, which ultimately has many side effects. So it is very safe to use amberen as compared with other medicines.

You can buy amberen online and can get discount through amberen coupons. Amberen is also offered for a 30 days trial period. You can use the product for 30 days and if you don't find it useful, which is very rare, you can return the unused packs and you will be refunded for both unused and used packs. You can try amberen risk free without any charges. You can also choose to buy only 1 pack which is enough for 30 days or you can choose to order free trial. The duration of the course is only 90 days and you have to take 2 capsules every day for 90 days and that's it.

Don't compromise on your health; if you are facing any symptoms of menopause then you should give a try to amberen. Amberen will surely help you in getting rid of menopausal symptoms.

Is Male Menopause For Real?

When women reach menopause, it results in the end of their fertile period. This is when their bodies stop producing the hormones, estrogen and progesterone, and the symptoms can be long drawn. With men, it works a little differently. Male menopause, also referred to as andropause, results in the testosterone levels dropping by around 1-2% every year after a certain age, and can bring about fatigue, weight gain, depression, and even sexual dysfunction.

While symptoms of male menopause can start as early as one's 45th or 50th year, more prominent signs are often visible past the 70 year mark. Now, thanks to factors like increased awareness and people shedding their inhibitions in getting medically consulted, there has been a significant increase in the number of men seeking help for this condition. Data collected for a study in the U.S showed that there has been a 65% rise in pharmacy dispensed testosterone prescriptions in between 2005 and 2009.

Male Menopause Symptoms:
Apart from the fact that men can continue to produce healthy child bearing sperms well until their 80th year, the symptoms for male and female menopause are actually quite similar. Some common symptoms includes irritability, mood swings, fatigue, joint & muscle pain, night sweats, and hot flashes. In case there is a considerable drop in your testosterone levels, it can also affect your sex drive adversely, and you might feel that sex isn't enjoyable any longer. In such a scenario, getting medical advice is important.

What Causes Male Menopause?
Although aging is the primary factor linked to the onset of male menopause, there are other factors that are believed to contribute as well. These include:
· Leading a sedentary lifestyle
· Smoking
· Drug and/or alcohol abuse
· Excessive use of medications
· Poor diet
· Hypertension
· Obesity
· Depression

Diagnosing Male Menopause:
Once you visit a doctor, expect to be quizzed about the various symptoms that you suffer from, and also prepare yourself for a physical examination. The doctor might then run some diagnostic tests, and these can include blood tests to identify your body's testosterone levels. The treatment, then, will be based upon the findings of the diagnosis.

Treatment Options:
If the diagnosis shows low testosterone levels, the doctor might suggest testosterone replacement therapy, and this can work in alleviating symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and loss of interest in sex. However, do bear in mind that any kind of hormonal treatment can come with potential side effects and risks, and should be undertaken under only under proficient medical supervision. In addition, you should also educate yourself about all probable side effects of your treatment at the very onset.

So, if you or someone close to you suffers from male menopause, do see a doctor to find out more about the condition. Based on your symptoms, your doctor would chart out a relevant course of action. This can include putting you on a medication program and asking you to make certain lifestyle changes. Realize that suffering from this condition does not have to mean it's the end of the road, because there is much that can be done to address it.

What Are the First Signs of Menopause? Irregular Bleeding Explained

Among the many early signs of menopause is irregularity in a woman's menstrual cycle. Typically, this irregularity first appears in the form of changes in both the frequency and intensity of menstrual activity. In perimenopause - the period directly preceding menopause, the length of the cycle will ordinarily shorten. 28 day cycles will shorten by as much as three or four days. As a woman progresses through perimenopause, the cycle gradually lengthens, with menstruation frequently being skipped altogether for months at a time. As a result, irregular bleeding occurs as one of the first signs of menopause.

Irregular bleeding generally entails an increase in the amount of blood flow during menstruation in the early stages of perimenopause, which eventually becomes lighter in the later stages until only light spotting occurs. These changes in the intensity of menstruation often occur as a result of the body's failing to release an egg during the period in which ovulation should occur. As a result, the body receives no natural signal to begin menstruation - if that happens frequently enough, the entire uterine lining can begin to be shed which then causes longer periods of bleeding. Perimenopause is an unpredictable period in life, and even this shedding can self-correct if menstruation begins again before the uterine lining is gone.

There are a number of ways to determine if you suffer from irregular bleeding, and whether you need to consult with your physician. If menstrual bleeding requires you to use a pad at least once an hour during any period lasting as long as 24 hours, or if the menstruation persists for any longer than 7 days, you should meet with your doctor for an examination. In addition, if you have had no menstruation for six months and it suddenly begins again, this may be a sign of something more serious.

Your irregular bleeding can be evaluated by your physician by performing a biopsy of the uterine lining. The first thing your doctor will want to do is to rule out any possibility of cancer. An alternative to the biopsy involves the use of ultrasound via a vaginal probing. All of these tests are designed to determine whether irregular bleeding is a normal part of the menopausal process or whether there are other health concerns involved. Where the bleeding is merely one of the first signs of menopause, irregular bleeding is often treated through the use of progesterone therapy. In cases where something more serious is occurring, your doctor may discuss such options as a hysterectomy.

Although it is one of the first signs of menopause, irregular bleeding need not be a cause for major concern unless the irregularity is severe. In most cases where women seek counsel for their irregular bleeding, they do so to alleviate other menopausal symptoms and to improve their quality of life as they make this hormonal transition. However, if you are at all alarmed by the frequency, duration, or intensity of your menstrual cycle as you approach your menopausal years, you should never hesitate to seek the advice of your doctor.

Menopause Supplements - How Effective Are These?

During a woman's lifespan, certain things are unavoidable, ovulation; menstruation and menopause are three things nearly every woman can count upon. When your body has released the last egg through ovulation you will begin menopause, and since each woman has a specific number of eggs it will happen eventually. During menopause, you may suffer a variety of symptoms, many of which can be alleviated with hormone replacement therapy. However, some are concerned about increased risks of heart disease, blood clots and breast cancer, which is why many choose menopause supplements instead.

Symptoms

One very common symptom of menopause is the hot flash. It may begin as a warm tingly feeling followed by flushing, heavy sweating and finally a cold and clammy feeling. Generally, a hot flash will begin at the head and travel down to the chest area. Average length of a flash is about four minutes but they can be shorter or slightly longer depending on the individual. Women have been known to experience hot flashes for up to five years after their last period. Potential treatments and menopause supplements for hot flashes are:

• Drink a glass of cool water at the onset, this can alleviate it somewhat.


• Black cohosh


• Flax seed (night sweats/ hot flashes)


• Acupuncture/ pressure

Another often-experienced symptom of menopause is a lowered libido. Lowered levels of estrogen and progesterone and testosterone in the system lead to less desire for sexual intercourse. At the same time the lack of hormones cause vaginal dryness which makes sex painful. For many women it simply is not worth the effort to try and keep up sexual desire. Here are a few options to increase your libido:

• Wild yam- this is a natural menopause supplement that replaces progesterone and estrogen, taking it can help raise your libido.


• External lubricants- if your issues are more related to vaginal dryness you may find relief with over the counter lubricants.

Irritability and mood swings are common as well, they are a direct result of fluctuating hormones and can be quite difficult to live with. One minute you are fine the next in tears and the very next angry beyond measure, as you can imagine this is no fun at all!

• Ginseng- a very popular mood enhancing supplement and it works well for women during menopause as well.


• Acupressure- when done correctly acupressure can alleviate many symptoms of menopause, including irritability and mood swings.

Menopause treatments come in many forms including natural menopause supplements. Perhaps, one of the quickest and most effective options is acupressure. Chinese medicine has used some form of acupuncture or pressure for generations to treat a variety of ailments and many women have reported relief within minutes of this form of menopause supplement treatment.

It is nevertheless, not necessary for all women to encounter all this kind of indicators and symptoms of menopause. Some women might not experience most of them whilst some others could encounter all of them. All indicators and symptoms of menopause depend largely on fluctuation of your hormone levels and your individual body capability to bear this kind of hormonal fluctuations.

Natural Home Remedies For Common Dog Ailments

Finding natural remedies for your dog may be an important consideration for you if you've felt burdened by the expense of being a dog owner. The first year of a dog's life is especially expensive when you factor in all the vet bills, medications, tests along with the equipment you have to buy and the cost of puppy school. I began my quest to find alternative methods for treating my dog almost as soon as we brought him home.

The first time I paid a $500 bill after my dog had a bought of diarrhea, I vowed to find alternative treatments for him. The tests and medications sure added up quickly and it turned out that there was nothing wrong with him. It's best to be on the safe side but my wallet didn't feel very safe after that. My dog was otherwise behaving normally when he had the diarrhea. He was still full of energy and eating normally. In retrospect, it may have been because he was teething at the time.

If however, you have a dog with diarrhea and he is lethargic, not eating or drinking, vomiting and not otherwise behaving normally, you should definitely take him to the vet. However, normal behavior indicates that your dog can probably be cured right at home. Your wallet will thank you and you'll maintain your peace of mind by finding natural remedies for common dog illnesses.

Also, some vets have a tendency to over prescribe medications which can weaken their immune system or actually cause them harm over the long term. At one point, our dog had an ear infection for which our vet gave us ear drops. We were told to put the drops in the dog's ears twice per day. The good news is that the infection cleared up but the bad news is that the medication irritated my dog's ears to the point that they became swollen and red. At that point we consulted another vet who told us that the medication our dog was prescribed should only be administered once per day and that was the reason for the inflammation.

It's a comfort knowing that many of your dog's ailments can be cured successfully at home with natural remedies. Just as you would eat some chicken soup and have a hot bath if you came down with a cold, you can offer your pet some healing support when he gets ill. So, it makes to learn about alternative treatments in order to save you money time and a lot of stress. If your pet were to become ill on the week-end when your vet's office is closed, you can help him to feel more comfortable and maybe even cure him altogether and not need that vet appointment after all.

The Theory Behind Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT)

The challenge modern medical professionals face with chemotherapy is that the toxic chemicals attack both healthy cells and cancer cells, wreak havoc on the patient's immune system, and generally degrade the patient's quality of life. Often, patients find that the treatment is far worse than the disease. However, the cancer treatment alternative Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT) offers a gentler alternative with targeted attacks on cancerous cells and enhanced patient comfort through low-dose chemotherapy.

As an alternative cancer treatment, Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT) with low-dose chemotherapy is based on the theory that insulin increases the effectiveness of disease fighting drugs like chemotherapy. Here's the basic theory:

Insulin reacts with insulin receptors.

On every cell, there are receptors that react with insulin to regulate cell glucose (sugar) intake, to oversee gene reproduction and to promote cell growth. Insulin is one of the basic metabolic hormones in the body.

Insulin increases the uptake of medicines into cells.

Through significant research and study, insulin has been shown to increase concentrations of medications in cells, possibly by making the membrane more permeable or by carrying the medication into the cell in a process called endocytosis.

Cancer cells have more insulin receptors.

Insulin is a growth factor that increases the growth rate, division rate and proliferation of cells. Cancer cells proliferate uncontrollably, sometimes secreting growth hormones themselves to speed up the process. Cancer cells are believed to have more growth-hormone receptors than normal cells. Growing and dividing requires fuel - i.e. glucose. Because cancer cells grow more rapidly than normal cells, it follows that they have a greater ability to intake sugar. The intake of sugar is facilitated by insulin. Thus, cancer cells must have more insulin receptors.

Insulin stimulates cell division, making cancer cells more susceptible to toxic drugs.

It is known that insulin will stimulate other growth receptors on cells, increasing cell metabolism and stimulating cell division. During IPT, a patient is given a dose of insulin and it is believed that cancer cells will be trigged to go into the phase of cell division where they are more susceptible to toxic drugs. Because the cancer cells have more growth-hormone receptors, they will be triggered more than normal cells, therefore more cancer cells will be killed than normal cells.

Less chemotherapeutic drugs are needed.

IPT uses lower doses of chemotherapeutic drugs than standard chemotherapy because the added insulin targets cancer cells over healthy cells, making the process more efficient. As a result, patients do not experience as severely the negative side-effects of chemotherapy. Scientific research and individual case studies have shown a greater quality of life in patients who have undergone IPT.

Since the 1930s when IPT was first developed, there have been many studies to test the effectiveness of IPT. While the specifics of IPT are not completely proven, the evidence suggests benefits over traditional cancer treatments. As the research begins to grow, IPT may become a more mainstream cancer treatment.

At EuroMed, we have the largest number of IPT trained physicians in the world. We are devoted to holistic cancer treatment and recommend IPT to many of our patients because it allows them to focus on their health, without the debilitating effects of traditional chemotherapy.

How Do Women Benefit From Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Estrogen and Progesterone are female steroid hormones that directly affect a woman's sex drive, menstrual cycle and pregnancy. When women experience menopause, the presence of these hormones begins to diminish. To treat the side effects of menopause, doctors since the 1930's have used hormone replacement therapy of estrogen and progesterone. However, it is only recently that the hormone traditionally associated with male steroids, testosterone, has been identified as an important factor of female hormone replacement therapy as well, going well beyond menopausal treatments.

Testosterone in Women

Women produce testosterone in their adrenal gland (like men) and in their ovaries. However, the amount produced is approximately one-tenth the amount of men. And just like their male counterparts, women produce the most testosterone in while in their 20's. Then the levels significantly drop after menopause. Likewise, women who have undergone a hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries) lose testosterone levels.

How Does Testosterone Help Women?

Sexuality

Just like with men, testosterone boosts a woman's sex drive. In tests done, the levels of testosterone in women rise as they become sexually aroused, and decline post orgasm. Women with lower occurring levels of testosterone often experience low or no libido.

Strength and Fitness

When men have low testosterone levels, one of the main side effects is losing muscle mass and gaining excessive abdominal fat. Women, as early as 10 years prior to menopause, start losing testosterone and also gain abdominal fat. Studies done in the last decade have found that women given testosterone under these circumstances were able to maintain a healthier weight and muscle tone.

Mood

Testosterone elevates the levels of norepinephrine in the brain which has a stimulating and anti-depressant affect. Lower testosterone levels also contribute to fatigue. Women with normal levels of testosterone experience better moods.

When Should Women Receive Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Most women who need testosterone replacement therapy are experiencing menopause and, therefore, losing their natural levels of the steroid. Younger women who have had a hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy and no longer have the ability to produce testosterone also benefit from receiving the hormone. Likewise, women suffering from Addison's disease or adrenal malfunction can no longer produce normal levels of the hormone. However, there is more evidence recently that women suffering from reduced libido, unexplained fatigue, depression, and emotional mood changes are experiencing lower testosterone levels, so small amounts of the hormone can help them as well. Doctors will take a blood test to determine if, under any of these circumstances, a woman may benefit from testosterone replacement therapy.

Intown Primary Care

Atlanta, Georgia

Menopause - What to Expect

Menopause is a natural life stage that every woman must go through at some point in time. Menopause should not be viewed as a disorder or disease, but simply another stage of life, such as puberty. Many women do not take the proper care to educate and prepare themselves for menopause and the related symptoms.

Perimenopause is the time preceding menopause. Many of the changes the body undergoes during this time are overlooked or mistaken as menopause. Perimenopause usually occurs as a woman enters her late thirties to the early or mid forties. Perimenopause can last as little time as a few months, or as long as several years. During this period, many changes in the body can occur. This is due to the decrease of estrogen being produced by the ovaries. Estrogen, which is a hormone found in females, helps control and regulate menstrual cycles and bone density.

There are many symptoms associated with perimenopause, many of which often get overlooked or mistaken for something else. Sparse and/or irregular menstrual periods are one of these symptoms. Missed periods often go ignored because of the busy schedules and stressors of everyday life. Women experiencing perimenopause sometimes go months experiencing very light, spotty menstrual periods. Sometimes periods are missed entirely. The body sometimes "makes up" for these light or missed periods by shedding a very large amount of uterine lining later, causing very heavy periods that can last much longer than a "normal" period. These abnormally heavy periods are called "flushes".

Hot flashes are another symptom of perimenopause. Some women find themselves feeling uncomfortable in social or work environments because of their hot flashes, which can cause rosy cheeks and sweating. These symptoms can be embarrassing, as well as uncomfortable. Some women find themselves waking several times in the night to pull back the blankets or turn down the heat. This disruption of sleep can cause fatigue during the days from lack of sleep at night. Hot flashes can be severe or barely noticeable.

During menopause, some women complain of mood swings and depression. It has not yet been determined whether or not these symptoms are directly connected to menopause. Women who are entering menopause often experience increased anxiety, depression and fatigue. This could be caused by the stress created by the increased changes in the body. Menopause is not over until a woman has not had a menstrual period for at least twelve months.

There are some treatment options to relieve the symptoms associated with menopause and perimenopause. Hormone replacement therapy is one such option. There are conflicting reports as to whether or not this treatment poses health risks and it is wise to always consult a doctor before beginning any treatment. Some other treatment options are "natural" dietary supplements, acupuncture and other alternative medications. So far, there has not been enough research on these types of treatments to determine whether or not they benefit women going through menopause, or the health risks that might accompany them.

A healthy diet and exercise can be beneficial to one suffering from menopause. Studies show that exercise can help improve mood and slow the deterioration of bone density. This could be especially beneficial since osteoporosis is another known risk for women suffering from menopause. Educating oneself about menopause and the symptoms that accompany it can be very beneficial, as well. While, obviously, education does not relieve any of the discomforts of menopause, it can help with knowing what to expect.