Saturday, July 27, 2013

Dry Vagina Syndrome Causes and Treatment


Women experience dry vagina syndrome when there is inadequate natural lubricant in the vagina. Older women who are 40 to 59 years old and are going through menopausal stages usually experience this. Some women who also have diabetes have this problem, but usually once diabetes is treated, the dryness of the vagina also goes away. The most common causes of this are the use of toiletries and bathroom products with chemicals that dry and irritate the vagina. Some perfumes and dyes also have this effect.

When women reach the perimenopausal stage, their vagina's walls become thinner and produce less and less secretions that make it dry. The vagina also does not lubricate naturally even during sexual arousal. As women grow older, the production of estrogen in their body decreases and it makes the vagina less acidic and lubricated, and this becomes the cause of many infections such as yeast. A good four million women in the United States have the Dry Vagina Syndrome, but one should know that this is not life threatening, but is quite an annoying problem to have.

The secretions play an important role in keeping the vagina healthy and protected against bacterial infection and allergies. This happens when there is not enough lubrication and antibodies to coat the vagina to protect it from bacteria. The vaginal secretions also include prostaglandin, histamine, and leukotrienes which helps soothe and prevent inflammation.

Having a dry vagina syndrome would mean that the body is producing less immunoglobulin in the secretions. This makes develop antibodies that work against the important immune proteins that protect the vagina that leads to inflammation. The exact cause of dry vagina is actually unknown but is only attributed to the aforementioned causes. Hereditary factor is also being considered.

One of the treatments that is used to combat dryness of the vagina is the application cytokines topically to help rebuild the thickness of the mucosal membranes of the vagina. This will also help in increasing the secretions produced by the body to lubricate naturally. If you are reacting from a cause of allergy, you have to find out where it is coming from by investigating the items that you use daily, especially toiletries and laundry. Make sure that you use soap that is hypoallergenic and does not use any fragrances or dyes to it and is pH-balanced. Dry vagina syndrome can be easily combated by doing these procedures and by disciplining yourself to regularly hydrate yourself daily with ten eight ounce glasses of water.

Avlimil Complete - Shocking Information


Hormonal instability usually causes night sweats, irritability and hot flashes, which can be difficult to handle for most women. These hormonal changes happen during menopause and due to the numerous health concerns associated with menopause, women tend to look for effective treatments that can reduce their worries and sufferings. There are a lot of prescription medications that can help relieve these symptoms but many doctors recommend natural remedies to cure problems associated with menopause and hormonal imbalance such as lack of sexual interest.

Menopause happens due to estrogen deficiency in the body. There are a lot of hormone replacement therapies that were made to balance the estrogen in the body but most of these treatments failed due to some serious side effects. Fortunately, herbal remedies for menopause have shown potential in treating the problem without side effects. With the popularity of these herbal medicines to substitute estrogen, a lot of companies develop drugs that contain herbal ingredients. These treatments are now available in the market as well as online.

Avlimil Complete is only one of the numerous herbal products that claim to help women with their sexual problems. The ingredients in Avlimil Complete are said to help reduce hot flashes, irritability, night sweats and other menopause symptoms. According to the manufacturer of Avlimil Complete, the product does not only help in women deal with menopause but also safe and effective in promoting healthy blood flow and in increasing the relaxation of the muscles for the improvement of libido and for more energetic and healthier sexual response.

Avlimil Complete is believed to be a non-hormonal drug that does not have progesterone, estrogen, testosterone and other hormones. Though Avlimil Complete has benefits, this product is not recommended for pregnant and nursing women. In addition, if you are taking other medications due to some health concerns, it is best not to take Avlimil Complete unless you consult your doctor.

Avlimil Complete claims to help women enhance their sexual function because all its ingredients are natural. It contains sage leaf, red raspberry leaf, red clover extract, kudzu root extract, licorice root, capsicum pepper, bayberry fruit, valeriana root, damiana leaf, black cohosh root and ginger root. Women are advised to take the supplement once a day.

Though Avlimil Complete has benefits, it has several side effects such as stomach upset, headaches, insomnia and even anxiety. If you are planning to take medications to treat your sexual problems, it is best to talk to your doctor and ask advice about your condition. Remember that even herbal medications may have dangerous side effects so it is best to identify the ingredients you are allergic to and read the labels of any medication in order to know whether the product is safe for you or not.

Keep in mind that low libido in women are caused by a lot of factors including stress, lack of sleep and other emotional concerns. It is essential to determine this factors so that it is easier to address the problem. If you happen to experience sexual problems, it is necessary to talk to your doctor and discuss about your condition to get an appropriate treatment. Most of the time, herbal treatments such as Avlimil Complete is not the solution to your problem. Shifting into a healthier lifestyle is still the best treatment for low libido problems. For instance, reducing your caffeine and sugar intake can help improve your libido.

Night Sweat Causes & Treatments - Healthy Tips For Dealing With Menopause


The night sweats cause and treatment all deal with the natural occurrence in a woman's life called menopause. I will disclose brief information on all natural treatments as well as additional remedies to help you get through this period of time.

Why Night Sweats Occur
Night sweats occur because of hormone imbalances in the woman's body which boosts the metabolism. Another reason night sweats can happen are dysfunctions in the adrenaline glands. What the adrenal glands will do is frequently thrust out extra energy that the body no longer needs as a result of your unbalanced hormones, causing you to sweat at any given time.

All-Natural Things to Take
The most common all-natural treatments are red clover and black cohosh which can be found at your local drugstore and grocery store. Both of these treatments are known for balancing out the hormones to reduce many symptoms that menopause brings. Although I do recommend the two, I prefer that you consult your primary physician or doctor before taking either of them. Sometimes the human body can get minor side effects from even all natural solutions which is due to the fact that, all bodies are different in terms of health.

Excercising
This time in your life needs to be the healthiest time if you want your 2 to 10 year menopausal period to go by smoothly. So what you'll need is plenty of green vegetables high in zinc, omega-3's, vitamin E, and a good exercise schedule. Two of the most common menopausal exercises are yoga and Pilates. If you're not comfortable doing either or, you will want to run, walk, or swim for at least 30 minutes a day.

Are You Experiencing Pain and Tenderness In Your Breast?


Menopausal and other hormonal fluctuation are the major breast tenderness causes. When women experience menopause, their hormonal levels tend to change and it is during this time that they can develop tenderness in the breast. Although, there are times that postmenopausal women may also undergo tenderness in their breast. It is also typical for women who are in their perimenopausal and premenopausal stage.

Breast tenderness issues are common with women; in fact at least 70% are experiencing this. However, there are only a small percentage of women who are experiencing severe breast symptoms. At least 10% are severely affected by it; in fact it has affected their work, relationship as well as their daily lives. Women must understand that tenderness in the breast is rarely a sign of breast cancer. In most cases, breast tenderness which is a result of menopause is normally due to hormonal changes in the body. One of the best ways of understanding and managing its symptom is to become more educated about breast tenderness in menopause.

Breast tenderness is also known as mastodynia, mastalgia and mammalgia. It is defined as the pain, discomfort or sensitivity felt in one or both of the breasts when certain pressure is applied on it. Some people use this term to refer to any breast discomfort. Most women undergo tenderness in their breast area during their menstrual period and during pregnancy. This is the time that the hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone fluctuate. Aside from menstruation and pregnancy, one of the major breast tenderness causes is menopause wherein hormonal fluctuations occur.

Mastalgia causes can be experienced in different ways at different times during the various lifecycle. Sometimes it is also based on the women's genetics as well as their unique physiology features. Tenderness in your breast experienced during menopause can sometimes be sporadic or persistent. Sometimes the symptoms can be experienced in one breast only by some women. However, there are also women who will experience the symptoms in both breasts. The most common symptoms of mammalgia/mastalgia/mastodynia include increased sensitivity to touch or pressure, breast soreness or swelling, pain while sleeping, heavy, dull or aching feelings and some aches.

The major cause of tenderness in the breast during menopause is hormonal change. During the menopausal stage, women may experience irregularities in progesterone and estrogen. Changes in the hormonal levels can lead to tenderness in their breast. Some women experience tenderness in the breast due to too much or too little estrogen. Other women may have too little progesterone. However, no sole hormone is the sole contributor of tenderness in the breast. Additionally some women who are having hormone replacement therapy during menopause can also experience tenderness in the breast. This is why, these women who are on replacement therapy still continue to experience breast discomfort even after their menopause.

After understanding the causes and the symptoms of tenderness in your breast you can proceed in learning more about the treatment of breast tenderness during menopause. Tenderness in the breast is considered as a type of breast pain. Therefore, it is treated with the same approach during menopause. These treatments can range from natural therapies, lifestyle changes and invasive medical options.

Early Menopause Linked to Smoking


Women who smoke are likely to undergo menopause at a younger age than nonsmokers, according to the findings of two studies involving more than 3,500 middle-aged women in seven countries.

In fact, the studies showed, the more a woman smokes, the earlier her menopause is likely to occur. The average age for menopause in women who have quit smoking was found to fall between that of light smokers (half a pack a day) and that of women who never smoked.

Most women in developed countries stop menstruating between the ages of 44 and 54, with the average age around 50. In one of the studies, the researchers found that at ages 48 to 49, a woman who smokes a pack or more a day is nearly twice as likely to be past menopause as a woman who never smoked. At ages 50 to 51, 79 per cent of the women who smoked a pack or more a day were past menopause, as against 56 per cent of those who never smoked.

This "striking association" between smoking and the onset of menopause was accidentally discovered as part of a continuing international research project, the Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program. The researchers, Dr. Hershel Jick and Jane Porter of Boston University School of Medicine and Dr. Alan S. Morrison of the Harvard School of Public Health, said they noticed the relationship while exploring the link between smoking and heart disease.

A closer look at the data suggested to the researchers that smoking might actually precipitate earlier menopause. At each age, the women in the studies who were smokers were more likely to be past menopause than those who had never smoked and the heavy smokers were more likely to be past menopause than the light smokers. The association between smoking and earlier menopause was similar in all the countries involved. The researchers said they could discern no other factors to account for the finding.

Writing in the British medical journal The Lancet, the researchers suggested two possible mechanisms for the link between smoking and menopause. One is the effect of nicotine on the central nervous system, possibly resulting in changes in the secretion of hormones involved in the menopause. The second is the effect of cigarette smoke on certain enzymes that may in turn influence the way the body handles the sex hormones.

The researchers said the effect of smoking on the onset of menopause might account for the association previously found between menopause and heart disease. Women post menopause have been shown to have a higher rate of coronary heart disease than premenopausal women of the same age. But since smoking is known to increase a person's chance of developing heart disease and has now been shown to accelerate the onset of menopause, smoking rather than menopause itself may be the real explanation for the heart disease statistics, the Boston researchers suggested.

Each of the 3,534 women who participated in the two studies was interviewed by a specially trained nurse, as to her personal habits, menopausal status and past medical and medication history, as well as such demographic characteristics as age, marital status and number of children.

The women were part of two much larger studies involving a total of 57,000 patients treated at 24 hospitals in Boston and at hospitals elsewhere in the US and six other countries. The smoking-menopause analysis excluded all women who had had their ovaries removed surgically and whose menopausal status or smoking status was uncertain at the time of the interview.

What Causes Hair Thinning In Menopause Women and Tips to Prevent It Naturally!


Most women consider menopause as the most dreaded time of their life. At these times, it seems like their world has turned upside down. One of the symptoms of menopausal stage is hair loss. Vanity has nothing to do with this but losing hair is a very terrible experience for a woman.

This is also the reason, menopause and hair thinning is related to each other. During menopause hair loss is common and it varies from a little loss up to a greater loss of hair strands. Some women may see that they have slight hair thinning, which may not bother them at all. Unfortunately, there are some women who experience severe hair loss that it can create balding patches which may require them to wear wigs. But you do not have to worry about these because hair loss in menopause is treatable. Whatever the reason for hair loss, a woman can experience severe lack of self-confidence, stress and trauma in such a condition.

Hair thinning and menopause can cause emotional distress most especially if there is too much loss. Just keep in mind that there are always several options for treating hair loss. During these times of menopause, women usually experience changes in their thyroid function which leads to loss of hair. At this stage, women become very stressful and their hormone levels are fluctuating rapidly.

The amount of hair you lose, varies for each and every woman. It could be a simple thinning or big patches of hair that comes out in clutches. If you are in your menopausal stage and you think that you are experiencing hair thinning, it is better that you seek your doctor's advise immediately.

You can still prevent this problem of hair thinning brought about by menopause with these helpful tips.

First of all make sure that you have high fiber and less fat in your diet. Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Second, do not forget to take vitamins and mineral supplements. Make sure that you include Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Zinc and Biotin in your supplements to improve hair growth. Third, massage your scalp regularly using essential oils to promote blood circulation and hair growth. Fourth, avoid using hair treatments which involve harsh chemicals such as, hair dyes, hair relaxing or bleaching. These treatments can only damage hair and scalp. Fifth, try to manage your stress since this can cause hair loss greatly. Learn how to relieve your stress by practicing meditation, exercise, yoga and listening to music.

Friday, July 26, 2013

What Are Male Menopause Symptoms?


It is not only women who experience menopause, but doctors nowadays are noticing that even men are facing menopause after passing ages of 50-60. The doctors say that the symptoms of menopause in men are quite similar to the one experienced by women. This problem can be defined as lowering of testosterone hormone in the body due to aging for a man who has it in their life. It may not be only due to age, but it maybe as a result of certain diseases like diabetes, heart disorders, cancer etc.

A person might feel weak and depressed while he undergoes this phase. Unlike women, there is no fixed age when a man will experience menopause, some might experience in the early ages of 50-60 while others who are healthy might even experience it in the late 70's. Moreover, the occurrence of this phenomenon in males is quite slow as compared to the one in females. This is because during menopause, the production of testosterone does not stop completely rather it decreases whereas in the case of females the production of hormones stops completely, like estrogen.

Some of the major changes during menopause that a man might witness are reduced body strength, night sweating, discomfort, decreased Libido, memory problems, anxiety, low sex drive and baldness. Along with all these problems, males also experience mental problems wherein they start forgetting things and their mind becomes weak. For diagnosing the male menopause, doctor usually asks the patient to undergo a few tests wherein he/she examines the levels of hormones. He might even ask the patient to undergo a blood test to see if there is any other problem. For men who experience this problem in the early 40's and 50's, they can undergo a hormonal replacement therapy wherein mild doses of testosterone can help them improve their sex desire. This therapy; however, may not be helpful for older men because they usually have high levels of androgen which is not recommended.

For older people testosterone replacement therapy which aims to reduce the symptoms of male menopause is quite successful. The mood of giving this therapy may vary from person to person. Some men prefer it in the form of oral prescription whereas others prefer it in the form of injections. However, this therapy has many potential side effects and may cause even big problems like cancer and hear disorders. The doctor must make sure that he gives the right amount of dosage of testosterone to save you from the side effects of this treatment. Besides these medicinal treatments, a doctor might even suggest the patient some changes in his diet, or regular exercising, or having a proper sleep, or wearing cool clothes which should certainly help men to get rid of this disease. Moreover, these changes will not cause any side effects because these are natural treatments. Anti depressants can help you get rid of the pain and anxiety during the male menopause also; however it should be taken in a limited quantity.

Menopause - Signs of Beginning Menopause


Menopause occurs for many women between the ages of about 40 to 55 years of age. There are signs of beginning menopause that can be mistaken for other things. If you suspect you are heading into medicine, talk to your doctor. S/he will likely do tests to rule out anything including pregnancy. If you are going through menopause there are things you can do and treatments available to help relieve some of the unpleasant symptoms that go along with it.

Menopause Signs of Beginning Menopause

You may notice some irregularity in your periods and you may also note some irregular patterns of bleeding as well. Your moods may vary with noted irritability. You may start to get lower back aches and feel bloated or more bloated than usual.

As menopause progresses you may get the notorious hot flashes and night sweats. Night sweats are simply hot flashes that occur at night resulting in sweating and possibly waking you up with the damp clothing and/or bedding. Weight gain may also occur because there may be water retention. Your sex drive may decrease and vaginal dryness could make intercourse really uncomfortable. Depression and anxiety are experienced by many women throughout menopause. If you suspect you are entering menopause, it is suggested that you have your doctor check you out. This is basically to rule out anything else that could cause similar symptoms such as PMS and pregnancy.

Menopause is a process that can last from 2 to 10 years. You are said to be in menopause if you have not had a period for one full year. Menopause is the end of menstruation and the end of fertility as the ovaries stop producing eggs and hormones that support pregnancy. Also, the symptoms will vary from woman to woman in both occurrence and intensity. They may also vary from month to month. Thankfully ladies, there are treatments available to help ease some of the most bothersome symptoms.

Lifestyle Changes

Changing just a few things in your lifestyle could help relieve some of you menopausal symptoms but may also help to improve your overall health. Reducing how much alcohol you drink and quitting smoking can improve your overall health. Eating healthy will benefit your health as well. Regular exercise can help improve your energy level, your stamina, and even your sex drive. This is true for those in male menopause.

Treatments include those pharmaceutical and natural treatments for both men and women. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is very effective in treating female hormones. It involves boosting estrogen and progesterone levels with either synthetic or natural hormones. There is evidence that says they may also increase the risks of heart disease, stroke, and cancer (ovarian, breast, and uterine).

Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories both over the counter (OTC) and prescribed may be used. Body aches and pains may be part of your menopausal experience. Headaches are also relieved with pain relievers.

Natural treatments can include natural hormones but may also include herbal supplements. Herbal supplements should be made to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. High quality supplements will only use standardized herbal extracts that ensures quality from capsule to capsule and bottle to bottle. The ingredients' interaction should have been examined and the metabolic path of the ingredients tested at the molecular level. This guarantees that the supplements are safe, pure, and effective.

It assures the consumer (you) that you are getting what the product label says you are getting. Be sure to talk to your doctor before adding anything to your health regimen including herbal supplements because the performance of any prescriptions you may be taking for other health conditions could be affected by some herbs.

Conclusion

Menopause - signs of beginning menopause are also similar to other conditions including PMS and pregnancy. Irregular periods and bleeding, mood changes and the hot flashes are among them. If you suspect you are entering menopause, it will be to your benefit if you have your doctor examine you to rule out any other reason these symptoms might be happening. There is a variety of treatments from pharmaceuticals to natural supplements and over the counter, and even prescribed medications as well. Your doctor can help you to find the treatment that best suits your needs.

Weight Gain And Perimenopause


Weight gain and perimenopause are closely related because many women experience unexplained weight gain especially around the midsection as they enter perimenopause, or while they are approaching menopause. Weight gain in the abdominal region is the most common complaint of women entering perimenopause. Most members of the medical fraternity describe this weight gain as an unavoidable "middle age spread."

Women do not have to accept this as the doctors describe it. Weight gain may be brought about by the onset of menopause or during perimenopause, the many years of your exposure to toxins, and hormonal imbalance. The body's natural ability to retain the estrogen-producing fat cells during perimenopause result in the extra weight gained during this time of life. However, it does not mean that this weight gain cannot be reversed.

Weight Gain: A Natural Phenomenon

Weight gain is only natural for women going through menopause or during perimenopause. The weight gain may be different in different individuals. However, there are some common factors responsible for the weight gain. The biofeedback of your body regulates your appetite, heat regulation, metabolism, detoxification, and digestion.

Any long or chronic disturbance to this system will cause a great increase in weight. Probably the most outstanding symptom of perimenopause is the craving for food apart from the usual hot flashes. The craving for food and the consumption thereof is the main cause for the increase in weight of perimenopause women.

Hormones and Body Chemistry Influence Weight Gain

There is a vital link between weight gained and insulin, metabolism, and body fat in women during perimenopause. Women should follow a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet to control the weight gain. This diet creates a resistance to insulin in the body over an extended period of time. This resistance to insulin causes the body to convert every calorie into fat; this happens while you are dieting. As the conversion happens, the body becomes very effective in processing calories which in turn avoid excessive fat.

Control Stress

Stress hormones add to the misery of women during perimenopause. Cortisol is a stress hormone that blocks weight loss very effectively. So, a woman going through a lot of stress during perimenopause will gain weight considerably. Diet, exercise, nutritional supplements, and relaxation should be the main course of life during perimenopause.

This should start typically at the age of 35 and is known as self-help or perimenopause management. If you feel that you are gaining weight after 30, eat a little less and exercise a bit more and do some yoga or meditation to maintain or manage the stress levels of the mind at lower levels than they are at the time and you will maintain your health and weight in better proportions than you can perceive.

Perimenopause Night Sweats


Do you tend to perspire in the middle of the night when everything seems to be cooler then? Well, chances are, you are having perimenopause night sweats which - if not treated - may lead to ultimate perimenopause insomnia ... something you wouldn't want for the rest of your day as it may also bring about other psychological symptoms as well (such as anxiety and panic attacks, depression or plain irritability with matching mood swings.

Night sweating would usually be caused by hot flashes or flushes. Once the body experiences a hot flash (hotness from the chest up to the face), the body quickly tries to regulate it by lowering the body's temperature - sort of like a cooling process for the body. This is where sweating comes in.

Sweating isn't just a sticky, icky feeling that you get during or after exercise. It does just that - it cools down your body just when the body decides to do so before you "overheat".

Unfortunately, night sweats are often a prelude to sleepless nights, as this perimenopause symptom disrupts sleep. And as mentioned earlier, may lead to other perimenopause symptoms as well.

Hormone replacement therapies (or HRTs) could possibly be recommended by a doctor to manage these nocturnal sweats, especially if it bothers you to no end. However, there are 2 alternative treatments that are readily available in herbal stores in your local area. (If you're too lazy to exercise your way there, you can opt to search and buy some online):

Licorice is not just a whitening or antiperspirant herb. It also has properties which are used to normalize hormone production and to treat infertility problems. Some women solely recommend licorice for these sweats, claiming that it has helped them regulate the excessive and sudden sweating.

Take note though, that candied licorice will not help you. The root extract should be used for treatments. Also, people with high blood pressure must not take this herb as it may lead to possible acute hypertension, diabetes or heart problems.

Take this as a tea not less than 2 hours before bedtime, so that the steam doesn't contribute to your sweating.

Dong quai is also said to be helpful in regulating night sweats. As in licorice, use the herb itself, not a processed version of it.

Night sweats can be manageable and treatable. It is best to consult your doctor before taking any treatments for night sweats.

Menopause - Hot Flashes Linked With High Blood Pressure?


What causes hot flashes is still a mystery. On April 24, 2006, Newsweek reported that researchers have studied the physiology of hot flashes for more than 30 years but still don't know exactly how or why they occur.

However, many scientists found that heart disease risks link with menopause symptoms.

If you suffer hot flashes every day, get your blood pressure checked. Women who have hot flashes are 50% more likely to have high blood pressure than those who don't; a study reported it based on 154 women.

Dutch scientists just found that women with the most severe menopause symptoms had more heart disease risks, such as higher cholesterol levels, and BMI-than women with milder complaints. Investigators suspect that declining estrogen may affect blood vessel walls, but research is still under way.

Chinese scientists found that reducing blood pressure can reduce menopause symptoms. They formed an herbal formula, which has two functions: to reduce blood pressure and increase body-made estrogens. The herbal formula has 80% effective rate to reduce blood pressure based on a clinical trial in 2000. Best of all, it has 90% effective rate to reduce hot flashes.

No one knows exactly what happens during menopause, but one thing is sure: menopause is not caused by one factor.

Since menopause is caused by aging of multiple systems, Western medicine has limitations that mask symptoms without addressing the underlying cause: the benefit disappears once you stop taking hormones. So, you need several years of hormone treatments for menopause symptom relief.

Fortunately, Chinese herbs address the root cause with the approach of multiple compounds directed to multiple targets: it awakens your idled built-in mechanism to produce body-made hormones. Therefore, you only need several months of herbal remedy to waken your built-in mechanism.

Menopausal Symptom Relief With Herbal Preparations


Menopause is accompanied by various climacteric symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, urogenital (vaginal lining) atrophy, irregular menstruation, insomnia, low level depression, palpitations, and headaches. Because of the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), women often turn to alternative therapies to relieve these symptoms. Among the alternative therapies are preparations that include sage, red clover and black cohosh and specifically preparations that do not contain soy, a known allergen and also the cause of gas, bloating and gastrointestinal upset for many women.

Several products are available as single herbs but symptom relief is enhanced when using products that contain multiple herbal ingredients.

Peer review of literature to assess the effectiveness of multi herb products for the treatment of vasomotor, cognitive, and genital climacteric complaints continues with good quality results. Market research revealed OBGYN's preferred their patients to start with a natural solution for perimenopause and menopause symptom relief and life styles changes before turning to potentially harmful treatments such as HRT and BHRT or using antidepressants in the hopes of quieting hot flashes or the need for estrogen.

Herbs are known as Phytoestrogens and means plant estrogen. But phytoestrogens are not estrogen per se. They do not behave the same way as a woman's own estrogen or like the estrogens in HRT or BHRT.

Phytoestrogens structurally resemble a woman's endogenous estrogen. Their chemical structure is such that it allows them to bind weakly to estrogen receptors in the body, potentially impairing excess of endogenous estrogen to the receptor thereby producing estrogen benefits with substantially fewer side effects. Also, when endogenous estrogen is low, phytoestrogens will quiet the body's need for estrogen.

We are all reminded of the dangers of HRT every time we hear of another life-changing moment - a health diagnosis of breast cancer that will change a woman's life forever. She could be your sister, friend, a casual acquaintance or co worker.

It makes me realized how vulnerable we are and that we shouldn't take our health for granted. It is too precious.

As a medical community, we have learned a great deal about the risks of using hormone replacement medications, short and long term. The risks are many and shouldn't be taken lightly by any women regardless of her age or family history.

My work includes defending every woman, at every age and at any stage, when it comes to her menopause transition, health and comfort. My great intention is that the products Solutions for Women offers creates the quality of life that will have a positive impact on you and those you love.

We may forget what we did but we never forget how we feel.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Perimenopause Symptoms


What is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause describes the time preceding full menopause during which you have not had a period or regular bleeding for twelve months. It is a time when your body begins to slow down the production of certain hormones, namely estrogen, and progesterone and it is also a time signaling the loss fertility. Some women have only minor symptoms and pass through this phase of little with little discomfort but other women have much more pronounced symptoms.

What are the signs of perimenopause?

Here are some signs indicating the onset of the perimenopausal period:

Changes to your normal menstrual cycle (longer/shorter durations, a change to the volume- heavier or lighter bleeding, or periods being skipped)

Hot flashes

Nighttime sweating (during sleep)

Vaginal dryness

Erratic sleep patterns

Moods swings (depression, irritability)

Painful intercourse

An increase if urinary infections

Urinary incontinence

Losing of sex drive

Accumulation of extra body fat at the waist

Problems with memory and concentration

How long will perimenopause last?

The duration of the perimenopausal period will vary from woman to woman. Actual menopause happens between the ages of 45 to 55 with the average age being 51. But perimenopause has been known to start as early as 35 and can go on for just a few months or sometimes even a few years. There is no advance warning of its onset and no known way of predicting how long it will go on for.

The prevention or relief of the perimenopause

Unfortunately, there is no known prevention for the onset of perimenopause, but certain things may help to delay the onset such as quitting smoking if you are a smoker, keeping physically fit, and keeping your weight aligned with your BMI. In terms of relieving some of the symptoms, you can:

Use a vaginal lubricant to counteract dryness and pain during intercourse.

Analyze and avoid anything you isolate as possible causes of hot flushes such as caffeine or alcohol.

Discuss depression, irritation, anxiety and mood swings with your doctor who may be able to prescribe medication to help.

Treatments for Perimenopause

A complete and full medical is recommended before embarking on any course of medication or therapy to help to deal with the symptoms of perimenopause. Your doctor will almost certainly insist in this anyway. Estrogen or estrogen-progestogen therapies have long been prescribed for perimenopausal symptoms; however, in light of more recent links to cancer causation, this has fallen out of favor. Instead, low dose oral contraceptive medication may be prescribed. This not only helps treat the hot flashes, but also helps to regulate any irregular menstrual flow. This treatment can delay the need for full blow HRT (hormone replacement therapy) until full menopause commences. EPT (Estrogen Progestogen Therapy) has been developed to lessen the cause of cancer if you are experiencing natural menopause rather than medical menopause brought on by surgery. For any therapy including estrogen, your doctor will probably prescribe a lose dose variant for only a short period of time.

Herbs to Control Male Menopause


Although it is not regularly discussed, male menopause is a real medical condition experienced by men from their 40s to 60s. Men, just like women, suffer the effects of lowering levels of hormone production in the human body. These symptoms include depression, thinning hair, diminishing sexual ability, irritability, and feelings of doubt. While these symptoms may seem overwhelming, there are several treatments that can help alleviate these symptoms.

Plunging levels of testosterone is the main cause of these symptoms. DHEA is a hormone that is naturally produced by the adrenal glands. It is converted into testosterone by the pituitary glands. DHEA supplements have been safely used by athletes for years to burn fat, and it is a safe way to boost sagging levels of testosterone for men suffering from male menopause. DHEA is widely available in most health food stores.

Amidren is a supplement designed specifically to treat the symptoms associated with male menopause. Amidren is a five stage male hormone modulation formula. The main purpose of Amidren is to raise hormone levels while still retaining hormonal balance. There are no side effects associated with Amidren, but it is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting Amidren. This product is not available in stores, but it can be purchased online from several outlets.

Black cohosh supplements can be used to treat depression, anxiety, and night sweats that are the result of male menopause. Black cohosh reduces the lutenizing hormones that result in night sweats. Some people who take black cohosh experience headaches and an upset stomach. It is not recommended to take black cohosh for longer than six months because black cohosh may alter liver enzymes and impact regular liver function.

Ginseng is one of the best herbal treatments for male health. It is often used to help people cope with stress. However, it has also been proven to help enhance male sexual performance. In fact, ginseng has long been used in Eastern medicine in order to treat diminishing sexual ability. Ginseng can be easily found in most grocery stores and health food stores. You can also purchase fresh ginseng root and ginseng root tea in many markets. Ginseng is safe for regular use and there are no side effects associated with ginseng usage.

If you are interested in an herbal treatment for male menopause, consider seeking the advice of your doctor or homeopath. They can best direct you in order to find the best treatment for you.

Joint Pain During Menopause Requires Your Attention


Many women experience menopausal joint pain symptoms. Medical experts have researched the connection between hormonal changes and this kind of pain.

Some women experience joint and muscle pain, mouth discomfort, headaches and some even report heart palpitations. Interestingly, women who suffer tension headaches, abdominal, or facial pain found their symptoms lessened after menopause. Scientists today feel there may indeed be a link between estrogen, hormone levels including their fluctuations and this phenomenon

Menopause and Joint Pain: Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause occurs when a women stops ovulating and her period ceases. Most women reach menopause between 45 and 55 years, with an average age of about 50. However, about 1% reaches it before the age of 40, known as premature menopause or premature ovarian failure.

The most apparent changes recorded are in connection with menstrual cycle changes, changes in the bleeding pattern, hot flashes, sweating and urinary problems, such as, incontinence or increased frequency of urination. Dry vagina, mood changes, muscular weakness, joint pains and weight changes are all symptoms of menopause and can cause a great deal of pain as well as general feelings of discomfort in different parts of the body.

Menopause and Irritability: The Risks

Menopause is a very important time in a woman's life and all women who live past 40 must withstand the worst of this condition. A woman's body goes through many changes that can affect her social life, her feelings about herself and her functioning at work. In the past, many misconceptions and myths surrounded menopause but this perception has changed. Now, menopause is accepted as a natural step in the process of aging.

Contrary to the old-fashioned view that life is all downhill after menopause, many women today realize that the years after menopause offer new discoveries and fresh challenges. Modern medical advances have resulted in a wide range of health care choices, especially for joint pain and bone deficiency problems.

These can enhance quality of life during menopause and the decades that follow. It is vital for women to know that menopause itself carries no serious health risks. However, the chance for heart disease and osteoporosis (thinning of the bone due to the inability of the body to produce bone tissue) rises after menopause. Understanding menopause and the range of treatment options can help women make better health decisions.

Menopause and Irritability: Causes and Symptoms

Research has shown that a quarter of women have no problems while going through menopause, while half of the number will have some problems and the remaining quarter of them will have considerable problems including joint pain.

These are usually associated with osteoporosis and arthritis, which results in weakening of the bones and the degeneration of the cartilage between the joints that can fracture easily following a fall.

Fluctuating estrogen levels and poor estrogen clearance, can affect how your joints feel. It stands to reason that some women would also have joint pains in response to the hormone fluctuations so common in perimenopause. It's important to have yourself checked by your primary care physician for either osteoporosis or arthritis.

Menopause and Irritability: Treatment

There are also medications and exercises you can get that will overcome the severest of joint pains related to menopause. Some of these treatments include the use of steroids so it is critical to make this kind of decision in conjunction with your own doctor.

It's also prudent to check for the possibility of side effects from using these drugs and get a second opinion before embarking on a long-term treatment.

Gynecological Disorders - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment


A woman's menstrual cycle comes monthly from puberty through menopause. Unfortunately a dangerous trend has begun to take place with the addition of so many synthetic hormones that have been added into the food source via chicken, eggs, meat and etc girls are getting their menstrual cycle earlier and earlier and at an alarming rate.

One of the side effects of these synthetic hormones on our young girls is that they are developing breasts at 9 and 10 years of age.

Another side affect of synthetic hormones is severe PMS in women which is caused by the elevated estrogen in the blood. In a recent article at http://www.godswaynutrition.com it states that the "synthetic hormones found in shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays, body lotions, deodorants, make up, finger nail polish, many kinds of papers and plastics and found that structurally these plastics are so close to estrogen that they have been found to fit in the same receptor sites which stops the hormones from being able to do their job. In addition, the average person carries any where from 400-600 chemicals in their body at any given time many of which can cause problems for a women and her menstrual cycle.

Common Gynecological Disorders:
There are many kinds of gynecological disorders that women are afflicted with; lack of menstrual bleeding, irregular bleeding, regular heavy bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge or pelvic pain.

Irregular bleeding can be caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, eating disorders, extreme exercise, medications or hormonal imbalances while regular heavy bleeding may be caused by fibroids, polyps, cervical lesions or endometrial hyperplasia (which is a thickening of the uterine lining).

Abnormal vaginal discharge may occur from candidiasis (yeast infection), bacterial vaginitis (thin milky discharge and fishy odor), Chlamydia or gonorrhea (bacterial disease spread through sexual contact) and trichomoniasis vaginitis (parasite spread through sexual contact).

How does one propagate healthy vaginal health? There are several key things that you should do. Candida Albicans are a fungus that in many, many people becomes overgrown in the intestines due to antibiotics which offset the delicate balance of the intestinal eco-system. When Candida Albicans become overgrown they lower a women's immune system and in many cases become systemic infections when they leave the intestines and travel through out the body. There are several things you can do to combat Candida including eat a lot of garlic as it very irritating to garlic, take probiotics to increase the good gut flora to try and bring about balance to your gut flora and drink lots of green drinks and eat green foods. Candida Albicans feed on sugar and literally can not survive in an alkaline environment - candida thrives in an acidic environment. A great green drink that I recommend is IsaGreens at http://www.livefood.isagenix.com

Early Onset Menopause and the Adrenal Glands


There are many factors which may cause early onset menopause in younger women. The most obvious reason is an imbalance in the hormones estrogen and progesterone, but there's usually more than just an imbalance at play. Various environmental factors can contribute to the onset of early menopause such as stress, exposure to chemicals, and adrenal fatigue. Often thought of as a symptom of menopause, adrenal fatigue can in fact be the key aggravator of many of the symptoms you experience. Getting away from stressors and healing your adrenal glands is often imperative to overcoming many symptoms of pre menopause such as hot flashes.

How the adrenal glands can trigger early menopause symptoms

To obtain a better understanding of how adrenal fatigue develops and aggravates menopausal discomfort, it is important to understand the function of your adrenal glands and how the functioning relates to stress. The adrenal glands are tiny triangular glands located above each kidney, where they function as the manufacturing center of several hormones including adrenaline, progesterone, estrogen, and cortisol. The main task of the adrenal glands is to place your body in "fight or flight" mode when you encounter stress or a threatening situation. This "fight or flight" mode kicks on when the adrenal glands increase the production of the stress hormone cortisol.

The human body isn't meant to sustain high levels of cortisol all the time. Today, chronic stress is a major part of our lives. Instead of the occasional stressful encounter followed by a long rest, we're always overworked, exhausted, under-nourished, and constantly worrying about ourselves and others. All the challenges we encounter can put stress on the adrenal glands, and this list is endless - unresolved emotional issues, deadlines, financial problems, relationship turmoil, etc. To keep ourselves going, we consume high amounts of caffeine so we can stay awake and alert. The end result is that our adrenal glands are constantly on alert, producing cortisol to help us cope.

The effect of high cortisol levels on pre menopausal women

In healthy amounts, cortisol can help us meet our daily challenges by neutralizing inflammation, releasing glycogen, and metabolizing protein into energy. However, high amounts of cortisol will cause wear and tear on the body - it slows down healing, destroys healthy bone and muscle, and weakens the immune system. The adrenal glands are affected by the body's need for more cortisol too. To keep producing cortisol, the adrenal glands work harder than usual, which means they lose the ability to produce the hormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). DHEA is the precursor to the sex hormones testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone; when DHEA is in short supply, estrogen and progesterone are in short supply too. This happens because our bodies will always favor survival (the main function of the adrenal glands) over reproduction. This is why menopausal symptoms may set in early as stressed-out women reach their late 30s and early 40s where the production of estrogen and progesterone begins to decline naturally.

Heal your adrenal glands to age gracefully

Overcoming adrenal fatigue begins with getting away from the sources of your stress and helping your body to cope with stressors. As a place to start, reduce your consumption of caffeine and other stimulants, and eat healthy, nutritious foods that support adrenal function. Take time off to relax - get a massage, enroll in a yoga class, or curl up with a good book at home. Try to take it easy and get at least eight hours of sleep each night to help your body recover from a long day's work.

Menopause Relief - How Long Will You Have Hot Flashes?


There is no clear, straightforward answer to the question of how long your hot flashes last, and how you can get some menopause relief. This is because every woman is different, and has different circumstances.

Hot flashes are directly related to physical and mental health. Stress is also a common trigger that sets of a hot flash.

Just as your body is completely unique, so are your menopause symptoms. A healthy lifestyle, together with overall physical fitness and a good mental attitude will surely help reduce the symptoms.

Very often hot flashes are more frequent during times of stress, and obviously everyone's level of stress can vary greatly. Many women notice that their hot flashes occur more often when they are stressed. This can become a big problem if your lifestyle is hectic and in overdrive nearly all the time.

So, how many months, or years will you have hot flashes?

It could be six months, it could be six years, or it could be sixteen years! Some women have them for just a short while, and others are still having them while in the nineties.

Since there is nothing you can do about any genetic predisposition that might give you a tendency toward hot flashes, the best thing you can do is learn about the underlying causes, and take definite steps to manage your own health. A healthy mind and body will help shorten the length of time you have hot flashes, as well as decrease the intensity of the ones you do have.

Hot flashes can occur before and after menopause

When your body is stressed to the point of creating a hormonal imbalance, the mind is tricked into thinking it needs to cool things down, so it orders the blood vessels to dilate, the sweat glands to produce, and the heart rate to increase; you have a hot flash. This is the body's attempt to regulate itself and is a signal that it needs attention.

Hot flashes can occur at any time in a woman's life. Because they are more typical during menopause they are commonly regarded as a symptom of menopause. However, many women experience them before and after their change in life.

Eating the right foods can shorten the duration of hot flashes

It is common for certain foods to trigger hot flashes, such as spicy foods, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine. This can be different for everyone, so it is important to listen to your body. When you find that certain foods trigger a hot flash, simply avoid it in the future, unless you like the hot flashes!

Eating an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables is a sure way to reduce the hot flashes. You body need the building blocks to create the hormones that regulate health and wellness, and fresh, whole foods will go a long way to help you.

Adding a high quality vitamin/mineral supplement can also make the hot flashes shorter in intensity and duration. Many excellent supplements are formulated with this very purpose in mind, and can be highly effective.

In conclusion, hot flashes are different for every woman, but taking positive steps to manage your own health will help with the frequency and duration of hot flashes. Take the time to study, listen to your own body, and take the necessary steps to keep your body in a state of balance and health and you will certainly find some real menopause relief.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Understanding Common Symptoms of Menopause Can Help


Menopause or the change of life, is a typical and inevitable time of a woman's life. This natural change generally will begin around the age of fifty to fifty-five. It's an issue that can't be held back, but minimizing or in some cases, getting rid of many of the symptoms can be feasible.

Many of the typical symptoms of menopause may at the outset lead to a little anxiety in the event you are not mindful of them ahead of time. It is usually necessary to become as well informed as you can to help minimize several issues. That is definitely the reason this change of life preparation is vital to forming a plan so that you will have a far better experience.

Some of the pre-menopausal signs or symptoms can be irregular menstrual cycles, unexpected moodiness in addition to certain sleeping disorders. A majority of these are generally clues you will be starting to have this change. When you are informed of these symptoms you will possess a far better attitude while transitioning. An individual's attitude provides a enormous impact on how you and your physique, may react to these changes.

Mental attitude is more important than your past experiences, your genetics, and your current situations. It's going to have an effect on your mood as well as the people you live and work with. Ten percent of life is what happens to you, and ninety percent can be how you react to it. We cannot modify the inevitable yet we can easily take charge of our attitude.

Menopause is brought on by naturally decreasing levels of estrogen and also other hormones within our bodies. The decrease in estrogen creates bone loss which often can ultimately result in osteoporosis in some women. These lower levels can also cause a change in cholesterol levels putting women at a greater threat of heart disease.

Women should always be making regular appointments with her doctor for complete physical check-ups. This can allow you to maintain a close eye on your blood pressure, cholesterol and other aspects of heart disease. Some heart disease prevention strategies are to stop smoking, eating a low fat diet, getting regular exercise, and taking calcium and vitamin D.

Menopause can be triggered to start earlier due to the following reasons:

Smoking can cause one to start menopause early.
Surgical treatments like the removal of the cervix or ovaries could also cause menopause to begin.
Medical treatments like radiation or chemotherapy are other triggers.

When visiting your doctor, keep him informed of the symptoms your are experiencing. He can offer you various types of solutions and treatments. Planning easy lifestyle changes and natural herbal remedies are the best when they are feasible.

Hot Flashes, Chills, and Night Sweats Reduction


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

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

Improved Concentration and Focus

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

Better Sleep

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

Lessened Stress and Tension

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

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

How to Minimize Hot Flashes


One of the most common symptoms in menopause is hot flashes. Hot flashes generally signal the start of menopause and usually remain for a few years. For most women hot flashes are not severe. Some unlucky women may develop severe hot flashes. Hot flashes also occur in the middle of the night - known as night sweats. One may suddenly feel a sensation of feeling warm and sweaty. They can be very unpleasant. Instantly one feels warm, the face and upper body becomes red and one may develop an itchy sensation. Another embarrassing symptom associated with this symptom of menopause is profuse sweating. This symptom may only last a few minutes but some can be prolonged.  When it is over, one develops a transient cooling feeling or shivering. The problem with hot flashes is that they are unpredictable and can occur at any time. They are often triggered by anxiety and stress.  The cause of hot flashes is related to declining levels of the female sex hormones - estrogen and progesterone.

Over the years, there have been many types of treatments advocated including herbs, oils, mineral and pharmaceutical medications. The majority of these treatments generally only work in a few women and the relief is only partial.

In some individuals, the hot flash episodes are rare and do not affect lifestyle. In these individuals, herbal supplements are adequate. However, in other individuals hot flashes can be severe enough to affect life style. For individuals whose sleep is affected or there is excessive sweating, there are treatments available. Besides herbs, one can take bioidentical hormones.

Bioidentical hormones are available with a prescription and come in various formulations. These hormones are naturally occurring and come as a cream, patch, gel, tablet or an injection. The levels of estrogen and progesterone can be individualized to get the maximum benefit to an individual.

To control or reduce sweat, one should be prepared and carry napkins or a dry cloth. Drink lots of water and avoid applying any creams or lotions. Many of the skincare products have synthetic chemicals and can aggravate the situation. There are many herbal and nutritional supplements available to help reduce hot flashes. Some women do respond to these supplements but most do not. The commonly used herbal supplements include Black cohosh, soy and red clover, isoflavones and Vitamin E.

Further, women who suffer from hot flashes should also undertake life styles changes to compliment the bioidentical hormones. One should eat a healthy diet, refrain from taking too much alcohol, avoid smoking, resume an exercise program, join some type of support network and maintain an optimistic outlook.  Menopause is a physiological process which affects all women but is not forever.

Menopause - What is It, Are You Going Through It, and What You Can Do to Alleviate Your Symptoms


Most women recognize that a hot flash is a sign of menopause, even if they aren't sure what one feels like. But what about all of those other uncomfortable symptoms such as unexpected migraines, or mood swings that cause you to weep uncontrollably at the site of a newborn baby? How can we be sure what we are experiencing is menopause, and what can we do to make ourselves more comfortable?

First of all, know that you are not alone.

Menopause currently affects more than 50 million women in the US. As a result, we are finding more and improved ways to cope with the numerous physical symptoms that can appear during the mid-life transition. This time can also come with a plethora of emotions we aren't necessarily accustomed to dealing with. The good news is that when a woman enters the second half of her life, the change can be beautiful if we become aware of what is happening to us on a physical, mental and emotional level.

In some ways, menopause feels like a rush to the finish line which can be fun for some and too much pressure for others. It often comes at the same time we are facing huge life challenges such as an empty nest, losing loved ones, shifting marital roles, and/or taking care of elderly parents. Is it any wonder many of us find it overwhelming?

One thing is for certain, if you have any unfinished business that you have been sweeping under the carpet, it's going to rear its head during menopause. As Dr. Christiane Northrup says in her book, The Wisdom of Menopause, menopause puts your life under a microscope. It's a time when we reflect on our life lived, and decide what we want to do with the rest of it. A time of getting to know you, all over again as well as of self care and healing.

Let's address some of the changes your body might be going through and what can be done about them. The debate remains between traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the new bio-identical and alternative therapies. The intent here is to just lay out options so you can make an intelligent decision for yourself as well as review ways to find some practical help.

Menopause is a natural process in every woman's life, but because of the way it is treated like an illness by some doctors, women often feel confused and devalued. On the other hand, many women find a renewed sense of vigor at menopause. This transition brings the chance to accomplish all of those things that we have put on the back burner. It can be a sweet time because women are much smarter at this stage of life and know how to relax and enjoy themselves better.

Being aware of the signs of menopause is crucial in being able to help yourself. Menopause is defined by our cycle's cessation for at least 12 consecutive months. As a result, in a lot of cases, what women refer to as menopause is really perimenopause.

Perimenopause occurs as our reproductive function begins to wind down. It generally hits in the late 40s or early 50s and lasts for 2 to 4 years. During this time, our body makes less and less estrogen as we lose the ability to become pregnant. You may experience skipped periods or they could even stop for a while and then restart. You may have hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, weight gain and mood swings. You might begin having trouble sleeping. Vaginal dryness can start to play havoc with your sex life.

Remember, menopause symptoms are caused by an imbalance of female hormones. Symptoms can last a few months, while others may persist for years. Some women are bothered greatly by the symptoms of menopause, while others have very few complaints.

It's important to note that natural menopause is different from what women who have surgery experience. Women who have had a hysterectomy can undergo what is labeled surgical menopause and the symptoms are experienced instantly post surgery. This type of induced menopause can also occur if the ovaries are damaged by chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Here are some general survival tips that you can do right away that will make a significant difference in dealing with your menopause symptoms:

繚 Make healthy food choices- eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Avoid fatty, fried voids and drink plenty of water.
繚 Get 30 minutes of exercise every day, it doesn't have to be strenuous! Walking is perfect as are dancing, swimming or cycling.
繚 Maintain a healthy weight range if you do these first two tips, you don't have to worry about this one.
繚 Keep magnesium handy some women find relief from headaches, palpitations and constipation by taking magnesium.
繚 If you smoke, STOP! It's never too late.
繚 Avoid caffeine, alcohol and excess salt and sugar.
繚 Find ways to reduce stress like getting plenty of sleep, keeping your sense of humor and learning how to pamper yourself (this can be the fun part of getting older).

Last but certainly not least, find a doctor that will work with you on whatever treatment you choose. Keep in mind that most western doctors, unless they specialize in endocrinology, did not spend a lot of time studying hormones. Nor can a man know what you are going through because he hasn't been there. But many doctors are now learning more about integrative medicine and there are lists available of these practitioners across the US.

Some women still believe in and continue to take HRT. With the advent of the recent Women's Health Initiative report that indicated women taking HRT suffered from more heart attacks, strokes and blood clots, you may want to seek out alternative treatments. Find a good news source to keep up to date on these research studies.

There are plenty of natural options that can soothe symptoms. Read up on bio-identical hormones. I have been able to balance out declining progesterone levels with an over-the-counter cream. Within days I was relieved of debilitating mood swings, irritability and the occasional hot flash. I also fight depression with 5HTP.

There are great forums on the internet where women talk about their issues and what they tried that did and didn't work. Join an online discussion group so you don't feel alone. With so many alternatives available to women today, there is no need for any of us to suffer through menopause.

Positive Aspects of Menopause?


Although vaginal dryness and other unpleasant symptoms are often part and parcel to menopause, and is not something a woman looks forward to, did you ever stop to think that maybe menopause isn't such a bad thing?

Menopause is part of every woman's natural aging process. It is the time when the ovaries produce lower levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. Menopause is the end of menstruation and the end of a woman's child bearing years. It is unavoidable and is something every woman will have to deal with. Thus, instead of dreading something you can't change; why not look at menopause in a positive way.

Here are some ways you can positively deal with menopause:

So long reproduction - Since menopause shuts down your reproductive cycle, this means you are now menses free. Rejoice! You no longer have to worry about being surprised by an irregular pesky period, or live by the rules of a 28 day calendar. You can travel and swim any time of the year without having to think twice about "that time of the month".

In addition, for many endometriosis sufferers, their symptoms tend to subside or disappear entirely. Although menopause does not cure the disease, it appears to be a fantastic form of treatment due to the fact that estrogen levels drop. Even though it is not known what causes endometriosis, it is evident that estrogen plays an important role in the manifestation of the disease.

Take control of your symptoms - Are you suffering from hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, anxiety, depression, fatigue, vaginal dryness, sore or stiff joints, weight gain, or any of the other symptoms caused by menopause? If you are, have you done anything about the way you feel? There are many treatments available to help you cope with the symptoms you are experiencing. Don't be afraid to research menopausal symptoms, talk to friends for coping advice- and above all - make sure you talk to your doctor before starting any treatment.

Take care of yourself - Did you know that a healthy diet, and engaging in regular exercise and relaxation techniques, can actually improve menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, pain, insomnia and PMS? In addition, a healthy lifestyle will make you feel better about yourself because it reduces stress, and encourages positive thinking and creativity. Therefore, you need to take time out of each day to focus on your own wellbeing. Treat yourself to a warm bath, a cup of green tea and a good book.

Find support - There are millions of women all over the world who are experiencing the same change of life as you. Why go it alone when you likely know someone who is perimenopausal, menopausal or postmenopausal. Your mother, aunt, sister(s), in-laws, friends, co-worker, or neighbor(s) are all women you should be turning to when menopause is getting you down.

Change your attitude - You need to get on with your life, and shouldn't use menopause as an excuse to slow you down. Your body is changing, why not change the way you think with it. You'll never be who you once were, and you can't predict the future. All you have left, and all that matters is your present. Transforming the way you perceive yourself and the world around you with a positive attitude, will positively impact the way your body deals with menopause.

Getting older isn't something you should dread. It's the time when you truly become wise, know what it means to be a woman, can be proud of your life and enjoy it to the fullest.

Endometriosis Symptoms and Treatments


Endometriosis is a dangerous disease experienced by many women. The symptoms vary from woman to woman, but some common ones are painful, heavy, or irregular periods, fatigue, vomiting, stomach problems, infertility, and pelvic pain.

The most common symptom is pelvic pain. Many women ignore this pain because they think it is simply period pain. This pain usually appears around the normal time of the period, which makes it more difficult to notice. Another problem is the fact that some women actually don't feel this pain at all. Only those that feel this pelvic pain at a time other than the normal period notice it and go to a doctor. The disease sometimes causes pain during sexual intercourse, most of the times before and after a period. Endometriosis can cause swelling of the lower abdomen and bloody stool during the period or when going to the toilet.

This disease can be treated in several different ways, depending on the level it reached. Pain management and surgery are two of the most common treatments. Pharmaceutical treatments include hormonal treatment using GnRH agonists and danazol (drugs that can cause chemical menopause) and birth control pills that shrink endometriosis lesions by stopping ovulation. Unfortunately, the disease can recur after patients stop using hormone therapy.

The most common method of treatment is laparoscopic surgery. The foreign tissue can be removed and organs that may be damaged can be reconstructed and this method can also solve the problem of infertility. In some more severe cases a laparotomy can be used and in even fewer, more serious cases, a hysterectomy may be required. This involves the removal of the uterus and ovaries and leads to surgical menopause. It is very important that women understand what surgery treatments involve before choosing what to do.

Other treatments that have worked include nerve blocks, acupuncture, herbal remedies, aromatherapy, dietary modifications, vitamins, immunotherapy, and others. It is vital to be cautious and informed before deciding what to do.ems, infertility, and pelvic pain.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

The Mysterious Hives of Menopause


By the time most women have reached their forties and fifties, they are exhibiting the physical changes which accompany menopause. Menopause can bring emotional turmoil as well, but it is the physical symptoms which can make the menopausal years so traumatic for millions of otherwise well-balanced and happy women. And among the most distressing symptoms are the hives of menopause.

Increasing Occurences

The hives of menopause are a mystery to medical science, which has yet to provide an explanation for their appearance. Yet the hives of menopause seem to be affecting more and more women, and they can erupt in only small areas, or they can cover the entire body. The hormonal changes which occur during menopause could be at least one factor in the appearance of the hives.

The Stress Factor

Pharmaceutical companies have developed skin creams specifically to relieve the itching and inflammation of the hives of menopause, but there is a school of thought that the hives may be aggravated by stress. Those women plagued by the hives of menopause have nothing to lose by reducing their stress levels as much as possible, but even that does not promise an immediate end to the condition. It can take months to eliminate the hives of menopause and the other menopausal symptoms.

There are some women, however, who experience the hive of menopause only once, while others have a chronic case of hives known as Urticaria. If the hives are a single occurrence, they will shortly clear up without intervention. Urticaria, on the other hand, can last up to six months.

The hive of menopause can range in size from tiny red patches to those with the diameter of a half-dollar. Severe cases of the hives of menopause can lead to a condition known as Angiodema, which causes edema of the hands, eyes, and lips.

Other suspected contributors to the hives of menopause are food allergies; many women change their diets suddenly as they attempt to alleviate their symptoms. They may be eating some food for the first time, not realizing that they are allergic to them. A serious case of the hives of menopause really deserves the attention of your doctor so that you can try to determine and remove its cause. The best way to conquer the hives of menopause is to eliminate their causes, and that may be difficult.

Intimate Health: Important Discussions


Today, it is not uncommon for older women to have to deal with contraception issues, body image problems, menopause and sexual health difficulties. While young girls can go to mom to talk about changing bodies and the birds and the bees, older women should to be a little more proactive about getting the answers to questions about sensitive and intimate health issues.

Contraception

Most women spend about three decades preventing pregnancy. That means that for most females, they start birth control in their 20s to 30s and use it until their 50s or longer. For women who know they won't be having any more children, permanent birth control is a very good option.

In past decades, those who wanted to prevent pregnancy this way were forced to have an extraordinarily invasive surgical procedure. A hysterectomy is a surgery in which your sex organs are removed. Today, women have two much better choices. Non-surgical sterilization is a process in which your doctor will place a micro-insert into your fallopian tube, causing tissues to block the artery leading to your egg. Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure in which your surgeon will tie or block your fallopian tube with a clamp, preventing sperm access to the egg.

Menopause

Sure your mother went through menopause, but even that right of passage is different today than it was just 50 years ago. Not only do doctors understand the process better, but improved hormone treatments have also made menopause much less traumatic and disruptive. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the most effective treatment for night sweats and hot flashes, according to WomensHealth.gov. MHT also reduces vaginal discomfort, such as dryness and pain during sex. It slows bone loss and can also ease mood swings and depression. Low-dose oral contraceptives are also known to ease hot flashes, mood swings and vaginal dryness. For women who prefer going with all natural remedies, an over-the-counter, water-based lubricant or vaginal moisturizer helps ease symptoms of vaginal dryness. By upping physical activity during the day, menopausal women can also reduce sleeplessness.

Body Image

One thing that young women and older women have in common more than anything else is poor body image. According to research by the University of Florida IFAS Extension, older women, while less exposed to media images that could trigger feelings of image inadequacy, still feel concerns about conforming to society's standards of beauty. Older women are still prone to dieting, exercising and use of supplements for the purposes of weight control. In fact, women over the age of 65 still report dissatisfaction with body image at levels similar to women in their 20s.

When it comes to living happy and healthy at any age, it's important to surround yourself with people who provide emotional support, whether with kind words or gestures of affection. And because so many women are living late into their golden years, it's less of a stigma to talk about normal characteristics of aging, whether it's caring for sagging skin, incontinence or problems with intimate health.

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


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

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

Sleep and Peri Menopause

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

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

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

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

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

Sleep and Progesterone, a natural choice

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

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

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

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

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

Menopause Supplements - Liquid Is Better Absorbed Than A Capsule? You Will Be Surprised by the Truth


Choosing a Menopause Supplement, liquid form is the best! But are we being told the truth?

I don't need to remind you why women seek help in menopause supplements.

Menopause is a natural stage in a women's life, yet a difficult one. There are annoying symptoms women complain of. You don't feel like the same person anymore, so irritable, all the sleepless nights, hot flashes, night sweats, cramps...the list is a long one, unfortunately.

If you are suffering from menopausal problems, I know that, each and every day, you imagine the possibility of keeping the symptoms under control. This is possible with medical advances. Doctors can prescribe medications that are known as the HRT, hormone replacement therapy. But some women do not like them because they don't feel their menopause is that serious, or that they loathe the horrible side effects with conventional treatments.

Menopause supplements are a natural and safer alternative. The problem is that there are so many brands, and products come in different forms. Which one can help with your condition?

I understand your worries. By the end of this article, you will find it easier to make a decision.


  • Firstly, some companies claim that their supplements in liquid form have a higher and faster absorption rate than capsules. Well, the truth is that there are many factors contributing to how fast or well human body absorbs nutrients. No matter which form the supplement comes in, human body is absorbing it the same either way. Other factors include age, gender, digestive systems and the time you take the supplements - before or after meals.

  • Secondly, you may have realized that drinks are much heavier than capsules, and are less convenient if you have to travel around. You may also have to store some supplement drinks in fridge, so that is a thumb down for liquid supplements.

  • At last, liquid supplements may have one problem in dispersion inconsistency. Ingredients settle to the bottom of bottles and you would have to shake well before consuming. But there are still risks of inconsistent dispersion, which can be a problem in terms of supplement effectiveness.

Leaving aside the debate on supplements in liquid or capsules, there are some more important issues that need to be considered when choosing a menopause supplement.

You should choose one with pure and premium-quality raw ingredients that are clinically proven. Also, go for supplements by companies using standardized extracts that ensures each capsule contains the exact same amount of ingredients.

If you choose quality menopause supplements, liquid or capsule form, you are already one step close to keep your menopause symptoms under control.

Good News for Hormone Replacement Therapy


News flash! You can safely get rid of your hot flashes! Estrogen is not so bad after all. A study in JAMA Journal of the American Medical Association April 2011 found that estrogen alone had a reduced risk of breast cancer and their risk of stroke declined after stopping the medication.

There is so much confusion regarding hormone replacement therapy. When evaluating the studies, you should consider a few things. The type of hormone (synthetic versus bioidentical), the route of administration (oral, transdermal or through the skin or other), the age when started and other therapies. These are just a few considerations.

This study cited in the media was done on women with hysterectomies using oral synthetic estrogen alone without any synthetic progestin. They began using the hormone in there 50's. There were 3 important findings:

• The first one is when you stop taking oral synthetic hormone therapy the increased risk of stroke and blood clots in the legs and lungs go down and so does the benefits on decreased hip fracture. Note: only oral estrogen produces blood clots and increases risk of stroke. Bioidentical estrogen given through the skin does not increase stroke or cardiovascular disease risk.

• The second major finding was a decreased risk of breast cancer. When we followed for another four years, that decreased risk of breast cancer persisted, so that, over the entire follow-up period, we saw a 23 percent decreased risk of breast cancer. Note: it was the oral, synthetic progestin that was implicated in increasing the risk of breast cancer.

• The third finding is that the risks and benefits of hormone therapy differ importantly by age for several types of chronic disease, heart attacks, colorectal cancer, death and then overall chronic diseases are lower among women taking hormone therapy in their 50s compared to placebo, but among women in their 70s, they actually had higher rates of all these conditions if they were taking estrogen alone vs. placebo. Note: In the Women's Health Initiative study the average age of women studied was 63 and most were 10 years post menopause.

So if you are considering hormone replacement therapy, be sure to keep in mind the differences in type, route of administration and age when you begin taking them. Discuss all of your options with a physician knowledgeable in bioidentical hormones to determine the most appropriate treatment given your age, risk factors and state of health.

Causes and Treatments of Prolapsed Bladder Or Cystocele


A prolapsed bladder is a disconcerting bladder problem that occurs in women. In order to understand what a prolapsed bladder is and how it occurs, you need to understand how the female body is designed.

The walls of the vagina are designed in a way to help support the bladder and keep it in the correct anatomical position. Sometimes the wall of the vagina stretches and become weak and it can even tear. When this happens, the bladder can drop and this is called a prolapsed bladder or a cystocele.

If a person has a mild case of prolapsed bladder they may not notice any symptoms at all. However, if the conditions worsen they may begin to feel fullness or a lot of pressure in the pelvis and vagina area. This will get worse when the person stands for long periods of time.

You may feel pain when you lift, bear down, strain or cough and often you may feel like you still need to use the bathroom even after just emptying your bladder. In severe cases, a soft bulge of tissue can protrude through the vaginal opening and you can feel it when sitting down. Many women have frequent bladder infections, pain or leakage during sex and loss of urinary control when laughing, sneezing or coughing. If the condition is serious, you may not be able to control urination at all.

Causes

The bladder, uterus and rectum are the organs that fill the pelvic cavity. They're supported by muscles, ligaments and connective tissue found on the pelvic floor.

This condition occurs when the muscles that support the pelvic are strained and become weak. This can happen during childbirth because the muscles of the vagina go through tremendous strain during this time in a woman's life. Even though the walls of the vagina will heal, it doesn't always regain the strength it once had. This is the most common cause for prolapsed bladder.

Other causes can include chronic constipation and straining by doing heavy lifting repeatedly. Violent coughing or bronchitis can also cause this condition along with being obese. After a woman goes through menopause their estrogen levels will decrease and this will also create problems and it can cause this condition.

Treatment

Treatments will depend on how serious the condition is. In mild cases where there are no obvious symptoms present, you may not need any treatment. However, doing exercise to strengthen the pelvic muscles is recommended to prevent the condition from getting worse. If the problem is bad enough that symptoms are present but not too serious, then you may be able to correct the problem with nonsurgical treatment.

Instead of surgery some women use a vaginal pessary, which is a rubber or plastic ring inserted into the vagina to support the bladder. This is a temporary alternative but it can often be used for years. Estrogen therapy is another option that can be used for women who have gone through menopause.

If the condition is severe then surgery may be necessary. This may be the only way to keep the bladder and other organs in place. If you elect to have surgery to repair the damage the surgeon will put the prolapsed back into place, remove the stretched tissue and tighten the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor so it will hold the bladder in place.

There is a chance that prolapsed bladder can re-occur after a few years even if you do choose to have surgery. For this reason, the surgeon may recommend a hysterectomy if the tissues that supports the vagina are very thin and weak.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Menopause Migraines - Treatment Methods


Menopause Migraines - Treatments for the Afflicted
Women who are going through menopause experience many different changes within the body and sometimes emotional stability can become disrupted as well. Along with the usual symptoms of menopause including hot flashes, night sweats, heighten anxiety and irritability many women experience menopause migraines. With the changing of hormone levels at this time in a woman's life, these symptoms of menopause can often be serious and even debilitating. Many women experience migraines in early years that are often noticed to be associated with menstruation and some women's migraines actually decrease with menopause while others experience more severe migraines during this change in life.

Migraines are very distinct from regular headaches. The pain of a migraine is usually isolated to one side of the head and most experience a throbbing type pain. These types of headaches can last for hours and sometimes even days. Symptoms associated with menopause migraines can include nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity and noise sensitivity. The pain may be more severe while bending or doing any kind of physical movement. They also can make a woman feel very tired and weak. Some women experience auras before the onset of a migraine. This neurological phenomenon is usually experienced as a visual disturbance, which is characterized as lights, perhaps shimmering around objects or zigzag lines that disrupt the field of vision. Some women experience hallucinations or wavy images while others may have total vision loss for a short amount of time.

Finding an effective treatment for these types of migraines can be challenging as most common headache pain relievers often have no effect on this type of severe headache. Doctor prescribed medications such as Imitrex, Zomig, Frova and Maxalt have been reported to be very effective in some women. The most effective treatment for menopause migraines is hormone replacement therapy. Choosing this form of treatment balances the hormones thus relieving the symptoms. Women who experience menopause migraines should speak with their physicians about the best possible treatment choices for them.

Menopause: Cessation of Menstrual Cycle


The anatomy as well as physiology of the female reproductive system is quite complex when compared with the male reproductive system. Menopause is a very prominent stage in the life cycle of all females. It can be simply defined as the absence of the menstrual cycle for at least 12 months. The transition of the menopause starts with varying menstrual cycle length and finally terminates into menstrual period. The menopausal transitional period is often referred to as perimenopause phase although it is not a medical term but is often used while dealing a layman. Postmenopuase period is known to commence after the last menstrual period. Menopause can also be described as a phase of the female's life when the function of ovaries terminates. Ovaries are the female reproductive organs, located in the pelvis, one of each side of the uterus. Each ovary resembles an almond in its shape and size. They are known to produce ova as well as the female hormone estrogen.

A single egg or ovum is produced from either the right or the left ovary during each menstrual cycle. The egg then enters the Fallopian tube and finally reaches the uterus. The female hormones secreted by the ovaries participate in the development of secondary sexual characters in the female like development of breasts, body shape and body hair. These hormones also participate in the regulation of menstruation and pregnancy. Estrogens are also known to provide protection to the bones and osteoporosis develops in a female if ovaries fail to produce adequate amount of estrogen. Perimenopause is different for each woman and researchers are still under dilemma about the factors governing this phase, so study is under execution.

Commencement of menopause

In general menopause is known to enter a female's life at the age of 51 but no one can predict that when a female is going to enter menopause. The age at which menstrual cycle starts in the life of a female is also not correlated with the onset of menopause. Majority of the females are known to enter menopause between the ages of 45-55 but menopause can also occur at the age of 30, 40 or 60 years. Perimenopause is characterized by irregularities in the menstrual cycle followed by typical symptoms of early menopause and can commence 10 years prior to last menstrual period.

Conditions affecting menopause

Certain surgical as well as medical conditions are known to cast their spell on the timing of menopause. These conditions will be dealt one by one.

1. Surgical removal of ovaries

Surgical removal of ovaries from an ovulating female is known as oophorectomy and it results in immediate menopause and the condition is sometimes also designated as surgical or induced menopause. In this condition there is no perimenopause and the female automatically experiences the signs and symptoms of menopause. The ovaries can often be removed along with the uterus and this procedure is known as hysterectomy. If uterus is removed without removal of ovaries then they function normally and produce female hormones but such a female is not able to menstruate. In this situation symptoms of menopause occur naturally. The woman can experience other symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and mood swings. These symptoms cannot be correlated with the cessation of menstruation. Such a female is liable to get affected with premature ovarian failure before commencement of menopause within 1-2 years after hysterectomy. If this condition arises then the female will not experience the symptoms of menopause.

2. Cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Cancer is also known to affect ovarian function. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are given to a female depending upon the type and location of cancer. If these treatments are given to an ovulating woman then they result in cessation of menstruation and symptoms of menopause come into play. The symptoms may arise during or after treatment.

3. Premature ovarian failure

This condition can be defined by the appearance of menopause before the age of 40. This condition is common among 1% woman population. The exact reason behind premature ovarian failure is although unknown but it is believed that autoimmune diseases and genetic factors are associated with it.

Symptoms associated with menopause

Each woman experiences a different set of symptoms. Some women experience few or no symptoms of menopause while some experience a wide variety of physical as well as physiological symptoms. The major symptoms are:

1. Irregular vaginal bleeding

Vaginal bleeding may become irregular at the onset of menopause. Some females have little problems with abnormal bleeding during perimenopause while others have excessive bleeding. Menstrual periods may occur very frequently within short intervals or may get farther and farther apart before terminating completely. There is no usual pattern of bleeding during perimenopause but it may vary from individual to individual. If a female is experiencing irregular menses then she must consult the doctor as whether the problem is due to perimenopause or some other clinical condition is associated. The abnormalities associated with the menstrual cycle during the perimenopause are also responsible for the declination of the female fertility as egg production in the ovaries also becomes irregular. However, a female under the perimenopausal state can become pregnant and should take contraceptives if she is not interested to become pregnant.

2. Hot flashes and night sweats

Hot flashes are very frequent in the females undergoing menopause. A hot flash may be defined as a feeling of warmth spreading throughout the body but is more intense on the head and chest region of the body. It is sometimes associated with flushing as well as perspiration. They may last from 30 seconds to few minutes. The exact cause of hot flash is although not known but it is believed that is the result of a combined action of hormonal and biochemical fluctuations brought about by the declining estrogen levels. One cannot predict when hot flashes will arise and for how long they will appear. Hot flashes are known to occur in 40% of females under the age group of 40 having normal menstrual cycles. So hot flashes can appear even before menopause. Hot flashes end up within 5 years in 80% of the females entering menopause and sometimes they can run for about 10 years. Sometimes hot flashes are coupled with night sweats resulting in awakening, difficulty in falling asleep again resulting in daytime tiredness.

3. Urinary symptoms

Urethral lining also undergoes changes just like the tissues of the vagina and becomes drier, thinner, loses elasticity due to declination of the estrogen levels. These changes increase the risk of urinary tract infections as well as urinary leakage. Urination may also occur suddenly with coughing, laughing and lifting of heavy objects.

4. Vaginal symptoms

The vaginal tissues also become thinner, drier and lose elasticity as the estrogen levels fall. The symptoms include vaginal dryness, itching or pain during intercourse. The vaginal changes also increase the risk of vaginal infections.

5. Emotional and cognitive symptoms

Women entering perimenopause experience a variety of emotional symptoms like fatigue, irritability, memory problems and rapid mood changes. It is difficult to explain which behavioral symptom is directly associated with the hormonal changes. Emotional and cognitive symptoms are very common among women so sometimes it becomes difficult to determine whether these changes are due to menopause or not. Night sweats during menopause can also result in fatigue and irritation.

6. Other physical changes

Weight gain is very common among women during menopause. The distribution of fat may also undergo change and may get deposited more in the waist and abdominal areas rather than the hips and thighs. Wrinkles may also appear on the skin. As the body continues to produce small levels of male hormone, testosterone, some females may develop some hairs on the chin, upper lip, chest or abdomen.

Complications associated with menopause

1. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is very common among the females undergoing menopause. Osteoporosis is the deterioration of quality and quantity of bone resulting in increased risk of fracture. However, the density of bone tends to decline normally in the females during the fourth decade of life but it declines rapidly during the menopause. Age and hormonal changes during menopause act together resulting in osteoporosis. The process can occur slowly for many years. Women may remain unaware of these changes unless and until she encounters a painful fracture. The treatment of osteoporosis includes slowing down the rate of bone loss as well increasing bone density and strength. The treatment includes lifestyle changes like cessation of smoking and drinking alcohol, regular exercise with adequate intake of balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. calcium and vitamin D supplements are prescribed for those females who do not take a diet rich in these nutrients. Medications responsible for preventing bone loss include alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate and teriparatide.

2. Cardiovascular disease

Females before menopause are at decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases when compared with men but the frequency generally increases as they approach menopause. The incidence of heart diseases is very high both among men and women in the United States. Coronary heart diseases are two-three times higher in the women reaching menopause. This may be due to the declining levels of estrogen and the women in post menopausal stage are advised not to undergo hormone therapy in order to avoid the risk of heart attacks.

Treatments available for menopause

Menopause is a normal part of life that cannot be combined with a disease. However, the treatment of related symptoms is possible so can be taken into consideration.

1. Hormone therapy (Estrogen and progesterone therapy)

Hormone Therapy (HT) or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HPT) or Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy (PHT) is a treatment that administers doses of both estrogens and progesterone. It is administered in order to prevent the symptoms associated with declination of estrogen levels like hot flashes and vaginal dryness and is still the most effective treatment available but studies have indicated that the women receiving HT have increased risk of breast cancer, heart attacks. Women receiving only estrogen therapy also have higher risk of endometrial cancer. Hormone therapy is available in the form of oral pills and transdermal forms. Transdermal hormone products are already in the active form so they don't have to get converted into activated form in the liver. As these products have no effect on the liver they are prescribed for majority of the females. There has been an emerging interest among the researchers for the use of a bio-identical hormone for the perimenopausal women. These hormones have same chemical compositions like those produced naturally inside the body. These products are prepared in the laboratory from the naturally derived plant products and are approved by the U.S.FDA so are in market. They are also used transdermal in the form of creams or gels. The use of hormone therapy is based on the decision of both the patient and the doctor.

2. Oral contraceptive pills

Oral contraceptive pills are other form of hormone therapy that is prescribed to the females undergoing perimenopause in order to treat irregular vaginal bleeding. Before prescribing these pills the doctor must check that whether the irregular vaginal bleeding is due to perimenopause or some other factors are associated with it. These do not provide relief from hot flashes but prevent a female from becoming pregnant.

3. Local hormone and non-hormone treatments

Vaginal estrogen deficiency is also treated with the local hormonal treatments. These include vaginal estrogen ring, vaginal estrogen cream or vaginal estrogen tablets. Local and oral estrogen treatments are sometimes combined. Vaginal moisturizing creams or gels or use of lubricating agents during intercourse are non-hormonal agents used to prevent vaginal dryness. Application of Betadine topically on the outer vaginal area or soaking in a bathtub or warm water may also relive the symptoms of vaginal pain or burning sensation after sexual intercourse.

4. Antidepressant medications

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of drugs most frequently used to control the symptoms of hot flashes and have given positive results in 60% of the women. The common examples of these drugs include venlafaxine, citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline. However, antidepressants are associated with some side effects like sexual dysfunction.

5. Plant estrogens or phytoestrogens or isoflavones

Isoflavones are chemical compounds present in soy and are plant derived estrogens. The structure of these plant estrogens is exactly similar to those produced in the body but their effectiveness is somewhat lower in comparison to the body estrogens. Their estrogen potency is estimated to be about 1/1,000 to 1/100,000 of that of natural estrogen. Two types of isoflavones namely, genistein and daidzein have been derived from soybeans, chickpeas and lentils that are considered to be the most potent phytoestrogens. Some studies have shown that these compounds help in relieving hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. Women suffering from breast cancer are also prescribed these phytoestrogens if they do not want to undergo hormone therapy (HT) during menopause transition. Some researchers have however shown that excessive intake of these plant derived estrogens result in over-growth of the tissues lining the uterus which can result in the development of cancer.

6. Vitamin E

Some women have reported that intake of vitamin E supplements can also help in relieving hot flashes but this fact lacks scientific support. Taking a dosage of greater than 400 IU of vitamin E is not safe as it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

7. Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is an herbal preparation popular in Europe often prescribed against hot flashes. The North American Menopause Society does not support the short term usage of this herbal preparation

8. Non-pharmaceutical therapies

Survivors of breast cancer or females not interested to take oral or vaginal estrogens are prescribed vaginal lubricants however, they are not very effective.
So it can be concluded that menopause is a natural state of body and the symptoms can be controlled by the medications mentioned above.