Night Sweats During Perimenopause and Bio-Identical Progesterone A Natural Relief

Night sweats are the nocturnal cousins of a woman's hot flashes. Although they may be disruptive and uncomfortable, they do not normally signal underlying conditions. This article is for women who are going through perimenopause and experiencing nighttime sweats. A woman may have a few questions about menopause and symptoms.

During menopause a woman may go through a whole host of emotional and physical symptoms that might be very unsettling for her. Seventy-five percent of women at menopause may experience night sweats.

A night sweat is an episode of sweating. Night time sweating ranges from a mild sweat to a profuse sweat. A night sweat is similar to a woman's hot flashes that sometimes affect a perimenopausal woman during her waking hours. A woman may often experience such an intense sweat that it may interrupt her sleep. This may affect the woman's daily life. Usual symptoms of nighttime sweats may consist of sudden and extreme heat, nausea, irregular heartbeat, chills, flushing and headaches. Women with menopausal night sweats may have anywhere from a mild to a severe symptom of nighttime sweat during their normal sleeping hours.

Progesterone imbalances in a woman are created when the progesterone hormones are higher or lower than normal in a woman's body. Progesterone hormones and other hormones travel in a woman's body as communication messengers, telling each system what to do. An imbalance in these hormones may cause uncomfortable symptoms during menopause. Progesterone levels in a woman may change quite easily at different times during the night. Progesterone imbalance means that there are uneven amounts of estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body. Optimal health in women may depend on a balance of estrogen and progesterone levels. If there is a deficiency in progesterone, she may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as night sweats.

The most common cause of a night sweats is a progesterone imbalance due to the decline of hormones as women age. Progesterone imbalances may also be caused by unhealthy lifestyles. The first symptom of progesterone imbalance in the perimenopause stage is an irregular period or fatigue. Other symptoms may be either physiologically or psychologically manifested in a woman.

Psychological problems may include:

• Osteoporosis


• Hot flashes and nighttime sweats


• Lowered libido


• Low energy


• Weight gain or loss


• Incontinence


• Physiological symptoms may include:


• Memory loss


• Anxiety


• Depression


• Mood swings


• Difficulty concentrating

When levels of estrogen are high the levels of progesterone may drop. Studies show that diets, which contain foods that help stabilize estrogen levels, may help to regulate or prevent symptoms of hormone imbalances such as night sweats. These foods include yams, wheat, rice, potatoes, cherries, alfalfa, apples and soy. Foods that boost progesterone are oils, olives, seeds and nuts and avocados.

Using alternative medicine is a very good choice in treating a woman's hormonal imbalances in a natural and safe way. An alternative approach with natural progesterone cream is the only option that may treat a problem at its source. These approaches may use various therapies. Herbal remedies are a popular choice. Wild yams, licorice, unicorn root, fenugreek, and dong quai are all used by women to successfully balance progesterone and aid in controlling night sweats.

Benefits may be obtained from supplementing a diet with minerals, vitamins, herbs and other nutrients. Eating more fruits and vegetables as well as green leafy veggies is beneficial for a person's health, as they are full of antioxidants, fiber, minerals and vitamins. Seafood is important in a woman's diet as they provide protein and Omega 3 fatty acids. Exercising is a good way of maintaining weight and keeping healthy. Exercise and proper nutrition help to improve hormone imbalance. Triggers that may increase night swears are alcohol or caffeine. High quality vitamin supplements add beneficial nutrients for your overall health.

Experts may frequently recommend lifestyle changes and natural treatments for women who suffer from night sweats. This approach involve avoiding night sweat triggers, relieving stress, improving diet and increasing exercise. For example, dairy products, eggs and nuts may all help with a good night's sleep. By knowing about menopause and its symptoms a woman may take steps to start living a healthier life.

Night sweats and natural progesterone cream for relief

You may wonder why women choice Natural progesterone cream over drug HRT. Many women feel it is a safe and effective hormone replacement therapy. It may gently balance a woman's hormones at the root of the symptoms.

Natural progesterone cream contains bio-identical molecules that mimic a women's natural progesterone. It is effectively the same as the progesterone that your body produces. Many patients who use natural progesterone cream have seen immediate results. Dr. John Lee used natural progesterone cream treatment instead of HRT or ERT for hormone symptom relief for over 30 years.

Many Doctors use progesterone cream as a natural hormone replacement therapy. Women prefer like it mainly because it safely reduces nightsweats and they feel better.

What is progesterone?

Progesterone is usually a precursor to all other hormones inside the body including estrogen and testosterone. What does Progesterone do in your body Progesterone has many functions in the endocrine system. 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. It addresses the cause of hormone imbalance, therefore may help relieve your symptoms.

Natural Progesterone Cream with Wild Yam and Chaste Tree Berry is a recommended approach. 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. A lot of women may find that a natural progesterone cream is the easiest kind of alternative treatment for them to use. It has no side effects. It is economical and effective.

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.

It might be quite difficult for a woman to accept the transition into menopause. It is important her to understand that this is very normal. It is important for a woman to understand that nighttime sweats are harmless and may be eased with a natural treatment.

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

How to Use Natural Supplements for Menopause Symptoms in a Safer Way

For decades, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was known as a main treatment for menopausal symptoms. After the year of 2000, however, numerous empirical findings in women's health issues raised serious questions about long-term safety of HRT. This is an important reason to push many women seek for 'safer' alternative therapies - botanical or natural supplement treatments are welcomed since then.

Although botanical supplements are focused as a safe method of remedy for menopausal symptoms supported by many evidences on market, there are some essential points to keep in mind before choosing these therapies:

1. Tell your doctor about any alternative practices. Your doctor should know the full picture of what you do to avoid any miss therapies or over doses with normal prescription drugs. Remember herbs can also give positive interactions with drugs or, thus, negative side effects.

2. Natural doesn't mean SAFE. Keep in mind that even though dietary supplements are from natural sources, "natural" doesn't mean completely safe. Like all medicines, botanical treatments can cause harmful side effects.

There are numerous supplement products for menopausal remedy available on drugstore's counter. Such products are often marketed as food supplements and 100% derived from natural sources that make you feel safe to try them.The list below shows negative side effects from 'popular' supplements on market:

• Black cohosh- This herb is a 'highlight' herb among botanical supplements for menopausal treatment. Many studies have claimed about its effectiveness to relieve hot flashes and night sweats, however, many reliable evidences reports to its major effect on the liver.These cases are very unusual; the use of this herb should be avoided if the patient has a liver disorder or in risk of liver trouble, such as dark urine or hepatitis.


• Dong quai - Dong quai can interact with the blood-thinning medicine, for example Warfarin (Coumadin). This can lead to bleeding complications later.


• Kava- The FDA has warning to the patient who has liver disease that the herbs can potentially cause serious harm to the liver. Also, that some manufacturer had claimed that they use in "verified" term or "certified" dosage do not guarantee product quality and safety.


• Ginkgo- Ginkgo has been known to help avid the onset of memory loss and cognitive function. Like Dong quai, Ginkgo can interfere with blood clotting, so it should not be taken with anti-coagulant drugs such as Warfarin and Aspirin.


• Sage- Known as a helpful herb in relieving hot flushes and night sweats, it must be aware of interaction with some drugs such as Tamoxifen.


• Red clover- clinical studies report little side effects with no related serious health problems itself; however, there are some notes of caution about phytoestrogens in the herb. From some findings, phytoestrogens may have unsafe effects on hormone-sensitive tissue such as in the breast and uterus tissues.

3. Choose reliable products.Many of herbal products often marketed as food supplements but usually not subject to any safety regulations on label as conventional drugs did. Choosing trust manufacturers may help reduce any chance of taking bad choices from under standard products.?

Moreover, be caution that an herbal supplement product may contain dozens of unknown ingredients mixtures. For example, a bottle of black cohosh supplement consists of 30% of the herb and other 70% of unknown compounds.

Also consider the possibility that what are on the label may not be your preferable ingredients you look for. Dietary supplements sometimes differ between label and actual ingredients.

This is just a small caution you should know before choosing any natural supplements. Alternative treatment is still interesting for menopausal symptoms. However, it should be aware that not only herbal supplement remedies but also total lifestyle changes. Your healthy behavior is the key answer. Quit smoking, healthy diet, regular exercising and stress managing have been proved to prevent for relief of menopause-related symptoms with totally no side effects.

How To Recognize Menopause Symptoms

Menopause symptoms need to be recognised as early as possible. Why? In many cases, the symptoms of menopause are often confused with with other unrelated problems. Ideally, if you suspect menopausal symptoms are at play, visit your doctor.

Being educated about menopause is important. Many women avoid the subject and when it arrives, are "non plussed" about what is going on. Bottomline... menopause is a natural progression in a woman's life and should not be feared and ignored. Being prepared mentally is an extremely vital part of the process of coping with menopause symptoms. Being prepared gives you the ability to adjust when required and a sense of being in control.

So how does a woman know she is in menopause? The short answer to this would be when she hasn't had a menstrual period for at least a year. Barring any other medical reason, it's highly likely that the hormonal shift has taken place and a visit to the doctor for further evaluation should be a must. But what about the symptoms? What are some of the symptoms you've heard about but haven't taken the time to explore further.

Early Symptoms

Irregular bleeding is one of the most common early symptoms of menopause. There is usually a stark contrast to the extent bleeding affects one woman from another: some will experience fewer problems than others. Irregular bleeding simply means a woman may experience a period months after going without one.

Mood Swings

This can sometimes be a touchy subject. Why? Mood swings are hard to assess when relating them to menopausal activity especially if a woman is already prone to the odd mood swing or two. However, if you don't normally suffer mood swings and suddenly find you are set off by the slightest incident then this could be another tell tale sign. Irregular sleep patterns could be related to the onset of mood swings caused by night sweats.

Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are a sure sign of menopausal activity. Although not yet completely understood, hot flashes or night sweats can last for up to 10 years or more in some women. Night sweats are associated with irregular sleep patterns and tie in somewhat with the issue of mood swings.

Coping With Menopause Symptoms

In many cases, coping with the physical discomfort is one thing but quite often the mental discomfort can be more of a problem with the above mentioned symptoms. There are other symptoms associated with menopause however, if you are reading this, then the three we've looked at will form the basis of your menopause symptom experience. Other symptoms may occur as a result of these. Visit your doctor to discuss the best course of treatment.

How to Get Rid of Menopause

What is Menopause?

Menopause is the name given to the process by which the female reproductive system shuts down as a person passes through middle age. The ovaries stop producing estrogen and menstruation ceases. Once this happens the body goes through a period of adjustment to the reduced hormone levels, which is why some women experience symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings. The onset of menopause usually occurs between the ages of 40 to 60 and lasts anywhere from six to thirteen years with diminishing symptoms as time passes.

Menopause is usually diagnosed by symptoms alone, but a blood test can also be preformed to confirm the diagnosis. If you suspect the onset of menopause you should see your doctor immediately.

Early Menopause Symptoms: Pre-Menopause

When menopause is about to begin, there is usually a span of time where periods become irregular; shorter or longer, heavier or lighter, or occur with uneven frequency. This is called perimenopause. It's a good idea to see your doctor about any dramatic changes to your menstral cycle even if you suspect perimenopause is the culprit. More information about perimenopause can be found here.

Menopause Symptoms: The Signs of Menopause

Don't let the size of this list scare you, not all women experience menopausal symptoms and not all women who experience symptoms experience all of these symptoms. Here are the most common:

* Hot flashes

* Night sweats

* Trouble sleeping

* Pain during intercourse

* Vaginal itchiness, dryness, or bleeding

* Increased urination frequency

* Increased urination urgency

* Incontinance

* Joint pain

* Muscle pain

* Back pain

* Thinning or sagging skin

* Mood swings

* Irritability

* Fatigue

* Impaired Memory

Menopause also increases the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, bone loss, and other diseases. You should see your doctor for a personalized risk assessment.
Premature Menopause

About one percent of women experience menopause before the age of 40. There are a number of reasons a women may hit menopause early, including thyroid disease, diabetes, and having undergone chemotherapy. Premature menopause is diagnosed by measuring the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the blood. When menopause occurs, blood FSH and LH levels spike.

Male Menopause

Before you start laughing you should know that just as women undergo a process where their reproductive system shuts down, so do men. In men the process is called andropause and involves the cessation of testosterone production. Men who experience andropause are usually between the ages of 40 and 60, and the process is usually much more gradual then that of menopause. More information about andropause

Treating Menopause Symptoms

Unfortunately, menopausal symptoms vary so widely from woman to woman that there isn't a single miracle cure to rid you of the suffering. If you're in the midst of menopause and looking for relief, the very first place to go is to your doctor to discuss your symptoms along with possible treatments for them.

The second place you should look for advice is from your mother. It is very likely that your experience of menopause will be very much like your mothers experience so she should have plenty of advice and experience to relate to you.

Aside from these two people, you should read and learn as much as possible. Menopause is a very complex process which cannot be covered adequately in a single article (that's why there are links to other resources scattered throughout this page). The more you know, the better prepared you will be to cope with the symptoms, and safeguard against the risks. You will find that a lot of the advice you read will point to general good health practices; working out, eating right, not smoking, taking supplements, etc.

Information on herbal menopause remedies and symptom-specific remedies can be found further down this page.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Hormone Replacement Therapy involves manually replacing the hormones that your body has stopped producing. It has been shown to greatly reduce the symptoms of menopause as well as the incidence of osteoporosis, however - it has also been shown to increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, breast cancer, and stroke. The decision to begin HRT is not one to be taken lightly, you should talk with your doctor and stuff your brain full of as much information as you can stand. Here are some good starting points:

* National Library of Medicine - Hormone Replacement Therapy

* MayoClinic.com - Hormone Replacement Therapy: Benefits and Alternatives

Menopause Home Remedies

Sometimes it can seem as if menopause is causing you to fall apart. Don't let it get you down, here's some remedies that can help you keep it together. Anything that is good for your overall health will help with your menopause symptoms. Take supplements daily, there are some formulated specifically for a woman's body as it undergoes menopause. There are also many herbal menopause remedies that may help.

night sweatsHot Flashes and Night Sweats

Ah, the most common symptom of menopause: hot flashes and night sweats. A hot flash is a sudden, intense sensation of warmth that travels through the body and often is accompanied by chills and sweating. Hot flashes can last from 30 seconds to 30 minutes and are often accompanied by a feeling of anxiety.

While there are no known ways to stop a hot flash that has already struck, many women have observed that there are environmental factors that seem to increase the frequency of hot flashes. Those are: Hot and humid weather, anxiety, alcohol, caffeine and other stimulants, spicy foods, and lack of sleep. The use of black cohosh has also been reported to help with hot flashes.

Painful Intercourse

Vaginal thinning and dryness are an unfortunate effect of menopause, especially since they're not always accompanied by a diminished sex drive. The bad news is that the thinning and dryness will continue to increase, the good news is that it can these effects can often be negated through regular sexual intercourse. The phrase "use it or loose it" comes to mind. Personal lubricants can help with the dryness and itchiness.

Bladder Control

When menopause begins, the muscles that surround the bladder begin to weaken and a sense of impending urination or some accidental leakage can result. This can be controlled by exercising these muscles through the use of Kegel exercises. Kegel exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles in your pelvis and can really help with the bladder control problems associated with menopause.

To perform a Kegel exercise, contract your pelvic muscles as if you were trying to tighten your vaginal opening, hold the contraction for a three-count and relax. Follow the link in the previous paragraph for more detailed instructions.

Wrinkles

Your skin becomes more prone to stretch marks and wrinkles during and after menopause due to the body producing less elastin and collagen. Start a daily routine of applying a high quality lotion to your body to keep your skin hydrated and elastic.

For Menopause Symptoms Treatment, My Wife Is Now Undergoing Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

After several visits to her physician, and two blood tests for Thyroid function my wife was very frustrated. She has almost every symptom of Hypothyroidism. Her tests both came back in the normal range for Thyroid. But very low in the normal range. These symptoms that she has would also indicate that her hormone levels have really gone out of wack the longer she has been perimenopausal. We have researched the Hormone Replacement Treatment (HRT) pros and cons and the Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Treatments (BHRT) being used today by specialists groups, and we have questioned why her physician did not test her for hormone production levels in her body.

We have decided that many primary care physicians do not want to get "out of the box" concerning treatment of menopausal women, unless the situation is dire or dysfunctional. So, women are not getting the attention that they probably need to live a life more normal and similar to the way they were before starting the menopausal cycle.

She made two visits to a medical group that specializes in BHRT. The first was to do blood testing for hormone levels. She was way out of the range in all but one of 7 hormone categories. A series of capsules were prepared to be placed under her skin, in order to give her body a "time release" supplement of the hormones designed to balance her hormonal levels out. The very small capsules were placed under the skin of her buttocks. These capsules are designed to last one month. She will visit the clinic in one week to look for problems and then return for another round of treatment after the month is up.

We are researching now, what her levels show on the range of this medical group, and what it means. We are also going to research, what other medical groups consider "normal" and how these numbers all compare. Of course, we are also going to see if there is a good, bad or no reaction to how she feels and performs.

I plan to write weekly articles in EzineArticles over the next eight weeks to let women who are interested in this subject know how this treatment appears to be working for her. I will also tell you the costs of the program and how much of the cost, if any, is covered by our health insurance.

If you have wondered about the details of this treatment and how it might help you. Watch for the weekly reports under my name in EzineArticles.

The Changes Associated With Menopause

Menopause simply refers to a woman's ending of menstruation. Commonly the term is used to refer to the entire span of time during which ovarian function declines and menstruation stops. This time period is normally years in duration, generally encompassing ages 45-55. Sometime around forty, a woman might notice that her period is different - how long it lasts, how much she bleeds, or how often it happens may not be the same. Or, without warning, she might find herself feeling very warm during the day or in the middle of the night.

The average age of last menstrual flow is about 51 years. It takes 12 consecutive months of no periods to determine when menopause happened, so the actual time when menopause occurs can only be established long after the act. The perimenopause or climacteric phase occurs about 12 to 24 months (in some cases, longer) before the last menstrual period, and is characterized by symptoms such as irregular periods and hot flashes. Post-menopause refers to the period of life starting 12 months after the last menstrual period.

Most women, an estimated 60 to 80% - experience only minor discomfort during menopause. After about a year or two of irregular periods and a number of hot flashes of mild to moderate severity, they simply stop menstruating. About 10 to 20% have virtually no symptoms. For the remaining 10 to 20%, including the majority of those who undergo surgical menopause, symptoms - especially hot flashes - may be a major annoyance and occasionally incapacitating.

However, smoking can lead to early menopause. Some types of surgery can bring on menopause. For example, the removal of a woman's uterus (hysterectomy) before menopause will make her periods stop, but her ovaries will still make hormones. That means she could still have symptoms of menopause like hot flashes when her ovaries start to make less estrogen. But in situations where both ovaries are removed (oophorectomy), menopause symptoms can start right away, no matter what her age might be, because her body has lost its main supply of estrogen.

Physical Changes Associated with Menopause

Women may have different signs or symptoms at menopause. That's because estrogen is used by many parts of their body. So, changes in how much estrogen a woman has can cause assorted symptoms. But, that doesn't mean she will have all, or even most, of them. In fact, some of the signs that happen around the time of menopause may really be a result of growing older, not changes in estrogen.

Ovarian Estrogen Production

During the perimenopause, estrogen production by the ovaries declines to about 10% of the level of the estrogen produced prior to perimenopause. At menopause, the ovaries disregard the signals to produce estrogen. It's the body's way of indicating that the woman's reproductive time is coming to an end. Ovarian-produced estrogen is called estradiol; only this form of estrogen decreases dramatically at menopause. Estrone estrogen, manufactured by, and stored in, the body's fat cells and other tissue, continues to be present in the bloodstream because its production isn't controlled by ovarian function.

Hot Flashes

The most common symptom of menopause is hot flashes. Hot flashes, or flushes, have sometimes been called power surges. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of a woman's body. Her face and neck become flushed. Red blotches may appear on her chest, back, and arms. Heavy sweating and cold shivering can follow. Flashes can be as mild as a light blush or severe enough to wake her from a sound sleep (called night sweats). Most hot flashes last between thirty seconds and ten minutes.

Though not entirely understood, hot flashes often are triggered by a stimulus, such as sitting in an uncomfortably warm room or experiencing stress and pressure. These are very common around the time of menopause because they are related to changing estrogen levels. They may also last a few years after menopause.

Changes in the Vulva, Vagina and Bladder

The vulva and vagina are very responsive to estrogen levels. Elasticity, lubrication, and thickness of the vaginal walls are affected by declining estrogen, and the tissues of the labia majora and minora become less engorged during sexual arousal. The mucous membrane lining of the vagina is particularly susceptible to irritation, minor injury, and infection as the capacity to produce lubrication decreases. Normally thick and cushiony, the vaginal walls can thin during menopause and after. The actual size of the vagina shrinks, as does the uterus. The cervix may atrophy (shrivel) and flatten out to the wall of the vagina. The Venus mound, or mons, loses plumpness and definition.

Changes in the lining of the urethra and bladder can cause irritation as well, leading to an annoying need to urinate frequently. Supporting muscles to the internal organs lose elasticity because of reduced blood flow to the pelvis. This is especially distressing if it leads to involuntary urine loss (urinary incontinence) when exercising, sneezing, coughing, laughing, running, or having sex. Some women experience thinning of their hair, including pubic hair and this can be as distressing for a woman as it is for a man.

Body Changes

A woman might start thinking that her body is changing. Her waist could get larger; she could lose muscle and gain fat; her skin could get thinner; she might have memory problems; and her joints and muscles could feel stiff and achy. It is still unclear if these changes as a result of a woman having less estrogen or just related to her growing older.

Using Menopause Supplements As a Holistic Approach: An Alternative Way to Alleviate the Symptoms

You are a woman who is pushing 40 years old and looking for ways on how to deal with the inevitable - menopause. Your quest to finding the right approach has probably led you to this article. You definitely came to the right place because this article will give you a whole new alternative to dealing with menopausal symptoms: taking a holistic approach by using menopause supplements

It is said that the average American woman will reach menopause when she gets to the age of 51. Symptoms related to menopause and pre-menopause are expected to appear earlier. The holistic approach to menopause is fast gaining a lot of following these days.

The popularity of the holistic menopause treatments can be attributed mainly to the fact that most women have started to shy away from hormone replacement therapy. Reports have been filed that hormone replacement therapy is not as effective as it should be. It is unsafe to use and risks of contracting more serious medical conditions are suspected.

In lieu of the serious threat that hormone replacements might bring to any patient, many women are looking at the possibility of holistic treatments to be more beneficial and effective.

Symptoms like hot flashes, irritability, insomnia, mood swings, decreased libido, and night sweats are just a few recognizable signs of menopause. Treating all these symptoms is what the holistic approach is all about. Sure you can take menopause supplements daily to alleviate the problems, but doing so do not go deep down. Only the symptoms are treated on a temporary basis but taking these vitamins will not guarantee that the symptoms will not come back.

It is now time to take control of your life and start leading a healthy lifestyle. Deal with menopause as a whole. And it starts with a lifestyle check. You will not be able to deal with it completely by just taking menopause supplements such as black cohosh. The holistic approach involves changing your eating habits - eat healthy and well-balanced instead of the usual fast food staples that you have been used to eating; exercise more, stay active, do not let yourself be too stressed out whether at work or at home. Have a little R&R to renew your mind and body. This way you will be able to go through the menopause stage and look at it as a new beginning in the stage of your life.

Irritability and How Peri-Menopause Brings the First Signs of Change

Many women in the stages of peri-menopause and menopause feel depressed and irritable. Some researchers believe that the decrease in estrogen triggers changes in the brain, causing depression. Others think that supplementary symptoms you are having, such as sleep problems, hot flashes, night sweats and fatigue are the causes of these feelings.

Alternatively, it could be a blend of hormonal changes and symptoms. However, these symptoms can also be caused due to reasons unrelated to menopause, though menopause is the main cause of these symptoms in a woman. Mood changes and irritability may also be more common in women who have had difficulty with PMS.

Menopause and Irritability: Symptoms

The other factors that influence mood swings and irritability in menopausal women are difficulty with memory and attention span. Some women report difficulties with concentrating or remembering specific words. These women may stutter and stammer over a certain word, even though the word is on the tip of their tongue. Certain uneasiness resides at the back of the mind, causing thoughts to wander and curtails concentration.

A woman with attention-deficit disorder may first realize this and go for treatment when she reaches menopause. Declining estrogen levels have aggravated her ability to concentrate. Insomnia, better known as sleeplessness, is a common complaint from women in pre-menopause or menopause. Irritability during menopause may increase due to night sweats and disrupted sleep patterns.

This is a relative condition because impaired sleep can cause touchiness and depression and in turn, irritability and depression can impair sleep. Reduced sleep leads to tiredness and irritability during the day.

Menopause and Irritability: Depression

Feeling depressed during or before menopause and feeling negative about menopause and getting older, increases the stress, and can result in more severe menopause symptoms. If you start smoking and are not being physically active, unhappy in your relationship, or unemployed, or feel the biological clock ticking away - making you regretful that you cannot have children anymore- any of these situations could quite naturally lead to irritability when confronted with menopause. Timely and proper treatment can stem the problem, which could get very serious if left untreated.

Menopause and Irritability: How to Get Relief

There are countless ways to alleviate emotional symptoms related to menopause and irritability. Sometimes, talking to friends and family, or doing relaxation exercises eases the problem. However, if symptoms really disrupt your life, talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy or, if you are still menstruating, low-dose birth control pills are an option as are a newer alternative form of therapy called bio-identical hormones. Blues that linger and cause fatigue, sleep problems, trouble concentrating and lack of interest in sex may be a sign of a more serious type of depression.

Menopause and Irritability: Talk to Your Near and Dear Ones

First, speak to a professional about any emotional problems. Discussing your problems with anyone, a doctor, therapist, or friend, can often bring much needed relief. At this critical juncture in a woman's life, supportive family and friends are even more necessary.

In some cases, your doctor might prescribe medication. Hormone Replacement Therapy - usually given to treat hot flashes and protect bones against osteoporosis, may work to relieve symptoms, but don't forget to also explore bio-identical alternatives. Once the hot flashes and night sweats, go away, both sleep and moods are likely to be significantly improved.

Menopause Treatment for Three Common Symptoms

While some women welcome menopause into their lives, they may also dread the changes that will occur in the period leading up to menopause. You see, the term "menopause" means that all symptoms have vanished and you have not had a period for a year or more.

What women are actually looking for is pre menopause treatment - which is the time period when all of the changes are occurring and menopause symptoms start to appear. These things can be very hard to prepare for because they can happen anywhere between the ages of 35 to 50 and can last for ten years - more or less!

Most people know about the most common symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats, but there are three more that you may not be aware of that could greatly affect your quality of life. They are as follows.

Diminished Mental Ability: You may think you're concentrating so hard on how to get rid of your menopause symptoms that you just can't think of anything else. But actually, as your hormones undergo changes it is slightly affecting your ability to concentrate. Be aware though, that thyroid conditions can also affect your thinking ability, so be sure to get a second opinion on this one. You might try taking St. John's Wort, which is used to treat a variety of symptoms. Also get enough exercise and eat healthy foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids.

Dry or Extra Oily Skin: There's no real way to know which skin problem you will experience, but since the skin is the largest organ of the body, and it's on the outside, you will probably notice this as one of your first menopause symptoms. Menopause treatment here might be as easy as using your favorite moisturizes more often. Also, natural oils like coconut oil or taking Vitamin E daily have been known to help for dry skin. Oils may be able to balance out your skins natural PH level, so these things may work in both cases.

Fibroids - Please don't get stressed over this one. Fibrous growths can grow on the uterus or ovaries at the time of pre menopause, but they do not seem to pose a problem for most women. They are usually benign and even though they may cause hormone levels to fluctuate even more, they usually disappear when you reach full menopause. Again, exercising to keep unwanted weight off is a good defense if this happens to you.

Remember, all of these things are a normal progression to you having NO menopause symptoms at all! But in the meantime, you may want to investigate some menopause treatments that will result in getting through pre menopause with the least amount of stress as is humanly possible.

Natural Remedies for the Andropause

Andropause is also known as Male Menopause, which can sometimes be confused with the Male Midlife Crisis. The good news is that men who are suffering from Andropause have a wide variety of treatments and therapies available to help them through their difficult time. This article is going to take a look at what this is and what some of the natural treatments and remedies are for this condition.

The andropause is often called male menopause. What happens is that men, as they age, start to feel like they might have lost the aspects to their lives that made their lives enjoyable. Men who are suffering from it are often irritable, lethargic, nervous and suddenly don't care about sex anymore. Some might notice a distinct weight gain. While all of these symptoms and moods used to just be attributed to being middle aged; now scientists have discovered that there is actually an underlying medical condition making these symptoms occur. Scientists bicker over whether the condition is actually a "menopause" since "menopause" literally means the stop to the menstrual cycle (which men do not have). They do agree, however, that men do undergo a hormonal change as middle age starts to set in. They have coined the term "andropause" for this hormonal change so as to end the bickering over the word "menopause."

There are a number of natural and homeopathic ways to deal with the andropause. Men who are suffering from the andropause find that they are increasingly anxious, nervous and that they are putting on weight. They might also find themselves with slower libidos; metabolism and they might be less alert.

One of the ways to deal with many of these symptoms is to seek therapy. Psychotherapy can help with the anxiousness, nervousness and possibly even the slower libido (if it is caused by the nervousness of the man). The drawback to therapy is that while it helps to treat the mental aspects of the andropause, it does nothing to help with the hormone shifts or the physical symptoms (slowed metabolism, weight gain).

A simple change in diet and exercise can also help with it. Eating a healthier diet and getting more exercise are fantastic ways to increase the metabolism and curb weight gain. It also increases the production of endorphins which are natural mood lifters.

One of the best remedies for it, while not homeopathic, is Provacyl. Provacyl is a supplement that is made mainly from herbs that are used to stimulate the male body and help it to function better physically. Provacyl contains large amounts of ginseng and ginko biloba which have been popular for centuries in Asia (and for a number of years in the Western world).

Whatever method that is chosen to treat the andropause, it is always important to give family members the emotional support they need. Women aren't the only humans who go through "the change" Scientists have found out. Men go through some pretty drastic changes themselves.

Tests to Take Before Taking Perimenopause Treatment

You are currently experiencing irregular periods, hot flashes, temporary memory or concentration outages, mood swings and irritability, anxiety attacks, weight gain and loss of libido. Your age is between 35 to 45 years. There are times when you are depressed - not suicidal, but thinking of death and how it revolves around you. Therefore, you conclude that you are suffering from perimenopause.

Whoa, hold your horses!

Before taking anything that you think would be good to alleviate your symptoms, you first have to be sure if you are in the stage before the Change. Perimenopause tests must be taken to rule out possible disorders like cancer, thyroid problems and the like.

Now before you stop reading, let me tell you that I know what you're thinking. I myself am scared of doctors. If I so much as see a nurse with a needle coming toward me, I wanted to rush out of the room, never to return again. So I know exactly how you feel. But I also know that if I don't get myself tested, I will never know what's wrong with me. I would never know what medicine - conventional or alternative - to take. You don't want to die by taking the wrong medication, right? I know I don't. So I try to endure whatever it is that they needed to do on me.

So what tests would your doctor do to determine if you are already in perimenopause?

- Pregnancy test. Being in perimenopause doesn't automatically disqualify you for child-bearing. This is done to make sure that you're not pregnant. You can do this yourself or you can have your doctor do it for you.

- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test. This is a simple blood test. High FSH levels may be a sign of perimenopause.

- Estradiol (or estrogen) level test. Estrogen is not only the hormone responsible for breast development and uterus growth; it is also the one regulating the monthly period. This blood test should be done on the tenth day of the menstrual cycle. Doing so on this day gives a somewhat accurate estrogen reading.

- Thyroid-stimulating hormone test. This is done to check if an irregular period is caused by a possible thyroid problem. Again, this is another blood test. Before taking this however, please inform your doctor if you were exposed to radioactivity or had an X-ray that used iodine dye within the last 4 to 6 weeks. If so, the test results might not be accurate, so you have to wait for a couple more weeks before having this test.

When you have been cleared of these, then that is the time that you and your doctor can discuss possible treatments. Have a journal or calendar of your menstrual period and the symptoms you complain about. This would be a great help in prescribing the correct medicine for you.

If you are into alternative medicine, then have no fear. Contrary to popular belief, some doctors are already open-minded and actually recommend non-conventional remedies if only to alleviate some of the pain normal medicine can't give a solution to. Researches are already being done on the correlation of estrogen production to certain types of herbs - this goes to show that the medical community is slowly opening up to the possibility of alternative treatments.

It is good to note that perimenopause treatments are designed to remedy the signs and symptoms, not the actual perimenopause itself.

Remember: Knowledge is power. If you have sufficient knowledge of what you're going through, then you most definitely have the confidence and the power to control your life - perimenopausal or not.

Menopause Physiological, Psychological Symptoms and Treatment by Natural Or Pharmaceutical Remedies

This article aims to identify the physical and psychological symptoms of the menopause and describe the use and possible side effects of regularly used pharmaceutical drugs to help in relief of these symptoms. Natural relief of symptoms will also be described. This article does not aim to describe all all of the physical or psychological characteristics of the menopause, these will be covered in a later article.

Physical Symptoms Of The Menopause.

The menopause usually affects women between the ages of 40-50 years. The menstrual cycle becomes irregular about 5-7 years before the onset of the menopause. Nearer the onset the number of cycles where ovulation does not occur increases. During the menopause the woman may experience dryness of the vagina. This can cause inflammation and an increased risk of infection. A decrease in libido is usually experienced, yet some women get an increase. Some women suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure). Hot flashes are common caused by an decrease in estrogen levels.

Psychological Symptoms Of The Menopause.

The psychological symptoms were, for many years, dismissed by many Doctors and Physicians. However, they have found to be real, usually connected to low estrogen levels. Symptoms can include irritability, fatigue, anxiety, and severe emotional disturbances. These can be treated and managed by the use of small amounts of estrogen

Treatment Of The Menopause By The Use Of Pharmaceutical Drugs.

HRT: Hormone replacement therapy.

Estrogen: Estrogen is used to treat 'hot flashes' (sometimes called 'hot flushes') in women who are experiencing menopause. Some brands of estrogen are also used to treat vaginal dryness, itching, or burning, or to prevent osteoporosis. However, women who need a medication only to treat vaginal dryness or only to prevent osteoporosis should consider a different treatment. Side effects of estrogen include increased risk of endometrial cancer, and vaginal bleeding amongst others.

Progestogen: Progestogen is used to regulate the effects of estrogen and are often prescribed together. In women with a uterus, the addition of a progestogen cyclically (for at least 10 days per 28-day cycle) reduces the additional risk of endometrial cancer; this additional risk is eliminated if a progestogen is given continuously. However, this should be weighed against the increased risk of breast cancer.

Oestrogen:Oestrogen is given systemically in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal period. Menopausal atrophic vaginitis may respond to a short course of a topical vaginal oestrogen preparation. Systemic therapy with an oestrogen or drugs with oestrogenic properties alleviates the symptoms of oestrogen deficiency such as vasomotor symptoms.

Tibolone: Tibolone given in the postmenopausal period also diminish postmenopausal osteoporosis. Tibolone combines oestrogenic and progestogenic effect and it is given continuously, without cyclical progestogen. Tibolone increases the risk of breast cancer.

Clonidine: Clonidine may be used to reduce vasomotor symptoms in women who cannot take an oestrogen, but clonidine may cause unacceptable side-effects.

Possible Side Effects Of Hormone Replacement Therapy

HRT increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, stroke, endometrial cancer ( which may be reduced by a progestogen), breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Women who start combined HRT more than 10 years after menopause have an increased risk of heart disease. Women using combined or oestrogen-only HRT are at an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (commonly DVT) and of pulmonary embolism especially in the first year of use. An oestrogen may be given by mouth or it may be given by subcutaneous or transdermal administration (patch). In women who have a personal or family history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, severe varicose veins, obesity, the use of HRT needs to be given careful consideration.

Like all drugs, HRT has side effects yet has helped many women through the 'change' (menopause).

Treatment Of The Menopause By The Use Of Natural Means.

Agnus Castus: Vitex agnus-castus. Clinical studies have shown that these berries work on the pituitary gland and help stabilise hormone fluctuations so helping menopausal symptoms..

Black Cohosh: Cimicifuga racemosa. The primary use of black cohosh extract is for alleviation of menopausal symptoms. It has been widely researched, especially in Europe, for its ability to alleviate the symptoms associated with menopause. While black cohosh is generally considered safe, people with liver disease or a family history of liver disease should consult their physician before taking black cohosh.

Damaiana: Turnerna diffusa. This shrub historically been used as an aphrodisiac and has been claimed to induce euphoria.

Dang Gui: Angelica sinensis. Dang gui acts as a phytoestrogen and has similar, but milder, effects of oestrogen. Dang gui also helps support the cardiovascular system, which can of help to menopausal women suffering hypertension (high blood pressure).

Soy: Soy contains natural plant estrogens called phytoestrogens. These are weaker than human estrogens However, studies show they behave similarly in the human body. In the body, phytoestrogens help balance a woman's estrogen level.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant. Studies have been done that suggest it may help relieve hot flashes and postmenopausal vaginal dryness and it has been popular for that purpose ever since.

There are other natural remedies said to help women experiencing the menopause.

Treating Whiplash With Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Most often associated with car accidents, whiplash is a condition that can be caused by falling down, car accidents, physical assault or sports and physical activities. While it's not an official medical term, it's often used to describe damage to the soft tissue of the neck. Usually this means tears in the muscle, tendons and/or ligaments and sometimes misalignment of the spine. This causes muscle spasms, pain with movement and can be painful to the touch. Common treatments for this condition are pain medications, muscle relaxants and chiropractics, but acupuncture is quickly becoming a chosen treatment because of its natural and effective healing ability.

Whiplash commonly occurs when there is a force on the head that takes the neck out of its normal range of motion. The whipping action the head makes when a person is rear ended in a car or a football player being blind-sided are examples of how this might happen. Sometimes the pain is immediate and the muscles instantly go into spasms. Other times, whiplash can move the cervical vertebrae instantly, without pain, but produce pain weeks later as the spine attempts to move back into alignment.

Acupuncture is a natural and effective way of treating whiplash. Allowing the muscles in the neck to relax helps the vertebrae to move back into its natural alignment. Also, acupuncture improves circulation to the area, which brings blood cells carry oxygen and nutrients, vital to healing. This is important since it aides in the healing process without causing any further damage to the area. Using chiropractics too soon after a neck injury could cause the torn muscles, ligaments and tendons to tear worse.

If you do have an accident or injury to your neck, it's crucial that you get an x-ray and/or MRI to make sure there's no damage or potential of damage to the spinal cord. Then find out what options you have in your area for treatments. Many acupuncturists will take personal injury case and worker compensation covers acupuncture in California, as well as many other states. Also, in the event of an automobile accident, your car insurance policy usually has medical coverage on there called Medpay that will cover medical expenses from car accidents.

Menopause Progesterone Cream Benefits

There are many women with hormonal imbalances who would like to use a menopause progesterone cream as opposed to the traditional hormone replacement therapy. Challenges and problems abound as it comes to drugs and replacing progesterone. First of all, it may take months to get the correct dosage and form of therapy for each individual woman. After that you have the challenge of remembering what time of day to take the pills and it can be a hassle to take the medication with you everywhere.

No wonder many women look for alternative menopause treatments. Moreover the stress of dealing with the hormone imbalance is enough without trying to manage medication. Before you make the decision to use progesterone cream, take a look at some of the benefits by using an all natural cream products.

Easy application

One of the biggest benefits of a progesterone cream for treating menopause is how easy it is to apply. Rather than constantly worrying about the time and correct dosage, you have the freedom and flexibility to simply apply the cream once or twice a day depending on the product's directions and your personal needs. It is important to remember not to try to apply a natural estrogen cream over perfumes or body lotions. They may interfere with the skin's ability to attract the healing ingredients.

No side effects of progesterone cream

Unlike hormone replacement therapy there are no known dangerous side effects of menopause progesterone cream. With traditional techniques of treating progesterone loss, some women experience unpleasant side effects or allergic reactions. Moreover there are also those disturbing reports about future health concerns regarding extended use of those drugs. At least with progesterone body cream, you totally can be assured that there won't be any nasty repercussions later.

Natural results

Many people are deciding that natural techniques and methods for healing are more beneficial to their health and well being than lab created drugs. With this kind of treatment for progesterone loss, you can be assured that the changes to your hormone balance will be natural and gentle. Your body won't be thrown into severe changes which further disrupt your activities and life.

Making the decision to apply a menopause progesterone cream rather than hormone replacement therapy is a personal one. Menopause treatment which mention in our website is a good choice to naturally and effectively regain your hormone balance. Moreover many women also have found success with natural menopause phytoestrogen cream.

Woman and Menopause: Symptoms and Treatment

Menopause is the stage in a woman's life when the menstrual cycle stops. This is not a disease; rather it is a natural process in a woman's life. However, the stage when a woman has her menopause could be a very painful and mentally debilitating stage. There could be several complications.

From an Ayurvedic point of view, menses is the flow of excess pitta from the woman's body. Menses is called as Raja in Ayurveda. For this reason, the stoppage of the menses flow permanently, i.e. menopause is called as Raja Nivrutti, which literally means retirement of menses.

Menopause is a culmination of all the three doshas of the woman's body. The menses themselves are pitta, while the woman may gain in her weight during this time. This indicates a kapha imbalance. Since the woman may become moody and even lose her sleep during menopause, there is a strong indication of the vata dosha at play also.

Menopause can occur in women after the age of 45 years, though this widely varies from one woman to another. The average menopausal age could be taken as 51 years. It must be made clear that menopause is not an abrupt end to the menses. The decline of the menstrual flow occurs gradually as the months progress. Generally, a woman is said to have had her menopause if there has been no menstrual flow for at least one year.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Menopause

1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Ashwagandha is more popularly known as Indian Ginseng for its believed aphrodisiacal properties. In the case of menopause, this herb is usually prescribed to cure insomnia and mood swings.

2. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)

Beetroot is found to be extremely effective in making the menopausal experience less painful. It should be taken as a salad, in which the beetroots are boiled with their peel on. The peel must be removed before eating.

3. Indian Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi)

Known popularly as the jatamansi in India, this is another herb prescribed to cure insomnia and mood swings. For such benefits, this herb is prescribed to be taken along with ashwagandha.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Menopause

The complications during menopause can be reduced by bringing about changes in the dietary patterns. There are some very beneficial points that can be followed:-

4. Bitter foods are good dietary indications. The dark green leafy vegetables are mostly bitter in taste. They must be regularly incorporated in the diet as a woman is moving towards her menopause.

5. Astringent foods are also advantageous. These foods include beans, soybeans, potatoes, cabbages and poultry foods. Both the bitter and the astringent foods help in reducing the excess heat in the woman's body that is produced during menopause.

6. Foods that are sour, salty and pungent are contra-indications for menopause. Onions, garlic, mustard and chilies are pungent foods. Tomatoes, tamarinds, vinegars and curds are sour foods. These must be avoided.

7. Consume foods that can provide some phyto-estrogens. Such foods are watermelon, berries, legumes, licorice and pomegranates.

During menopause, the need of the following nutrients increases:-

a) Vitamin D - obtained from egg yolk, milk and animal liver

b) Vitamin K - obtained from green vegetables, cereals and animal foods

c) Magnesium - obtained from nuts, bananas and dairy products

d) Manganese - obtained from cereal, bran, nuts and tea

e) Calcium - obtained from milk and milk products.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Menopause

Chandraprabha is the tablet of choice that most physicians would provide for menopausal problems. This tablet helps in reducing the vata vitiation which is one of the foremost causes of menopausal problems. Along with this, Punarnavasava or Lodhrasava must be taken thrice in 15 milliliters doses for a month. In order to increase the strength of the body, Dashamoolarishta and Pradari Lauha are prescribed.

If there are hot flushes during menopause (which increase body temperature and then cause sudden chills), then Ashokarishta is given along with Useerasava.

For any irritations or infections that may occur in the vagina during menopause, Gokshuradi Guggulu is prescribed to be taken in doses of two pills twice a day.

Massaging the back with Chandanaadi taila helps to allay insomnia and mood swings which can occur due to vata vitiations during menopause.

(4) Home Remedies for Menopause

1. Licorice must be consumed in fair amounts during menopause. It has the phyto-estrogens that are necessary to correct the hormonal imbalances during menopause.

2. Have beetroot juice daily or include it in salads.

3. Another recipe is to boil a few carrot seeds in a glassful of milk. Consume this milk with carrot seeds in it on a daily basis.

4. During menopause, there is a chance of osteoporosis setting in due to loss of calcium. Hence take adequate care of your calcium intake. The foods mentioned above must be had in the proper amount to maintain calcium levels.

5. Maintain a healthy active regime. Sluggishness and a sedentary life will make the menopausal process quite difficult.

Thyroid Disease in Women - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Thyroid disease affect approximately 27 million people in the United States. More women than men are commonly found to suffer from thyroid symptoms. It is estimated that 4 out of 100 women have some type of autoimmune thyroid disease.

A thyroid that is underproducing thyroid hormone is termed hypothyroidism. It is characterized by insufficient levels of the primary thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroxine is transformed into it's active form of triiodothyronine by the liver.

As women have a higher incidence of thyroid problems than men, hypothyroidism is the main diagnosis, resulting in fatigue, weight gain, depression, high cholesterol and other symptoms. By contrast, a smaller number of women develop hyperthyroidism, or an overproduction of thyroid hormone in the blood.

Symptoms of thyroid disease:

Hyperthyroidism:
Feeling warm
Increased perspiration
Weakness and fatigue
Trembling hands
Rapid heartbeat
Weight loss
Diarrhea
Irritability / anxiety
Eye discomfort
Menstrual changes
Inability to conceive

Hypothyroidism:
Fatigue
Depression
Sluggishness
Feeling cold
Weight gain of 5-10 pounds
Dry hair and skin
Constipation
Menstrual changes

Hormone Imbalance And Menopause:
Approximately 20% of menopausal women in the US are diagnosed with a problematic thyroid, and many women go undiagnosed. For women in their late 30's or 40's, hypothyroidism is indicative of being perimenopausal, which is the time of up to 15 years of before menopause. Some women experience menopause in their early 40s, especially if their mothers entered menopause at a relatively early age.

What causes a woman to develop hypothyroidism?
A hormone imbalance of estrogen and progesterone, as well as emotional and physical stresses can cause thyroid dysfunction. Perimenopause, menopause, and pregnancy are known culprits of hormone imbalance that can cause hypothyroidism. An imbalance of more estrogen than progesterone can cause the hypoactive thyroid to produce less thyroid hormones, resulting in hypothryoidism. This can be remedied by a prescription of progesterone supplements to bring this imbalance more into balance, thus alleviating symptoms of hypoactivity.

Other causes can include adrenal fatigue and insulin resistance. The adrenal glands are located on top of our kidneys and are responsible for releasing adrenaline, which is essential in the flight or fight response.
This is a stress response and if it goes on for too long, the adrenal glands can become fatigued. This can have a direct response on the thyroid gland and it's ability to function correctly, resulting in hypothyroidism.

Insulin resistance often goes hand in hand with underactive thyroid, which has a relationship with poor nutrition that can disrupt thyroid functionality. Women should be tested for insulin resistance if they have been diagnosed with a hypoactive thyroid.

In order for the thyroid to function normally, it is important to be able to manage stress, nutrition, and exercise, as well as the balance of the major hormones. They all work together for the common good of the body. The old saying "no man is an island", can be related to your thyroid too. It can not work alone, as it takes a concerted effort of the whole body for everything to work as it should.

Symptoms of an underactive thyroid can easily be mistaken for some other condition, which can cause a delay in much needed treatment. If thyroid malfunction is the cause of your symptoms, a simple blood test will bear this out. You will feel much better in a few weeks of starting thyroid therapy, if it has been determined that you indeed have a thyroid problem. Check with your physician to rule out any other underlying or more serious conditions.

Urinary Tract Infections - Natural Treatments for Chronic UTI's

Urinary tract infections can occur in any part of your urinary system, though most often they will happen in the bladder and urethra. They are more common in women, and while mild infections can cause pain and be a nuisance, more severe infections can become a serious health condition, especially if the infection spreads upwards to the ureters and kidneys. For this reason, it is important to treat UTI's as soon as you start having symptoms.

The common symptoms of a UTI include:

• Increased urge to urinate, with increased frequency


• Pain and burning with urination


• Cloudy or pink urine


• Strong smelling urine


• Pelvic pain, or abdominal pain


• With more severe infections that have reached the kidney - upper back pain, fever, chills, nausea or vomiting

UTI's are usually caused by the bacteria E. Coli transmitted from the digestive tract, though they can also be caused by other infectious agents. Because certain STD's can have symptoms similar to a UTI, it is important to see a physician to be tested if you have you are at risk for any sexually transmitted disease.

The urinary system has a natural defense mechanism against infection, but certain risk factors will increase your likelihood of getting a UTI. These include being female, being sexually active, using diaphragms or spermicides, having a weak immune system, having an enlarged prostate, or having kidney stones. Women going through menopause are also at a higher risk because decreased estrogen levels make the urinary tract more vulnerable to infection.

It is especially important to receive immediate treatment for a UTI if you are pregnant, as untreated infections are associated with low birth weight in infants. Also, young children with UTI's are more susceptible to kidney infection, so immediate treatment is important in these cases as well.

The conventional method for treating a common UTI is the use of antibiotics. There are a number of antibiotics used for treating UTI's, and generally symptoms will begin to clear within a few days of starting the medication. It is important to continue taking the antibiotic even if all symptoms are gone to be sure the infection is fully cleared.

Even with the use of antibiotics, some people will continue to have recurring UTI's. Usually it is women who experience this, and in these cases it is helpful to look to other areas of health that are leaving you more susceptible to infection, as repeated courses of antibiotics can lead to resistant strains of bacteria and make your immune system weaker. If you are suffering from chronic recurring urinary tract infections, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk and improve the health of your urinary tract.

Tips for Reducing Urinary Tract Infections

• For women, wiping from front to back after urination reduces the risk of infection.


• Urinating and washing soon after sexual intercourse helps flush bacteria that may have been acquired during sex.


• Drink a lot of water. This will help flush out the urinary system.


• Avoid food or drink in your diet which contain a lot of refined sugar. This weakens your immune response and provides food for bacterial growth


• Cranberry juice can be taken in supplement or juice form, and helps increase the acidity of your urinary tract and prevent bacteria of sticking to the cell walls. The best form of cranberry juice to drink is in pure, non-sweetened form, as the cranberry juice "cocktails" usually have sugar added to them.


• Vitamin C, and vitamin-C rich foods such as citrus fruits can increase the acidity of your urinary tract and boost immunity, which makes it more resistant to bacteria.


• Avoid intake of alcohol as this weakens the immune system.


• Caffeine, dairy, and processed foods may also trigger infections in certain people. If you notice UTI's tend to come on after certain things in your diet, avoid these foods or beverages.


• Feminine hygiene sprays and douches may cause irritation of the urethra and increase susceptibility to infection.

For recurring mild urinary tract infections, there are a number of natural medicines in addition to cranberry that may help reduce infection.

• Uva-Ursi: This is a herb with anti-bacterial properties that has an affinity for the urinary tract.


• D-Mannose: This is a simple sugar that helps to prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.


• Other remedies: Herbs such as Echinacea, goldenseal, and Oregon grape have immune boosting and anti-bacterial properties. Other herbs such as dandelion, stinging nettle or corn silk have diuretic properties which can soothe help flush out bacteria.


• Probiotics: Healthy bacteria are a normal component of the urinary and reproductive systems, and if these are decreased or out of balance it can lead to increased infection. Taking a probiotic supplement with acidophilus can help prevent and decrease infection. Probiotics are also important to take after any course of antibiotics, as antibiotics decrease the amount of healthy bacteria in our bodies. This will decrease the risk of recurring infection.


• Hormone Replacement: For women who are undergoing menopause, decreased estrogen levels can increase the incidence of UTI's. Hormone replacement with bio-identical hormones can help raise estrogen levels and reduce infections.

Many natural supplements are combination formulas which contain a number of the natural remedies listed here. If you looking for a natural route in treating a UTI, these can be helpful, along with following the other health tips, in clearing an infection.

Stress and Recurring UTI's

Stress is not just in your mind - it is really a physical thing and affects your health. Too much stress in the body can make pretty much any health condition worse, and UTI's are no exception. Many people will find that their UTI's occur much more commonly during times of stress. The hormones released by having too much stress can lead to a weakened immune system, leaving you much more susceptible to any type of infection. Stress hormones also raise blood sugar levels, which will causes bacteria to replicate and make infections worse.

Especially in dealing with chronic UTI's, it is important to address any areas in your life that may be increasing stress levels, as well as to examine behaviors caused by stress that may increase risk for an infection. For example, some people may eat more junk food or drink alcohol when stressed, and this will only make matters worse. Doing what you can to reduce stress in your life can go a long way in preventing chronic UTI's from happening.

In general, a UTI is more a nuisance than a serious health condition, though in serious cases it is important to receive immediate medical attention. In preventing chronic mild cases, rather than accept them as an inevitable and annoying part of life, it is possible to greatly reduce or even completely prevent them by following simple health care tips, reducing stress, and taking natural medicines.

Menopause Hot Flashes - The Bane Of Every Menopausal Woman's Existence

Menopause and the HOT FLASH. It has happened to virtually every woman who is sliding into menopause - you feel this sudden flush of warmth or heat traveling up your torso into your face and you think the temperature has just risen. Nope, chances are that you just experienced menopause hot flashes and while these episodes can occur on their own, there are some triggers that can set the events in motion for a stereotypical hot flash.

Defining Causes Of This "Heat"

One of the most agreed upon reasons for menopause hot flashes is the decrease in estrogen levels in the body. When a hot flash occurs, a fluctuation in these hormonal balances occurs in the part of the brain that controls body temperature. The results are menopause hot flashes that can feel like a pulsating wave of heat that starts from the upper torso area to your face. Sometimes, you may even sweat and can also be the cause of any night sweats that may occur.

Some things can trigger these menopausal hot flashes like hot or humid weather or even spicy or hot foods. Caffeine can raise body temperature to cause the hot flashes and alcohol can contribute to them as well. Taking hot baths or showers will exacerbate these flashes as well as stressful situations.

Facts And Statistics

The fact of the matter is that menopausal flashes are fairly common in as many as eighty percent of the women who are peri-menopausal or even full blown menopausal. These hot episodes can last as short a time as a few seconds or linger on for twenty to thirty minutes or longer. Typically, these menopausal hot flashes start several years before other symptoms of "the change" manifest themselves.

While many women may experience frequent menopausal hot flashes for a couple of years, some unlucky women suffer through them for five or more years. The norm is typically that women will see a decline in both intensity as well as frequency of these flashes of heat as they age.

Self Treatment

Because menopause hot flashes are a result in dropping levels of estrogen, you need to take herbal remedies that can somewhat substitute some of what you are missing with a plant-based estrogen. Black cohosh, evening primrose oil and even red clover have been known to help with supplementing and substituting in some of the lower estrogen levels in your body.

Additional Vitamin E will help as well as the consumption of soy products either through supplementation or through your diet more naturally. Yoga, acupuncture and exercise have also been known to alleviate menopausal hot flashes. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) should not be an option unless your symptoms are so severe that it requires a drastic treatment as HRT. Other hints to help cool your jets is to take a cool shower and dress in layers so that you have the option of taking layers off one at a time for comfort. Wear breathable cotton clothing and put all cotton sheets on your bed too. There are a number of little ways to make those menopause hot flashes more bearable.

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Female Menopause: How to Deal With Hot Flashes

If you ask women who have already gone through the menopause stage of their lives, they will usually describe that it is like having their very own personal sauna where they experience extreme heat on various parts of their body. When it is time for you to go through the menopausal stage, it is important that you should expect hot flashes to occur as a part of the signs and symptoms of menopause.

Menopause can be a very uncomfortable condition that will leave you irritable and extremely moody. So, here are some ways on how you can deal with it associated with menopause in order to go through it smoothly and with more comfort.

First off, the causes of this aren't actually known. Researchers suggest that menstrual may be associated with the constant fluctuations of the female hormones called the estrogen. During menopause, the female body will stop producing estrogen which causes an imbalance on hormones. Research has found that hormone imbalance is also one of the contributors during menopause.

There are actually no stopping this from occurring but there are simple ways on how you can effectively deal with it to decrease the discomfort that you will experience during attacks of it. First, simply doing some lifestyle changes can be very effective to treat it. One way to stop this from occurring frequently is by identifying what triggers it. Normally, most women who experienced this say that drinking hot beverages, such as hot tea and coffee is mainly the contributors. Also, stressful activities or just being in a situation that can be stressful to you can also produce hot flashes. So, the best way to minimize this is by avoiding these situations and other things that will trigger this.

Drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods are also one of the main contributors. Try avoiding these kinds of food and beverages in order to minimize the occurrence. When you are inside your home, try to turn the temperature down by turning on the air conditioning unit. A small fan may also come in handy when you are experiencing an attack of hot flashes.

Women who have gone through menopause say that adding more soy protein on their diet is also a great way to decrease the effects of hot flashes. However, it is very important to consult your doctor first before you make any changes in your diet.

When you go out, try going to cool places, such as the mall or by turning your car's air conditioning unit on. This will be helpful in decreasing the effects.

Other treatments may include the use of herb and vitamin supplements. Since this is usually associated with the decrease of estrogen, some recommends that you go through hormone replacement therapy. However, there are significant risks involved in hormone replacement therapy, such as increased risk of breast cancer.

Using one or a combination of the mentioned treatments will enable you to minimize the risk of hot flashes.

Always remember that this is a normal part of the menopausal period. Although there is no way that you can avoid experiencing this condition, there are effective treatments available that can alleviate the discomfort you experience.

Different Types of Breast Cancer Drugs

As breast cancer survivors would attest, the journey to purging the body of the cancer cells is not easy. The good thing about the struggles that one has to overcome during treatment however is the fact that one feels like a real winner when health is finally regained. The easiest way to handle treatment is to gain knowledge about the breast cancer drugs and their side effects. Once this is done, the patient is in a better position to prepare him or herself psychologically for the treatment regimens and the effects that may come with them.

Some of the most common breast cancer drugs are used in chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapy. Drugs in the chemotherapy regimen are intended to stop further multiplication of the cancer cells. They include drugs such as Flurouracil, Epurubicin, Clyclophosphamide, Adrriamycin Methotrexate, and Mitozantrone among others. Some of these cancer treatments are used in combination in order to give the patient maximum benefits. The most common side effects experienced when the chemotherapy drugs are used include hair loss, nausea, premature menopause, fatigue, hot flashes, and temporary low blood count. Once complete healing is attained however, most of these side effects disappear. Some like menopause are however permanent.

Hormone therapy includes the use of cancer drugs such as Tamoxifen, Arimidex, Femara, and Aromasin. Tamoxifen is specifically used in pre-menopausal women, while Arimidex, Femara, and Aromasin are administered on postmenopausal women. Drugs administered under the hormone therapy regimen inhibit cancer cells from growing by preventing the release of the estrogen hormone by the body. The hormone therapy drugs are often used after breast cancer surgery to prevent further growth of cancer cells in the breasts. Taxol is also another cancer drug that falls in the hormonal inhibiting category. The drug is specifically administered to patients who had received Adriamycin during chemotherapy. Some of the noted side effects for the drugs as used in the hormone therapy regimen are manifested through vaginal dryness and hot flashes. When Taxol is used, patients may experience tingling or numbness of their feet and hands, and muscular pains. Painful joints are also a common complaint among patients receiving Taxol treatment. Other drugs such as Herceptin fall in the biological therapy regimen. Drugs in this category work by boosting the patient's immune system. The immune system in turn acts by destroying existing cancer cells.

The specific type of breast cancer drugs to be used on an individual patient is determined by the oncologist based on the patient's condition. Depending on the patients age, health condition, resistance to specific cancer treatments and the stage of cancer, the oncologist may recommend different or a combination of breast cancer treatments. Notably however, the list of cancer drugs will continue growing in coming days, especially because researchers continue investigating newer and more effective treatment methods. Patients may also benefit from newer drug discoveries through taking part in clinical trials.

How Menopause Can Effect Your Appetite

Menopause is a condition that all women face. It is a normal part of nature's cycle and is something that is inescapable. Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. The ovaries stop producing eggs and estrogen and progesterone production is decreased dramatically. It is important to remember that you are not alone.

Every woman, to some extent, will experience what you are going through. True, not everyone has the same level of severity when it comes to menopause and there are a variety of symptoms involved. Besides the common symptoms of hot flashes, anger, depression, foggy thinking - a woman's body is going through so many rapid changes that nearly every system is affected in some way.

One of the common, but little known, symptoms of menopause is change in appetite. This change in appetite can work in two ways. Women can push food away and lose the desire to eat properly or they can experience a dramatic increase in appetite. Both situations can be potentially unhealthy. Fortunately, there are ways to cope with appetite changes due to menopause.

Menopause is essentially a change in a your chemical composition. It is a completely natural process. Researchers have proven that in addition to many of the symptoms previously mentioned, many women experience dramatic changes in appetite. Most commonly, women experiencing menopause experience a gain in appetite. This can lead to unhealthy eating practices and weight gain.

To cope with appetite changes you must be proactive: as with anything else, waiting around for something to get better means not a lot is likely to happen, meanwhile the pounds creep ever upwards. The bodily changes that occur during menopause do not allow your body to burn calories at the rate it used to. This means you have to make up for not only an increase in appetite, but a sluggish metabolism!

So, how can you overcome this? The answers may seem simple on the outset, but the struggle to maintain your weight is not easy. First, it is important to increase your activity level. Weight and resistance training are good bets to improve your health and metabolic functioning. As women age there is a natural decrease in activity - this is true for men as well. However, women experiencing menopause have to fight a more uphill battle.

In addition to exercise, nutrition is an important consideration. Eat healthy meals, lots of fruit and foods high in fiber. Monitor intake of high-fat foods and try to stay away from fast food and fried foods. Start each meal being conscious of keeping portion size down to a minimum - your body most likely does not need everything on the plate. Fill up on healthy, low in saturated fats foods before considering higher calorie options.

Although it does happen, it is less common for women going through the menopause to experience a reduction in appetite. While on the surface this may seem like a great way to shed a few pounds, it can lead to a lack of proper nutrition.

Should you find your appetite has diminished, make sure that you take vitamins and minerals that will allow you to keep your body functioning as well as it can. Menopause wreaks havoc on your body, so you have to counterbalance what is happening. Try to have a few small meals or healthy snacks throughout the day. If sitting down for a big meal isn't working for you, this may be the way to go!

Menopause and appetite go hand in hand. It is important for you to recognize that you are going through a natural process that only seems unnatural. Take the proper steps to control your appetite consciously and you will be better able to cope with whatever the menopause throws at you.

Anxiety and Menopause: Understanding Anxiety Symptoms in Women

One of the most common menopause symptoms is anxiety. But why is this? We know what causes anxiety is often rooted in medical and psychological conditions. But it turns out that the anxiety symptoms in women in perimenopause and menopause are due in large part to the fluctuating levels of hormones, most notably estrogen and progesterone.

How Estrogen Affects Anxiety

One reason that menopause contributes to increases in feelings of anxiety is because menopause is marked by declining levels of estrogen. Estrogen has been proven to have a significant impact on levels of certain chemicals in the brain. The neurotransmitters serotonin, nor-epinephrine, dopamine, and melatonin are all very important in regulating our moods and emotions and are also impacted by estrogen levels in our bodies. As the level of estrogen fluctuates, so do the levels of these mood-balancing chemicals, resulting in mood swings and anxiety.

How Progesterone Affects Anxiety

Another player in the relationship between anxiety and menopause is progesterone. In a typical menstrual cycle, progesterone levels increase in the second half of the cycle in response to ovulation. But in perimenopause, we begin experiencing irregular periods because there are months where we don't ovulate. If we don't ovulate then progesterone is not produced, and we don't receive the benefit of its calming, relaxing effect.

And since our progesterone levels are so low, this leaves us in a state of "estrogen dominance." Again, estrogen significantly impacts our mood-regulating brain chemicals, so when estrogen levels are too high or too low, our emotions, including anxiety, can be all over the board.

There are many options for curing anxiety, including prescription drugs. But for many women suffering from anxiety, natural remedies are the preferred treatment. Several herbal supplements, including valerian, catnip, and passionflower, are good alternatives to the current available prescription medications.

7 Andropause Symptoms That Every Man Should Know

There are actually no less than 30 million males around the globe who could experience erectile dysfunction sooner or later in their lives. Beyond experiencing a mid-life crisis, andropause or male menopause is one of the life-changing phases any man will encounter. If you put in all of the other discomforts then it's likely that these men will require treatments.

As a man, you should be aware of these andropause symptoms in advance, so you will know how to deal with it when you reach that point.

1. Diminishing Sexual Urge

Every time a male feels much less desire in having sex then he will do it less often. During your 20's, the standard is around three or four times per week, when this gets controlled, you get to have one to two times each month. Given this is the time you get to your fifties, and it is for the reason that sex gets less pleasurable.

2. Exhaustion and Poor Energy Level

During your earlier years, it was effortless to move all day long with little recourse, however, with male menopause your pace is going to decrease. Sooner or later, you will see that basic activities take more time and require a lot more attempts.

3. Physical Makeup

Each time a male gets inactive, he drops about 10 percent of the toned body mass once you hit 30. This takes place almost every decade, indicating you are likely to reduce lean muscles. If there is muscular decrease, it will be substituted with fat. This will make a male overweight. It will then produce several health related problems.

4. Memory Lapse and Failure to Focus

Everyone forgets details every once in a while, but when you observe a greater change then this might be one of the andropause symptoms. Among the strong points of a male is his power to concentrate, and without it anyone could be depressed or feel worthless.

5. Unusual Feelings and Thoughts

In case you are observing more irritability, anger, depression and anxiety the whole day, then people may have difficulty working with you. It is an,obvious manifestation of male menopause.

6. Sleep Problem

People need sleep, but when you are consistently going through disrupted sleep, then your system may have a more difficult time rejuvenating itself. Lots of men have problems sleeping especially at their andropause stage. In time, this could develop a number of health problems when not solved.

7. Indecision and Low Self-Confidence

Dealing with problems is a component of being a male. You get the feeling of efficiency, competence and power to do anything. If you are going through andropause symptoms, all these start to deteriorate.

One way to combat male menopause is through testosterone therapy. This will improve the overall health of any aging man. It will boost your libido, mental performance and endurance. It will lower your risk of developing heart problems. This therapy along with supplemental vitamins prescribed by your doctor can help lessen the adropause symptoms.

Cause Of Hair Loss - A Comprehensive 13 Point Checklist

There may not be a single cause of hair loss in many cases but rather a number of factors may contribute to thinning or losing hair.

The following 13 point checklist will help you identify which causes of hair loss may apply in your case. But first a word about hair growth cycles.

Hair Growth Cycles

Hair is constantly going through cycles of growth, resting, shedding. When hairs that are lost are not replaced, or when more hair follicles go into the resting phase, hair loss becomes noticeable.

While there is ongoing debate regarding causes of hair loss, the list below shows many of the common contributing factors:

#1: Ageing

The period for hair loss is between the 20 and 50 years of age. Some individuals arrive at the advance stages of hair loss sooner than others although it becomes increasingly evident as people advance in age.

#2: Cosmetic Chemicals

This can be an unrecognized cause of hair loss, especially bleaching, permanents, and coloring products.

#3: Drugs/Medications/Radiation

This cause of hair loss can include anticoagulants, antidepressants, contraceptive pills, amphetamines, some arthritis medications, some antibiotics, some blood thinners, medicines for gout, drugs derived from vitamin-A, certain drugs for ulcers, beta blocker drugs for high blood pressure.

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy halt the growth phase of hair follicles which results in a sudden hair loss as those follicles all shed their hair at about the same time.

#4: Heredity

Androgenetic alopecia is the term used to describe a genetic predisposition in men and women for pattern baldness or pattern hair loss. Although there is a dominant tendency for male pattern baldness, female members of a family can be transmitters as well.

#5: Hormonal Imbalance

If the male and female hormones, androgens and estrogens, are out of balance, hair loss may result. Also an overactive or underactive thyroid gland can contribute to hair loss.

#6: Illness and Severe Infections

These can include scalp fungal infections, Thyroid disorders, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, Diabetes, Lupus.

#7: Immune System Disorder

Alopecia areata is an immune system disorder which causes hair follicles to stop producing hairs. Advanced forms of the disorder are identified by the terms alopecia totalis when all head hair disappears, and alopecia universalis which results in all body hair disappearing.

#8: Menopause

This can be a main cause of hair loss in women. Due to hormonal changes after menopause, some women find their hair begins to thin.

There are a variety of treatments available involving hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There may be side effects in some cases and experimentation may be necessary under the guidance of a physician.

#9: Poor Blood Circulation

Poor blood flow to the scalp, insufficient nutrients in the blood, or poor drainage of waste products through the lymphatic systems can all contribute to hair loss.

#10: Pregnancy

Three to six months after delivering a child, many women notice a degree of hair loss as the hair goes into a resting phase because of the physiological impact of the pregnancy on the body.

#11: Pulling

Traction Alopecia is the term used to describe loss of hair from constant pulling, as with tightly braided hair styles such as pony tails.

Also the improper use of curling tongs or rollers can tug the hair so it weakens.

#12: Sebum Buildup

A basic cause of hair loss is sebum buildup in the follicles which attacks the hair bulb, the rounded area at the end of a hair strand which is rooted in the follicle. Sebum causes the hair bulb to shrink so the hair is not as well rooted.

After the hair falls out the new hair strand growing in that follicle is weaker and thinner and the process is repeated until the hair follicle is so damaged it dies. (Sebum is a fatty substance secreted from the sebaceous glands most of which open into hair follicles.)

#13: Stress and Nervous Disorders

Telogen Effluvium is the term used for a slowing down of new hair growth because of sudden or severe stress. The stress triggers a large number of hair follicles to enter the resting stage, so a few months after the stressful event, those follicles shed hair at about the same time.

From the list above you may be able to identify the main cause of hair loss in your case. Don't hesitate to get professional advice from a medical practitioner if the reason is beyond your direct control. Early action can save much anxiety later!

Helpful Tips For Surviving Menopause in One Piece

As a woman reaching that "certain" age in life, you know that menopause is coming. You can plan for it all you want, but that doesn't make the symptoms any easier to deal with, right? These symptoms of menopause can last for many months, even years, and can sometimes continue after menopause. That is because your body is slowly learning to live with a reduced level of hormones. Let's talk about some of the challenges you may face after the "change" and give you some easy tips that you can use in your everyday life to make post menopausal life somewhat more pleasant.

For many women, it can feel like you're at the mercy of your own body, but there are things you can do to minimize the impact of hormone reductions. For a start, nutrition and exercise play a major role in the health of women in this time. It may mean being disciplined enough to make a significant change in your lifestyle, but you'll feel much better about yourself in every way. If you think of this as a chance to improve yourself and your habits, it will be much easier than if you try to fight it!

It's also a good idea to start taking a multivitamin that is high in Vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and folic acid. Vitamin D will help your body to absorb calcium, for bone building that is so important. Also if you are battling with night sweats then take a cool shower before bed, wear lighter cotton clothing to absorb sweat and keep yourself comfortable. Depending on what climate you live in, you may want to dress in layers so you can remove clothing as you get hot.

Another trick the body has in store for you is the diminished levels of estrogen have a direct effect on the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for controlling your appetite, sex drive, sleep cycles, and body temperature. This big drop in estrogen confuses the hypothalamus, which is sometimes referred to as the body's thermostat, and this causes the body to overheat. Yes, even older women are "hot" sometimes! (Although they wish they weren't)

Your heart pumps faster, the blood vessels in your skin dilate to circulate more blood to radiate off the heat, and your sweat glands release sweat to cool you off even more. Eighty-five percent of the women in the United States experience hot flashes of some kind as they approach menopause and for the first year or two after menstruating has stopped. Once the post menopausal stage has been reached, this symptom should disappear, hopefully forever.

Birth Control or Hormone Replacement Therapy - Can These Affect Your Thyroid Function

Are you being treated for low thyroid symptoms, and are you also on birth control pills or undergoing hormone replacement therapy? If so, it's very important to ask your physician about the possible effects birth control pills or HRT might have on your thyroid, especially if you are suffering from low thyroid symptoms.

Today, experts in diagnosing and treating thyroid conditions know that therapies such as hormone replacement for menopause symptoms and birth control pills may actually exacerbate problems with the thyroid.

High levels of estrogen can interfere with thyroid function, as well as, hormones used in HRT. Such treatments may in effect further shut down the thyroid and cause a whole host of problems.

Ironically, HRT and birth control pills are often prescribed to alleviate hormonal complaints associated with menopause or menstruation problems, including hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances and excessive or irregular periods. Although many of these symptoms are hallmark traits of menopause, they are also symptoms that may be caused by or related to a low thyroid condition.

Ask your primary care physician the all important question, "Can my birth control pills or my hormone replacement therapy be causing my symptoms?" If the answer you receive is "no," or "there's really no connection between this and the thyroid," you should really consider other options available to you.

You should ask this question for another very important reason.

Although it may seem highly unlikely, the physician treating your low thyroid condition may not even be aware you are taking birth control pills or undergoing HRT. If a gynecologist or other medical care provider is prescribing these treatments, it's possible that it may not be included in your physician's medical records. Vice versa, the health care provider, may not realize you are being treated for low thyroid either.

Your treatment for low thyroid is unlikely to be successful or have your symptoms alleviated if these key factors that may be having an effect are not addressed. You and your physician must arrive at a solution that works for your health.

It's very clear in the research available today that the hormones in birth control pills and HRT can disrupt the thyroid function and cause you to have low thyroid symptoms. It's crucial that you evaluate all the options and all of the aspects of why you might have a thyroid problem. This is the only way to get the answers you need for your own health and wellness.