Common Menopause Symptoms and Treatments

Menopause is something many women dread from the time they are very young. As women age and the production of certain hormones slows, the process brings with it an assortment of unpleasant symptoms.

Since menopause has been around as long as the human race, though, by now most women know what to expect, and there are a number of common, effective treatments for the most persistent menopause symptoms.

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

A number of drug-based treatments have proven effective in combating hot flashes, including hormone replacement therapy and antidepressants. Women may prefer to avoid these treatments for a variety of reasons, though. For these women, the remaining options are time-tested home remedies.

Certain lifestyle changes, for example, can have a strong effect on hot flash reduction. Quitting smoking is a great start, and should be paired with adjustments in eating and drinking habits. Specifically, alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods should be avoided, as they have all been known to trigger hot flashes.

Relaxation techniques can also be of great value for preventing and reducing hot flashes. Activities like yoga and meditation can relieve milder cases, and carry the added benefit of helping with the sleep issues that may also affect women during menopause.

In addition to the above methods, the main method women can use to avoid hot flashes is rather simple. Fans to circulate the air, cool beverages and a lower ambient room temperature can all help keep the body regulated.

Fatigue and Sleep Disorders

In addition to temperature issues, sleep disorders are also among the most prominent menopause symptoms many women experience. While dealing with sleep issues can be difficult for some, for others, simple lifestyle changes and a commitment to maintaining a routine have proven quite effective.

The routine is perhaps the most important aspect. By simply going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, women often find that they can stabilize their sleep. Avoiding caffeine and staying properly hydrated are helpful here as well.

Additionally -and this can also help with night sweats-– maintaining a proper exercise routine encourages a healthy sleep schedule not just for women going through menopause, but for all women. At least 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise daily, ideally performed at the same time and early in the day, promotes healthy, undisturbed rest.

For fatigue during the day, which can happen even to women who have healthy nighttime sleep patterns, a brief nap is often the best treatment. Keep it short - ideally no more than 10 to 15 minutes-– and you should wake rested and ready to go. Resist the urge to fight daytime fatigue with caffeine, particularly later in the day, as stimulants can remain in the system for several hours and have a serious detrimental impact on sleep patterns.

When at-home treatments don't help

The symptoms of menopause can range from being slight annoyances to causing a serious detriment to your life. If you've tried all of the at-home treatments but are still suffering from hot flashes, fatigue, night sweats and sleep disorders, it's time to make an appointment with your OB/GYN.

Menopause Symptoms

Menopause symptoms begin at about the time that menopause starts, calculated following an uninterrupted 12-month time interval when a woman displays no signs of a menstruation. In general terms and for American women, this is at age 51.

However, a woman may also display menopause-like symptoms if she is diagnosed as perimenopausal, pre-menopausal or early menopausal. Women who have been established to be early menopausal may (in rare cases) display menopause type symptoms as early as their mid-20s.

In all cases, menopause symptoms are directly related to decreased estrogen levels and hormone imbalance.

There are more menopause symptoms than one might suspect. Fortunately, not all women display all symptoms all the time. Unfortunately, once menopause symptoms start they may persist for ten years or longer.

Among the most noted symptoms are:

Hot Flashes (hot flushes) - One of the very most common menopause symptom complaints are hot flashes. Milder hot flashes are frequently referred to as hot flushes. Hot flashes can be very intense and last for upward to 20 minutes. In extreme cases a woman may experience a hot flash, hourly.

Hot flashes have been described as extreme internal heat that rises quickly and then levels off at various degrees of discomfort. The areas of the body most affected are the face, neck, and chest area but any part of the body may be too warm during a hot flash. A woman may experience an escalating severity of hot flashes as she ages due to continuing reduced estrogen levels and/or hormone imbalance.

Night Sweats (warm flushes, cold flushes) - Night sweats are the evil twin of hot flashes. Many women are awakened with hot flashes during menopause. The areas of the body affected are nearly identical to those associated with hot flashes. Warm flushes are thought to be a milder form of night sweats. During a night sweat episode a woman may kick off the covers in an attempt to get cool quickly. Following the night sweat episode a woman may experience a cold or cool flush nearly as severe as the previous night sweat episode. In this instance, all of the bed coverings may not (at least initially) appear to be enough to get warm. These cold flushes are just part of the night sweat cycle and one of the reasons why women who experience night sweats complain of sleep deprivation. In severe cases, women experiencing night sweats may never actually go into REM sleep and so, never get a restful night's sleep. In this way, night sweats can lead to more concerning health issues including depression, mental fatigue, mood swings, irritability, and weakened immunity to disease.

Mood Swings - Mood swings like the other menopause symptoms noted previously, are among the more common symptoms associated with menopause. Not a lot is known about mood swings as they vary by the individual, in intensity and frequency. Like other symptoms, mood swings have a connection with reduced estrogen levels and imbalanced hormones. Mood swings can be problematic as they can be disruptive to personal and professional relationships. From a professional standpoint, mood suppressing drugs may affect job performance. Stress and other outside catalysts have been noted to affect mood swings.

Cravings - Food cravings have been noted as one of the very most common of menopause symptoms. During menopause, a heighten awareness of favorite or preferred foods and beverages is frequently noted. While these foods may have been attractive prior to menopause, menopausal women often engage in binge consumption of these food and beverage favorites. Previous will-power, discretion, and moderation seem to have gone out the window with the excessive consumption of chocolates, carbohydrate laden pasta, wine, beer, pizza, pickles, etc. Cravings for typical comfort foods are also common. A Thanksgiving Dinner might be considered by many to be the ultimate comfort food indulgence.

Menopause Belly Fat Weight Gain - Menopause belly fat weight gain is one of the more common menopause symptoms. Prior to menopause, most women are concerned with weight gain in the hips, thighs, and buttocks, especially following pregnancy. However and following menopause, the weight gain problem area shifts to the waist. Menopause belly fat weight gain is closely associated with reduced estrogen levels and hormone imbalance. Men typically gain weight above the hips. Excessive weight gain above the hips puts excessive strain on all body organs, especially the heart. Heart and artery disease are the number killers of American males. Menopausal women who gain weight above the hips are put at the same risk levels as their male counterparts. Older women are at the same risk of heart and advanced coronary artery disease as men.

Osteoporosis and Bone Loss - Osteoporosis and bone loss are among the most insidious of menopause symptoms. Osteoporosis causes bone loss, frailty and fragility. Those individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis are at elevated risk of bone breakage. Even large bones (like the hip) are easily broken with a simple fall. One out of three individuals older than 65 experience falls. Osteoporosis and bone loss can be offset (to a degree) with the implementation and/or augmentation of specific drugs, vitamins and minerals, as well as limited load-bearing exercises.

Additional Symptoms - In addition to the previously noted symptoms, the following menopause symptoms should also be noted: Irregular periods, loss of or decreased libido, vaginal dryness, fatigue, hair loss (or gain), sleep disorders, difficulty concentrating, memory loss or lapses, dizziness, incontinence, bloating, increased allergy sensitivity, brittle or easily broken fingernails, changes in body odor, racing heart beat, depression, anxiety, irritability, panic attacks, breast tenderness, migraines, aching joints, burning sensation in mouth or tongue or bad taste in the mouth, electric shocks, digestive irregularities, gum problems, bleeding gums, muscle tensions, itchy skin, and tingling extremities.

Breast Cancer, Tamoxifen and Hair Loss - One Woman's Solution!

On what should have been a beautiful late spring day two years ago, soon turned into tragedy for two women (Helen and Denise) in their early 40's when they both were diagnosed with invasive-
hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.They were very much alike, these two women. Both were happily married. Both had three children and both held down full time jobs. They were two bright and ambitious women who without realizing it, entered into a bond on that numbing, spring afternoon.

Both underwent several lymph node removals and a lumpectomy. Both endured the effects of 6 weeks of radiation therapy. Neither had to endure the grueling effects of chemotherapy. Both were determined to beat this monster that had invaded their bodies. Both bonded as close friends and when the feelings of hopelessness began to creep into their thoughts they had each other as confidants to lift up their spirits. They stood together, without ever having to alarm their families of their inner fears that their cancer would return.

With the conclusion of their treatments they both resumed their everyday routines and tried to reclaim a sense of normalcy back into their lives. They both were prescribed Tamoxifen for the next five years. Tamoxifen is very effective in preventing recurrence in invasive hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Unknown to Denise, she was not yet finished with the challenges that this demon called cancer forced her to face.

Although, Tamoxifen does have some side effects it is relatively safe and thousands upon thousands of women take it daily without experiencing any side effects at all. Helen scarcely noticed any changes while taking the drug. She returned to work part-time at first, but quickly resumed her role as wife, mother and full time employee. One would scarcely believe that she had ever undergone cancer treatments and she glowed once again with signs of good health.

Denise on the other hand didn't fair quite as well. She noticed immediately that her hair was starting to fall out. Sometimes averaging 200 strands a day. After two weeks of being on Tamoxifen and experiencing this rapid hair loss she was seriously considering discontinuing its use. The radiation therapy that was used to spare her life had left her tired and listless. Tamoxifen that was used to prevent the cancer from returning, was thinning her hair and most of all destroying her self esteem.

She researched the prescription medication Rogaine, but found the chemical name (minoxidil) had side effects as well. Rogaine was also very expensive and time consuming. She had contemplated ovary removal. Her reasoning being, she was positive that her family was complete. She quickly dismissed that thought not wanting to undergo anymore surgeries.

She then looked into Aromasin an FDA approved aromatase inhibitor. Aromasin was given to women with early stage disease, but who had already undergone 2 to 3 years of Tamoxifen. The next inhibitor that she looked into was Femara. Although, FDA approved for early stage breast cancer she needed to have completed 5 years of Tamoxifen. The third inhibitor was called Ariminex. This is given to patients with early stage disease and directly after surgery. After discussing this with her Doctor, she immediately switched from Tamoxifen to Ariminex.

Hair loss was the primary reason Denise switched from Tamoxifen to Ariminex. She had no other side effects with this drug, but as vanity would have it she just didn't want to become bald. After taking Ariminex for just under four months she realized that she had traded one cosmetic side effect for another that was physical. Denise was still experiencing slight hair loss, but was now suffering from excruciating joint pain.

Her Doctor explained that by taking Tamoxifen, her continuing hair loss just might have been caused by the drug giving her a nudge into menopause. Women who enter menopause, because of the lower estrogen sometime experience hair loss. He also explained that everyone's tolerance was different for these drugs and he could prescribe Femara for her instead of Ariminex. By this time Denise was taking extended release Tramadol for joint pain and felt exhausted and defeated. She was still not capable of returning to work, even though it had been almost a year since she had been first diagnosed with breast cancer.

Financially Denise and her family were barely making ends meet. Without her much needed paycheck, the household bills were accumulating. Her once vibrant marriage was suffering and the talk of their separation was only silenced by the tears in their children's eyes. In one year everything she and her family had worked for appeared ready to come crashing down!

Denise was still contemplating whether she should begin taking Femara or stop taking all drugs altogether.

That morning she received a phone call that would change her life. It was Helen. Her confidant through the worst of times had called to find out how she was doing. It wasn't long before Denise's emotions came spilling out. Through tears and laughter Helen and Denise were once again reunited, and Denise was no longer fighting this battle, seemingly alone.

Helen who did and continues to work in the organic and natural food business, was saddened that Denise had not confided in her earlier on her struggles. She was delighted with the thought that she may be able to help her ailing friend.

Upon hearing Denise's story it was clear to Helen that the only side effect that Helen's brief taking of Tamoxifen had was hair loss. Because of those two simple four letter words (hair loss) the past year for Denise and her family had turned into a roller coaster of spiraling downward turns.

After a very long in depth discussions with Helen, Denise decided to take her advice and begin taking Shen Min. Shen Min is an herbal product that has literally changed Denise's life. She discontinued Ariminex, and immediately felt a difference with her joints.She was then able to discontinue the use of Tramadol for joint pain, because she no longer suffered pain. She chose not to begin taking Femara, but instead decided to resume taking Tamoxifen, since other then hair loss there were no other side effects.

As Helen explained it to Denise, the Shen Min Advanced Formula for Women was actually extending her hairs growth phase, therefore reducing the amount of hairs that were in the resting and fallout phase. This herbal supplement had no side effect and the results were noticed within a month. It seemed like such a simple solution, yet Denise had suffered miserably for almost a year, by taking medications that lead to side effects without realizing that there are natural products that can be taken with conventional medication.

Helen's introducing Denise to Shen Min literally changed her life. She is doing very well on Tamoxifen with no side effects. Her hair loss is at an acceptable normal rate and she is now back to work full time. She is no longer on any pain medications and her marriage is becoming stronger and back on the right track.

Although, this cancer/hair loss story does get somewhat complicated, it is insightful. If Denise had known about Shen Min when she first started on Tamoxifen she would have spared herself months of suffering with severe joint pain because of the Ariminex. Although aromatase inhibitor Ariminex is side effect free for the majority of its prescribed patients, Denise's body for what ever reasons was unable to tolerate this medication.

The bottom line is that there is help for anyone who has unwanted hair loss. Shen Min has natural products consisting of capsules, topical formula's and even herbal shampoo's that can help hair loss in both men and women. If you or someone you know is suffering from hair loss, even if it is through genetics Shen Min just might be your answer to thinning hair.

6 Effective Herbal Treatments For Infertility - Infertility Solutions

There are many types of tips to boost fertility out there. The one that is important is the one that can lead you to a better chance to get pregnant. Thus, you are more likely to find the one that can give you faster result and cut cost. Most importantly, after you adopting all these tips you will need to use it every single time. Applying all those tips that you will learn is the one that will ensure you to get pregnant in natural way.

Usually, when you're not performing the right method, this is because you are not applying the fundamental principle. Of course it will also difficult to detect your own mistake. So here are the herbal treatments for infertility that you have to follow:

1. The long history of usage as woman's herb is called Wild Yam. It has many benefits on health especially for who are infertile. Commonly it used during menopause-relieving regimen and pre-menstrual syndrome. This herb is a good tonic because it can help balance out hormones for the female system and increase the fertility of women.

2. There is a herb that widely used by Muslims called Black Seed. This is one of the most favourites of Muhammad. It is the panacea that heals all harms except for death. It can heal the infertility problems such as PCOS, Endometriosis, blocked tubes, and uterine fibroids. While that, black seed also have an ability to increase the male sperm count, stimulates menstrual periods, increases the flow of breast milk, and calms the nervous system.

3. The third herb that is the safest and commonly used is Raspberry Leaf. This herb is used for female wanting to get pregnant or who are already pregnant. It is good to the uterine and pelvic muscles. It contains full of minerals, calcium, vitamins and alkaloid. The benefit of this alkaloid is to lend tone to the uterus. This herb is better when you drink 2 - 3 cups per day.

4. The fourth herbal which is noted as Chinese herb is Dong Quai. It is used as a blood tonic. In this herb, it has Iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin E for their blood building properties such as regulate the menstrual cycle, balances estrogens and improves the chances of embryo implantation. This herb helps the uterus to tone effectively and increase the hormone regulator.

5. The fifth herbal treatment is Black Cohosh. The beneficial of this herb is that it ripens and prepare cervix for labor. This herb has many other usage such as treat human's mood swings, relieves hot flashes in menopausal women and especially for vaginal dryness which it can avoid from getting pregnant.

6. Lastly, the most useful herb is Red Clover Blossoms. This herb can boost fertility because it contains many valuable nutrients including of high protein, high vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and many more. It has been used medicinally for many years through history to treat conditions especially related to menopause.

Above all those tips will help you to get pregnant naturally and of course it will take time. People who are already boost their fertility aware about the causes of infertility. With proper guidance, you can be sure to achieve the exact same result as the successful ones.

Hormonal Replacement Therapy Or HRT for Women

Hormonal Replacement Therapy for Women.

Do women need testosterone?

Up to the year 2002 hormone replacement therapy or HRT was almost standard treatment for all post-menopausal women suffering from symptoms of falling female sex hormone levels. Up to then, testosterone was not considered a female sex hormone of any significance. In the past ten years there have been some quite dramatic developments.

What are the most frequent symptoms of Menopause?

(1) Frequent hot flushes.
(2) Night sweats.
(3) Vaginal dryness making sexual activity difficult or impossible.
(4) Loss of libido and mild depression.
(5) Hair and skin dryness.
(6) Weight gain unrelated to over-eating.
(7) Slowing down and eventual cessation of menstruation. Erratic menstrual periods.

What hormone levels fall at time of menopause?

All female hormonal levels, including testosterone, fall around the time of menopause but the ones that cause the most symptoms are oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Testosterone is a steroid androgen hormone produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. During early adulthood women produce testosterone at about 10% the rate that men do. As with men also, their levels of testosterone fall as they get older such that by menopause, or shortly thereafter, their testosterone levels fall to zero or near zero.

Testosterone levels in women.

Testosterone is now thought to play an important role in female libido and sexual response. Not all women, by any means, will experience a fall in their sex drive or function as a result of declining testosterone levels. Some however will and it is important to know that these women can be helped and need to be helped.

Can these be replaced?

Yes, all three hormones can be replaced. In the case of post hysterectomy, oestrogen can be given alone since endometrial cancer is no longer a possible side effect. Otherwise a combination of oestrogen and progesterone are usually chosen since oestrogen given alone carries a greater risk of endometrial cancer. Testosterone, so often forgotten, can now be given alone or in combination with either of the other hormones.

What are the treatments for menopause?

The most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms remains hormone replacement therapy. If you have not had a hysterectomy this will involve a combination of oestrogen and progesterone and perhaps testosterone. If you have had a hysterectomy, because that removes the danger of endometrial cancer, the estrogen's alone or in combination with testosterone, will be your treatment of choice.

In 2002 the preliminary findings of the Women's Health Initiative study were reported to a fanfare of alarming publicity. The bottom line was often misinterpreted in attention grabbing headlines like: HRT CAUSES BREAST CANCER. However, it might be useful to understand exactly what the study did in fact report:

Among 10,000 women taking oestrogen/ progesterone combination HRT for one year there were eight extra cases of breast cancers when compared to a similar group of women not receiving HRT over one year. The initial study did not show any extra deaths among the HRT taking women.

Other facts that sometimes hysterical reports on this study failed to mention was that there was a decreased incidence of bone fracture and of bowel cancer among the HRT group. And also there was a 15% reduction in the incidence of breast cancer among women who were on oestrogen only HRT - that is, post-hysterectomy women.

There were 38 cases of breast cancers among the HRT group compared to just 30 cases among the non HRT group. The question then that a woman needs to ask herself is this. Are the benefits of my taking HRT such that they outweigh the increase in the risk of developing breast cancer? This question needs to be answered in the calm light of day and not be unduly influenced by devotees on either side. Is the risk versus benefit ratio correct? Are my menopausal symptoms such that to be rid of them would be well worth the risk of being one of those 8 in 10,000 women for whom this treatment might cause breast cancer?

To add even more worry to this vexed question The Women's Health Institute study also showed an increased risk of developing heart attach and stroke among the HRT group of approximately the same increased rate of some 10 extra women per 10,000 on treatment. Again this figure needs to be looked at in a balanced fashion for what it is and risk/benefit ratio needs to be weighed up.

What about Natural or Bioidentical HRT. Much play has been made in recent years about the virtues of naturally occurring hormones as distinct from the synthetic ones. Indeed a major industry has grown up around this very topic. Some very fashionable and famous women have thrown themselves behind the argument in favour of "naturally occurring" HRT. Unfortunately though, this is invariably accompanies by far more hyperbola than clinically proven fact, anecdote rather than study. The problem is, search as you may, there are no published studies that I am aware of, that actually prove that naturally occurring hormones impart any benefit over the synthetic ones and may do not carry the same efficacy.

Summery.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women today remains every bit as valid and as useful as it always has been. It has now been extended to considering the addition of testosterone to oestrogen and progesterone. As always, care must be exercised and this therapy should only be embarked upon under medical supervision and advice. In our present knowledge so called "Bioidentical" HRT offers no advantage over their synthetic equivalents and indeed may not be as effective.

Peruvian And Ayurvedic Herbs As Hot Flashes Remedy

Hot flashes are very common symptoms of menopause. Thus almost regularly researches are being carried out in this field so that the causes of the hot flashes as well as their proper remedies can be found out correctly. Herbs have always been regarded as natural remedies for this problem and in this field Ayurvedic medicine have long been quite popular. Since Ayurveda believes that every problem in our body is created by some imbalances, same is believed in the case of the hot flashes.

Therefore, the treatment not only involves having herbs but also by having a change in the lifestyle too. The herbs that are used as the remedies of hot flashes in Ayurveda are garlic, hawthorn berries, aloe Vera, licorice, sandalwood, ashwagandha and so on.

Ayurveda also stresses on the importance of massages with various oils and meditation and yoga for keeping mind stress free and relaxed. This is because Ayurveda believes that a balance between mind and body is absolutely essential for maintaining a proper balance so that a person can be completely cured.

Peruvian herbs are also been useful in treating this problem since for years the women in the Andes region used the herbs for treatment. These herbs that grow in the highlands of the Andes plateau are believed to have such strength that they were used by the Incas before they used to go to the wars.

Maca roots which are the most popular among these herbs have indeed been proved good for treating various menopausal symptoms such as fatigue and depression. They have also been found to be good for treating the symptoms. Many women who have used the herbs have found an immediate improvement in the symptoms. Some even claimed that their hot flashes stopped immediately.

Thus Maca roots have been produced and reproduced in various forms like tablets, powder and syrup so that having it in any form can bring about the remedy of hot flashes. However, other than decreasing the symptoms, the Maca roots are also good for treating other menopausal problems too.

Another excellent herb that is used for the treatment of this problem is the Clary Sage Essential Oil. It is a calming herb having the power to stimulate estrogen. It is mostly effective when the production of estrogen is low in the body. Thus the precious Peruvian and Ayurvedic herbs it is used for treating the hot flashes.

Menopause Natural Remedies - Why These Options Are Worth Women's Consideration

A number of menopause natural remedies have gained support from both patients and health professionals due to increased emphasis being given to natural cures. In here, we'll take a look at some of the more popular menopause natural remedies to provide women around the world with much-needed help to make informed choices.

Herbs for menopause

There are certain herbs for menopause relief that have been touted by natural menopause treatment supporters and one of the most heard-of is black cohosh. This flowering plant is said to be very effective in reducing hot flashes and night sweats. It contains phytochemicals which had been know to relieve the effects of several menopausal symptoms.

Another plant-based cure that is highly recommended by followers of herbal medicine is dong quai which has been known to help offset estrogen deficiency.

Maca root, a plant said to help in normalizing sex drive, is also believed to be effective in balancing estrogen and progesterone levels in the body and is a much favored menopause symptoms reliever.

Phytoestrogens as natural menopause treatment

Among the many plant-based natural remedies for symptoms of menopause, those that contain phytoestrogens garner some of the most intense interest and attention from natural cures enthusiasts. Several supplements based on phytoestrogens, like Menozac, have come out of the market lately. Phytoestrogens are chemicals found in plants and they supposedly function as naturally-produced estrogens in the body.

These chemicals are said to partly make up for estrogens lost by women when they enter the period of menopause. Soybeans are considered as the richest source of phytoestrogens.

Alternative methods that bring relief

Aside from supplements and herbal medications, there are several other ways by which women around the world are finding relief from the effects of menopausal symptoms. One of this is yoga. Any form of exercise, for that matter, actually brings relief. However, yoga has been highly touted not only for its physical, but also for its psychological effects.

Acupuncture is another natural and alternative method used to treat symptoms of menopause. It is said to prevent depression and is considered a top notch option for curing headaches.

Whether you prefer menopause natural remedies or scientifically modern methods, keep in mind that simple lifestyle changes such as exercise, proper diet and enough sleep should still be part of your treatment program. And oh, do visit your doctor as he still knows best.