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

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

First of all, know that you are not alone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Positive Aspects of Menopause?

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

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

Here are some ways you can positively deal with menopause:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Endometriosis Symptoms and Treatments

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

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

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

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

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

The Mysterious Hives of Menopause

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

Increasing Occurences

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

The Stress Factor

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

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

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

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

Intimate Health: Important Discussions

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

Contraception

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

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

Menopause

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

Body Image

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

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

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

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

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

Sleep and Peri Menopause

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

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

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

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

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

Sleep and Progesterone, a natural choice

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

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

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

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