How Does Menopause Affect IBS?

Did you know that women are more likely to develop IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) than men? It's true, and many believe this is because of the different hormones that the female body produces throughout the monthly menstrual cycle. So what happens when menopause begins?

Once this period of life begins, the hormones that are produced by the body change, and so will the problems you have with IBS and the related symptoms. If you consider the way hormones work through a woman's fertile years, you might understand how the hormonal changes of menopause affect IBS.

Irritable bowel affects up to fifteen percent of the population of the United States, and it is estimated that 70-75 percent of patients are female. Those with this condition suffer from bouts of cramping, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation. This is something that is usually diagnosed before age 50, and some go through life dealing with it, but not realizing that they have a medical condition. There is no real cure for IBS, but there are a number of lifestyle changes and medications that seem to help some patients.

The symptoms and flare ups of IBS tend to be worse for all women when they are having their period. Fluctuating hormones seem to be the culprit, with the rise in progesterone during this time being one of the more influential triggers. This means that a woman with IBS will have far more trouble symptoms and bouts of bloating, diarrhea, and cramping. Because of this, not only do more women get IBS than men, it also means that they are going to have a harder time dealing with it.

Pregnancy can bring about a whole new set of problems for those women with IBS as well. Pregnancy will do many things to a women's body, and what will happen with IBS seems to be different for every women. Hormones start raging through the body, and many of these are the same or are much like the ones related to menses. For some women, their IBS is much more under control while they are expecting, and for others, the opposite is true.

The good news is that the hormones that are associated with IBS flare-ups will subside substantially when menopause happens. Women with IBS can expect they will begin to feel much better, and their symptoms will be more comparable to men with the condition. Women with IBS generally begin to feel better around age 50 to 55, depending on when they go through menopause. They may notice a sudden improvement when menopause begins, or it may take a while for symptoms to slow down. It is important to remember that while going through menopause, the fluctuations of hormones can be dramatic. This might make IBS worse for a time, but it should pass. Either way, this is a time when a woman can expect to gain some relief from her IBS symptoms at least.

Signs of Perimenopause - Menopause and Treatment Options

Perimenopause is a period of 2 to 10 years before Menopause actually sets in. Menopause is said to have begun if you miss your period for a full year or more straight.

Perimenopause and menopause are inevitable parts of a life if you are a woman. It doesn't have to be as dreadful as some have made it out to be. All women go through them but not all of them will have the same symptoms and neither will the intensity of the symptoms be the same. As one woman, your symptoms can vary from month to month and in intensity.

Signs of Perimenopause - Menopause

Weight gain could indicate early menopause and can occur for two reasons. One reason is due to an increased appetite and a decrease in exercising. The second reason could be due to the body's retention of water.

Mood swings can be associated with the fluctuating hormone levels which can be very erratic in many women. Depression, anxiety, and irritability may accompany mood swings.

Fibroid cysts in the breast and/or uterus may form. These are benign growths that can be surgically removed. They are not life threatening but could cause some discomfort. In the uterus, they may reduce your chances of becoming pregnant. Vaginal dryness and a less intense libido may also be signs of Perimenopause, menopause.

Hot flashes and night sweats are very common signs of perimenopause, menopause. Night sweats are hot flashes that occur at night. Many complain that the night sweats wake them up and their night clothes and bedding will be damp or wet. After they cool down and get back into bed, the bed may feel very cold because of the dampness. This could be avoided if the damp bedding were changed. A nice, dry bed is so comforting.

Insomnia or sleeplessness is another reported problem. You might have trouble getting to sleep or you may have trouble staying asleep. You might not be able to sleep long enough to be rested. Sleep problems could lead to fatigue/exhaustion.

Treatment Options

Option 1 - Pharmaceuticals can include over the counter medications and supplements as well as prescribed medications. There are two prescribed medications that are in common use: HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy where the depleting levels of estrogen and progesterone are kept at a stable level. This is to hopefully relieve symptoms for many women. Anti-depressants are often prescribed to help relieve the depression many women feel during perimenopause and menopause. Unfortunately, there are some very serious side effects and these include ovarian, breast, and uterine cancers. This is why many women search for more natural and safer treatments.

Option 2 - Natural treatments particularly herbal supplements are much safer and have far fewer if any side effects. It is strongly recommended that you discuss adding herbal supplements to your regimen because some of the herbs can affect the performance of any medication you may be taking for other health conditions. Your doctor should be a good source of information.

Herbal supplements are not standardized as most known medications are by the FDA. This leaves room for the manufacturers to put as little or as much herbal contents that they want in their supplements. Some companies have gone so far as to list ingredients that are not in the supplement at all.

Many manufactures though are working to create the most effective, safe, and high quality herbal supplements they can make. There are a few things to note that will help you choose a high quality supplement. They use only standardized herbal extracts because this helps to ensure that the same amount of product is in each capsule and from bottle to bottle.

Standardized herbal extracts is also where the most active ingredients of the herbs are found. The ingredients are extensively tested. The metabolic pathway of the ingredients is studied at the molecular level and how the ingredients' interact is observed.
High quality herbal supplements are made to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. All of this guarantees you that what is on the product label is actually in the supplement and that you have a safe, potent, effective product.

Option 3 - Lifestyle changes, just basic ones could help your body work at relieving your menopausal symptoms. Reducing the amount of alcohol that you drink may help to relieve hot flashes or night sweats. Alcohol makes you feel warm and make your skin appear flushed, most likely worsening the symptoms of hot flashes/night sweats.

Quit smoking! Smokers have problems with lung function due to the inhaled smoke blocking oxygen production. If you are a smoker, you could have far less stamina (endurance) for physical activity. As your heart and lungs work harder to give you as much oxygen as possible, you become winded and that's why you may huff and puff after physical activity.

A healthy diet and getting regular exercise will not only help to build your stamina, help you to lose weight, and benefit your over all health; they can also help to boost your libido. Your body will work more efficiently as well.

Conclusion

The signs of perimenopause, menopause includes hot flashes/night sweats, mood swings, and Depression to name but a few. These symptoms will be experienced by every woman to a greater or lesser degree. Each woman will have the symptoms affect her differently from month to month.

The good news is that there is a variety of treatments available that help to relieve or get rid of the most bothersome symptoms. Hormone Therapy Replacement and other medications are very effective but have serious side effects. Herbal supplements are available that are specifically made to deal with menopausal symptoms. Your pharmacist, doctor, or a Naturalist Pharmacist can help direct you to the best quality supplements available. There is relief and it has much fewer, if any side effects. They may also benefit your over-all health.

Get the Right Perimenopausal Treatments According to the Symptoms

Women undergo several changes in their body all throughout their life. There are changes when they are pregnant and changes will also occur during menopause. But perimenopause is a different thing. This is the stage where women experience changes in their body before they even reach their menopausal stage. Perimenopausal symptoms can be different among women just like any symptoms of different illnesses. Some women experience many symptoms and undergo drastic changes but some only experience a stop in their menstrual cycle. But there are many common symptoms that women may undergo when they are already in their perimenopausal stage. Women often experience this stage in their late 30's or 40's and may even last for up to 10 years. There are many perimenopausal treatments that you can opt if you are already uncomfortable with the symptoms and changes. Of course, the treatments should depend on the things that you are experiencing.

Some of the common symptoms include physical changes, emotional changes, and hormonal changes. So if you are going to have perimenopausal treatments, it is a must to choose the ones that will cater most to the symptoms that you have. The most common physical symptoms of perimenopause include night sweats and hot flashes and they will continue until the menopausal stage. Palpitations are also observed due to the hormonal changes. Many women experience fatigue which is also common in menopausal stage.

Another noticeable change is the irregular menstrual period that may be heavier or lighter than the usual. Menstrual periods can also be shorter or longer than the usual span of time. Other women also experience the decrease in libido and others experience temporary loss of sex drive. This change is primarily because of the changes that women experience during the perimenopause. Decreased levels of hormones also result in loss of natural lubrication since the lubrication in the vagina is a product of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Another effect of hormonal changes is the swelling of breasts that is sometimes accompanied by pain. Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis and sore joints are also experienced by women in this stage. Many women also experience weight gain and usually observe changes in waist and thigh areas. Indigestion and acid reflux can also be observed during the perimenopause. Insomnia, memory lapses, nausea, dizziness, and disorientation are also among the common symptoms of perimenopause. Some women even experience development of allergies even if they are in their late years.

Irritability, anger, and anxiety are among the common emotional changes during the perimenopausal stage. Apart from the irritability, there are women who experience mood swings and some even experience extreme mood changes. These mood changes are commonly mistaken as bipolar disorder by some professionals. Depression can also hit women who are undergoing perimenopause and can lead to apprehension and dreadful thoughts. The emotional changes are caused primarily by the hormonal changes since the body used to have high levels of hormones and gradually decreased because of the perimenopause.

Perimenopause can really bring different physical and emotional changes during the stage. Be sure to get the right perimenopausal treatments according to the symptoms and needs.Women undergo several changes in their body all throughout their life. There are changes when they are pregnant and changes will also occur during menopause. But perimenopause is a different thing. This is the stage where women experience changes in their body before they even reach their menopausal stage. Perimenopausal symptoms can be different among women just like any symptoms of different illnesses. Some women experience many symptoms and undergo drastic changes but some only experience a stop in their menstrual cycle. But there are many common symptoms that women may undergo when they are already in their perimenopausal stage. Women often experience this stage in their late 30's or 40's and may even last for up to 10 years. There are many perimenopausal treatments that you can opt if you are already uncomfortable with the symptoms and changes. Of course, the treatments should depend on the things that you are experiencing.

Some of the common symptoms include physical changes, emotional changes, and hormonal changes. So if you are going to have perimenopausal treatments, it is a must to choose the ones that will cater most to the symptoms that you have. The most common physical symptoms of perimenopause include night sweats and hot flashes and they will continue until the menopausal stage. Palpitations are also observed due to the hormonal changes. Many women experience fatigue which is also common in menopausal stage.

Another noticeable change is the irregular menstrual period that may be heavier or lighter than the usual. Menstrual periods can also be shorter or longer than the usual span of time. Other women also experience the decrease in libido and others experience temporary loss of sex drive. This change is primarily because of the changes that women experience during the perimenopause. Decreased levels of hormones also result in loss of natural lubrication since the lubrication in the vagina is a product of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Another effect of hormonal changes is the swelling of breasts that is sometimes accompanied by pain. Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis and sore joints are also experienced by women in this stage. Many women also experience weight gain and usually observe changes in waist and thigh areas. Indigestion and acid reflux can also be observed during the perimenopause. Insomnia, memory lapses, nausea, dizziness, and disorientation are also among the common symptoms of perimenopause. Some women even experience development of allergies even if they are in their late years.

Irritability, anger, and anxiety are among the common emotional changes during the perimenopausal stage. Apart from the irritability, there are women who experience mood swings and some even experience extreme mood changes. These mood changes are commonly mistaken as bipolar disorder by some professionals. Depression can also hit women who are undergoing perimenopause and can lead to apprehension and dreadful thoughts. The emotional changes are caused primarily by the hormonal changes since the body used to have high levels of hormones and gradually decreased because of the perimenopause.

Perimenopause can really bring different physical and emotional changes during the stage. Be sure to get the right perimenopausal treatments according to the symptoms and needs.

Menopause Night Sweating and Other Causes of Excessive Sweat

There are a number of causes of Night-sweating. It is important to identify what is causing the problem so that we can know how to treat or alleviate the causes of the condition.

Common causes of night sweating are; the menopause, alcohol, constipation, anxiety, diabetes, and prostate cancer.

Obviously, if diabetes or prostrte cancer are suspected then the only real course of action is to see your local doctor. These conditions need to be checked out immediately so that effective treatment can be started to relieve the situation.

With regard to the other common causes, there are a number of things you can do.

1. Alcohol

Firstly if you know that it often occurs after you have drunk alcohol then try drinking water during the evening and certainly before going to bed. This helps the body to cope with the intake of alcohol which the body regards as a toxin. The body needs at least 8 large glasses of water a day otherwise it gets de-hydrated and a chemical build up of toxins can occur. If you add alcohol to a low intake of water then your body is going to protest - night sweats are part of the body's protest. It can also serve as a warning to slow down on your alcohol consumption. Some people decide to drink to a certain time on an evening out and then turn to soft drinks or even water or Coca Cola.

2. Constipation

This again is caused by the body not having enough water to drink. The body is made up of 70% of water and so we need to replenish this so that we keep our bodies from drying out. Another sign that we are not drinking enough can be dreams. Even hallucinations can happen as our minds play tricks on our brain since we do not drink enough water. Our liver and kidneys need to have water and natural juices like vegetable and fruit to help them function and so help our bodies to get rid of toxins and other waste or harmful by-products that our bodies deem to be waste. A good, healthy diet of home cooked food will help. Why not try to cut down on processed foods and try more healthy options with natural foods as the main ingredients. A good varied diet like the GI Diet can be very helpful with plenty of fibre to naturally clear constipation.

3. Menopause

This obviously affects women who are at the end of their child bearing age. However, the events start in women of varying ages. For some people a visit to the doctor is helpful as they may need help such as a course of estrogen to help stabilise the hormonal imbalance at this time. Those who wish to use a more natural approach can use herbal remedies.

Obvious things that can help with night sweats, or hot flushes, are - making the bedroom cool, avoiding nylon sheets and night wear - opt for natural fibres like cotton. Make sure you drink plenty of water and take time to relax - even have a regular massage to relieve tension. Take time to unwind before bed and make sure you things you find relaxing and avoid heavy late evening meals. Also have a drink of water by your bed for those moments when you wake at night.

4. Tension

If you feel tension is the cause then relaxing and regular massages are brilliant. Another helpful thing is to consider the things that you may be worried about - good friends are essential to talk about these things. Try not to work too late and have a period of "me" time where you can relax and switch off. Maybe you find puzzles or a favourite movie or music that helps you relax. Find pre-bed-time activities that help you switch off from the every day events that you are involved in.

Menopause Natural Remedy - A Secret Treatment

A good liver cleanse is perhaps the most underrated menopause natural remedy out there. We're all aware of how important the heart and the brain are to the human body, but did you know that a well-functioning liver is just as critical to your health? The liver is responsible for filtering out toxins and excess hormones, and any problems with its excretory functions may contribute to estrogen dominance - which will only aggravate your menopause symptoms. Cleansing your liver and improving its functions may be the key to getting rid of hot flashes and other uncomfortable sensations for good.

The liver and estrogen dominance during menopause
You might be wondering - where does this estrogen dominance come from? Aren't menopause symptoms caused by the drop in estrogen levels? Actually, nothing could be farther from the truth. The cosmetics, pesticides, and plastics we use contain a substance called xenoestrogens - chemical preservatives that mimics estrogen's effects in our bodies when we absorb them through the skin. This normally wouldn't be a problem if our bodies had enough progesterone to counteract estrogen's harmful actions. The problem is that our progesterone levels drop faster than estrogen, leaving our bodies with high concentrations of this chemical wreaking havoc on our cells and our mood.

Although you can avoid estrogen with organic products and counteract their effects with natural progesterone, you also need a healthy liver to get rid of all the xenoestrogens in your body. The liver naturally declines in function as we age, especially after a lifetime of taking medication and other substances that weaken it. A liver that cannot eliminate xenoestrogens and other toxins as efficiently will cause estrogen to build up in the body. And since our polluted environment keeps bombarding our liver with chemicals, toxins, and excess hormones, it's not surprising that our livers are constantly overworked!

Cleansing the liver with herbs to naturally treat menopausal symptoms
Heal your liver and help it regain its functions with a good liver cleanse. These herbs are known for their abilities to detoxify the liver.

* Tumeric - an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is a powerful anti-oxidant that can stimulate the production of bile - the substance that aids in fat digestion. Xenoestrogens are often stored in fat, and the doubled production of bile will help the body go through these chemicals more efficiently.

* Milk thistle - a strong anti-toxin, milk thistle can regulate the liver's function through its curcumin content.

* Yellow dock - like turmeric, yellow dock regulates the secretion of bile and helps dissolve fat in the liver.

* Lycopodium - this herb is derived from moss and is great for liver detox, getting rid of kidney stones, and eliminating gall stones.

* Finge tree - aside from stimulating the production of bile, finge tree protects against liver diseases like hepatitis.

These herbs are available as individual remedies or as combined liver flush treatments. Cleaning up your diet by eating fewer refined carbohydrates and more raw foods will also go a long way in treating your liver. Refined foods will only add unnecessary burden to the liver, whereas fruits and vegetables can improve its function by nourishing it with vitamins and minerals.

Get Relief From Menopause Symptoms

Whenever you're feeling uncomfortableness from the menopause symptoms, there are a lot of therapies and home remedies that can help you. Fortunately, many women only feel mild symptoms and don't need treatment to deal with their menopausal signs. However, this isn't the case for the other women who experience moderate to severe symptoms and require some form of menopause treatment.

Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause can be an embarrassed stage in a woman's life. While dealing with menopausal symptoms such as night sweats, hot flash and depression, women are always tried to look for a new way to treat it. Although these symptoms went through by each woman are as unique as the women themselves, there are some symptoms of menopause, which are more basic than other people.

There is some number of possible physiological and psychological symptoms, which can be happened during menopause. The most common physical symptoms are hot flashes, night sweats, decreased libido, vaginal dryness and some even facing mood swings, insomnia and anxiety. Luckily, there are some therapy choices, including natural remedies and medical treatments to help relief both the physical and mental menopause symptoms.

Medicinal Treatments for Menopause Symptoms

For those who are dealing with the symptoms of menopause, medical intervention may can help. There are various of medication and over-the-counter medicines that you could apply depend on the menopausal symptoms that you are trying to relieve. Birth control pills could be useful for symptoms during perimenopause because they can help control moodiness, irregular periods, hot flashes and vaginal dryness. In addition menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can be good for severe symptoms of menopause. Besides medications which used to cure depression, epilepsy and high blood pressure can also relieve hot flashes and moodiness successfully.

It is important that you talk with your personal doctor about your menopause symptoms and the best treatments available. There are numerous possible side effects, which can accompany MRT as well as other medical treatments. Therefore, discuss with your doctor and weigh the risks versus the benefits of any treatments you are going to apply. You might get that you would prefer to try some alternative treatment for your symptoms before trying medications or MHT.

Natural Remedies for Menopause Symptoms

Besides attempting any medication to treat your menopausal symptoms, there are a lot of natural menopause remedies which you can try. Some possibilities that can relieve menopause like herbs, natural progesterone and dietary changes, which can help to relieve the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and night sweats. However, keep in mind that many of these treatments are unproven, and you need to do research and consider the risk before applied.

Popular Home Remedies for Hot Flashes and Why They Work

More and more women are looking for natural hot flash relief or "home remedies" for hot flashes. For many years the treatment of choice was hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but the medical community has now identified the risks associated with long-term use of HRT. Since some women begin to suffer from hot flashes, bed sweats and other menopausal symptoms five or six years before their menstrual cycles end and then may continue to have them for several years afterwards, it is not unusual for a woman to need relief or treatment for ten years. The longer she uses HRT, the greater her risk of developing serious medical conditions including cancer, heart disease, blood clots and stroke.

There are several types of home remedies for hot flashes. There are the things that you avoid, because they may trigger hot flashes or worsen their severity. There are the things that you can do to relieve or possibly prevent the frequency of them. And then there are herbs, botanicals and even some foods that may provide hot flash relief. First, we'll look at the things that typically trigger hot flashes; those things to be avoided.

Caffeine, Nicotine, Alcohol & Other Triggers

Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants. Stimulants increase blood pressure and cause blood vessels to dilate. One of the body's natural reactions to stimulants is "flushing". While decreased estrogen production causes hot flashes or "flushes" during perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause, anything that would ordinarily cause flushing, can trigger hot flashes. Even though alcohol is a depressant, rather than a stimulant, it still dilates the blood vessels, increases blood pressure and can trigger hot flashes.

Other hot flash triggers may be unique to the individual woman and may require a symptoms diary to identify them. For example, many women find that spicy foods trigger hot flashes. Certain vitamins, over the counter drugs, prescription and illicit drugs (like marijuana) may trigger hot flashes, if they increase blood pressure or cause the blood vessels to dilate. When drugs or vitamins are necessary for other health reasons, it may not be possible to avoid them. Herbal home remedies for hot flashes may be helpful, in these cases, but prescription drugs can interact with some herbs. Your doctor, pharmacist or herbalist should be able to advise you about any herbal remedies that should be avoided, if you are taking medication.

Things That Help

Hot flash relief may be a simple matter of wearing loose fitting, lighter weight or cotton clothing. Cotton allows perspiration to evaporate, cooling the skin off more quickly and making you feel more comfortable. Dressing in layers can also help. You can take layers off as your body heats up and put them back on, if you become chilled afterwards, as many women do.

Regular exercise provides hot flash relief for many women. It may be that the heat you generate while moving around helps the body stay at a more comfortable temperature throughout the day. Diet can also be a factor, which brings up the last of the home remedies for hot flashes.

Dietary, Herbal and Botanical Home Remedies for Hot Flashes

A lot is being said about soy beans for menopausal symptoms. Soy beans contain a compound called isoflavones, which are plant estrogens or phytoestrogens. These phytoestrogens may have an estrogen-like effect on a woman's body, provide hot flash relief and possibly relieve other menopausal symptoms. While some experts suggest that adding soy to the diet may be a better choice than dietary supplements that contain the active compound, the research conducted thus far indicates that dietary supplements decrease hot flashes much more effectively than food products such as soy flour. For women who are allergic to soy, isoflavones can be found in other plants, such as red clover.

Black cohosh is one of the most popular home remedies for hot flashes. Researchers have found it to be even more effective than soy isoflavones. Sarsaparilla is an ancient remedy for hormonal imbalances and may provide hot flash relief. Ginseng is effective for some women, not for others. Chasteberry, although often recommended, does not appear to reduce hot flashes, but can be helpful for other menopausal symptoms. Wild yam is sometimes recommended because it contains a compound that can be used to create synthetic hormones. Dong Quai root is another one of the home remedies for hot flashes, but some scientific studies have found that it is ineffective for hot flash relief, though it may improve other symptoms. For more information about these and other supplements that may be helpful during menopause, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.