Natural Hormone Balance With Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture

Our bodies' hormones exist in a delicate balance with one another, and correcting imbalances can be a tricky thing to achieve. In order to understand what exactly we are dealing with, let's take a closer look at our endocrine system, the bodies' messaging system. Then we will further examine how Chinese Medicine can help to balance the female hormones in order to address a variety of common women's health disorders.

The Endocrine System Creates and Distributes Messages

Our Endocrine systems are a fascinating and complex thing to look at. What is the function of this system? The endocrine system is comprised of a series of glands whose job is to produce and distribute hormones. Hormones are one of of our bodies primary messaging systems, and they coordinate our body's physiological activities, much like a symphony conductor coordinates all the musical instruments to create a harmonic performance.

Our key players are the Hypothalamus and the Pituitary gland. This pair of glands regulates the other glands of the body including the adrenals, thyroid, and sex organs. The Hypothalamus and Pituitary team up with several different key glandular players to form multi-functional "Axis'" that work to regulate very important processes of the body. Here are the three major axis' and their functions:

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonad-Think 'Reproduction'

Regulates male and female reproductive systems. Problems with this axis include infertility, menstrual irregularities, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, sexual dysfunction and menopausal problems.

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid-Think 'Metabolism'

Regulates metabolism and energy production and usage. Fatigue, weight gain, emotional disorders, anxiety, and insomnia and heart palpitations indicate problems here.

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal-Think 'Stress & Digest'

Regulates a wide variety of activities including stress response, digestive function, immunity, emotions and energy. Problems with this axis may present as fatigue, IBS or other organ functional disorders, insomnia, emotional disturbances, and alcoholism.

TCM View of Hormonal Effects

Chinese Medicine developed a different twist on the perspective of hormones and where they come from. The endocrine system is the basic equivalent of the Kidney system in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). It is responsible for maintaining functions related to genital, urinary, endocrine, bone, blood and central nervous system. The Kidney is our most basic energy source and is primarily responsible for reproduction, growth and development of the body.

How Can Chinese Medicine Help With Women's Hormonal Balance?

Chinese medicine excels at balancing the hormones of the women's body and is an effective treatment for regulating menstrual disorders, treating menopausal symptoms, and addressing infertility. It is also great for addressing mood swings, stress, low libido and poor energy.

Treatment begins with a full heath intake in which we formulate a Chinese medical diagnosis and then go from there. Every woman's body is different and will be treated in an individualized method, unlike Western medicine where a specific health disorder is treated the same with each patient. For example, an irregular menstrual cycle could stem from several different patterns depending on your body and what is going on with you. I will identify your unique pattern and treat you in a customized fashion.

Your treatment plan generally includes a combination of acupuncture treatments and customized herbal prescription and preparation. When you leave the office, you will be equipped with the knowledge of what the problem is, how we are going to treat it, and how frequently you will need treatment.

Using Herbal Formulas to Treat Hormone Imbalance

Chinese herbal formulas have been clinically proven to be effective in altering hormone levels in the body. A commonly used formula in the treatment of menopause, for example, known as Rhemmania Six alters female sex hormones by directly affecting the adrenal cortex, other endocrine glands, or both.

From a biomedical perspective, it has been reported that this formula increases plasma levels of cortisol (our stress-dealing hormone), increases estrodial (an estrogen derivative) and decreases overall FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). It also increased estrogen receptors significantly. What does all of this mean? The overall effect of the above data indicates a balance of hormone levels resulting in reduction of menopausal symptoms.

Your herbal formula will be designed based on the symptoms you may be experiencing. From a TCM perspective, we would treat imbalances in the Kidney system. I will prepare a formula for you based on your TCM diagnosis that is completely customized for your body using powdered herbs that can be combined to address both your symptomatic picture and your root causal disorder. In other words, we will treat both your symptoms so that you feel better, but we will also be addressing the underlying cause of your symptoms so that your body cab find balance again.

Using Acupuncture to Treat Hormonal Imbalance

Your acupuncture treatment will focus on balancing the systems of the body that are unbalanced by exerting a strong homeostatic effect utilizing the nervous and hormonal systems. You will likely be treated for imbalances in the Kidney and Liver systems in order sedate your nervous system and balance endocrine function.

Your acupuncture regimen will include weekly treatments until the symptomatic presentations have dissipated, then a monthly maintenance treatment schedule will be established to prevent your symptoms from returning. Once we have have achieved maintenance, you may come in for preventative care if you wish.

If you or someone you know is dealing with hormonal imbalances such as menstrual pain or irregularity, menopause, infertiliy, low libido or poor energy, please refer them to my office for a free consultation.

Fast Relief From Water Retention

Every woman knows that there are some stages in their menstrual cycle when they feel their breasts are a little tender, their stomach a bit bigger, and their legs somewhat thicker because of fluid retention. This condition, which is also known as edema, is pretty normal. More often than not, these problems disappear after a few days. However, fluid retention, especially the ones that last for a couple weeks, may be a symptom of more serious conditions. It is wise to go to the doctor and have yourself checked, especially if edema is coupled with palpitations, decrease in peeing, shortness of breath and pain in the leg muscles.

If your water retention problem is cyclical or is part of hormonal imbalance caused by menopause, there are actually ways to flush out the fluid safely and naturally. Here are some pointers to getting rid of water retention fast:

Drink Up

People think that if they are bloated, they are probably consuming too much water so the logical thing to do is to stop drinking this precious fluid. The argument may appear sound, but depriving your body with water is not really a good idea. When you are dehydrated, your kidneys will be in a conservation mode and will try to retain fluid to make sure that your body has enough to perform important functions. In fact, the underlying reason why you are suffering from edema is the fact that you dehydrated. If you want to prevent being bloated, try drinking about 2 quarts of water everyday.

Jump For Joy

You may see no reason to jump for joy if your belly seems bloated and your legs are so round. According to alternative medicine practitioners, jumping is actually effective in improving your circulation and help flush out surplus fluids in your body. The upward and downward movements improve and stimulate the lymphatic system, which is responsible for moving and draining fluids.

You will see significant improvement with regard to your water retention woes after bouncing on a trampoline or doing jumping jacks for 10 to 15 minutes each day. You can stop these exercises as soon as you feel that your retention woes have disappeared.

Try Diuretics From Nature's Bounty

If you are not suffering from any serious conditions, you can do away with diuretic drugs and pills. Instead, eat one or more servings of foods that are natural diuretics. Foods that you may want to include in your everyday fare are celery, parsley and watermelon because they are the best diuretics nature can offer. Other foods that can also help flush excess water out of your system include carrots, asparagus, alfalfa sprouts, and artichokes.

Feel Dandy With Dandelion

Dandelion's leaf has been known as an effective remedy for bloating problems. Taking supplements of dandelion leaf extract three times everyday will help give you relief from water retention caused by high blood pressure. Dandelion leaf is actually safe so you can take it indefinitely. However, if you are pregnant or have swollen legs, you should only take dandelion leaf supplement only until the symptoms of bloating are under control. Moreover, seek the advise of your doctor before taking any natural remedies.

Go Easy On The Salt

If you do not know what is causing your water retention problems, then it is time to check your diet. People who eat a high-salt diet are usually prone to bloating and swelling. If you want to get rid of your short-term fluid retention troubles, then cut back your salt, ketchup, processed foods, chips, and other foods that are high in sodium.

One product that is also helpful in safely easing your bloating problems during menopause and post-menopause is Expelis. Find out more about other people's testimonies about this product by visiting http://www.expelis.com/.

How Long Does it Take For BHRT to Start Working?

Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) involves using hormones that are identical in molecular structure to the hormones that the human body produces. They come from a plant source of which a substance known as diosgenin is extracted and then altered to a variety of bio-identical hormones. It is used to treat symptoms of menopause, perimenopause, and post-menopause.

Once you have had the blood or salivary tests, and the BHRT has been created to meet your specific hormonal needs through a compounding pharmacy, you should notice that it is working within 3 to 4 days. It is important to be aware that because response to the treatment is individual, your dosage may have to be adjusted during the first few months of treatment to achieve the desired result.

A Bioidentical Hormone course of therapy is made by a compounding pharmacist for each individual patient that is centered on the particular symptoms and test results. The types of hormones used in BHRT include Progesterone, Tri-Est (Estriol, Estrone and Estradiol mixture), Testosterone, DHEA, Pregnenolone, Melatonin, and Desiccated Thyroid Extract, T3 & T4.

One method of administration is Transdermal. (Creams and Gels) They are absorbed into the skin and the hormones are dispersed within a few seconds. They attach to the target cells. Vaginal creams are also used in a Transdermal treatment.

Oral capsules are another method of administration. These capsules have to be formulated so they do not get broken down in the stomach and rendered ineffective. Sub-lingual Drops and Troches are dropped on veins close to the surface of the mouth. (Usually the vein under the tongue) It is designed to be directly absorbed quickly. Small doses are given and the drops are normally flavored.

Conventional Synthetic Hormone Replacement Therapy has been discovered to increase the risk of breast cancer, strokes, heart attacks, as well as blood clots. BHRT treatments have been proven not to increase the risk of these kinds of medical problems. Other benefits of BHRT include: decreasing insomnia, anxiety, depression, bloating, headaches, irritability, and hot flashes. There is also improved concentration, alertness, sex drive, and menstruation cycles.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has fewer side effects because the hormones are natural. Before going through treatment, it is important to test for a hormone imbalance so it is not misinterpreted for another illness such as depression. As well, the specific hormone that is not in balance has to be identified so the correct therapy will be given and customized to fit the particular needs of the patient.

A hormone imbalance can be very challenging condition to cope with. Anxiety, mood swings, depression, can be a tough situation to handle for both patients and their families. Fortunately medical researchers are discovering and implementing safer methods to boost low hormones. BHRT is one hormone replacement treatment that more medical professionals are now prescribing as a harmless and simple treatment for hormone replacement. Find out how Bioidentical Hormone Restoration Therapy can improve your overall health and well being.

Which Menopause Treatment Can Relief Progesterone Imbalance?

Perhaps you have seen advertisements or are just wondering what all of the fuss is about. With all the different kinds of cream, progesterone is getting a lot of attention among women. Moreover there are some very good reasons for all of the hype and excitement.

Women have a lot of stuff going hormonally and sometimes it is essential to find relief from the aggravating hormone imbalance symptoms. Whether your problems are associated with birth control, menopause and PMS, the fact is without an effective treatment, the symptoms will continue to worsen and your activities and life will suffer. Rather than reaching for the latest pharmacy cures, take a look at the advantages of a natural menopause treatment.

Menopause progesterone cream benefits

The first thing that you have understood is what progesterone is. It is a hormone that made naturally in a woman's body shortly before her period. If the levels of this hormone are wrong, there are all kinds of uncomfortable and disagreeable symptoms which can appear. This imbalance isn't limited to menopausal women, though they are more normally affected than others.

For this reason, finding for alternative menopause treatments is a good idea. You need relief from bloating and mood swings without adding more unnatural ingredients into your body system from lab created medications which may be only partially useful. Be deciding to apply a natural remedy, you also can have your old energy back and enjoy the sexual libido before your hormones became out of whack. Besides natural menopause estrogen cream can help you regain your concentration and self esteem.

Disadvantages of chemical remedies

In stark compare to menopause progesterone cream, prescribed drugs have some serious weakness. As your hormone imbalance has been diagnosed, it can take months of misery to find the correct hormone replacement therapy balance for you. In the meantime, you are forced to deal with hot flashes, anxiety attacks and weight gain. There have also been studies done which strongly recommend that long term use of medications can harm your health. By replacing your hormones in natural way, you are avoiding putting chemicals in your body which only mimic the real thing.

When you purchase progesterone cream, you have the advantage of understanding exactly what you are applying to your body and can be assured that it is natural and safe. Menopause treatment which mention in our website is a great way to replace missing progesterone. It is simple to apply and you don't have to worry about missing a dose or what time to take it. As a result your progesterone imbalance can be treated effectively and naturally.

Natural Menopause Treatments - Top 3 Ingredients You Need in Your Body

Did you ever consider that perhaps you should try natural menopause treatment? Many other women are going considering this alternative as well. Some went ahead and tried it and are now enjoying life much better. Others have gotten bogged down in the negatives somewhere and never got started.

So let's explore these ingredients and why you need them in your body to alleviate menopause symptoms.

Firstly, for the positive side, allow me to point out that your life is not over. I know you're going through a tough phase but believe me, it can get better if you treat these symptoms. O.K., I hear your objection, that menopause treatments may be a little costly. It is a valid objection, I agree. However, allow me to provide you with the fact that there are a couple of companies that will allow you to try their natural supplements for free. That way, if it doesn't work for you, you don't need to spend any money. And if it does work, you won't mind spending money because you will be a much happier person.

These are the top 3 ingredients that you should have in your body to alleviate menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety, vaginal dryness and more.

1. The first ingredient is black cohash. There has been a lot of research provided that black cohash can alleviate menopausal symptoms. Europeans have been familiar with the qualities of this herb for a very long time. Please note however, that people with existing liver conditions should exercise prudence and consult a medical professional prior to taking it.

2. Soy Seed. This ingredient contains a natural estrogen called phytoestrogens which can balance the estrogen levels in women. One should note that different women have mood swings because they either have too much estrogen or not enough of it.

3. Damaiana leaf. This is a herb for menopause that helps alleviate anxiety and can bring about relaxation.

With these 3 natural ingredients included in your menopause treatments, your menopausal symptoms will decrease significantly.

Early Menopause and Weight Gain

In early menopause, many women will experience some weight gain. Some weight gain will occur when; as we age our metabolism slows down with the result of some weight gain. There are two basic causes of weight gain in early menopause and both are very treatable.

Symptoms of Early Menopause

Some of the symptoms of early menopause include the proverbial hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. These are among the most common reasons a woman will seek treatment. Other symptoms include food cravings including sweets and salty foods. Some women will experience cravings for carbohydrates. Weight gain can also occur.

Causes of Early Menopause Weight Gain

Food cravings whether they are for salt and salty foods, fatty foods, and carbohydrates can result in over-eating. This is a classic cause of weight gain - eating more calories than your body burns. Essentially, a reduced activity level and overeating equals weight gain.
Weight gain can also be attributed to hormonal changes as you enter into early menopause.

Hormonal changes may also contribute to the body's retention of water. Water retention may be attributable to health conditions in the kidneys and adrenal glands. It could also result from circulatory system including the heart. A medical examination is necessary to rule out any health conditions that might be at the root of water retention.

In early menopause weight gain is relatively harmless. As we age body systems tend to slow down. The kidneys may become "tired" leading to weakened kidneys. Symptoms such as urine leakage (incontinence) may result. Hormone Replacement Therapy-HRT may also contribute to water retention and serious health conditions could result. In this case doctors will likely recommend that HRT be stopped.

Sodium- salt and salty foods cause the body to retain water. Sodium draws water from cells to reduce 'thirst. This will likely cause some weight gain. This is also a treatable condition.

Treatments

Pharmaceutical treatments including diuretics (water pills) are often used. They can be prescribed or over the counter. The problem with diuretics is that their use can seriously reduce potassium levels. This can lead to conditions such as osteoporosis.

Herbal treatments include single herbs such as dandelion that can reduce swelling in the legs and can be used long term with no ill effects. Don Quai may with extended use relieve bloating and the growth of bacteria. Vitamins including B vitamins and minerals such as zinc and magnesium are also used to treat menopausal symptoms including weight gain.

Herbal supplements are an increasingly popular choice for women due to the fact that they are safer and have far fewer side effects if any. The best herbal supplements will have been rigorously tested including examining the metabolic route of the ingredients at the molecular level and the examination of the ingredients' interactions. Only standardized herbal extracts are used and they are made to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. This helps to guarantee consistent quality and dosing in each capsule. Nothing should be added to your health regimen without checking with your doctor. Some herbs can affect the performance of prescription drugs that you may be taking for other health conditions.

Eating a healthy diet, getting exercise, and learning meditation and relaxation techniques can help to prevent or reduce weight gain. Yoga is a popular choice for many women. If you are not used to exercising start slow maybe 5 minutes a day and build up to a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise.

Conclusion

Weight gain can of concern at any time including early menopause. This can be the result of hormone changes, over-eating, or water retention. A physical examination by your doctor can help to determine the cause including any possible health conditions that might be contributing to early menopause weight gain. A healthy diet and exercise will help to reduce weight that has already been gained and prevent future gains.

Natural Remedies For Perimenopause And Menopause Symptoms

More and more women are seeking natural alternative treatments for symptoms of menopause, for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the most compelling reason for many is the association between conventional hormone replacement therapy and a number of serious health risks, including an increased risk of breast cancer and blood clots, although the link has by no means been proven, and the issue is currently the subject of serious debate among women's health experts. Many women have experienced unpleasant side effects resulting from conventional HRT, including nausea, headaches and vaginal bleeding. Many women simply feel apprehensive at the thought of taking drugs which have been manufactured synthetically.

The whole notion of returning to old fashioned herbal treatments and folk remedies has a certain comforting, romantic appeal. Some of the herbal medicines which are being rediscovered have been used to treat a range of ailments for literally thousands of years. There is a commonly held belief that medicines derived from natural sources are necessarily free from the risk of negative side effects, harmful interactions and allergic reactions. This is simply not true. Whatever kind of medication you choose to take, it's essential that you fully understand how it works, what dosage level is appropriate for you, and what objective research has been done on its effectiveness and its potential hazards. Your doctor is the best person to provide you with professional, individual advice and attention. Information you find online and in women's health publications is a useful supplement to your doctor's advice, and it's wise to read as widely as you can to get an overall picture of the issues. Your health is the most important thing you have, and while you are free to make your own choices about treating menopause symptoms, it's vital that you make these choices with your eyes open.

Most experts believe that all of the common symptoms of menopause are caused by the dramatic decline and fluctuations in the body's levels of estrogen and to some extent progesterone, and the imbalance between them. Approaches to alleviating symptoms generally focus around restoring these hormone levels. Natural treatments are typically made from extracts of plants containing substances which are very similar to the estrogen and/or progesterone produced by the ovaries. The effectiveness of these treatments relies on the assumption that these phytoestrogens and plant progesterones have a similar effect in the body to the body's own natural hormones. Some herbal treatments work by stimulating glands to produce natural hormones more effectively, rather than restoring the hormones artificially.

Another approach is to treat each symptom individually. There is a range of natural treatments which focus specifically on alleviating common symptoms such as hot flashes, depression, libido problems, vaginal dryness and fatigue.

Estrogen treatments.

Soy

By far the richest source of phytoestrogens (sometimes called "isoflavones") is soybeans, and foods made from soy extracts. Soy can be consumed in the form of tofu, soy cheese, meat substitute products such as soy burgers, breads and muffins made with soy flour, and soy drinks, sometimes known as "soy milk". Some studies have shown that consuming soy beverages or breads made with soy flour twice daily can reduce the severity or the number of hot flashes, but results have been inconclusive and inconsistent. Soy powders and pills contain much higher levels of phytoestrogens than soy foods, and may have a more significant effect in alleviating menopause symptoms than soy foods, but little is known about the potential hazards. Consuming soy extracts and soy foods may have a range of other health benefits, including reducing the risk of osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease, and lowering cholesterol. Some studies suggest that phytoestrogens may actually help to reduce the risk of breast cancer by blocking the overproduction of natural estrogen in the body.

Herbs containing phytoestrogens

Red clover has been used in Asia for thousands of years to treat skin conditions, asthma, bronchitis, kidney stones, joint disorders and breast inflammation. It is thought to work by improving circulation and stimulating urine and mucous production, or "purifying the blood". Red clover has been recently discovered to contain high levels of phytoestrogens, and its usefulness in the treatment of menopause symptoms is being investigated. Some studies have shown the herb to be very effective in reducing hot flashes and improving bone density and strength, while others have been inconclusive.

Dong Quai is an important herb used in Chinese medicine, and has been used to treat PMS, menstrual irregularities and menopause symptoms for thousands of years, although its effectiveness has yet to be clinically verified by Western health practitioners. It is also believed to dilate blood vessels, and is used to treat high blood pressure and circulatory problems.

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is commonly believed to contain phytoestrogens, although clinical studies to confirm this have been far from conclusive. It is a perennial plant native to North America, and is also known as black snakeroot, bugbane, rattleroot and macrotys. The plant has a long history of usefulness as a medicinal treatment, first by Native American people and more recently by alternative health practitioners, and has been used to treat a range of gynecological ailments including menopause symptoms, infertility, inflammation of the uterus and ovaries, and to induce lactation, bring on menstruation, and alleviate labor pains. It has also been used to treat rheumatism, fever, coughs and colds, hives and backache. Some studies have shown that taking pills made from black cohosh extract is very helpful in providing short term relief from a range of menopause symptoms including hot flashes, depression, mood swings and anxiety. However, little is known about the effects of taking the treatment in the long term, and some negative side effects have been reported, including headaches, stomach and gastric discomfort and weight gain.

Maca

Peruvian Maca root is believed to work by stimulating glands in the body to produce their own estrogen and testosterone. Maca has been cultivated in the Andes region for perhaps thousands of years, and has been used as a treatment to increase energy, enhance libido and increase fertility. Maca root is claimed to provide a range of benefits, including alleviating PMS symptoms, reducing depression and stress, increasing athletic ability and creating a general sense of well being. It is also claimed to be effective in treating a wide range of menopausal symptoms, including mood swings, depression, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, hot flashes, reduced libido, sleep disturbances and breast tenderness. Objective clinical research into the effectiveness and the potential hazards of taking Maca root supplements is very scant.

Progesterone treatments.

An alternative view of the causes of menopause symptoms places more emphasis on the role of progesterone, and the imbalance between progesterone and estrogen. "Estrogen dominance" is a recently identified syndrome, and is believed by a small number of doctors to be the cause of severe PMS and menstrual problems in early adulthood, and a range of severe symptoms as menopause approaches. Advocates of progesterone treatments believe them to be free from the health risks and side effects associated with estrogen based treatments.

Natural progesterone cream

Natural progesterone creams usually contain extracts from Mexican wild yam, which contains a substance which is believed to be similar to the progesterone produced in the body. The creams are applied to the parts of the body where the skin is thinner, such as the breasts, inner thighs, inner forearms or stomach, and are believed to pass through the skin and circulate through the body. Many women have found natural progesterone creams to be very effective in treating menopause symptoms, but there is no evidence to show that the creams lower the risk of breast and uterine cancer, or are free from the risk of side effects as is sometimes claimed.

Chaste tree berry

Chaste tree berry, sometimes known as Chasteberry or Vitex agnus castus has been used since ancient Greek times to treat a range of ailments. It is believed to stimulate the production of progesterone, and has been shown to be very effective in alleviating severe PMS and a range of menopausal symptoms