Saturday, June 15, 2013

What is Herbal Hormone Replacement Therapy?


Although it is not typically referred to as herbal hormone replacement therapy, there are plant components that have a hormone like effect on the body. The ones we know the most about are called "phytoestrogens", which, as the name suggests, have an estrogen-like effect on the body.

Another term that is sometimes used for advertising purposes is "natural hormone replacement therapy". Pay attention when selecting a treatment plan, because this term can technically be used to describe many different types of therapies.

Traditional estrogen replacement therapy is made from the urine of pregnant mares. You may see reports about studies concerning "equine estrogens", which simply means estrogen that comes from horses. Since the source of the estrogen is "natural", this type of therapy may be referred to as "natural hormone replacement therapy".

If you are actually interested in herbs and plants that provide relief from the symptoms of menopause (or herbal hormone replacement therapy), then you may not be interested in equine estrogens. But, technically, they are natural.

In the mid 1970's, researchers learned that women who took equine estrogens to relieve the symptoms associated with menopause were much more likely to develop cancer of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), than were women who had not taken hormones during menopause. This research led pharmaceutical companies to add a synthetic hormone called progestin (similar to the progesterone produced by the ovaries) to the equine estrogens. This type of combination HRT should not be referred to as natural hormone replacement therapy, but since the initial source of progestin is a plant, some may refer to it as natural.

Theoretically, equine estrogens caused the endometrium to thicken, but if a woman's periods had stopped, then the lining was not shed. Progestin caused the lining to be shed, thus reducing the risk of endometrial cancer. The problem with progestin is that it increases the risk of breast cancer. The Women's Health Initiative recently reported that combination HRT increases a woman's risk of blood clots and stroke. They concluded that the health risks of HRT outweigh the benefits.

Some doctors have expressed confusion about why women care about the source of the hormones used in HRT. But, it is understandable. We are exposed to all sorts of chemicals and synthetic products throughout our lives. We know that some of them cause cancer. We know that some of them shorten our life spans. We know that some of them are unavoidable. Its no wonder that, whenever we can, we choose to avoid products that may endanger our health.

Thus, we seek natural hormone replacement therapy or herbal hormone replacement therapy, in an effort to relieve our symptom, while protecting our long-term health.

Bio-identical HRT, which is sometimes referred to as natural hormone replacement therapy, has received some attention, due mostly to a book written by a 40 something actress. Bio-identical HRT simply means that the hormones a woman takes are designed to be molecularly identical to her own hormones. Is it natural? The sources are natural, but the hormones are modified in the laboratory. Some are created in the laboratory. Is it safer than equine estrogens and progestins? No one knows. There have been no large-scale studies, because, until recently, the therapy was rarely used. It is more expensive than traditional HRT and it is not available from many doctors.

If you truly want all natural hormone replacement therapy, it does not exist. If you want herbal hormone replacement therapy, then you can try products that contain soy isoflavones or other phytoestrogens. You can try increasing soy in your diet. You can try wild yam supplements or red clover.

There are other plant components that the body can use to "create" its own hormones. These are often lacking from a woman's diet. Tribulus terrestris has been shown in studies to increase the levels of hormones circulating in the blood stream and is referred to by some as herbal hormone replacement therapy.

For more information about products that can relieve the symptoms of menopause and provide alternatives to HRT, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.

Dealing With Post Menopause Problems


The term post-menopausal sometimes needs a little clarification. It is usually applied to women who have completed the menopause, meaning they have not had a period for over twelve months. This can be due to a natural menopause, or a surgery induced menopause. Women who are taking hormone replacement therapy are not considered to be post menopausal as they may experience symptoms of the menopause when they stop this treatment.

Common post menopausal problems can be experienced any time from the onset of the menopause onwards. After the menopause, women never really stop being post menopausal. Most of the physical and emotional problems that women encounter after the menopause are caused by decreasing hormone levels, particularly estrogen.

Conditions relating to the vagina and bladder are often experienced post menopause because these parts of the body require estrogen to remain healthy. Thinning of the tissue in these areas can cause incontinence, bladder infections, growths or polyps in the uterus, and vaginal dryness, as well as an increased risk of uterine cancer.

Other serious physical conditions linked to post menopausal women are osteoporosis and heart disease. Osteoporosis is common as women begin to lose bone density more rapidly due to reduction in estrogen. Risk of heart disease is increased due to atherosclerosis, or the hardening of their arteries.

Emotionally, post menopausal women may experience depression, fatigue due to insomnia, hot flashes and night sweats, and a reduction in self confidence and libido. Although these emotional responses can be triggered by hormonal changes, they may also be related to other factors. Reaching the menopause, and the changes happening in her body, may make a woman feel old, unattractive and worthless and these feelings can trigger depression and lack of sex drive.

So what can post menopausal women do to limit these common problems? Exercise is one crucial way to control these conditions. While we are not talking about running marathons, some exercise such as walking, gardening and light aerobics can have a wide range of benefits.

Exercise keeps bones, joints and cartilage healthy, guarding against osteoporosis as well as arthritis. It reduces the risk of heart disease by stimulating circulation, controls weight, and enhances emotional wellbeing.

Maintaining a healthy diet is another way for post menopausal women to remain problem free. They may want to think about supplements such as vitamin D and calcium to guard against osteoporosis. Not smoking may not only put off the menopause by a couple of years, it will also reduce the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. Using progesterone creams may keep the vagina and bladder area healthier, and make intercourse more comfortable and therefore more appealing.

There are many problems associated with post menopausal women, but by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy lifestyle they don't have to mean a huge decrease in quality of life.

Early Onset Menopause - The Reasons Explained


Most women go through menopause in their late forties or early fifties, but it is not uncommon to experience early onset menopause at a younger age. In order to understand early menopause, we must first establish that menopause does not only refer to a woman's "last period" - it means the ovaries can no longer release eggs once a month. The cessation of ovulation causes the body's chemistry to change, causing an imbalance in the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. During menopause, the body's estrogen production drops by 40-60%. Since ovulation triggers the release of progesterone and you no longer ovulate during menopause, progesterone production is reduced to nearly zero. You're probably already aware about the connection between hormones, women, and menopause, but did you know that there are other causes of premature menopause symptoms? For most cases, menopause starting early is caused by one of these triggers:

Genetics and early menopause

Genetics account for about 10% of early menopause cases. If your mother, sister, or grandmother experienced menopause in her early 40s or younger, there is a high chance that you might experience menopause earlier as well. Defects in the X chromosome can also trigger premature menopause, as with Turner's syndrome - a condition where a woman is born with a missing second X chromosome. This will cause abnormally-formed ovaries, which will keep them from functioning properly, thus triggering the onset of menopause prematurely.

Autoimmune disorders bringing on menopausal symptoms

An autoimmune disorder is a condition where your body's antibodies, which normally fight off disease and germs, start destroying healthy cells and tissues in your own body. This is a common cause of menopause, but autoimmune disorders can encompass various conditions, from lupus to Graves' disease. Hyperthyroidism is the most common autoimmune disorder related to untimely menopause. This occurs when your thyroid gland no longer produces the thyroid hormones needed to keep your metabolism going. Hyperthyroidism is very common, with at least 10% of American women suffering from a thyroid hormone deficiency. In this case, early onset menopause is actually a symptom of hyperthyroidism; most women aren't aware of this disorder unless they experience signs of premature menopause.

Cancer treatments and the onset of menopause

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can also trigger menopause. The effect of a radiation therapy on the ovaries depends on several factors - the type of chemotherapy, the intensity of the treatment, and how old you were when you received the treatment. The younger you are, the better your chances that you won't experience the initiation of menopause during or after cancer treatment.

Lifestyle factors as menopause triggers

Perhaps the most overlooked cause of early menopause is the lifestyle habits of women today. Stress, poor nutrition, smoking, lack of exercise, and exposure to environmental pollutants are such normal occurrences that we no longer consider their impact on our bodies. Cigarette smoke in particular contains chemicals that can cause early ovarian failure. The good news is that of all the possible causes of premature menopause, lifestyle factors are the easiest to control. Although there's no reversing menopause once it starts, eating well, exercising regularly, and finding time to relax can reduce some of the discomfort as menopause symptoms set in.

The Top 5 Natural Menopause Remedies That Work!


If you have decided to take the natural path through menopause and are trying to choose from the vast array of herbal and natural remedies for menopause symptoms that are available, it can be very difficult to know which one is right for you and which one will be the most effective.

During your selection process, you need to weigh up the pros and cons of all options based on your own medical history and your own particular menopause symptoms.

To help you in this process, here are the Top 5 herbs and natural ingredients, proven to relieve menopausal symptoms. These remedies have not only undergone extensive clinical studies to measure their effectiveness as natural treatments for menopause and peri-menopause symptoms but have received positive reviews from significant numbers of real women who have benefitted from their use:

1. Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a perennial plant that is native to North America and was traditionally used in Indian medicine. It has been used for many years as a remedy to provide support for female gynecological health and also supports the nervous system. This ingredient helps to reduce common hot flashes associated with menopause, maintain healthy sleep patterns and supports balanced mood and routine calmness. Black Cohosh may also help to prevent vaginal dryness in some women.

2. Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) one of the most important of the Chinese tonic herbs, is used as a nourishing blood tonic and helps to support healthy menstrual cycles. Dong Quai has been used for centuries by Asian healers to promote balance of female hormones and emotional health during menopause and peri-menopause. Dong Quai is proven to relieve the symptoms of menopause, plus correct hormonal imbalance.

3. Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba) Researchers have studied the benefits of Ginkgo biloba in supporting all phases involved in sexual desire. An open study on 63 subjects found that the percentage of women responding to the benefits of Ginkgo biloba was higher than that of men, with relative success rates of 91%! Ginkgo biloba was reported to have a positive effect on all four phases of the sexual response cycle: desire, excitement (lubrication), orgasm, and resolution (afterglow).

4. Sepia (Sepia officinalis) is prepared from the dark brownish-grey colored pigment obtained from the ink sac of the common cuttlefish and is used to cure number of health problems, especially those related to women's reproductive organs. Sepia is proven to maintain hormonal balance, regular normal periods and balanced mood.

5. Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) is a natural menopause treatment for regulating hormones and is used to help with mood swings, irritability and depression. When combined with other natural ingredients such as Red Aloe, Lady's Mantle, Essential Oils and Vitamin E, it forms a natural female lubricant to help prevent vaginal dryness and increase lubrication and elasticity of the vagina.

All of these natural remedies, either on their own or combined with other herbs and natural ingredients, have proven effective in the treatment of menopause and peri-menopause symptoms such as:


  • Hot flashes

  • Night sweats

  • Mood swings & irritability

  • Loss of libido

  • Vaginal dryness

  • Heavy or irregular periods

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Fatigue

If you suffer from all or any of the menopausal symptoms on this list, you can look out for these herbs and natural ingredients when researching which product to use.

Although these natural remedies are considered safe and have proven to be effective in relieving the symptoms of menopause, you should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are taking medication, have a life-threatening illness or have had breast cancer.

Menopause Symptoms - And How To Beat Them


The menopause marks the end of a woman's fertility, and the end of her menstruation. This is a significant point in her life as her periods come to an end; the absence of something that she's lived with for the majority of her adult life can cause some fairly major physical and emotional effects. However, the fact that a woman's periods don't stop overnight gives her time to adjust as her menstrual cycle becomes less regular and finally stops altogether.

Most women go through the menopause at the age of about 52. After a year without a period, a woman is said to be postmenopausal. Some women, however, experience the menopause much earlier: if a woman goes through the menopause before she reaches 45 years of age she is said to have experienced a premature menopause. About one woman in a hundred goes through the menopause before the age of 40, and a very tiny number experience it before the age of 30.

Although we tend to think of the menopause as a defining event, it isn't really that clear. The period before the menopause is known as the perimenopause, and it's a period of time during which the initial stages of hormonal changes can produce irregular periods and the initial symptoms of menopause such as emotional mood swings. When a woman's hormones really begin to decrease, she's likely to experience more intense mood swings, possibly hot flushes and night sweats, and some change to the lubrication in her vagina. Some of the mood swings are hormonally induced, but others are certainly the result of coming to terms with the transition from fertility to infertility.

The majority of women will experience various symptoms of the menopause in the perimenopause, and about half of these women will find them difficult to deal: the most usual symptom of the perimenopause is an irregularity of the menstrual cycle and a change in the amount of menstrual discharge.

Of course there is no clear division between the perimenopause and the menopause itself, even though we traditionally think of the perimenopause as a period leading up to the menopause: in fact, the symptoms are very much the same, including night sweats, hot flashes, irregular menstrual cycles, and mood swings. It's a question of degree, in that the symptoms may be more intense and pronounced during the menopause itself.

Sleep disturbance is another common side-effect of the menopause, and it's here that a holistic approach using both conventional medicine and alternative medicine can help a woman come to terms with both the physical and emotional symptoms that she is experiencing.

It's also very important that a woman deals effectively with changes to lubrication in her vagina, since this may impact directly on her relationship. Without treatment, the lack of lubrication can cause pain and difficulty during intercourse, as well as leading to atrophy of the vaginal lining. Happily, localised treatment with oestrogen pellets nearly always reverses these changes and makes intercourse pleasurable and enjoyable once again.

It's also possible that a woman may become more susceptible to urinary tract infections such as cystitis during the perimenopause and menopause, which once again emphasises the importance of a holistic approach to health care during this period of life.

It turns out that only about 10% of women actually seek medical help as they go through the menopause -- in part, that's because many don't need any treatment, but it is also clear that there are many women who could be helped with symptoms that are actually bad enough to interfere with their daily life. Treatment options include hormone replacement therapy, vaginal lubricants, antidepressants, and drugs called tibolone and clonidine.

By the way, any woman who does not wish to get pregnant should continue to use contraception for at least a year after her final period.

Hormone replacement therapy is an effective treatment for the most common symptoms of menopause, including night sweats and hot flushes, vaginal problems and cystitis. Hormone replacement therapy replaces oestrogen and possibly progesterone, and can be taken as either a cream or gel, an implant, a skin patch, or a tablet. While there have been some false alarms about the safety of hormone replacement therapy, close analysis of these reports shows that many of them are based on false information. Indeed, hormone replacement therapy is perfectly safe for women when administered, as it now is, in much lower doses than previously. Furthermore, if it's only about replacing lubrication, and preventing atrophy of the tissues in the vagina, then there are plenty of localised treatments that are possible.

Artificial hormones called tibolone and clonidine can also be prescribed for women in certain circumstances.

Thinking ahead, it's important for women to realise that hormone replacement therapy isn't just about convenience now -- it's also about preventing osteoporosis and maintaining quality of life in later years. With effective therapy, including localised HRT and the vagina, there's essentially no reason why women's lifestyle should change just because the menopause. One of the most respected experts on the menopause is Dr. Christiane Northrup menopause writer and expert who has written extensively about empowering women through adopting a holistic approach to the mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges of the menopause produces. For any woman who wants to sail through the menopause with an experience of positivity and joy, Dr. Northrop's writings are essential reading.

Antidepressants can be useful during the menopause to prevent mood swings and irritability, although many people believe that a holistic approach using treatments such as acupuncture, reflexology, and careful nutrition can be just as effective. You can read more about Dr Northrup's menopause strategy at Roberta Phillips' website.

Menopause Treatment for Three Common Symptoms


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, June 14, 2013

Natural Menopause Relief Remedies and Herbal Supplements


Menopause is sometimes termed as the opposite to menarche. The ovary is one of the key organs which are found in women and it controls all important reproductive functions. The Menopause can be said to be stoppage of the monthly menstrual cycle causing serious complication. The natural remedies are best way to cope up with the problem. Some of the early symptoms of the disease are hot flashes, weight gain ugly heads, night sweats, and mood swings. Beet root juice is one of the helpful supplements in fighting against the Menopause. The diet should be proper and healthy enough so that the person has enough reason to take that.

Minerals and vitamins should be an important part of the diet. The vitamins and calcium should be taken properly to make the diet appropriate enough. Almond oil mixed with geranium oil should be taken which can also act as a pain reliever. Liquorices can be a helpful object in reduce the menopause symptoms. It can be taken as one or two table spoon a day and helpful in lessening the menopause pain. Estrogen is an important element which can lead to several complicated situation so proper balance can be struck to maintain the specific estrogen level.

Daily 8-10 glass of water needs to be consumed to avoid the vaginal dryness. Smoking, alcohol should be totally stopped. Sunflower seeds can also increase the estrogen level in the body. Diet must comprise of green vegetables, grains, milk and cheese, fruits, sprouts. Carrot juice is a very beneficial remedy against the menopause. Some of the supplements like pantothenic acid; B6 can be taken for the best use. It is better to treat such kind of disease under the natural home remedies the medicines can cause serious side effects worsening the situation.

Late Menopause can be very dangerous and it can cause several kinds of complication in the body. Consuming just 2 grams of Indian spikenard can be helpful in reducing the menopause complications. Evening prime rose oil is also a helpful element in menopause. If nothing seems to be right a proper medical help can be beneficial as it can help you time to time. A gynecologist who has sufficient experience in this field can be consulted for better result. The menopause entirely affects the endocrine glands which causes the unbalance of the reproductive system. The change varies from one person to another depending upon the body structure. Menozac is an effective menopause relief herbal supplement used by women all around the world.

Menopause Symptoms, Causes and Various Treatment Methods


Menopause usually occurs in women during their midlife around the early 50s. It is the end of the fertile phase of a woman's life and a transition from a reproductive life to a non reproductive one. This transition happens slowly over a period of time and is a natural process of aging in women. It is not a medical illness, but a natural process which marks the end of the menstruation cycle in a woman.

Menopause occurs over a period of time and is not a sudden occurrence. It takes place in 2 stages called Perimenopause and Postmenopause. In perimenopause, the symptoms start even while the woman menstruates. The imbalances caused in the hormonal levels results in the occurrence of the symptoms. It is unlikely to get pregnant during this time, but is possible. This stage may last for a couple of years or longer. Postmenopause occurs after the woman has reached 12 months since her last period. The ovaries stop releasing the eggs and the woman cannot get pregnant anymore. This is menopause and the years after this stage are known as postmenopause.

Symptoms - There are many symptoms of this stage in women. Some of the symptoms are: irregular periods, hot flashes, mood variations and swings, vaginal dryness, decreased fertility, thinning of hair, loss of breast fullness and increased abdominal fat. These symptoms start appearing over a period of time till you actually hit menopause.

Causes - The causes are as below:

1. Hormonal levels: The main and primary cause of menopause is the natural process of decline of the reproductive hormones. The levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones which are responsible to prepare the body for pregnancy decrease. These levels start declining in the 30s and the periods may become irregular in the 40s.

2. Hysterectomy: An operation that removes the uterus and the ovaries which is known as total hysterectomy causes menopause. In this condition, menopause occurs immediately with the symptoms.

3. Radiation: Radiation therapies can also cause menopause.

4. Ovarian insufficiency: In some women, the ovaries may fail to produce the hormones required for reproduction.

Treatment - Menopause does not need to be treated as it is not an illness or disease but a natural process. But the symptoms associated with menopause can be lessened with some treatments. Some of the treatments are as follows:

1. Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy such as estrogen therapy is one of the effective treatments for reducing the symptoms of menopause.

2. Neurontin: This has proved effective in reducing hot flashes.

3. Anti depressants: Some anti depressants are effective in reducing the symptoms like menopausal hot flashes.

4. Bisphosphonates: These medications may help in this condition.

5. Vaginal estrogen: Many vaginal creams, ointments and pills are available to cure the vaginal dryness caused.

6. Lubricants: Many lubricants are available to help reduce vaginal dryness.

7. Exercise: Exercising regularly may help in this condition.

8. Relaxation: Try to get adequate rest and sleep. Deep breathing and yoga may help you relax and de-stress.

9. Pelvic Exercises: Kegels exercise is a good way to strengthen your pelvic muscles.

10. Diet: It is important to eat a healthy and nutritious diet and avoid spicy and hot food which may trigger hot flashes. Also increase the intake of vitamin E in your diet.

11. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking.

Try these above treatments and simple changes in your lifestyle to ease the symptoms of menopause.

Symptoms, Triggers and Causes of Hot Flashes in Menopause


The causes of hot flashes are believed to be decreasing levels of estrogen or other naturally occurring hormonal changes, unique to a woman. The symptoms of hot flash and other symptoms of menopause are more severe in women who have had their ovaries surgically removed, supporting the belief that loss of hormones produced by the ovaries are causes of hot flashes. There are certain triggers that can increase the severity and frequency, even though they are not the actual causes of hot flashes.

Hot flashes are considered a "vasomotor" symptom, because dilation of the blood vessels and changes in circulation are involved. For many years estrogen replacement therapy was the most commonly recommended treatment for hot flashes, but because of the health risks associated with this form of treatment, it is not used nearly as often.

The symptoms of hot flash typically include excessive warmth in the chest, neck and face. The hands and feet may feel chilled at the same time, once the heat has subsided a woman often feels chilled all over. Increased perspiration under the arms, on the chest, neck and forehead may occur.

When a hot flash occurs at night, usually referred to as night sweats, it can interrupt a woman's sleep, leading to insomnia, decreasing energy levels and overall sense of well being. A recent study indicates that the majority of peri-menopausal (a term referring to the time "around" menopause) women do not feel that symptoms of hot flash affect their quality of life as much as emotional changes and mood swings, but mood swings sometimes trigger hot flashes. When a person is angry or frustrated, body temperature raises and rising body temperature is one of the symptoms of hot flash.

Sometimes referred to as hot flushes, these sudden changes in body temperature do not threaten a woman's health. No medical treatment is required, unless they happen frequently, are severe or disruptive to a woman's life. The causes of hot flashes are natural changes that happen in a woman's body as she ages, so they are nothing to worry about, but their is relief.

Most women can get relief from the symptoms of hot flash by using an herbal supplement called black cohosh. This herb was used historically by Native American healers to correct symptoms related to hormonal imbalances, to help regulate menstrual cycles, as a diuretic and a mild sedative. Research has shown that women get as much relief from hot flashes when using black cohosh as they do from estrogen replacement. It is highly recommended for women who can not risk estrogen replacement therapy, because of previous cancers or other concerns. Because, the Women's Health Initiative found that the health benefits of hormone replacement therapy do not outweigh the risks, most doctors no longer recommend this treatment unless numerous symptoms are present and are severely impairing a woman's ability to function, her relationships or her quality of life. Black cohosh, on the other hand, is being recommended more and more.

Although they are not the actually causes of hot flashes, there are a number of substances that can trigger them. By using a symptoms diary or journal, you may be able to find other triggers that affect you personally. The most common triggers are alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and spicy foods. For more information about the symptoms of hot flash and other menopausal symptoms, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.

5 Best Tips for Relieving Your Menopause Symptoms


So you've hit menopause and now you're wondering what to do next. Or maybe you just SUSPECT that your sliding into menopause (peri-menopause) because you're starting to experience any of the myriad of symptoms, like hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, decreased sex drive, mood swings, and relentless weight gain.

The good news is that we now live in a time when menopause is no longer a taboo subject. We feel more comfortable discussing it with our friends, significant others, spouses and doctors. There are more avenues than ever to help support us in our transition. The bad news is that there are a lot of traditional "old" Western medical approaches to menopause relief that are certainly dangerous and sure to be avoided whenever possible.

The beauty of menopause, however, is that it is the time when most women are flowering into the fullness of their personal identity - in what they want out of life, in what dreams and talents they want to give birth to, and what desires they want to fulfill. They spent their earlier years defining themselves as wife, mother, best friend, and trusty employee, but menopause ushers them into a new age - the Age of Wisdom - and here are our 5 little bits of wisdom for you to get you through this transition of menopause in style:

Tip 1: Exercise!

Even a gentle walk every day for 20 minutes (outdoors preferably) will go a long way towards preserving your muscle tone and bone density. Walking can help you lower your bad cholesterol and raise the good, lower your blood pressure, help manage your weight and even improve your mood. What's more is that if you do it outdoors, you also get the benefit of natural Vitamin D which is essential to your immune system and also helps to prevent cancer. (info from "The Mayo Clinic" and "Medical News Today"). Walking also may lead you to be more enthusiastic about starting a more rigorous exercise routine... after all "a body in motion STAYS in motion."

Tip 2: Eat a Healthy Diet

There is a LOT of misinformation out there about what's healthy. If your main source of nutritional knowledge comes from the News at 10 or the government's latest food pyramid, it's important to start doing a little research on your own. Some trusty sources are Dr. Mercola's site or our own "Sugar Control Diet" which is not only excellent for weight loss, but also for balancing hormones (which is so important for menopause symptom relief!) Our Sugar Control Diet guidelines also help in reducing inflammation and even identifying foods that may be causing digestive distress (scroll down to our resource box at the end of this article and you can contact us to request our Sugar Control Diet... it's free).

So many people think that baked potatoes, pastas, rice and breads are good for them - but those all metabolize as sugars in the body, and in doing so, they trigger an insulin release... too much of which not only causes your body to gain more fat but throws all your other hormones out of whack as well (a DISASTER for women seeking menopausal symptom relief!) So educate yourself and start making truly healthy changes in your diet asap - this will help with ALL your menopause symptoms.

Tip 3: Indulge in Some "Me" Time

Menopause often gets a bad rap because we're so inundated with information about the bad parts. But let's try to find its "good" aspects. For example, as we mentioned before, this is a time when women are coming into their own. They know themselves better. They usually have more free time because their children need less supervision - and so they can write that book they never wrote, or attend that class they never had time for in the past. They can build that new meaningful career or find their real purpose and passion that fuels their soul.

Part of birthing this new "you" is learning how to take care of yourself and your needs better. So start laying down the law with some "100% ME" time. Put in some earplugs, declare it a no-kid-zone, and go take a luxurious bubble bath by candlelight. Go to your local gym and indulge in some sauna time. Get a Thai massage - or better yet, some reflexology! As Tony Robbins puts it, schedule your own "Hour of Power" or "Thirty Minutes to Thrive"....if you can't do that, at least schedule "Fifteen Minutes for Fulfillment"! Everyone can find 15 minutes in their schedule somewhere. But put it on the calendar in ink and make it a "must" for yourself. It will calm your nerves, rejuvenate your body, and revitalize your soul.

Tip 4: Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol & Nicotine

If you have excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol or any intake at all of cigarette smoke (first or second hand), you should know that these substances worsen menopause symptoms. Caffeine & Alcohol serve to exacerbate hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia and bone loss during the critical menopause & perimenopausal years. Caffeine especially disrupts mineral absorption and increases stress. Alcohol ruthlessly dehydrates you (never a good thing!) and is a "magnifier" - so if you're already feeling depressed, alcohol will "magnify" that depression and make it worse. It will take your menopausal anxiety and magnify that too. And you may think it helps you sleep, but when the sugar spike in your blood system finally crashes (remember alcohol = sugar), you will awaken in the middle of the night and find it difficult to go back to sleep.

And did you know that smoking is the main factor in causing early menopause (before age 45) in women?!? Plus it increases the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, among other things we don't even need to mention. But in regards to menopause itself, according to the British Journal "The Lancet" researchers suggest that nicotine's effect on the nervous system possibly results in changes of the secretion of the hormones involved in menopause, and the smoke itself may affect certain enzymes that influence how the body handles sex hormones. So get help now if you're addicted... hypnotherapy is often a good route for quitting cigarettes and other addictions.

Tip 5: Get Yourself Some 100% SAFE, All-Natural Support for Menopause Symptom Relief

Now this is the MAIN TIP for you: The Big Enchilada. The topic every menopausal woman must educate herself about. It used to be that we all just went to our doctor and he or she prescribed the typical HRT (hormone replacement therapy) for us... you know: Premarin, Prempro, Provera and others. Those synthetic hormone pharmaceuticals that most often are made from the urine of pregnant horses. Yes... GROSS, we know. But it's the truth.

However that all changed when a recent study done as a part of the Women's Health Initiative discovered that long-term use of these synthetic hormone replacement drugs may increase the risk of strokes, heart attacks, blood clots and breast cancer. Even as far back as 1975, they knew these types of drugs substantially increased the risk of endometrial cancer as well. Despite all the findings in this study, doctors continue to prescribe it.

There is no doubt that we do need some source of significant relief for the symptoms of menopause - so we can feel like ourselves, not suffer the mood swings, the insomnia and HOT FLASHES all the time (not to mention the lowered libido), but it's important not to potentially harm yourself by taking traditional HRT.

There are a great many viable and effective, natural herbal remedies for menopause symptoms on the market today... they do work, but some work better than others. We highly recommend getting a full-spectrum product made with trustworthy, quality herbs... not pesticide-laden, and not in capsules that are difficult for your body to digest and assimilate.

For example, most supplements DO contain Black Cohosh for hot flash relief, but make sure your supplement also addresses your other symptoms. Like Sage for excessive sweating, and Damiana with Soy Isoflavones for low-libido and depression. Adrenal support is good as well (the Licorice herb helps with that) - because you need adrenal support during this time... and don't forget Valerian to relax. Full spectrum SAFE support!

Educate yourself also about bio-identical hormones, which are much safer alternatives to traditional HRT. A great source of information for those is found in the book "Ageless" by Suzanne Somers. She even has a directory of physicians in the back so you can find one near you to get help.

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In conclusion, we hope these 5 Tips can help you to have a happier, healthier menopause and guide you toward a smooth transition into the New You. If you'd like to learn more, read our other articles and visit our website where we have a free report on menopause relief - we truly seek to help you live your best life NOW.

Organic Hormone Replacement Therapy For Women - The Natural Alternative To Risky Hormone Treatments


Menopause is one of the most irritating and discomforting times of an adult women's life. If you were to ask any women they would gratefully accept any product that would bring relief to their hot flashes, mood swings, and trouble sleeping. The problem with this is that in their quest to bring balance to their lives women have subjected themselves to unnecessary risk. This is especially true after recent studies indicate an increased risk for women developing cancer after taking hormone replacement therapy that includes estrogen, progesterone and other steroid hormones.

Why Do Women Take HRT?

1. To help alleviate symptom of pre-and-post menopause which include:


  • Hot Flashes

  • Trouble sleeping

  • To prevent calcium depletion and fractures (especially of the hip)


2. To boost mental and physical health overall

  • To reduce and eliminate mood swings, irritability and emotional ups-and-downs

  • To bring balance to the body by regulating hormones

  • To increase energy levels and libido


Is There A Risk In Taking HRT?

Yes, if you are taking a hormone replacement therapy that includes the use of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. While it is noted that there is an advantage to taking HRT, above and beyond the benefits of reducing and eliminating hot flashes, such as a a decrease in hip fractures and rectal cancers, HRT treatment still poses a considerable risk for many women. For all the health risks that hormone replacement therapy warrants women are still undermining their health by taking hormone pills with estrogen and progesterone.

Are There Alternative Treatments Available for Women?

Yes there are alternative treatments for women; more specifically there are all-natural, organic alternative hormone treatments available. Any woman considering HRT should take a closer look at one of the all-natural hormone replacement products available such as Avlimil. Avlimil is an all-natural alternative for women to treat their menopause symptoms in the most organic way possible. These botanical ingredients work with your body to restore energy levels and bring balance to your bodies internal system. Avlimil does not contain any steroid hormone treatment including testosterone, progesterone and estrogen.

Anxiety and Menopause: Understanding Anxiety Symptoms in Women


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

How Estrogen Affects Anxiety

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

How Progesterone Affects Anxiety

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

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

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

The Male Menopause Test


The Male Menopause Test Is A Test You Don't Want To Pass

The problem of Andropause, and the symptoms of Male Menopause, are comparable to the ones women experience, and can every now and then, be as negative. However, male menopause does not at all affect all men, at least not with the same inclusivity. Only some of the men amid the age of forty and fifty will face the condition, and it's symptoms of Andropause. Over fifty, there is a sharp spike in the amount of men that will fall victim to this bothersome syndrome.

All the changes brought on by Andropause, that happen in each man throughout the male menopausal period, could affect every aspect of their lives. Male menopause is recognized as a physical condition, but manifests in personal, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions.

Men, like women, also encounter hormonal fluctuations that affect their sexuality, mood, and personality. Both men and women experience sexual difficulties as a result of the hormonal imbalance, but only men suffer from Erectile Dysfunction, which could be mentally devastating.

All men going through Andropause, can go through hormonal changes, that will significantly affect their lives. The levels of sexual hormones will diminish at their mid-life, and may have symptoms which are usually complementary with male menopause. It is necessary to note that each man has a distinctive chemistry, and their individual levels of hormonal loss may vary widely.

As the level of hormones decrease, it can bring on the decrease in sex drive, and the general well being of their health. The occurrence of these problems will also lead to the increase of depression, and weight gain, and definitely will change the day to day living, as compared to their lives before the onset of Andropause, or Male Menopause.

Throughout the Andropausal period, some men can face Erectile Dysfunction problems, with regards to impotence. It is the constant inability to achieve and maintain an erection, that is enough to have a satisfactory sexual performance. And for the reason of impotency, men will have abated sexual desires.

How could a man recognize that he is going through that specific stage in life, the Andropausal period? There are some symptoms to be aware of. Some are physical, some are psychological, and some are sexual. The following are the symptoms that a male is going through a male menopausal period.

Physical symptoms of male menopause include:

1. Recovery from injuries and disease takes longer

2. Less capacity for physical activity

3. Increase of weight

4. Difficulty reading small print

5. Depletion or thinning of hair

6. Sleep restlessness

7. Low libido

8. Deficiency of energy

Cerebral symptoms of male menopause include:

1. Exasperation

2. Hesitancy or difficulty in making decisions

3. Worry and fear for life

4. Bleakness

5. Low self-esteem, self-confidence and joy

6. Loss of purpose, and direction in life

7. Feeling alone, unattractive, and unloved

8. Lack of memory and dilemma in concentrating

9. Mood swings

Sexual symptoms of male menopause include:

1. Decreased sex drive

2. Anxiety of sexual impotency

3. More bonding problems, and fights happen with regards to sex, love, and intimacy

4. Erectile Dysfunction, incapacity to get erect all through intimacy

5. Increase of allure to a much younger, opposite sex

All the symptoms that a male can go through during the male menopausal period could be treated. Although men have been suffering from either physical, emotional or sexual symptoms of male menopause, you need to control it, not through attempting self-diagnosis, but by speaking to a doctor. This will lead to being better informed, and getting the proper treatment to diminish the symptoms of the syndrome. There are several treatments for lowered male hormones, that constitute either natural, or pharmaceutical drugs. Going Natural is always better, to avoid unwanted, and sometimes severe, side effects.

There is a specific mixture of vitamins, herbs and amino acids, that will alleviate the symptoms of Andropause and Erectile Dysfunction. You can read more about this at my web site.

Please visit: http://www.impot.natural-health-cureguides.com

Good Luck,

Steve Stanley

Thursday, June 13, 2013

A Woman's Guide To Natural Supplements To Help Menopause


There is no cure menopause, it doesn't really need one.

It is a right passage that women will have just as the one came on that changed them from little girls to women capable of procreation. In the beginning, the changes were not all that hard on the body. They were young and nothing has ever been as difficult as taking form. It is almost like the rubber in the waist of a pair of slacks.

Once you gain weight the rubber stretches to fit, but when that same amount of weight is lost the rubber doesn't shrink back to its original state and neither does the female body go easily into adjusting to this lack of hormones, after having been filled with them for some thirty to forty years.

There are medical treatments for menopause symptoms; mainly this is in the form of Hormone Replacement therapy.

This is a synthetic hormone prescribed for women to alleviate the various discomforts that menopausal changes cause. For years women have been taking these HRT treatments, some take them for 12-15 years depending on how long it is before they actually have that last menstrual cycle.

HRT works well enough but it is the side effects that have caused a lot of women approaching menopause to seek a more holistic approach to dealing with the agonies of mother nature.

They are searching for a natural supplement to help menopause to combat the symptoms. They are looking for a supplement that works without the threat of waking up one day with breast cancer.

That is why we have taken the time to list for you a number of the herbs that can be used to treat menopausal symptoms.

Below is a short list of supplements to help menopause that can be used to treat these symptoms.

繚 Valerian root(Valeriana officinalis)- mood swings

繚 Red Clover (Rosa) - hot flashes and anxiety

繚 Cramp Bark (Viburnum Opulus) - cramping

繚 Flax Seed (Linum Usitatissimum) - hot flashes

繚 Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex) - hot flashes

繚 Motherwort (Leonurus)- anxiety and depression

繚 Damiana Leaf (Turnera Diffusa Var. Aphrodisiaca) - low libido

繚 Dong Quai Root (Angelica Sinensis)-hot flashes

繚 Evening Primrose Seed (Oenothera Biennis)- cramps

繚 Partridge Berry Leaf (Mitchella Repens)- moodiness and uterine contractions

繚 Wild Yam Root (Dioscorea Villosa)- low libido

As you can see there are quite a few herbs that can assist you during menopause.

What would you give to have the best of them put together in one capsule with the correct dosage?

In years past you had to either use it from its raw state or find a holistic practitioner willing to spend the time creating a concoction of these herbs for you.

That is no longer the case.

You can find natural supplements to help menopause being sold online, health food stores and your local Walgreens. Getting menopause relief is as easy as clicking a mouse.

For more information and reviews on supplements for menopause, please visit my website today.

Menopause and Memory Loss - The Estrogen Link


Have you been forgetting where you put your keys more than usual? Or maybe you are having some problems remembering names. Menopausal women often complain of memory loss, forgetfulness and difficulty in staying focused.

If this sounds like you, rest assured you are experiencing a normal menopause complaint. You are far from losing your mind; short-term memory loss is very common with mature women and it can usually be treated. Let's look at the physical and chemical causes of memory loss during menopause and what you can do about it.

Memory and the Brain
Memory is a very complex mechanism and even nowadays scientists are still trying to break its boundaries. It is indeed difficult for some to comprehend how we store and access such massive amounts of information inside our brain. But what is it about menopause that seems to trigger memory problems?

Registration, retention, and recall are the three stages our memories have to pass through when they work. Every time we make some kind of observations in our daily life, our brains register what they see, feel, or taste. Have you wondered why children remember songs and poems so well? This is because they continually repeat or remember something they observe. Our brains store this kind of information in our short-term memory.

Estrogen deficits occur at the beginning of menopause, after a sudden event such as a hysterectomy, or may occur due to other physical issues. Low levels of estrogen can bring memory problems, trouble finding your words, loss of attention, not to mention mood swings. You should know that all these symptoms, including memory loss, can be vastly improved, or eliminated, using nutrition, supplements, bioidentical hormone replacement and conventional drug therapies.

Here are some guidelines for evaluating the seriousness of your symptoms.

Do I have Alzheimer's disease?
This is the fear most women have when experiencing cognitive symptoms during menopause. Due to the fact that the discovery might scare them, many women choose not to seek treatment. Resist this fear and seek out the assistance of a healthcare provider. Quite often, menopausal brain fog can be improved or eliminated, given the proper attention.

Does estrogen have an impact on functions of the mind?
Yes it does. Estrogen can influence language skills, as well as mood and attention.

How does estrogen affect the mind?
Sites that store estrogen exist in several regions of our brain, including those involved in memory (such as the hippocampus). Whenever they are activated by estrogen, they activate processes, beneficial to the brain. More than that, estrogen raises levels of brain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, including those implicated in memory, mood and motor coordination. Estrogen is crucial to the networking between nerve cells, promoting their ability to communicate with one another.

What are some common signs of Estrogen Deficiencies?


  • Brain fog and mental fuzziness

  • Increased amounts of forgetfulness (names, birthdays)

  • Depression

  • Anxiety issues, sometimes panic disorders

  • Insomnia and difficulty falling asleep

  • Hot flashes and night sweats

  • Mood changes, emotionally unstable

  • Unhealthy-looking skin

  • Dry eyes, skin and vagina

  • Pain during intercourse, due to dryness

  • Weight gain

What about medical treatments?
A careful history may differentiate estrogen related cognitive problems from those associated with other conditions. During this time in a woman's life, many problems may also exist, all treatable, such as depression, hypothyroidism, etc. Neuropsychological testing is useful, and it will help you know the nature of the problem. In the same way, testing will establish a cognitive baseline for further comparison and the options you have for treatment depend on the cause or causes of your memory loss.

Treatment options for menopause memory loss may include bioidentical hormone replacement, medication for hypothyroid and synthetic estrogen replacement therapy. Alternative practitioners may recommend nutritional therapies and supplements designed to support hormone balance.

Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, Weight Gain - Fight Back Against Menopause Naturally


Hot flashes, night sweats, abnormal weight gain, irritability and depression currently rank the highest on the list of thirty-four symptoms of menopause that affect women every day. For the many women who will enter this natural phase of their lives today (estimated at approximately four thousand per day), the onset of menopause can bring with it many mentally challenging factors that can be really hard to preserver over. Feeling depressed and unlike you, or snapping at friends and family unexpectedly, or even feeling intense, overwhelming heat from hot flashes and all sporadically, can really drain a person's emotion and greatly affect their quality of life.

Some common symptoms of menopause
There are many other common symptoms of menopause aside from the above aforementioned symptoms. Another common associated symptom of this natural phase in of the female body is genital irritation or irregularity, and directly related with that symptom is lack of sexual desire or a poor sex drive. These combined two symptoms can really take their toll on any healthy relationship, and on the mind of the sufferer, who can be made to feel mentally and physically inadequate to their partner. Combine these with the above symptoms and you have the makings for mental disarray that can cause unfathomably damaging affects to anybody who has to experience them.

Natural remedies for menopause versus conventional medicals treatments
There are some popular medical treatments, but they involve sometimes dangerous methods that can yield adverse side effects. For example, hormonal replacement therapy is one of the commonly used methods to treat menopause sufferers. But these treatments have been linked to a variety of uterine cancers and other side effects, which places the patient at risk of contracting possibly terminal and life-changing illnesses. Other alternatives included soy-based alternatives which help to relieve some, but not all of the associated symptoms.

Finally, there are entirely all-natural menopausal treatment remedies that utilize proprietary blends of ingredients that have been developed not to treat a few of the symptoms of menopause, but all of them. Such botanical alternatives have yielded a very high success rate during their clinical trials, where they were proven to be as effective as conventional medical treatments, but without the associated side effects.

Natural Remedies for Menopause - Naturally Alleviate Your Worst Symptoms


It may not be that hard to get menopause relief... especially if you employ natural remedies for menopause. Vitamins, minerals, and herbs have been shown to be super effective in combating many menopause symptoms. I personally would rather take vitamins and herbs rather than mess around with risky procedures such as hormone therapy.

If you're like me hormone replacement risks greatly outweigh the rewards. Alzheimer's, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis all scare the living daylights out of me... and they are all risks you take from, hormone replacement.

So how can you get the same results naturally... without the risks?

Beta-1,3D-Glucan

Beta Glucan is naturally extracted from all natural grains, yeasts and fungi. Beta Glucan is one of the most essential natural remedies for menopause. It helps boost your bone marrow production and helps stimulate your immune system. When you take Beta Glucan... it really helps to alleviate a lot of your menopause symptoms. Beta Glucan has also been found to help relieve your joints... it acts like a lubricant and helps reduce swelling and inflammation.

Calcium and Magnesium

You should try to take about 2,000 mg of calcium and 1,000 mg of magnesium daily. These help you relieve symptoms such as irritability and nervousness. I would recommend that you try to find them in chelate form to help aid in circulation and to protect against bone loss. Calcium and magnesium also have a relaxing effect on your body... and they can help you sleep. If you are deficient in Calcium or Magnesium you will probably have a hard time sleeping... and you may experience cramps.

There have been tons of studies done proving that taking a calcium supplement will help you reduce bone loss. Simply taking Calcium can help you reduce your bone loss by as much as 43%.

Herbal Menopause Treatments

Many women turn to herbs... and that's a good thing... many studies have been done showing that herbs are effective natural remedies for menopause. When looking for an herbal supplement... try to find something that contains things such as: Hen's egg shell calx, Peria, Rehmannia, Chinese Yam, and Pseralea. These herbs have been used in China for decades. They help to maintain order and equilibrium in your body.

When you start experiencing menopause symptoms your body gets out of balance. It's important that you find natural remedies for menopause that can help restore and maintain the balance you need to feel great.

Natural Menopause Treatment - Homeopathy is the Most Efficient


Natural menopause treatment works by helping your body help itself. Whenever you have any health issue that is ongoing, you know that your immune system is at an all time low. So your priority should be in raising that.

Many things will help you to raise your immune system - a good diet, plenty of sleep, relaxing regularly, being out in nature, exercise. You know this, you don't need me to tell you.

So for your long term health, start putting some of these actions into play. Be realistic. Do one at a time. Set a goal within a time period, and make little adjustments every day. That makes it effortless.

For instance, if your lunch consists of a meat pie, have a salad instead. If you make it yourself, you can make sure it's full of all the food you really enjoy. And make plenty of it, so you can dip into it as and when you feel hungry. Don't stick to what is considered normal. If you love a particular combination, use that.

Important though they are, putting all these issues into play does take time, and you are probably looking for something to act a bit faster than that.

One of the best (and fastest) natural menopause treatments is homeopathic. Homeopathy works by raising your immune system quickly. All you have to do is to work out which of the many homeopathic medicines is best for your condition. This may be too hard for you, so seek the services of a professional homeopath.

But you can help yourself, if you want to do a bit of work.

The homeopathic medicine Lachesis is excellent for resolving any hormonal imbalance as long as your strong symptoms agree with those of the medicine.

Those who benefit most from Lachesis often have a history of hormonal problems, starting with ailments from the contraceptive pill, through to the menopause. Typical symptoms of the menopause can be flushes of heat, headaches or depression. Often there is a greater sense of irritability. And you tend to be quite jealous, especially towards your partner. Not a bit, but a lot. It's gone beyond your control.

Lachesis people usually have a high libido.

And the menopause symptoms are worse in the heat.

The symptoms are normally worse when you wake up in the morning. Less often, they are worse at night.

Lachesis people will have noticed that any problems they had with their period cleared up as soon as the blood started. The release of the blood, releases them emotionally, too. So the menopause can be a hard time, because this monthly release is no longer there.

And this is one of the reasons why they do so badly on the contraceptive pill. It suppresses their natural tendency.

Natural menopause treatment works by helping you achieve what your body is already trying to do, but can't.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Menopause - Green Tea is Your Lifesaver During Menopause Treatment


Do you have to take synthetic or bio-identical estrogen to mask menopause symptoms? Then you should know that the side effects, such as breast swelling and uterine bleeding, bother many menopause women daily who take estrogen.

Estrogen was listed as one of the most potent chemical carcinogens in a biology textbook (Levine & Miller, 1994). Estrogen is a reproductive hormone, so most of its functioning sites are in the breasts and the uterus. No wonder all hormone treatments for menopause cause breast swelling and uterine bleeding. No wonder your doctor has to screen for cancers with mammograms and Pap smears routinely during your menopause treatment.

Good news for menopause women who are taking hormones: "Green tea is the single best cancer fighter." said a director at a cancer prevention center in New York. Green tea has 20 times more free-radical fighting power than vitamin E and 200 times more than vitamin C. Nature packs green tea with EGCG, a great antioxidant which shows impressive activity against many kinds of cancer. Studies found that EGCG inhibits a key enzyme for cancer development.

EGCG is one class of a larger group of protective phyto-chemicals. Phyto-chemicals are natural chemicals widely distributed in plants. That is why eating more fruits and vegetables, in whatever form, is a great way to prevent cancers.

Extracts of green tea have been shown to prevent cancer in animals, and recently similar claims have been made about black tea. All true tea comes from the same plant species (Camellia sinensis), such as black tea, pu-erh tea, and oolong- tea, so they should contain the same amount of EGCG. However, herbal teas, such as peppermint, are not true tea, because they are made from different plants, so they do not contain as much EGCG as real tea.

You need to drink four cups of green tea daily to get the optimal dose of EGCG. Pour boiling water over tea leaves and let it steep for 5 minutes. To get the most antioxidant benefit, don't add milk or sugar, and drink the tea immediately.

While the average American drinks 10 servings of green tea per year, the average Chinese drinks 150 servings per year. Although coffee increases heart rate, insomnia, nervousness, headache, irritability, diarrhea and frequent urination, so far, no negative effects have been reported on tea.

As Rome was not built in a day, cancer is not developed in a day. By the time you are diagnosed, the cancer has been in your body for 10 years. While you are taking estrogen to mask your menopause symptoms for years, estrogen stimulates your breasts and uterus everyday. Mammograms and Pap smears are only passive ways to prevent cancers.

Drinking tea is your daily anticancer weapon. It prevents cancer seeds from germinating and growing in your body. When the cancer is diagnosed, it has grown into a big cancer tree. The goal of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is to destroy the cancer tree, and obviously it is the last straw to save your life. Cancer risks increase as we age. Menopause women are especially susceptible to cancers while taking estrogen. Green tea is a great antidote to the cancer-causing effect by synthetic or bio-identical estrogen.

Home Remedies For Fibroids - How to Shrink Fibroids Naturally


Home remedies for fibroids can work particularly well if followed correctly. The very nature of fibroids means that conventional treatments are simply not usually the best course of action. Indeed, many doctors advocate leaving fibroids well alone as they will shrink naturally around the time of the menopause.

Fibroids are very rarely life threatening or in any way considered dangerous and some would see it as an easy option for doctors when they recommend taking no action to treat them. Now this is all well and good if you are close to the menopause or your fibroids are not causing any problems. It is a different matter altogether though if you have large fibroids, causing unpleasant, uncomfortable symptoms such as heavy bleeding, anemia, bloating, bowel and bladder problems and even breathlessness. In addition, living with these symptoms can seem like a life sentence if you are years away from the menopause.

To successfully use home remedies for fibroids, it is important to understand that there is no "quick fix" method of shrinking fibroids and that you need to have a degree of self motivation to succeed. However, if you are prepared to invest some time and effort in your own well being it will pay dividends.

There is no one cause of fibroids and doctors generally agree that fibroids grow due to a subtle interaction of a number of conditions which happen to be present in the woman's body at a given time. This is why they are so difficult to treat conventionally, but why they can respond well to home remedies for fibroids which use a multi-faceted approach.

One common factor for fibroid growth is the presence of an excess of estrogen. Estrogen is often plentiful in overweight women, so one simple remedy is to ensure you maintain a healthy weight as this naturally reduces estrogen levels. In addition, pesticides and environmental pollutants can mimic the action of estrogen in the body and this can be reduced by following a good liver detox. Fibroids are also common in women who suffer from inflammatory conditions, so steps to reduce inflammation within the body have also been shown to have an impact on the size of fibroids. This can be done by eating foods with natural anti-inflammatory properties such as hops, oats, cumin and rosemary.

Solaray PhytoEstrogen For Menopause Relief


Solaray PhytoEstrogen is an herbal remedy in pill form for women suffering from menopausal symptoms. It treats discomfort and the depletion of certain vitamins that happen during the active stage to ease the process until it is over for a healthier outcome.

There are quite a few ingredients included in the mix that allow for a happier menopausal stage and allow levels to be regulated and symptoms to be diminished or at least lessened. Night sweats, hormonal imbalance, hot flashes, high blood pressure, insomnia, mood swings and depression are just a few of the symptoms that can be included in the list of discomfort that most women have to face while going through menopause.

One of the most important ingredients in this pill, is the dong quai. It is an element that is commonly used in herbal remedies for menopause. It is also known as female ginseng because it helps increase circulation of blood flow which can lower blood pressure. It is good for all stages of menopause. It is even helpful during PMS.

Soy is another common ingredient that is included in the list of this recipe for relief. Soy isoflavones act similar to estrogen does in the body naturally, and it can help to regulate a portion if not all of the hormonal imbalance that happens. That is the basic idea behind this item.

Another common ingredient is black cohosh which helps to get rid of hot flashes whether it is fighting against them slowly or snuffs them right in the beginning. As the pill is taken more and more, the hot flashes will happen further apart and less intense at that.

Other helpful ingredients that take care of high blood pressure, sleep loss, night sweats and other such discomfort include MexiYam, grapefruit juice concentrate, maltodextrin, cellulose, magnesium stearate, silica, ginger root, licorice root, saw palmetto berries, pygeum bark and alpha galactosidase.

Taking one pill a day may relieve many symptoms from menopause including hormonal imbalance. It is not a requirement to take it every day although the more regularly it is taken, the better the outcome will most likely be. It is best to take this pill with food and water.

Since there are a lot of different herbs in this remedy it is best to check with your doctor of course before starting the treatment. It is best to avoid this pill for pregnant or nursing women.

Use Effective Herbs for Menopause Natural Relief


Menopause is a crucial phase in every woman's life. It usually begins during late forties or early fifties because of poor ovarian function and is characterized by the disappearance of period and thus inability to get pregnant.

During this time woman's body changes, activity of hormones becomes different and ovary stops producing estrogens. This sudden change made body to react strongly. The first noticeable sign of menopause is changes in the period in the forms of irregularity, more or less blood than usual. Another important thing is hot flashes; a very common and unpleasant symptom, and occurs on account of changing estrogen level. Moreover, because of the same reason, the vagina can become thinner, drier and thus make sexual intercourse painful or infections of the genital area can occur more often. Among other symptoms mood changes, heart palpitations, sweating, etc. can be noticed. Sometimes these symptoms can last even for a few years after menopause.

Menopause is different for every woman. It may be easy, almost without symptoms, and opposite. For some women, this uncomfortable phase of life can be very long and difficult.

Useful Herbs for Menopause: If you feel uneasy, take a look at these natural and herbal remedies, and maybe they could make you feel better.

1. Black Cohosh: This plant grows in Eastern North America and has phytochemicals, which relieves and even removes completely unwanted symptoms of menopause like heart palpitations, hot flashes and others. Also, this plant has phytoestrogens, similar to natural estrogens in your body. That is why black cohosh is so much effective.

2. Dong Quai: You can also use this beneficial herb to feel better. In China, it is very popular and well known for its rich sources of phytoestrogens. Also it contains A, E, B12 and other vitamins. Dong Quai also increases blood flow and reduces dryness of vagina and hot flashes.

3. Red Clover: It is now admitted as one of the best herbs, which reduces menopause symptoms. As the other herbs I mentioned, red clover also has phytoestogens and thus it can help you a lot. Moreover, it has rich sources of vitamins and minerals. This herb helps to cure such menopause signs as hot flashes, mood changes and others.

4. Maca Root: It is another important herb, which has been used for ages. Maca root has adaptogen and it helps to balance hormones in your body. Another good thing is that this root also contains minerals and vitamins. It helps to reduce hot flashes, vaginal dryness.

5. Ginkgo biloba: Extract of this herb is highly beneficial for you. It improves blood circulation to the genital area. Also, it helps with memory loss and improves mental health.

These herbs should really help you to find relief from unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Just be sure you are not allergic to any of these herbs. Furthermore, use of proper diet is also very essential. Always try to be stress free as well healthy. You can also take herbal supplement Gynecure capsules to get relief from menopause effects.

'Menopause - No Sweat', a Guide to the Natural Treatment of the Menopause


'Menopause - No Sweat' - The Natural Treatment of Menopause.

This articles describes menopause symptoms and their treatment by Herbal Medicine.

BALANCING HERBS.
The ultimate aim is to get through this change of life as easily as possible by encouraging the body to accept and function normally at the new hormone levels.
In very early menopause, Agnus Castus (Vitex Agnus Castus or Chaste Tree) can be used to support the pituitary gland in stimulating the production of progesterone while reducing that of oestrogen to achieve a balance between these two hormones.

Another effective herb to help the body adjust to these new levels is Dong quai, (Angelica Sinensis). It is the best tonic herb for women, supporting and toning the reproductive system. It is an herb known as an adaptogen, which means it helps to adjust bodily functions to normal.

HOT FLUSHES.
Sage, (Salvia officianalis), is the herb most commonly advised for hot flushes and night sweats. The Chinese herb Zizyphus, (Zizyphus spinosa) is very effective in reducing hot flushes and has calming and sedative properties,and so also helps with insomnia which normally goes hand in hand with hot flushes and night sweats. You will not find this readily available over the counter so you will need to see a practitioner to get a preparation of Zizyphus.

INSOMNIA.
This is often due to the flushes so once these are reduced sleep patterns should return to normal. However a cup of Chamomile tea or Lemon Balm tea as an evening drink instead of anything with caffeine in it, will help the body to relax and fall into a natural sleep. You can usually find these in tea form in a good health shop.

PALPITATIONS.
The herb for palpitations associated with hormone imbalance is Motherwort (Leonorus Cardiaca). It is a nerve and heart sedative and has calming properties and is a good herb when someone needs to be "cared for".

LETHARGY/ DEPRESSION.
St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) is a wonderful nervous system supporting and tonic herb. The only problem with it is that it also improves liver function. If you are taking any orthodox medicine this could lead to an increased rate of breakdown and excretion of these medicines rendering them less effective than they should be. So the message here is don't take St. John's Wort if you are on any orthodox medicines.

SLUGGISH DIGESTION.
Either, Dandelion root (Taraxacum Officianalis) or Milk thistle (Carduus Marianus) are the preferred herbs for the digestive system. They are both liver and digestive system cleansers and both improve digestive function by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes.

LOSS OF SEX DRIVE AND VAGINAL DRYNESS.
Rose is not called the flower of love without good reason. For loss of sex drive, buy some good quality rose oil (preferably Rosa Damascena) and put a few drops into a bath before bedtime. Rose oil is expensive but has calming and uplifting properties as well as being an aphrodisiac.

Treat vaginal dryness with a tincture of Marshmallow Root (Althea Officianalis). Marshmallow contains a mucilaginous substance which encourages lubrication of all mucous membranes around the body. Again I do not think you will get this over the counter so you will have to visit an Herbalist to get the tincture.

A typical menopause mixture would contain:-

Dong Quai, Sage, Motherwort and Milk thistle. The proportions of the herbs to each other in the mixture would depend on each individual person's symptoms and severity. Treatment can typically last 4-6 months.

Please remember Herbal Medicine is only safe medicine if it is administered by a qualified practitioner. The information in this article is for your interest only and is not intended to encourage or enable you to self medicate.

If you buy a ready made preparation of Herbal Medicine over the counter, please follow the instructions on the packaging.

Best Anxiety Natural Remedies For Menopause


There are several reasons why some women have panic attacks, which are also know as anxiety attacks. One of the reasons is a temporary imbalance due to the hormones that are affected by menopause. Mainly these are estrogen and progesterone, but sometimes also testosterone which affects the sex drive of women (commonly known as a male hormone but also present in women). Once any of these hormones is out of balance, the symptoms of menopause can start quite quickly.

Other symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and headaches as well, but the anxiety for some women is their worst nightmare. It can come at the most inappropriate times as well, such as while doing the shopping and suddenly the overwhelming feeling of being out of control can overtake you. With some women there is also dizziness, but not always. What causes this sudden anxiety?

In perimenopause, or the beginning of menopause symptoms, the hormone estrogen can be dominant as the progesterone starts to decline. This adds to the anxiety response as normally the progesterone hormone starts to phase in during the second half of a woman's cycle, but with perimenopause this doesn't happen (especially when a period is missed) and the calming effect of the progesterone is never received. With the dominant estrogen, stress levels keep to a higher level and many times the stress of daily life adds to this effect. This can build up over time as well, and the anxiety attacks are the body's normal response to this stressful time.

Another source of anxiety is the adrenal glands, especially when they start to malfunction due to hormone imbalance. The adrenals glands are small glands that are situated near the top of the kidneys, and secrete the chemicals cortisol and epinephrine. These are commonly referred to as stress hormones, and when the adrenal glands aren't functioning properly they can go into overdrive causing severe anxiety.

The best way to try and keep these symptoms in check is to first of all take care of your self, avoid caffeine and too much sugar in the diet, also avoid fatty or acidic foods and eat more soy instead. Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise three times or more per week can have great benefits too, as this reduces stress and increases the "feel good" chemicals such as dopamine in the brain. Also planning ahead when you know you will be in a stressful situation is helpful; you can mentally prepare yourself and thus minimize your stress levels ahead of time! Meditation, aromatherapy, and massage are all very good ways to reduce stress and anxiety as well. Find a good herbal remedy such as black cohosh, ginger root, or some good chamomile tea and you may find your anxiety levels back to normal in no time.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Early Signs of Male Menopause


Ladies, the so-called mid-life crisis that many men experience is not our imagination and neither is it theirs. As has been suspected some, but not all, men will suffer male menopause. If you know someone who may be in male menopause understanding it may help you to help them. It is also important that you encourage the men in your life that may have symptoms, to discuss them with their doctor.

About Male Menopause

Male menopause is also called andropause. In men hormone levels are at the peak somewhere between 15 and 19. When men reach their late 20's testosterone levels begin to slowly decrease but normally stay within healthy limits. In his 40's or 50's up to half the men who suffer andropause will report uncomfortable symptoms. This helps to support a healthy sex drive, the generation and production of sperm. This can allow a man to father children well into his eighties.

All women at some point in time will go through menopause which is the cessation of fertility and menstrual cycles. Not all men will go through andropause. It is not known why andropause affects the men it does affect.

Causes of Male Menopause

In some men menopause/andropause will occur naturally. In other men there can be underlying triggers. Illness can affect hormone levels. Depression, dementia, and obesity can also be triggers of andropause. Heart and lung diseases and autoimmune disease may go through andropause. A physical and tests run by your doctor can help determine if a man is in andropause or suffering with another health condition.

Early Signs of Male Menopause

Male menopausal symptoms are very similar to female menopause but much less intense.
Have you noticed a man or men in your life being a bit more forgetful, irritable, or exhibit a low energy level? These symptoms could be early signs of male menopause.

Male symptoms can include hot flashes and night sweats. Fatigue, joint pains, and muscle aches are also possible. On the emotional side men can have mood swings, become more irritable, and experience depression. They may appear to lose interest in sex or have difficulty with weak erections. They could feel like they no longer enjoy sex.

Many men don't like talking about their symptoms but should be encouraged to do so with the doctor at the onset of these symptoms to rule out other health conditions with similar symptoms.

Treatments of Male Menopause

It is also true that for treating early signs/symptoms of male menopause, hormone replacement therapy is the traditional choice of treatment. Testosterone replacement can reduce the symptoms for men. Erectile dysfunction treatments can also help to reduce treatments.

Men as well as women can choose natural treatments such as herbal supplementation.
The herbs should be tested at the molecular level to determine their metabolic paths and the interactions of the ingredients should also be examined. Only standardized herbal extracts should be used with no fillers or preservatives. When they are being made they should be made to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. This helps to guarantee the consumer consistent dosing and consistent quality from capsule to capsule. As always do not add herbal supplements to your regime without letting your know about it. Some herbs may affect how any prescriptions you may be taking.

Conclusion

If any man becomes more listless, irritable or wakes up sweating, these could be early signs of male menopause. It is a very real event for some men. It is as uncomfortable for them as well as women because they are often embarrassed to talk about it. There are treatments available including hormone replacement and herbal supplements. Your doctor can help a man decide the best treatment for their individual needs.

Menopause Mood Swings? An Effective Treatment


Although mood swings may not be as annoying as hot flashes for many women going through menopause, they can certainly put a damper on your day. There are, though, several things that you can do to relieve menopause mood swings. Most of them are pretty simple, too. Eating a balanced diet full of plant-produced phytoestrogens, taking a St. John's Wort herbal supplement, and exercising on a regular basis can all help improve your mood during menopause.

Of these three things, exercise may be one of the most advantageous and effective. Plus, exercise has a ton of other benefits, too, including helping you maintain a healthy weight during menopause, which is a time when many women experience weight gain. Besides this, exercise can boost your energy levels and help you combat the fatigue that often comes with menopause. You may, though, be wondering why exercise helps and what types of exercise can help you regulate your moods.

Exercise and Endorphins Affect on Menopausal Mood Swings

Endorphins are brain chemicals - neurotransmitters - that are related in some ways to morphine. They actually are the body's natural chemical response to pain, and they can help ease both physical and mental pain. Your body naturally produces some endorphins when you're in pain, but you probably don't notice them then because all they're doing is taking the edge off. Exercise, though, can make your body produce endorphins - for reasons that aren't yet clear - even when you aren't in any significant amount of pain.

Because there isn't any actual pain to fight, the endorphins that can flood your body during exercise can boost your mood, sometimes for several hours after a workout session. The most endorphin-producing exercise sessions are pretty intense and last for twenty to thirty minutes, but moderate exercise can also produce mood-enhancing benefits during menopause.

Moderate Exercise and Stress Relief to Improve Mood

One of the main benefits of moderate exercise for menopausal women is stress and anxiety relief. Although a twenty minute walk won't flood your blood stream with endorphins to give you the so-called runner's high, a simple walk can do wonders for your general stress levels and feelings of well-being. In one study published by the Journal of Nursing, menopausal woman who participated in a light exercise program for a year experienced a significant decrease in severe menopause symptoms. These women were less anxious and depressed, and they had boosts in self-confidence, as well.

Incorporating Exercise into Your Life for to Balance Mood

Many of the studies on exercise and mood have focused on cardiovascular exercise. There's a reason that an endorphin flood is known as a runner's high; to get this type of serious mood boost, you do have to work out at about 75% of your actual capacity for at least ten or fifteen minutes. However, exercises like yoga and qigong have been shown to reduce overall anxiety and depression levels, as well. As an added bonus, yoga has been shown to reduce the intensity and number of hot flashes during menopause for many women.

So when you go to start an exercise program on your own, you can choose cardiovascular exercises like walking, swimming, and biking, or you can focus on mind-body exercises like yoga and qigong. Here are a few tips on incorporating mood-boosting exercise into your life.

*Start slow. If you have been sedentary for a long time, it's important that you don't start by exercising for an hour every day. If you are getting so sore that you can't move in the morning, that's a signal that you need to slow down. Too much exercise will actually have the reverse effect on your moods, and may cause you to backtrack into some of your menopause symptoms.

*Get some variety. Many women tend to focus on only one type of exercise, but if you combine different types you'll not only have more fun, but you'll also get more physical benefits. Combine cardiovascular, mind-body, and muscle building exercises for the best overall experience.

*Exercise at least twice a week. One study showed that women who exercised two or three times a week got the most mood-balancing benefits. If you want, you can work up to light exercise five days a week, but be sure that you do have a few days where your body gets a break.

Male Menopause Symptoms - Is the Problem You're Just Getting Older?


Male menopause symptoms -- the first question a man asks about male menopause is usually about declining sexual function. Can I continue to perform? Will I still enjoy sex? Will sex even matter to me in the future? Somewhere is his 40's, maybe 50's, a man may notice that things are not the same as they used to be in the bedroom and he begins to worry. While male menopause symptoms are not just about sex, concerns in this area are real and with reason.

In the United States alone, perhaps as many as 30 million men will at sometime suffer from erectile dysfunction, the most recognized male menopause symptom. And if the other symptoms of menopause are added in, it's clear that tens of millions of men in their 40's and older may need treatment.

Here are common male menopause symptoms (also called andropause):

o Declining Sex Drive - not only does the man have less interest in sex, he will also have sex less frequently. From an average of 3-4 times a week in his twenties, sexual frequency declines to about once a week or so in his fifties to 1-2 times a month in his late seventies. One of the related male menopause symptoms is that sex becomes less enjoyable for the man.

o Fatigue and Less Energy - once able to be on the go all day and into the night, now the male's activity pace slows considerably. The same physical activity now takes longer with considerably more effort.

o Body Composition - if a man is sedentary, he will lose about 10% of his lean body mass every 10 years after age 30. Lean body mass loss means loss of muscle! This muscle loss is generally accompanied by an increase in fat mass and a tendency to become obese. And obesity is related to numerous health and wellness problems.

o Forgetfulness, Inability to Concentrate - although anyone can occasionally forget, there's a noticeable change in the ability to remember in male menopause. And it becomes more difficult to focus, which ordinarily is one of the strengths of a man.

o Feelings of Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Irritability - events or actions of others that once were dealt with easily by the male now become more difficult to deal when having male menopause symptoms.

o Difficulties with Quality of Sleep - sleep, especially uninterrupted deep sleep, is the time when the body repairs itself and gets ready for another trip through the next day. In male menopause, the man can have difficulty in falling asleep, he may not sleep well, and he can have a restless time during the last part of sleep before awakening. Not getting enough quality sleep over time can have serious health consequences.

o Confusion, Indecision, Lower Self-Confidence - part of being a healthy male is the ability to solve problems, to be efficient, to be competent, to have power and to achieve. A consequence of experiencing male menopause is the erosion of these crucial aspects of being a man.

o Osteoporosis, Increased Risk of Bone Fractures - even though a male begins to lose bone mass considerably later in life than a woman on the average, bone loss will happen and can be considered another of the male menopause symptoms. Women often begin losing bone mass as early as in their thirties, whereas bone loss begins later in life for a man.

Having male menopause symptoms and losing one's sexuality are related to factors that include hormonal, mental and physiological problems. Declining hormone levels, especially testosterone, will definitely create havoc in a male's sex life. Other factors that can cause a loss of interest in sex or sexual activity include stress, obesity, alcohol and tobacco abuse, physical inactivity, illness and prescription drugs side effects.

Do men in their 40's and older just have to accept these kinds of male menopause symptoms as "what do you expect - you're getting older"? NO WAY! There ARE steps men over 40 can take that can help them stay healthy, full of energy and active -- including sexually active -- for decades to come.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating) - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment


Hyperhidrosis refers to a condition where the sympathetic nervous system is overactive and produces sweat in excess of that needed to keep a constant temperature. This condition may be either primary or secondary. While there is no known cause for the primary condition, the secondary condition is usually caused due to endocrine problems, hormonal treatment, psychiatric disorders, obesity and menopause. Excessive sweating can be socially embarrassing and may interfere in professional activities. It is aggravated by emotional stress and high temperatures.

The Ayurvedic treatment of hyperhidrosis is aimed at controlling the sweating, regulating the sympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and treating the known cause of the condition. Medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Kachnaar-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Maha-Vat-Vidhwans-Ras, Vat-Gajankush-Ras and Ekang-Veer-Ras are used to treat the overactive sympathetic nervous system. Medicines which act on the 'Ras' and 'Meda' dhatus (tissues) of the body are useful in this condition. These medicines include Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Chirayta (Swertia chirata), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Rakta-Chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus) and Vishwa (Zinziber officinalis). Other medicines which can be used in this condition are: Saarivadi-Churna, Chandanasav, Usheerasav, Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Pittapapda (Fumaria vaillantii), Triphala (Three fruits) and Usheer (Vetiveria zizanioidis). Fine powders of Triphala, Chandan (Santalum album) and Usheer can also be used locally.

Stress can be treated using Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) and Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina). Endocrine disorders like hyperthyroidism can be treated using medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Chandrakala-Ras, Praval-Bhasma and Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus). Obesity can be treated using medicines like Medohar-Guggulu, Triphala-Guggulu, Chandraprabha-Vati, Triphala and Trikatu (Three pungent herbs). The hot flushes of menopause can be treated using medicines like Brahmi-Vati, Saraswatarishta, Ashokarishta and Usheerasav.

Once the acute symptoms have been controlled, the recurrence of the condition can be prevented by using medicines like Kutaj-Parpati, Panchamrut-Parpati, Usheerasav, Saarivasav and Parpatadi-Qadha on a long term basis. Medicines need to be tailor-made for each individual in order to get the maximum therapeutic response.

Shiatsu Massage: Massage Treatment in PMS and Menopause


Shiatsu Massage Treatment of PMS

Diagnosis of PMS

Premenstrual syndrome is a western view of a common gynaecological problem. Syndrome means it is a group of signs and symptoms which typically occur together but for which there is no satisfactory explanation or known cause. However, shiatsu massage and TCM not only recognize this group of symptoms as a particular pattern of energy imbalance called liver energy stagnation, but also defines an aetiology for it, namely emotional stress as well as a treatment based on meridian theory.

From a western medical point of view, the diagnosis of PMS is problematic. Over 150 symptoms have been isolated but there is no agreement on these and no definitive tests to confirm diagnosis. To further complicate diagnosis, many of the symptoms are psychological. To rule out the possibility that the symptoms are psychological or psychiatric in nature as well as rule out the risk of misdiagnosis and mistreatment, the symptoms must be restricted to the second half or luteal phase of the cycle. As there is no significant difference in hormone levels between women with and without PMS, PMS seems to be due not to an hormonal imbalance but to a reaction to normal hormonal changes during the cycle.

Symptoms

Psychological and Behavioural Symptoms

  • Depression and mood swings

  • Weepiness or feeling low

  • Fatigue or lethargy

  • Tense or uneasy

  • Irritability and aggression

  • Poor co-ordination and clumsiness

  • Easily distracted

  • Changed interest in sex

  • Altered sleep patterns

  • Food cravings

  • Emotional lability

Physical Symptoms

  • Breast and nipple distention and tenderness

  • Feeling bloated or swollen

  • Face, abdomen or fingers becoming puffy

  • Gaining weight

  • Headaches

  • Changes in appetite

  • Skin changes or acne

  • Diarrhoea, constipation or swinging between the two

  • Joint and muscle pain or stiffness

  • Aches and pains, particularly backache

  • Stomach pain and cramping

  • Migraine, epilepsy, rhinitis, urticaria or asthma becoming aggravated

As shiatsu massage alleviates stress and harmonizes both body and emotions, it treats liver energy stagnation and the gynaecological problems issuing from it.

Shiatsu Massage Treatment of Menopause

Shiatsu massage can help with the unpleasant symptoms related to premature menopause (premature ovarian failure or POF), perimenopause or menopause. The main pattern of imbalance here is liver blood-kidney yin deficiency. However, as there are several patterns of imbalance giving rise to menopausal symptoms, a number of different symptoms can be experienced such as hot flushes, sweating sleep disturbances, increased risk of heart disease and stroke, osteoporosis, thinning of skin, vaginal dryness, changes in the intensity of orgasms and libido, painful intercourse and having to empty the bladder more frequently.

Shiatsu massage practice is based on the oriental medical principle that mind and body is regulated by energy flowing along a network of meridians. According to this principle, the energy responsible for the functioning of mind and body flows through these meridians and a person becomes unwell once this natural flow of energy is disturbed. If this natural flow is restored, then the natural healing power of the body returns the person to good health.

These disruptions may stem from emotional factors, climate, lifestyle or other causes including stress, the presence of impurities in the environment or the body and physical trauma. These disturbances follow well-known patterns and can be corrected during shiatsu massage by applying pressure along the meridians with an emphasis at relevant pressure points. As there are patterns of imbalance associated with menopause, these patterns can be treated with shiatsu massage which will help alleviate the menopausal symptoms. Herbal therapy can also be combined with the shiatsu massage treatment to strengthen its effectiveness.