Natural Remedies For Vaginal Atrophy - Can You Really Fix This Disorder Yourself?

Do natural remedies for vaginal atrophy exist? If your doctor has told you that you suffer from this condition, you may be wondering what your options are. Do you have to start on hormonal replacement? Or is there a natural way to restore vaginal tissue?

First of all, you need to understand what causes this disorder. Only then can you know how to treat it.

The Cause

This condition occurs where the lining of the vagina starts to thin. Over time, this progresses to be a serious condition. It's caused by a lack of estrogen, generally brought about by menopause. Early symptoms include vaginal dryness. As the disorder progresses, sex becomes increasingly painful and may even cause bleeding. But to get a diagnosis, you do need to see your doctor.

What You Need To Do To Treat It

To treat it, it makes sense to replace estrogen in your body. That is why most doctors will prescribe low-dose estrogen therapy to help you. However, this treatment plan is not without side effects. Plus, there is the risk of cancer from the extra estrogen.

How Estrogen Helps

Fortunately, many women have found relief using natural sources of estrogen. Many plants contained what is known as phytoestrogen. You find the highest concentration of this in soy and other legumes. However, most of these foods do not contain enough to effectively reverse vaginal atrophy.

Looking To Natural Remedies to Treat It

But other natural remedies for vaginal atrophy include supplements that contain a higher concentration of this phytoestrogen. These usually also contain a mix of vitamins and minerals that help keep you in optimal health. Plus, many women have found them to be effective at treating vaginal atrophy.

Menopause Symptoms - How to Deal With Menopause Depression

Menopause depression is a very genuine condition that has been studied over a few years. However people thought that this symptom was little more than a mental complaint for a long period. Recently some studies have revealed that it could be directly linked to hormones. While it is an unpleasant thing that has to be endured, you can find relief and let's look at the basics of this menopause symptom.

Generally menopause depression is combined with several other menopause symptoms and causes a difficult time in a woman's life. As many different menopause symptoms come with it, it is just magnified due to them. Moreover being unable to bear children is also a difficult revelation as their serotonin levels are also jumping and they feel they don't belong in their own body.

Menopause depression does things to a woman that they've never go through before. They feel that they are useless and their lives will never be the same again. This menopause symptom sometimes also coincides with their children growing up and they notice that they can't bear children anymore. Therefore they feel depressed and they feel like the menopause symptoms are just too much to deal with. As it can get quite rough at this stage in a woman's life, several menopause treatments are available on the market.

As it may not be desirable, there are menopause treatments like antidepressants which woman can take will do a wonder on their mental state. Moreover there are also natural menopause remedies like mention in our website which will help replenish the estrogen that is now gone. Besides taking a healthy diet which can contribute ability to relieve the menopause symptoms, an exercise routine should also be added to your daily plan as soon as possible. Exercise will help with the weight gain which will inevitably come as a result of menopause.

It is advisable that you shouldn't take this lightly and try to be supportive by getting helps from anyone. Menopause depression is a difficult part in woman's life which they'll have to get through at the some point. Since many women have done this and come through eventually, you also can relieve this menopause symptom by using the right menopause treatments.

Irritability and How Peri-Menopause Brings the First Signs of Change

Many women in the stages of peri-menopause and menopause feel depressed and irritable. Some researchers believe that the decrease in estrogen triggers changes in the brain, causing depression. Others think that supplementary symptoms you are having, such as sleep problems, hot flashes, night sweats and fatigue are the causes of these feelings.

Alternatively, it could be a blend of hormonal changes and symptoms. However, these symptoms can also be caused due to reasons unrelated to menopause, though menopause is the main cause of these symptoms in a woman. Mood changes and irritability may also be more common in women who have had difficulty with PMS.

Menopause and Irritability: Symptoms

The other factors that influence mood swings and irritability in menopausal women are difficulty with memory and attention span. Some women report difficulties with concentrating or remembering specific words. These women may stutter and stammer over a certain word, even though the word is on the tip of their tongue. Certain uneasiness resides at the back of the mind, causing thoughts to wander and curtails concentration.

A woman with attention-deficit disorder may first realize this and go for treatment when she reaches menopause. Declining estrogen levels have aggravated her ability to concentrate. Insomnia, better known as sleeplessness, is a common complaint from women in pre-menopause or menopause. Irritability during menopause may increase due to night sweats and disrupted sleep patterns.

This is a relative condition because impaired sleep can cause touchiness and depression and in turn, irritability and depression can impair sleep. Reduced sleep leads to tiredness and irritability during the day.

Menopause and Irritability: Depression

Feeling depressed during or before menopause and feeling negative about menopause and getting older, increases the stress, and can result in more severe menopause symptoms. If you start smoking and are not being physically active, unhappy in your relationship, or unemployed, or feel the biological clock ticking away - making you regretful that you cannot have children anymore- any of these situations could quite naturally lead to irritability when confronted with menopause. Timely and proper treatment can stem the problem, which could get very serious if left untreated.

Menopause and Irritability: How to Get Relief

There are countless ways to alleviate emotional symptoms related to menopause and irritability. Sometimes, talking to friends and family, or doing relaxation exercises eases the problem. However, if symptoms really disrupt your life, talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy or, if you are still menstruating, low-dose birth control pills are an option as are a newer alternative form of therapy called bio-identical hormones. Blues that linger and cause fatigue, sleep problems, trouble concentrating and lack of interest in sex may be a sign of a more serious type of depression.

Menopause and Irritability: Talk to Your Near and Dear Ones

First, speak to a professional about any emotional problems. Discussing your problems with anyone, a doctor, therapist, or friend, can often bring much needed relief. At this critical juncture in a woman's life, supportive family and friends are even more necessary.

In some cases, your doctor might prescribe medication. Hormone Replacement Therapy - usually given to treat hot flashes and protect bones against osteoporosis, may work to relieve symptoms, but don't forget to also explore bio-identical alternatives. Once the hot flashes and night sweats, go away, both sleep and moods are likely to be significantly improved.

Menopause and Breast Tenderness

Every woman dreads the coming of menopause, which is defined as the single day that follows 12 months without menstruation. It isn't so much the cessation of menstruation that is feared (many women actually welcome this particular change), rather it is the transition stage before menopause that women are afraid of. The unpredictable nature of hormones gives no fair warning to women, and they never know when or what will strike.

One of the symptoms of this transition stage, known as perimenopause, is breast tenderness. You may be wondering what menopause and breast tenderness have to do with each other, but the truth is that they couldn't be more connected. It has to do with your hormones.

When you first started menstruating, you may have noticed that you would bloat slightly before you began bleeding. Apart from the water retention, your breasts may also have felt tender, and slightly painful to the touch. Many women experience this tenderness prior to their menstruating, making it a monthly occurrence. Some women become really used to it.

The tenderness is usually due to the estrogen and progesterone hormones, which are what governs your menstrual cycle. With menopause and breast tenderness, the reason is the same. During perimenopause, your hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone lose their timing and their control over the amounts of hormone to release (this is why some women have spiked levels of estrogen and others have very low levels.) As a result of your hormones not being in sync, several symptoms can occur, tenderness in the breasts being one of them.

So why is menopause and breast tenderness a big deal to perimenopausal women? It is because the type of tenderness experienced during this transition stage is quite severe. Some women report not being able to touch their breasts, feeling a dull constant pain, and having to sleep on their backs or with a bra so as to protect their breasts because the pain can wake them up. Plus, they can forget about intimacy. That flies out the window when menopause and breast tenderness kicks in.

Many women struggling with menopause and breast tenderness say that not many things work when it comes to solving the problem. Most women say you just have to endure menopause and breast tenderness. HRT or hormone replacement therapy, which is a common therapy used for perimenopause can have problem as a side effect, so this is not always the best solution, and other techniques, such as drinking lots of water and not consuming anything with caffeine doesn't seem to help alleviate symptoms either.

It is not a hopeless problem, though. There are many books available on the market which help women cope with their perimenopause symptoms. One such book, 'Perimenopause: Have it, Live it, Love it' really stresses more natural forms of treatment, such as diet changes and special exercises. These natural methods can help menopause and breast tenderness as well as other symptoms you may be experiencing.

Remember, you don't have to live with menopause and breast tenderness. You can always do something about it! This stage in life doesn't have to be dreaded and feared. Though it will be a bit of challenge, it can definitely be overcome!

Natural Remedies For PMS - Wild Yam For Your PMS Symptoms!

Today, there is a lot of information available online and offline to help us understand the importance of herbals, botanicals and vitamins.

A couple of years ago, it was very difficult to know about all these herbs and alternative medicines.

We know that their active ingredients provide treatment for almost everything, from cancer to little wrinkles on our face. If you are suffering from painful PMS symptoms, there are many herbal medicines can help you with alleviating your PMS pain.

Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) is one of nature's best sources of phytohormones (plant hormones).

These are the basic building blocks your body needs to produce the hormones that regulate your body. Since 18 century wild yam has been used to treat menstrual cramps, nausea, inflammation, menopausal symptoms, and more.

Medical researchers also discovered that if you take wild yam on a regular basis it could help to reduce the levels of cholesterol in the blood. Recent medical study shows that, wild yam also improve the level of sex hormones, antioxidants and lipids on postmenopausal women who regularly consumed wild yam on a 30 day period.

If you unknowingly skimp on phytohormones you may find yourself running out of energy sooner than usual, have irregular periods, stress out at the drop of a hat, lose your sex drive, and hit menopause way before your time.
When it comes down to solving our PMS symptoms many of us simply choose the over the counter medicines instead of trying natural remedies for PMS. In most cases the reason why people choose pain relief medications is just because they work faster on alleviating painful symptoms but there is nothing more than that. They only masks the symptoms.

That means we have to keep taking those drugs every month without knowing how it's actually weakening our body with its harmful side effects.

Unlike pain relief medicines, herbals and vitamins actually they assists the body's natural disease fighters, working in conjunction with the body's natural defense.

How Do Women Benefit From Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Estrogen and Progesterone are female steroid hormones that directly affect a woman's sex drive, menstrual cycle and pregnancy. When women experience menopause, the presence of these hormones begins to diminish. To treat the side effects of menopause, doctors since the 1930's have used hormone replacement therapy of estrogen and progesterone. However, it is only recently that the hormone traditionally associated with male steroids, testosterone, has been identified as an important factor of female hormone replacement therapy as well, going well beyond menopausal treatments.

Testosterone in Women

Women produce testosterone in their adrenal gland (like men) and in their ovaries. However, the amount produced is approximately one-tenth the amount of men. And just like their male counterparts, women produce the most testosterone in while in their 20's. Then the levels significantly drop after menopause. Likewise, women who have undergone a hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries) lose testosterone levels.

How Does Testosterone Help Women?

Sexuality

Just like with men, testosterone boosts a woman's sex drive. In tests done, the levels of testosterone in women rise as they become sexually aroused, and decline post orgasm. Women with lower occurring levels of testosterone often experience low or no libido.

Strength and Fitness

When men have low testosterone levels, one of the main side effects is losing muscle mass and gaining excessive abdominal fat. Women, as early as 10 years prior to menopause, start losing testosterone and also gain abdominal fat. Studies done in the last decade have found that women given testosterone under these circumstances were able to maintain a healthier weight and muscle tone.

Mood

Testosterone elevates the levels of norepinephrine in the brain which has a stimulating and anti-depressant affect. Lower testosterone levels also contribute to fatigue. Women with normal levels of testosterone experience better moods.

When Should Women Receive Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Most women who need testosterone replacement therapy are experiencing menopause and, therefore, losing their natural levels of the steroid. Younger women who have had a hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy and no longer have the ability to produce testosterone also benefit from receiving the hormone. Likewise, women suffering from Addison's disease or adrenal malfunction can no longer produce normal levels of the hormone. However, there is more evidence recently that women suffering from reduced libido, unexplained fatigue, depression, and emotional mood changes are experiencing lower testosterone levels, so small amounts of the hormone can help them as well. Doctors will take a blood test to determine if, under any of these circumstances, a woman may benefit from testosterone replacement therapy.

Intown Primary Care

Atlanta, Georgia

Side Effects of Progesterone Imbalance

As long as you are a woman, progesterone is always something that you should know about. It's a vitally important hormone which must remain balanced to ensure you are at your best and your health is protected. When this hormone isn't developed at the levels necessary, some side effects can make your life really unpleasant.

Your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy or other chemically based solutions to you. Fortunately you can take control of your own body and cure the adverse effects naturally and safely. First let's take a look at some of the ways which progesterone imbalance can affect your life.

Progesterone acne

Picture this, you are sailing along through life just fine when unexpectedly your face looks like you're back in high school again. Whoever said acne is only a problem during the teenage years has never experienced a hormone problem. Come to consider it, acne and pimples occur in the teenage years as the body trying to regulate hormones too.

A lack of progesterone in your system can cause your body and face to breakout and the acne can be so bad as to cause scarring in some cases. Obviously this problem needs to be dealt with immediately in proper way. A progesterone cream is one of the safest ways to restore balance and get rid of acne.

Progesterone weight gain

As if acne weren't so bad, a hormonal imbalance can also cause gain weight for no apparent reason. It is amazing how one seemingly small blimp on the screen of your health can influence so many different things. One drawback to this type of weight gain is that until the hormonal imbalance is adjusted, you won't be able to take the excess weight off again and the underlying trouble must be fixed first.

Progesterone and fertility

Beside acne or a few extra pounds, the more serious effects will be the possibility of sacrificing your fertility to the altar of progesterone imbalance. Without the adjusting the balance for you, it can be more difficult to conceive a child or handle the menopause symptoms. As you consider that progesterone is essential in releasing the egg for conception, any limit on your ability to effectively do so will be a threat to your fertility. Fortunately a pregnancy progesterone cream can help you balance the odds and become pregnant if that is your wish.

Progesterone levels can be returned to normal with the use of a product such as menopause treatment that mention in our website. This menopause progesterone cream is an all natural way to improve the hormone balance in your system.

Dealing With Bleeding After Menopause

Bleeding after menopause may happen to some women. It may be because of the vagina getting dry and lost its elasticity as the estrogen level is decreasing. But it is not the normal symptom to get bleeding after menopause. So you must consult your doctor immediately. Sometimes the bleeding may happen because of taking birth control medicines, hormone imbalance etc. It may happen because of some non cancerous growth in the uterine.

Bleeding after menopause does not always mean cancer growth. But there is possibility of cancer in the womb. If there is any abnormal bleeding after menopause, then you have to check it whether it is happening because of cancer growth. Even if you have odor or pain in the vagina, then you have to consult your doctor.

Normally post menopause bleeding will occur due to some other gynecological problems. So you need not fear that there is always a chance of cancer. Mostly the post menopause bleeding is because of a hormone imbalance. Women who undertake hormone replacement therapy may experience this problem frequently. Lack of estrogen causes dryness in the lining of the uterine and the blood vessels in uterine breaks down and causes bleeding.

Polyps and fibroids may also cause post menopause bleeding. While polyps cause light bleeding, fibroids cause heavy bleeding that requires treatment immediately. Sometimes any over growth in the uterine lining may also cause bleeding. And 20% of such growth may be because of cancer.

If the patient is suffering from excessive bleeding after menopause, then the examination of the pelvis region including vagina and cervix is a must. A Doctor will examine her by passing a small tube device through the cervix. The doctor may also ash her to take a complete scan of uterine. Treatment will be given after examining her past medical report. If she had taken any hormone replacement therapy or if she had any fibroids then the doctor will give her treatment accordingly. If the bleeding is caused because of any cancer growth in the uterine, advanced treatment will be given including surgery.

Menopause bleeding may occur due to hysterectomy. Nearly 6, 00,000 hysterectomies are performed in US every year. If you do not have your menstrual cycle for more than one year, then only you will be considered that you are undergoing menopause. Sometimes you may have irregular periods. So you need not confuse that menstrual cycle not happening within 28 cycles as menopause.

Ovary cancer may lead bleeding after menopause. This requires surgical treatment including removal of the ovary. Even mental stress, strain, weight loss or weight gain suddenly may cause post menopause bleeding. Consuming more pills or sexual intercourse may also cause bleeding. If you have post menopause bleeding or more than two weeks and if the bleeding is heavy that you require changing your pad every 1 hour, then you must consult your doctor immediately.

Herbal Treatment for Menopause Works Better Than HRT

We may use herbs for a number of different remedies, but what about Herbal Treatment for Menopause? This may sound farfetched because menopause is a life changing event that takes over a woman's body. How could herbs help?

If you haven't heard of using herbs to attack various symptoms that arise due to menopause, then perhaps you would rather adhere to modern medicine's lead and take a pill. I know you have heard the commercials where a certain medicine will relieve your symptoms but yet the side effects go on and on. Are those side effects worth taking that pill? I choose the safer alternatives; yes, safer alternative which can be herbs.

Let's face it; our bodies are 100% completely natural and so are herbs. Thinking of it this way, the solution is black and white. Herbal Treatment for Menopause is a must for every woman. There are herbal remedies for those who have minor symptoms to those who unfortunately are experiencing every symptom possible. I would like to share some helpful herbs with you.

Which Herbal Treatment for Menopause is for You?

Black cohosh is a very common herb in which only the roots (dried) and rhizomes help to relieve muscle pains, cramping and hot flashes. In some cases, it has also been helpful in reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The dosage recommended is for 2 to four 250mg tablet/capsules each day.

Chaste tree is native to central Asia and to southern Europe and offers beautifully delicate small blossoms in which only the fruit (dried) is used. The daily dosage is one 300 to 600 mg tablet/capsule each day to help dissipate depression. This time of your life is worth living, not let it go by without you.

Dandelion, yes those nasty weeds in your yard can offer help to your liver when hormones are out of balance and we know how often that occurs! The parts of this dandy plant are the tops, leaves and roots. The recommended dosage is one 1,000 to 3,000mg tablet/capsule per day or you can mix it to make tea and drink 2 to 3 lovely cups per day. Did you ever think that the dandelion would be an excellent Herbal Treatment for Menopause?

Ginkgo (biloba) is a must have when a woman transitions into the next stage of her life. This particular herb is beneficial in improving brain functions, blood circulation and oxygenating body cells. It can also help with depression, fatigue and memory issues. The recommended dosage is one 1,000mg tablet/capsule daily.

Licorice is considered an extremely strong adrenal stimulant and an excellent estrogenic herb. It makes a lovely tea and can be added to other herbal teas. The suggested dosage is 500 to 1,000mg tablet/capsule per day or 1 to 2 cups of tea. Since this herb is very potent, do not take too often as it can drastically reduce potassium levels and raise the blood pressure.

Wild yam roots (dried) and rhizomes work together to make an awesome estrogenic herb. Women all over have used this herb to find relief of menopausal arthritis. Wild yam is also known to have progestogenic properties which could help minimize those with heavier menstrual bleeding.

There are a number of other wonderful herbs that will help combat a number of symptoms that women may deal with as their body goes through this stage of their life. If you have questions about the herbs discussed or other possibilities, please consult with your doctor. Herbal Treatment for Menopause is simply a natural way to heal your body and mind while you enter into the next stage of your life.

Menopause Symptoms And Natural Health Treatments

Are you suffering from menopause symptoms? Here is more information that may be helpful.

What is Menopause?

At a certain age, the female ovaries (reproductive organs) stop functioning properly, and there is no release of egg or fertility hormones like estrogen. This cessation also entails the stoppage of menstrual period because the uterine lining is not required anymore. Menopause basically means that the female is no longer fertile, something that usually happens during her late forties or early fifties. But menopause can happen at a younger age as well.

Menopause Symptoms

Menopause symptoms are usually evident at varied levels in women. In some women the symptoms may be more defined and extreme like severe hot flashes, night sweats and irregular vaginal bleeding. Emotional and psychological symptoms are also very common like irritability and sudden mood swings. Other women may experience cognitive symptoms for menopause like memory issues, vision problems, confusion and fatigue.

Menopause may also cause symptoms like urinary tract infections, vaginal itching, vaginal dryness, frequent urination and sometimes even an unusual leakage of urine. The sudden decline of estrogen levels also causes menopause symptoms like weight gain, adult acne, unwanted hair growth on face and body, dry skin and sudden appearance of wrinkles.

Menopause - What You Need to Know

While menopause symptoms alone can be a cause for concern for some women, the health risks related to menopause should also be something to worry about. Menopause can be a contributing factor to serious disorders like osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Osteoporosis is a condition which causes deterioration of bone quality and density and it can make a person prone to fractures which can be dangerous. A normal decline in bone density is to be expected as women get older, but menopause can accelerate the effects and cause osteoporosis.

Cardiovascular diseases are also a major problem with life threatening complications. Menopause can put women at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease because declining estrogen levels can cause heart problems which may reach to risk of stroke and heart attacks.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for Symptoms of Menopause

A lot of times women make use of hormone replacement therapy in order to take care of the menopause symptoms. They may also think that hormone replacement therapy can decrease their risk of heart conditions or stroke. But that is not the case.

Hormone replacement therapy has a lot of side effects and it can cause an even higher risk of blood clots, cancer, heart disease and gall bladder disease. There are also several side effects of using hormone replacement therapy or HRT which include breast soreness, water retention, bloating, nausea, headaches and mood swings.

Hormone replacement therapy can come in a variety of forms: pills, vaginal ring, vaginal creams, nasal sprays, skin gel and skin patches. It doesn't matter in what form you take the hormone replacement therapy for symptoms of menopause - they are still going to be potentially harmful.

Menopause Symptoms Natural Health Treatment

Considering the side effects coming from drugs and hormone replacement used for treating menopause, but also how miserable the menopause symptoms can cause those going through it to feel, some kind of treatment and relief is needed.

In light of this, it would be recommended to try an alternative natural health treatment to see how it would work for your menopause symptoms. There are menopause nutritional supplements that have been seen to be effective and beneficial for providing relief to those suffering from the issues that menopause can cause.

Holistic Treatment for Menopause

I firmly believe that Holistic Treatment for Menopause is one of the best things a woman could ever do for herself. This particular form of treatment doesn't just work on one symptom of menopause but treats her entire body. Do you want to treat one symptom or your whole body??

The negative perception that many of us have about menopause is because we hear stories or know women who have entered menopause and had a hard time dealing with various symptoms. Did they have these issues because they just couldn't tolerate the symptom or did they not know how to treat it? Maybe they were mistreating their self-diagnosis because they didn't realize what they were experiencing was menopause.

Some symptoms such as depression, mood swings, difficulty to sleep, a decreased sex drive could also be due to other influences such as stress at work, the thought of getting older, weight gain or the empty nest syndrome. Menopause is something that a woman's body must address and go through; it is the body stating that the child bearing years are over. With the symptoms possibly being related to any number of reasons is why Holistic Treatment for Menopause is really the best way to go.

Holistic treatment typically begins by doing a thorough investigation of what is currently going on in your life and with your body mentally, emotionally and physically. A holistic life coach (holistic health coach, natural health coach or holistic health counselor) can help you understand what is happening and learn to work through each symptom. The coach or counselor wants you to enjoy life not let menopausal issues get in your way. They will help you jump over each obstacle so that you can move on and be happy.

Holistic Treatment for Menopause will help you learn different and very natural (and simple too) things you can do in your life to make it livable and enjoyable. You will learn that small changes can make very big differences. You will learn that simple changes in your diet will affect a number of menopausal symptoms. There also a number of herbs that can be beneficial as well in reducing many menopausal symptoms.

Going through menopause shouldn't be the end of the world and it's not. It is just that the symptoms can be so debilitating sometimes that your life does stop. Holistic treatments will help you get through these trying times with a positive perspective and attitude. Your holistic coach will help guide you and help you find the best way to alleviate the negatives and replace them with positives.

There are a number of different options you have available to you that your holistic health coach can discuss with you. Together you can decide which one(s) are the best for you and your life. Your coach will direct you to improve your nutritional intake, to improve your mental health, to increase your physical health and to reduce the negativity in your life. They want you to be healthy from the inside out.

There is a beneficial Holistic Treatment for Menopause for every woman. No matter how frustrating your life is while going through menopause you can find happiness and improve your self-esteem and self-worth. Using Holistic Treatment for Menopause is something every woman should do.

Menopause Treatment - Herbal Remedies That Relieve it Fast

Menopause can be treated naturally and more and more women are seeking natural cures to alleviate the symptoms which can cause misery and in this article, we will look at some of the best herbs you can take to cure the menopause...

Menopause can make a women's life a misery and some of the most common symptoms include the following - Hot flashes or sight sweats, tiredness, mood swings, low libido, dryness in the vagina, insomnia. Some women simply are not affected though in most instances it's to do with lifestyle and diet. If you live a healthy lifestyle and eat healthily you can banish all the symptoms of the menopause.

You can buy powerful supplements which use time tested herbs to treat the menopause which are blended together in potent natural Menopause relief pills and many will include the following herbs.

Y-Oryzanol
Y-Oryzanol helps to cholesterol function in the liver and cholesterol balance in the bloodstream. In its role as an antioxidant it also helps to promote better hormonal balance.

Hesperidin
Hesperidin is found in citrus fruits and is taken to boost blood circulation it is also taken to also taken treat hemorrhoids, fibroid tumors in the uterus, endometriosis, and also helps to relieve the symptoms of the menopause.

Sage Leaf
In terms of menopause, lifts mood, helps to control hot flushes and also regulates the menstrual cycle.

Black Cohosh
One of the most popular herbs to help relieve menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes.

St Johns Wort
St John's Wort has a physiological affect in terms of lifting mood and spirit in relation to menopausal symptoms.

Vitamin E
A powerful anti oxidant which helps to reduce stress and also helps to control hot flushes and keeps cell membranes healthy.

If you include a natural menopause treatment pill in your daily diet you will get nutrients that are proven to right and end the misery of the menopause.

Menopause Symptoms - How To Treat Them

Many women feel awful when they think about the idea of experiencing menopause. Apart from being the sign of getting close into the late adulthood stage, the symptoms of menopause also offers the signal for their hormones to begin regressing and become unbalanced, as a result, contributing to the increased signs and symptoms of aging. This event is actually normal in the life of each woman. This event occurs in the mid or late forties. The moment menopause has began, a woman wouldn't normally have the ability to have a baby for the reason that the female reproductive years comes to a stop.

A woman's hormones suddenly drops and becomes imbalance during menopause; it may present numerous signs and symptoms. Menopause symptoms may bring about various undesirable changes in the emotional, physical and psychological part of a woman. The changes caused by menopause vary from person to person. As a result, it's very important to be aware about these signs and symptoms.

Aside from that, having a good understanding about the symptoms, the best remedies and the appropriate treatments can help ease the symptoms and provide menopause relief.

The typical menopause symptoms are hot flashes, night sweats, hot flush, anemia, excessive hair fall, irregular menstrual periods with excessive or scanty bleeding, becoming easily irritated, sleep disorders, moodiness, anxiety, dry vagina, loss of libido, an increase in weight, confusion, breast tenderness, joint pain, depression symptoms, and disturbing memory lapses.

Menopause symptoms may be treatable. Here are some useful treatments that can help give menopause relief.

Liquorices - Take liquorices powder 1-2 tbsp a day. Liquorices contain estrogen which is very helpful in managing menopause symptoms.

Fibrous Food - This is certainly the healthiest among the many treatments of menopause. A woman is encouraged to receive diet rich in fiber because it is very helpful in increasing the level of estrogen in the body. Diet need to contain garlic, beans, alfalfa, cabbage, beets, vegetables like pumpkin and fruits a lot like apple, papaya, and many others.

Hormone Therapy - Definitely, the most excellent treatment solution for alleviating menopause symptoms is Estrogen therapy. Your doctor may suggest estrogen in the lowest dose necessary to offer symptom alleviation for you depending on your personal and family medical history.

However, there are some women who do not need treatment for menopause symptoms. Some women find that their symptoms go away. However some women find the symptom really miserable. In the event that you're troubled by symptoms, there are numerous ways to take care of them which contain modifications in diet and lifestyle, herbal remedies, keeping away from the triggers of menopause symptoms and sufficient exercise.

It is actually best to work with your doctor especially if you have worries concerning menopause symptoms and treatments. Knowing how to cope with specific symptom will make it possible for you to obtain relief from undesirable symptoms of menopause.

Woman and Menopause: Symptoms and Treatment

Menopause is the stage in a woman's life when the menstrual cycle stops. This is not a disease; rather it is a natural process in a woman's life. However, the stage when a woman has her menopause could be a very painful and mentally debilitating stage. There could be several complications.

From an Ayurvedic point of view, menses is the flow of excess pitta from the woman's body. Menses is called as Raja in Ayurveda. For this reason, the stoppage of the menses flow permanently, i.e. menopause is called as Raja Nivrutti, which literally means retirement of menses.

Menopause is a culmination of all the three doshas of the woman's body. The menses themselves are pitta, while the woman may gain in her weight during this time. This indicates a kapha imbalance. Since the woman may become moody and even lose her sleep during menopause, there is a strong indication of the vata dosha at play also.

Menopause can occur in women after the age of 45 years, though this widely varies from one woman to another. The average menopausal age could be taken as 51 years. It must be made clear that menopause is not an abrupt end to the menses. The decline of the menstrual flow occurs gradually as the months progress. Generally, a woman is said to have had her menopause if there has been no menstrual flow for at least one year.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Menopause

1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Ashwagandha is more popularly known as Indian Ginseng for its believed aphrodisiacal properties. In the case of menopause, this herb is usually prescribed to cure insomnia and mood swings.

2. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)

Beetroot is found to be extremely effective in making the menopausal experience less painful. It should be taken as a salad, in which the beetroots are boiled with their peel on. The peel must be removed before eating.

3. Indian Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi)

Known popularly as the jatamansi in India, this is another herb prescribed to cure insomnia and mood swings. For such benefits, this herb is prescribed to be taken along with ashwagandha.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Menopause

The complications during menopause can be reduced by bringing about changes in the dietary patterns. There are some very beneficial points that can be followed:-

4. Bitter foods are good dietary indications. The dark green leafy vegetables are mostly bitter in taste. They must be regularly incorporated in the diet as a woman is moving towards her menopause.

5. Astringent foods are also advantageous. These foods include beans, soybeans, potatoes, cabbages and poultry foods. Both the bitter and the astringent foods help in reducing the excess heat in the woman's body that is produced during menopause.

6. Foods that are sour, salty and pungent are contra-indications for menopause. Onions, garlic, mustard and chilies are pungent foods. Tomatoes, tamarinds, vinegars and curds are sour foods. These must be avoided.

7. Consume foods that can provide some phyto-estrogens. Such foods are watermelon, berries, legumes, licorice and pomegranates.

During menopause, the need of the following nutrients increases:-

a) Vitamin D - obtained from egg yolk, milk and animal liver

b) Vitamin K - obtained from green vegetables, cereals and animal foods

c) Magnesium - obtained from nuts, bananas and dairy products

d) Manganese - obtained from cereal, bran, nuts and tea

e) Calcium - obtained from milk and milk products.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Menopause

Chandraprabha is the tablet of choice that most physicians would provide for menopausal problems. This tablet helps in reducing the vata vitiation which is one of the foremost causes of menopausal problems. Along with this, Punarnavasava or Lodhrasava must be taken thrice in 15 milliliters doses for a month. In order to increase the strength of the body, Dashamoolarishta and Pradari Lauha are prescribed.

If there are hot flushes during menopause (which increase body temperature and then cause sudden chills), then Ashokarishta is given along with Useerasava.

For any irritations or infections that may occur in the vagina during menopause, Gokshuradi Guggulu is prescribed to be taken in doses of two pills twice a day.

Massaging the back with Chandanaadi taila helps to allay insomnia and mood swings which can occur due to vata vitiations during menopause.

(4) Home Remedies for Menopause

1. Licorice must be consumed in fair amounts during menopause. It has the phyto-estrogens that are necessary to correct the hormonal imbalances during menopause.

2. Have beetroot juice daily or include it in salads.

3. Another recipe is to boil a few carrot seeds in a glassful of milk. Consume this milk with carrot seeds in it on a daily basis.

4. During menopause, there is a chance of osteoporosis setting in due to loss of calcium. Hence take adequate care of your calcium intake. The foods mentioned above must be had in the proper amount to maintain calcium levels.

5. Maintain a healthy active regime. Sluggishness and a sedentary life will make the menopausal process quite difficult.

Is Menopause Discharge Harmful?

It may have several appearances. Menopause discharge is not only puzzling but it's erratic as well, rather like your hormones are at the moment which are the culprits for this happening.

Life is changing, your body is changing and with that there comes a huge number of both physical and psychological changes too, one of these changes is menopause discharge. Hormone imbalances are the reason for this happening.

When the main estrogen and progesterone hormones fluctuate in your body this can cause physical symptoms. Just because you're still experiencing periods doesn't necessarily mean that you're ovaries are still releasing eggs, they could purely be false periods. One form of infertility can be attributed to a non menopausal woman being blighted with false periods.

As estrogen levels fall so does the secretion levels in the vagina, this can lead to dryness, inflammation and a thinning of the vagina walls, we call this atrophic vaginitis. Menopause discharge could be happening as a result of vaginal atrophy.

The discharge tends to be at it's greatest in the phase prior to the full menopause when periods tend to be "false" and lack frequency. Menopause discharge should be clear/white and odorless, discharge that has a dark appearance, smells, itches or burns along with pain in the lower abdomen, needs to be checked out.When a yeast infection is present it can give similar symptoms. Sexually transmitted diseases and non harmful allergies can share the same characteristic symptoms of a yeast infection, you'll notice with them all that there is an unmistakeable change in your discharge which becomes clogged, lumpy and extremely "fishy" in it's smell. Be on the safe side and get things looked over by a medical consultant.

Some think that there's a psychosomatic reason stemming from the effect the hormones imbalances have on your mood that triggers the discharge. Your hormones are going off at tangents right now! The dark moods that seem to be pulling at you tend to nourish other negative feelings like stress, anxiety and extreme fatigue. Menopause discharge could just be the result of your body misinterpreting your feelings. There's no evidence to support this line of thought and cases of it happening are very isolated. Your body needs to stay strong and in tip top condition to give it the best chance at resistance.

Natural methods of treatment are becoming more and more recognised as they tend not to carry unpleasant side effects. If, after your discussions he/she is happy that there isn't any underlying conditions and it is just menopause discharge, then it can sometimes be better to leave intrusive treatments alone and find gentler alternatives without any side effects.

Menopause Nausea - Stop It In Its Tracks

When you start getting bouts of nausea at fifty, and get a twinge like a slight period pain most months, accompanied with feeling of morning sickness, then you are definitely being affected by menopause nausea. It is so uncomfortable that you would prefer to have hot flushes rather than nausea. Some women who don't understand the symptoms feel that it is hormonal. Nausea is a common symptom of perimenopause. It affects women in different ways - sometimes women are hit by a fierce wave of nausea before the onset of hot flushes, while some get affected in a more dramatic manner when they are stressed or irritated. Some women have blamed it on greasy food.

What is the connection between menopause and nausea?

For many women nausea is triggered by many causes, which are usually indirectly related to the aging process and the elimination of menstrual cycle. Nausea can occur due to lack of estrogen. The symptoms are not constant - they come and go as the menstrual cycle dwindles. Balance of hormones is so important in a woman's body throughout their 'before menopause' life that the lack of it can create complete havoc. The bio-chemical changes can cause anything from gastrointestinal problems to fatigue. They can cause nausea, dizziness and headaches as well as normal symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats and cramps.

Progesterone is an important hormone that flows within a woman's body. It keeps the sugars and electrolytes levels balanced. Any drop in this hormone level can cause imbalance and menopause nausea may occur. Many women opt for hormone replacement therapy. But some women choose to apply a progesterone cream which helps to alleviate the symptoms of nausea and other problems. Drinking plenty of water and juices etc can help in replenishing the electrolyte balance.

Diet plays an important role for menopausal women. During the menopause the gastrointestinal system is affected to certain extent. Hence foods which never before produced any side effects may bother you now, and often become a cause of nausea. When you plan a diet for this phase, include lots of fibers. These foods are great for women suffering from menopausal nausea as they keep the stomach and intestinal tract clean. Avoid eating foods that create nausea and eat foods like fruits, vegetables and carbohydrates.

Managing nausea through diet

Many doctors believe and suggest to their patients that managing the diet and adding exercise to their regular lifestyle will reduce the symptoms of nausea. To manage nausea through diet you can do the following:

• Add soybean and its products to your diet


• Eat fruits which contain phytoestrogens like pomegranate


• Add omega-3 fatty acids that are found in fish, olive oil and canola oil


• Reduce your consumption of caffeine. Instead have a decaffe. Avoid consuming alcohol and soft drinks and opt for more water or juice


• Instead of eating three large meals per day, have several small meals


• Avoid eating foods which contain high amount of sugar.


• Reduce or eliminate the consumption of greasy food


• Maintain a healthy weight


• If nausea occurs in the morning, avoid having dairy products and foods which are rich in iron and zinc.


• Peppermint tea helps to alleviate the symptoms of nausea


• Herbal supplements like licorice root, black cohosh, ginger and evening primrose oil may help

Menopause nausea is a dreadful symptom that should be treated seriously. You don't have to suffer from feeling sick through this phase.

Treat Menopause in Natural Way

Natural remedies are always gaining momentum when it comes to menopause symptom. For many years, women fought fatigue, hot flashes and other menopause symptoms through hormone replacement therapy however today there are more natural ways to fight. When it comes to menopause symptoms, natural remedies are the best option as they work without introducing dangerous chemicals or hormones into your body.

Effexor for menopause

Effexor is a drug which was originally designed to combat bipolar disorder. A few years back it was discovered that it can alleviated hot flashes in some patients. While it looked like a promising drug for menopause relief soon women were reporting very uncomforting side effects to the drug.

These side effects included dramatic change in vision, high blood pressure, headache and difficulty urinating. Since it causes so many problems, it makes a patient wonder if the cure is really worth the price you pay with your health and well being.

Neurontin menopause medication

Neurontin is traditionally used with other medications to cure partial seizures. It is also used to alleviate the burning nerve pain which sometimes continues for months or even years after an attack of shingles. Just like Effexor, it is another type of drug which potentially useful for treating the menopause symptoms however it also has some devastating side effects.

It is even recommended that patients who are applying this drug abstain from driving. When it comes to menopause, natural treatments are a much better option. With a little searching, you can find many herbal remedies for menopause.

Herbal remedies are so much better as they help to replace the work of estrogen without introducing foreign synthetics or drugs into your body system. Natural menopause remedies work to nourish your hormonal glands and help you with the natural production of estrogen hormones. This also works to treat hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.

When your menopause symptoms are relieved, you body need not to work overtime to regulate your temperature and you don't get fatigued. If you want relief and you want to manage menopause, the best way to do so is through an all natural product like menopause treatment product which mention on our website. When it comes to menopause, natural menopause treatments are best and they provide amazing results without complicated and unsafe side effects.

Controlling Night Sweats - Menopause

We know hot flashes are caused by the hormonal changes of menopause. Here's why, a diminished level of estrogen has a direct effect on the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for controlling your appetite, sleep cycles, sex hormones, and body temperature. The drop in estrogen confuses the hypothalamus, which triggers the hot flash as the body tries to adjust to the change.

I was 39-years-old when my son was born. A short year later I was going through menopause. It was not bad for a long time, then the night sweats started. I couldn't sleep more than a few hours before waking hot as fire and sticky from sweat. It was gross and so frustrating. I was tired and crabby most days because I wasn't sleeping. Then I found what helped.

Many things might offer some relief, diet, exercise, drinking lots of water etc....I tried many herbs and natural things so I want to share ideas with you. I did not use any hormone drugs, just herbs and natural remedies. I didn't find much relief with these but remember every woman is different and it may take some time for you to find which treatments, or combination of treatments, work best for you.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)- Reports from the government-supported Women's Health Initiative found that women taking hormones do have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer. And research has shown women who took hormones for an average of slightly more than 4 years actually had twice the incidence of Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia than women who didn't use it. Hormone replacement therapies contain synthetic estrogens, thus relieving symptoms, but increasing risks associated with synthetic hormones. Anything synthetic is not going to give long term health.

Some doctors also recommend that women consume natural soy products (such as tofu or soymilk) to help minimize the symptoms of menopause. Because soy contains high amounts of isoflavone, or plant estrogen, it may help protect against osteoporosis and relieve such symptoms as vaginal dryness and hot flashes.

While its name does not indicate a family connection, red clover is actually part of the soy family. Similarly rich in isoflavones, red clover has been reported to be successful in reducing menopausal symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats. Also try flaxseed, seaweed, nuts, whole grains, apples, celery, parsley and alfalfa.

If none of the soy products help and only estrogen seems to work, take the lowest effective HRT dose for the shortest possible time. But, there are many more things to try besides soy. Read on:

Other herbs to try

Black Cohosh (20 mg to 60 mg, 3 times daily) which is a phytoestrogen that helps many women manage menopause symptoms. Women with surgical menopause may not find phytoestrogens as helpful as those who experience natural menopause.

Dong Quai (500 mg to 1000 mg, 2 or 3 times daily)

Evening Primrose Oil (500 mg 3 or 4 times daily)

Ginseng (100 mg to 500 mg, 3 times daily)

Yep, if you want to try the herbs you will need to take lots of pills everyday. This is one reason they didn't work for me. I'm not going to take 10 pills a day. When I did give it a real effort I still didn't notice much improvement.

If you have a doctor that readily writes prescriptions and you tell him about all of your different symptoms, you may end up taking sleep aids, antidepressants and a variety of other drugs. It's not uncommon for many women to be taking six or seven different prescription medications during menopause and still have problems.

Diet is important to help control your menopausal symptoms. Foods to avoid include high amounts of caffeine in any foods, and carbonated beverages which contain phosphorous and can increase bone loss.

Also, limit your consumption of commercially raised meats including beef, pork, and chicken because these meats contain a high amount of saturated fats and decrease the body's ability to metabolize estrogen. Excessive sugar intake also limits your liver's ability to metabolize estrogen and impairs the immune system.

Get lots of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. Vitamin C can help in the prevention and treatment of vagina dryness and hot flashes. Sage, a common herb contains antispasmodic (relaxation) and astringent (tightening) properties, which probably explain its usefulness in reducing excessive sweating and hot flushes. Other foods that you should include in your diet; grains ,oats, wheat, brown rice, tofu, almonds, cashews, and more fresh fruits and vegetables.

Take a good probiotic and prebiotic (the "good" bacteria in our intestines.) These cultures are important for women during menopause to help with metabolism and utilization of estrogen, and these "good" bacteria help reduce the occurrence of yeast infections.

Although these suggestions work for many women, remember every woman is different and it may take some time for you to find which treatments, or combination of treatments, work best for you.

Try some of these things and if you still can't find relief you might want to know about what I found. It's a whole food multi, I don't know why it worked for me, but I'm glad it did.

No More Night Sweats

Vitamin E and Menopause; Recent Research Results

Research concerning vitamin E and menopause began in the forties. Because of the health risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, there has been an increased interest in menopause and nutrition over the last several years.

Reports from the Women's Health Initiative in 2002 caused a significant drop in the number of women who choose hormone replacement. These studies found an increased incidence of blood clots and stoke among women using hormone replacement therapy for several years. Hormone replacement is also associated with an increased risk of breast and uterine cancer. The only clear health benefit is an improvement in bone density, but this health benefit does not outweigh the risks.

Women still have need for relief from unwanted symptoms associated with menopause. There is a long list of dietary supplements, botanicals and herbal remedies that may be effective. Results of research focused on vitamin E and menopause, as well as other nutritional supplements, have been mixed. Some studies indicate that these supplements are promising, while others found little or no benefit.

One of the primary focuses of research concerning menopause and nutrition is the prevention of osteoporosis. Increased calcium intake is typically recommended, but calcium supplementation alone is probably not enough. Vitamins and minerals work together. The body cannot effectively absorb calcium without an adequate supply of vitamin D. Magnesium, co-enzyme Q-10 and other trace elements are also needed and often lacking from the average American diet. Exercise also plays a role in calcium absorption, as does estrogen.

When it comes to vitamin E and menopause, the most recent study by the Mayo clinic regarding the vitamins affect on hot flashes in women being treated for breast cancer. After nine weeks of dosing with 800IU per day, the study concluded that the degree of relief achieved was not significantly different from that of placebo. Study after study has shown that vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) are relieved by about 20% in women taking a placebo or an inactive compound. Studies typically compare results to this placebo effect. In order for the majority of experts to recommend a treatment, it must be more effective than this "placebo effect".

While vitamin E is a necessary anti-oxidant and is important for the proper function of nerves and muscles, a good daily multi-vitamin typically contains more than adequate amounts of this vitamin. The USRDA to prevent deficiency is much lower than the 800IU used in the above study. Taking this vitamin at dosages greater than 400 units per day on a long term basis can cause blurred vision, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach cramps and weakness or fatigue.

Good nutrition is important throughout a woman's life. An easy transition through menopause and nutrition go hand in hand, but even with a healthy diet, regular exercise and overall healthy lifestyle, some women still have unwanted symptoms. Studies concerning vitamin E and menopause do not indicate that this vitamin is all that a woman needs to prevent these symptoms. Studies have shown that other dietary and herbal supplements are more likely to be effective.

Menopause Insomnia? Fight it With Natural Treatments!

If you are like most menopausal women, you experience menopause insomnia. Try these natural menopause treatments to fight menopause insomnia and get some more sleep!

Maybe you climb into bed and lie there with your eyes open, or maybe you fall asleep only to wake up a few hours later unable to get back to sleep. Either way, losing sleep is not fun.

Not getting enough sleep can affect our weight, our mood, our relationships, our health, and our productivity. That is pretty much everything that gives us a good quality of life!

You probably already know that you should have nighttime rituals like taking a bath or listening to relaxing music while you read a magazine and smell a scented candle. (I am sure that is exactly what you do every night, right?)

Although it is hard to fit relaxing nighttime rituals into a hectic day, these kinds of routines signal to your body and mind that the day is ending, and it is time to wind down. Without them, it is all too easy for our minds to wander until we are trying to solve all of our life's issues rather than sleep.

If you have already implemented nighttime rituals, and they are not working for you, you might want to look into some natural menopause sleep treatments.

Here are some popular supplements to help you sleep:

Calcium-Magnesium:

The calcium is good for your bones and teeth and the magnesium will make you sleepy. Take this supplement right as you are going to sleep.

Valerian Root:

It has a bad taste (so take it in a pill form), but this root will help you sleep.

Chamomile:

Maybe you have already introduced a cup of chamomile tea into your nighttime routine. If you have not, you should! Chamomile will help you sleep, and a soothing cup of tea can relax your nerves and get your body and mind ready for sleeping.

Natural Progesterone Cream:

If you know that your progesterone level is low, using a progesterone cream can help you fight menopause insomnia. Rub this cream onto your face, the palms of your hands, or your thighs.

Along with those supplements, you might also consider dropping your intake of refined carbohydrates and eating a high fiber diet, working out in the morning, cutting out alcohol, and getting 15 minutes of sunshine every day.

Relief for Menopause Hot Flashes

At 41 years of age, I was put into surgical menopause due to a rare type of tumor that presented as being cancerous. I had my ovaries, uterus and cervix removed. I had read about the symptoms I was going to have to deal with, and had actually begun to experience some of the symptoms of premenopausal, and seemed to be managing just fine, so how much worse could it be?

I will always remember that first moment after surgery, and instantly feeling that I was lacking estrogen. The hot flashes were immediate and intense! They would come out of no where, with no warning, and make me feel as if someone started a fire a little too close to me.

Due to the fact that I had to wait for the biopsy results, I couldn't start estrogen replacement therapy, so I had no choice but to just deal with it. My only relief was a fan and a light nightie, heaven forbid if anyone put a blanket on me! Having to wait to start the therapy, as well as try to manage the symptoms, really began to take a toll, and my patience was running thin to put it mildly!

Not only was I still dealing with the post surgery recovery, but the continued and increasing menopause symptoms. Mood swings, irritability and insomnia to name a few.

Night time had to be the worst when trying to fall asleep. Tired from the day because it now seemed that I lacked energy, I couldn't wait to get to bed. The restlessness though caused by the hot flashes made sleeping near impossible, or at least being able to sleep for more than a couple hours consistently. Then once asleep only to wake in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat soaked pajamas! Then the whole rigmarole of getting up, getting changed, possibly even having to change the bedding, which of course only led to feeling irritable and cranky in the morning from the lack of sleep. This was the vicious cycle that continued for months!

My children and spouse were of course on the receiving end of my moodiness and I knew I had to find a solution, or at the very least a way to manage the symptoms.

I have always believed that everything happens for a reason, even this surgery, and now I know why. It was a friend, (whom is now my business partner) that suggested I try sleeping on a sheepskin bed pad. At the time I thought she was crazy. Seriously, Wool? Let's just add some fuel to my already burning fire! How could sheepskin possibly help me? She went on to explain how sheepskin has this amazing ability to regulate body temperature, so you are always kept at a perfect temperature. The sheepskin will keep you cool if that is what you're needing. The sheepskin fibres also absorb moisture so your kept dry and comfortable.

Well to my amazement it actually worked! Like a welcome breeze! (I must of course give note here, that sheepskin is also incredibly soft and comfortable).

Since then I have wanted to spread the word about sheepskin and the health benefits it offers.

I hope anyone who is suffering from menopause symptoms will try sheepskin and get back to enjoying life.

Symptoms of Low Estrogen Levels Associated With Menopause Affect Many Systems of the Body

The primary symptoms of low estrogen are irregular or missed periods, as occurs in the years leading up to and during menopause. Estrogen's primary role during a woman's reproductive years is to prepare the uterus to receive a fertilized egg, but researchers have shown that estrogen has other effects on a woman's body as well, which is why estrogen replacement therapy is sometimes recommended to relieve unwanted symptoms associated with menopause and aging.

The Skin

According to the North American Menopause Society, hormones play an important role in skin health. The symptoms of low estrogen following menopause that relate to the skin include a decline in collagen and thickness, particularly in the years immediately following menopause. Some women notice that their skin is dryer; others develop acne, particularly if they had acne during adolescence. Estrogen replacement therapy may have beneficial effects on the skin, but is not recommended solely for this purpose, because of the numerous health risks with which it is associated.

Researchers at the University of Melina in Italy, investigating alternatives to estrogen replacement therapy that would counteract the effects of decreased estrogen production following menopause believe that isoflavones from red clover may be effective. Isoflavones are a type of plant estrogen and there is evidence supporting their use to treat other menopausal symptoms, so these scientists decided to investigate their effects on the skin. They concluded that supplements containing red clover isoflavones increased skin elasticity, collagen content and thickness, reducing the signs of skin aging associated with the symptoms of low estrogen following menopause.

Bones

One of the best known symptoms of low estrogen is bone loss or osteoporosis. Until studies linked estrogen replacement therapy to serious health risks such as blood clots and strokes, it was often recommended to reduce the risk of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. Lack of estrogen inhibits the body's ability to absorb calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D is necessary for the body to effectively absorb calcium. Sun-screen which is necessary to protect the skin may also inhibit the body's ability to activate vitamin D found in food. For this reason the North American Menopause Society advises that a vitamin D supplement may be necessary. The latest USRDA suggests that vitamin D supplements are probably necessary for anyone over the age of 50.

The body is able to absorb calcium most efficiently when iron, manganese, phosphorous, magnesium and vitamin C are present as well. Thus, a daily multi-vitamin containing adequate amounts of all of these nutrients, as well as vitamin D, provides the best insurance that a woman's bones will continue to receive necessary amounts of calcium. Specialized health supplements designed for women containing plant estrogens, as well, may be even more effective, as the increase in dietary estrogenic compounds may counteract the symptoms of low estrogen caused when the ovaries stop functioning.

Sexuality

There is no evidence that estrogen replacement therapy alone can increase a woman's sex drive or libido. Combination type hormone replacement therapies that include testosterone and other sex hormones appear to be more effective for this purpose. Vaginal dryness and thinness are believed to be symptoms of low estrogen levels following menopause, since the skin on other parts of the body loses elasticity and thickness. Since vaginal dryness and thinness can cause painful intercourse, women may experience a decreased sex drive as a result. This can create a kind of "vicious circle", because lack of sexual stimulation may cause a decrease in vaginal health, once again decreasing desire.

Many women have found that they enjoy an increased sex drive following menopause. They feel an increased sense of freedom, because there is no longer a risk of pregnancy. For women who have the desire, but are bothered by dryness, any of the K-Y lubricants can help and there are some that are specifically designed to act on vaginal tissue to relieve dryness. Herbal sexual stimulants including ginseng and tribulus terrestris can increase libido. Tribulus may also increase levels of circulating hormones, thus counteracting other symptoms of low estrogen, including vaginal dryness.

The Brain

No one is sure if mood swings, depression, anxiety, memory problems, trouble concentrating and other symptoms noted during menopause are symptoms of low estrogen, another hormone, other brain chemicals or simply part of the aging process. At least one study has shown that estrogen improves the ability of the receptors in the hypothalamus to receive and transmit signals. The hypothalamus is a part of the brain in which memories are stored, is important in regulating mood, sleep and sexuality, among other functions. Autopsies have shown that the hypothalamus is smaller in people suffering from major depressive disorders, possibly inhibiting its ability to function properly.

Women who have experienced anxiety or depression prior to menopause seem to be more likely to suffer from depression during or following menopause. It is important to seek treatment for depression, particularly if suicidal thoughts are present. Studies have shown that low-dose estrogen therapy is fairly effective, as are the newer antidepressants, known as Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors.

If depression is mild or emotions seem to swing from one extreme to another a natural antidepressant like 5-HTP or St. John's Wort. 5-HTP may be harder to find, but is not associated with the health risks that may accompany the use of St. John's Wort. Gingko biloba may help problems with memory. Black cohosh has been shown in clinical studies to relieve not only hot flashes, but some of the emotional symptoms associated with menopause. If these are symptoms of low estrogen, then dietary supplementation with plant estrogens may be effective.

Supplements

To learn more about dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, herbs and other plant components
that can relieve the symptoms of low estrogen and may be effective alternatives to estrogen replacement therapy, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.

Weight Gain and Menopause - A Simple Herbal Treatment

Gaining weight during menopause is typical, but it can most definitely be helped. You don't have to start working out for an hour every day, and you don't have to eat nothing but salads. In fact, there are herbal cures that can actually help with weight gain and menopause. These herbal supplements can make it easier to lose weight quickly and safely.

We aren't talking about supplements that will boost your metabolism, and we aren't claiming that these herbs will be the magical remedy to losing weight. You still need to eat sensibly and exercise in moderation. What these herbs actually do is relieve stress. You may be wondering how stress relief is linked to weight loss, and you are about to find out.

Weight Loss and Stress during Menopause

More and more research is being done today on cortisol, a hormone that causes weight gain. On a normal basis, your body will create certain amounts of cortisol, which helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels. When you are psychologically stressed, though, your body will have physiological reactions, one of which is creating more cortisol.
When your body creates more cortisol than it actually needs, it can cause your body to retain more fat, especially around your middle, where fat retention is most dangerous to your health, especially during menopause. Over time, high levels of cortisol can cause you to retain a large amount of fat, and reducing your levels of stress can actually cause you to shed fat.

Herbal Cures for Stress To Control Weight

Knowing this, then, it's pretty obvious that using herbs to reduce your stress levels can also help you lose weight. There are a few different types of herbs that you can use to reduce stress, including chamomile and lavender, both of which can be brewed into teas. These herbs are mild, though, and there are two herbs that can affect your stress levels more strongly: valerian and hops.

Valerian is a very strong herb that can be brewed as a tea or taken in pill form. While scientists are unsure exactly how valerian affects the body, it's certain that it does affect the nervous system in a way that calms you down. Some studies have shown that valerian acts like GABA, a hormone that reacts with certain neurotransmitters that are linked to stress and sleep. Valerian, when used once or on a regular basis, can help calm nervous energy, insomnia, and stress-related anxiety.

Another herb for stress relief is hops, which can be used in tea or in a pill form. Again, no one is quite sure how hops affects the body, but it has a sedative effect. Hops can be used to relieve nervousness, tension, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.

Although you can use either valerian or hops on its own to help you calm down and relieve stress, they may be even more effective when used in combination. However, when combined they are more potent, so consult with an herbalist or a doctor who specializes in complementary medicine before you use them together on a regular basis to avoid any possible side effects.

You may immediately feel the stress relieving effects of valerian and hops, but the stress relief may not immediately cause you to lose weight. Over time, though, the lowered levels of cortisol in your blood will help you burn off fat more effectively and keep it off over time. This safe, natural solution is one of the best ways to prevent weight gain during menopause.

Using Natural Progesterone Cream Wisely

Since the total truth came out about HRT, the medical community has been in turmoil and somewhat divided as to what should be recommended to women who are experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance. In the meantime millions of women are confused about what to do to relieve their symptoms and at the same time not cause health problems down the road.

Natural progesterone cream, when used correctly, seems to help many women through the symptoms of hormonal imbalance with many added benefits. Natural progesterone, has the same molecular structure as the progesterone produced by the body. It is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. It can help your body keep estrogen and progesterone levels in balance, resulting in maintained sense of equilibrium.

As beneficial as natural progesterone cream is, we must be aware that we are dealing with a very delicate system - the endocrine system. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola: "The problem relates to the fact that progesterone is highly fat soluble and once applied to the skin will store itself in a woman's fat tissue. When one first uses the cream, there is no problem here as the fat stores are very low. But as time goes on, the cream accumulates and contributes to disruptions in the adrenal hormones such as DHEA, cortisol, and testosterone. I have learned that although progesterone cream is an enormously useful tool, it needs to be used very cautiously."

It is advised that women test their progesterone levels yearly. Although progesterone over-dose is not something that causes great harm, initially-sleepiness is a clue-the solution that we are after is balance of all hormones. Anytime there is an over-balance of a hormone, even progesterone, the system will suffer and symptoms will appear.

Along with progesterone, balancing the adrenals is very important, but something that is often over-looked in hormonal balancing. There are many useful herbs that can help accomplish this along with the following: Diet, Stress and Sleep.

A totally balanced diet like the one offered in my E-Book, Balancing Your Hormones Without Drugs...You Can Feel Good Again, is imperative. I am convinced that about 85% of all hormonal symptoms can be relieved with a healthy, balanced diet. Along with diet, drinking half your body weight in clean, pure water is also essential.

Hidden stress can be the underlying cause of why some women do not experience symptom relief of hormonal imbalance. Stress is often a "silent symptom" in that we have usually learned to consider it as being a normal part of life. Some suggestions in dealing with stress include: meditation, prayer, yoga, EFT, exercise (especially walking), deep breathing and learning how to remove yourself from difficult situations. In order to alleviate stress these must be practiced very daily.

It is said that over 職 of the population is sleep deprived. The importance of being in bed before 10:00 p.m. so that the body's biorhythms are not disturbed has been taught by natural medicine doctors for many years. The body does most of its repair and healing between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. If you are awake during these hours your body definitely looses. There is no such thing as "catching up on your sleep". Once it is lost, it cannot be regained. Weekend "sleep warriors" are actually doing more harm to their Circadian rhythms than they may realize.

Like most things in life, we must always proceed with caution. There is no magic bullet when it comes to getting the body balanced and healthy. Natural progesterone is the most natural and safest way to assist women with the symptoms of hormonal imbalance, but we must remember that our goal is "balance" in every area.

The following table shows the benefits of natural progesterone compared to estrogen. As you can see, the effects of progesterone are many-we would do well to use it wisely.

Estrogen Effects: Stimulates breasts cysts; Increases body fat storage; Salt and fluid retention; Depression and headaches; Interferes with thyroid hormone; Increases blood clotting and risk of stroke; Decreases libido (sex drive);

Impairs blood sugar control; Loss of zinc and retention of copper; Reduced oxygen level in all cells; Increased risk of endometrial cancer; Increased risk of breast cancer;

Helps decrease bone loss slightly.

Progesterone Effects: Protects against breast cysts; Helps use fat for energy and keep it off hips; Natural diuretic (water pill); Natural anti-depressant; Facilitates thyroid hormone action; Normalizes blood clotting;Increases libido;

Normalizes blood sugar levels; Normalizes zinc and copper levels; Restores proper cell oxygen levels; Prevents endometrial cancer; Helps prevent breast cancer; Increases bone building.

Fighting Menopause - Natural Remedies to Help You Overcome Painful Vaginal Dryness

Once most women hit fifty, they start to enter menopause. Natural remedies for the symptoms of menopause can seem appealing, especially if you don't want to take artificial hormones. But what are some natural remedies for vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness is probably the hardest problem to overcome naturally. It's also the symptom of menopause that may hurt the most. You see, as you enter menopause, the cervix stops secreting mucus. Also, the vaginal walls thin and the entrance to the vagina becomes smaller. All these factors add up to make sex not a fun experience.

This can actually damage your relationship. Some people are lucky enough to have understanding husbands. Others of us are not. Some husbands just don't seem to get that you're not interested because it hurts. Instead, they may think something is wrong with them. Or they may even be unhappy with you, thinking that you are deliberately withholding sex! Either of these situations will set you up for trouble in your relationship!

But what if there was a way to fix vaginal dryness? Many women have been able to help themselves using natural herbal remedies. These are FDA approved and very safe, although you should talk to your doctor before you try any. Still others get some help in over the counter lubricants. The only problem with those is that it only addresses the lack of lubrication. It doesn't address the thinning vagina or smaller entrance.

So in fighting menopause, natural remedies may be your best option. Just make sure to do your research before you start using any herbal supplement.

All There is to Know About Menopause Hot Flashes

One common symptom of menopause in women is the occurrence of menopause hot flashes. Hot flashes are experienced as a feeling of intense heat accompanied with sweating. In addition to these feelings, the heartbeat may at times beat a little faster than usual. When hot flashes occur at night, they are commonly referred to as night sweats. As a result of these flashes, sleeping problems often occur and this usually makes a person to be easily irritated and at times, have problems with concentrating on things.

When menopause hot flashes occur, they usually begin at some point especially in the upper parts of the body. The origin may be on the neck, face, chest among other places. Once the heat has been felt at this point of origin, it is then that it can afterward spread to other body parts. After it has spread throughout the body, the sensation of the flash may take 2-5 minutes for each occurrence to end. However, in cases where the hot flash is very intense, a person can either pass out or be subjected to rosacea (a skin problem that involves reddening of the skin). The occurrence of the hot flash may happen repeatedly each week or constantly throughout the day with their frequencies reducing over time.

There are two types of menopause hot flashes that occur in women during menopause. The first type being the standard hot flashes. These types of flashes often happen so rapidly, at times reaching their maximum intensities in as little time as one minute and then take very few minutes for them to gradually fade away. The other types of hot flashes are the slow or ember flashes and the hot and cold flashes. The ember flashes occur almost as quickly as standard flashes but are usually less intense and last for longer periods of time such as one hour or more. In addition to this, ember flashes may be undergone all year-round and may be felt for many years after the standard flashes have stopped taking place.

In order to treat menopause hot flashes, various treatments can be used. One type of treatment commonly used is the hormone replacement therapy. This treatment involves the replacement of hormones that may be at a lower level than that allowed by the body. When the level of some hormones in the body go down, the situation may easily trigger the occurrence of hot flashes. However, this treatment usually puts the patients on the risk of suffering from breast cancer, dementia or even stroke.

Therefore, it is usually recommended that when one decides to undertake this form of treatment, she should consume the lowest dose possible that helps to alleviate her symptoms. Another type of treatment used to treat hot flashes is the use of selective estrogen receptor modulators commonly known as SERMs. SERMs are a category of medicines that act selectively as either agonists or antagonists on the estrogen receptors throughout the whole body thus helping out with the relief of hot flash symptoms. Most of these modulators are usually obtained from natural sources and have therefore been scientifically proven to be relatively safer than other types of hot flash treatments.

Is Menopause Itching Driving You Mad!

Menopause and itching is an issue that can cause plenty of debate between those experiencing the symptoms and the medical profession. However, for women experiencing at times, almost unbearable episodes of itching and in some cases, over several years, and being told it's all in their head is not what they want to hear.

Itching And Menopause

Yes, itching and menopause is a real issue but it seems the problem is associating sudden episodes of itching with menopause. Itchy eyes, armpits, arms, thighs and legs. Descriptions such as "it feels like my skin is crawling with insects" seem all too common.

There have been suggestions episodes of itching could be associated with allergic reactions to some foods or even quitting smoking and caffeine related drinks but for women over 40, the one common denominator could be it's a symptom of menopause.

So what can you do? The obvious answer here is to visit your doctor and describe the symptoms being experienced. The problem is, many doctors are often baffled to come up with any logical explanation which leaves many women searching for alternatives.

Alternative Treatments

Menopause itching is handled differently by individual women. Some just grin and bear it and hope it goes away. But this can prove a fruitless exercise especially if the symptoms last for several years. Others resort to lotions and moisturizers with some success while homeopathic solutions in many cases, have proven successful. Detoxing is another solution which is not too common but could provide some much needed relief.

The Common Denominator

Menopause itching seems to correlate with episodes of hot flashes. The itching is normally due to dry skin and can be intense for elongated periods of time. Hormone replacement therapy is the obvious solution when the skin becomes dry due to a lack of estrogen but many women are loathe to have HRT. This is understandable as it's an optional treatment method and many choose to seek alternative treatment.

Helpful Solution For Menopause Itching

Whether your itching is related to menopause symptoms or not the worst thing a woman can do is suffer in silence. It's amazing how many women seem to just grin and bear itching episodes when they've exhausted traditional medical options. Joining a women's health forum is a smart alternative.

Going online an doing a search for a women's health forum is a great first step. When you are presented with forum options, check to seem how many members are listed and if membership numbers are in the hundreds or even thousands, then sign up and read through the posts. When you feel confident enough to make a post, highlight your problem and ask if other women are experiencing the same problem and if they've found a workable solution.

Don't worry about losing your anonymity as joining a forum under a pseudonym is normal practice and your identity is well protected. Menopause and itching is a frustrating time for many women but suffering in silence is not always the best option.

About A Menopause Test And a List of Menopause Symptoms

A menopause test that doctors can perform checks the level of follicle stimulating hormones circulating in a woman's blood stream. There is a long list of menopause symptoms that a woman may suffer from. The most common complaints are hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings and headaches. The exact cause of these and other symptoms is unknown. Not all women experience them and some women experience others.

Another menopause test that a doctor may perform involves taking a sample of the cells of the vaginal wall. This is a simple and painless procedure. An individual woman's list of menopause symptoms may include vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. During menopause the vaginal walls thin and vaginal cells do not contain as much estrogen as they once did. This menopause test will help your doctor determine an appropriate treatment.

Over the years researchers have evaluated a long list of menopause symptoms to try and determine which ones are related to decreased estrogen production, which are simply related to aging and which are related to life events that may coincide with menopause. The following symptoms are sometimes associated with menopause: dizziness, lack of energy, diarrhea, constipation, depression, backaches, upset stomach, headaches, migraines, cold sweats, body aches, stiff joints, shortness of breath at rest and upon exertion, nervous tension, urine control problems, bladder infection problems, discomfort passing urine, rapid heart beat, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, vaginal discharge, dry eyes, nose mouth and skin, weight gain, breast soreness or tenderness, tingling in the hands or feet, sore throat, trouble sleeping, chest pain on exertion, loss of appetite, swelling of body parts and difficulty concentrating.

About 50% of all women experience hot flashes and night sweats at some point during the menopausal transition. Only about 10% experience them during the years leading up to menopause. The percentage increases as menopause approaches and in women who have them, they often continue for three years following menopause, if they are not treated. Treatment options include hormone replacement therapy, stress management techniques, acupuncture, herbal remedies and dietary supplements.

Natural estrogen produced by the body is known to affect the elasticity, thickness and moisture in of the skin. Thus, vaginal dryness and dry skin are probably symptoms of low estrogen levels. Estrogen creams and a ring that is inserted into the vagina and releases small amounts of estrogen on a regular basis are treatment options for vaginal dryness. Researchers are working on a cream that contains red clover isoflavones to relieve dry skin, improve skin thickness and elasticity.

Breast soreness and tenderness decreases as menopause approaches and is not experienced by most women during or following menopause. Treatment options include anti-inflammatories and analgesics. Supplements containing berries from the Chaste tree have shown some effectiveness and are non-estrogenic.

Headaches and migraines may be associated with fluctuating hormonal levels. Women who experience migraines during puberty often see them return during menopause. Some migraine remedies contain relatively large amounts of caffeine, which triggers hot flashes in many women. There are natural pain relievers that may be effective for headache and migraine relief.

Trouble sleeping is often caused by night sweats. It can also be a symptom of depression. Chest pain and shortness of breath should be evaluated by a physician. Heart palpitations or rapid heart beat is often associated with hot flashes and is not usually dangerous, but women who have a long list of menopause symptoms should have a complete physical to rule out other health problems. Doctors do not always perform a menopause test, unless a woman requests it.

To learn more about menopause symptoms and natural products that provide relief, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.

Menopause - Heavy Bleeding

One of the symptoms of peri-menopause is heavy bleeding. Heavy bleeding is thought to be caused by lower levels of progesterone compared to estrogen during the anovulatory cycles. It can also be caused by fibroids, which are benign tumors found in the uterus. It should be checked out if it lasts for longer than a month or two or more than just slightly heavier than usual.

In terms of lifestyle changes for alleviating this symptom exercise is said to help. In addition you need to make sure you get enough iron along with drinking plenty of fluids.

For alternative treatment methods, you can try acupuncture but there are no studies that prove it will have a benefit. Herbs can be used as a treatment, specifically those that act like progesterone or increase the levels of it. Those herbs are Vitex (Chaste Tree), Lady's Mantle, Flaxseed and Wild Yam Root. Vitex was shown in studies to be effective in normalizing the hormonal cycles and increase levels of progesterone and estrogen in addition to shrinking fibroids. Lady's Mantle is used to prevent very heavy bleeding known as flooding, as is flaxseed But too much flaxseed can cause cramping, so beware. Wild Yam Root is helpful because many of the synthetic hormonal treatments are made from Wild Yam. Homeopathic remedies are lachesis, sepia, belladonna and secale. You should seek guidance on homeopathic remedies from a homeopathic practitioner.

There are several options available that involve drugs or surgery. Low doses of oral contraceptives have been show in studies to reduce blood loss by 50 percent. A IUD can be an option because it releases progesterone and is thought to work well on women with fibroids. And something as simple as ibuprofen in high doses has been shown to reduce the instance of heavy bleeding up to 40 percent. Hormones are not a very effective option. Usually after fibroids and polyps are ruled out, you will take a progesterone like Provera to stimulate a period to get your lining to shed. Lupron is another drug which can be used - puts you into a temporary menopause by inhibiting the hormones from the hypothalamus. This is usually a last option before surgery.

Sometimes heavy bleeding can be treated with a D&C, also know as dilation and curettage. Other surgical options include an endometrial ablation. 50 percent of all women that have this procedure never have another period again. As a last resort, a hysterectomy can be performed. This is a major surgery, so the decision to have one should not be taken lightly. One must consider carefully all the benefits and risks, including the decision to remove the ovaries. Usually just the removal of the uterus is enough to stop the bleeding, so unless you want to enter instant abrupt menopause, you may want to keep them - usually women will go into menopause about two years early after having the uterus removed.

Using Herbs Can Help You Lose Weight During Menopause

Herbs for weight loss are a common subject of discussion among women who are going through menopause. Weight gain is a real issue for many menopausal women. Changes in hormone levels can decrease energy, increase appetite, and contribute to water retention, all of which can lead to excess weight, particularly centered around the mid-section.

There are many different potential methods for addressing this weight gain, among them herbs for menopause. Which herbs are most effective is a matter of some debate, but there are a few that are generally believed to counter the symptoms of menopause and could be a positive factor in losing weight. As with any treatment plan, you should always consult with your doctor before taking herbs or herbal supplements.

Among the herbs for weight loss most often mentioned are dandelion, chasteberry, black currant and black cohosh. All of these herbs have been used for years to ease a variety of symptoms related to menopause and each can also be beneficial when it comes to losing weight. They should be taken in moderation and you should pay heed to the potential side effects they may cause.

Dandelion is a well-known and documented diuretic. Women in Europe have used it for generations to treat urinary tract infections. It is also among the many herbs for menopause weight loss because it helps to control water weight gain without flushing important nutrients from the system at the same time. Some people have experienced allergic reactions to dandelion, so some caution should be applied.

Since hormone imbalance is such a central part of menopause, the chasteberry is one of the most important herbs for weight loss as it directly affects hormone production. Chasteberry stimulates the production of progesterone, which can help to balance out the lack of estrogen during menopause. By balancing hormone levels, you can improve appetite and increase energy, all of which may make it easier to stick to a weight loss regimen.

As one of many herbs for menopause treatment, black currant is effective on two separate counts. Not only can it help regulate water weight gain, it also contains Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids, which are central to hormone production. By ensuring that you are getting the proper amount of these vital nutrients, you can help to ease side effects of hormone imbalance that lead to weight gain.

Black cohosh has been one of the more controversial herbs for weight loss, but it is proven to combat some of the symptoms of menopause that lead to weight gain. Things like depression, mood swings and fatigue may be alleviated by taking black cohosh, and easing these symptoms can lead to increased energy and a lessened tendency to overeat.

Of course, herbs to do not provide a cure-all for any problem, including losing weight. The best method for losing weight at any stage of your life remains eating a balanced diet and exercising. But during menopause, when it can be difficult for women to deal with the effects of hormonal changes, having a little natural boost may be just what the doctor ordered.

Herbal Remedies and Vitamins For Menopause - Relief in a Jar

Whether shopping on-line or at your local drug store, you will undoubtedly find a large assortment of herbal remedies (menopause relief in a jar, so to speak), vitamins for menopause and combos that supposedly provide everything that a woman needs for a "healthy menopause". The question is which one to choose. Choosing a health supplement of any kind can be difficult.

The Federal Trade Commission advises that while the benefits of some health products are well documented, others have no proven benefits and may even be dangerous. It is the responsibility of the health supplement manufacturers to insure that the products they sell are safe. These are general statements that apply to all health supplements, but apply to herbal remedies, menopause treatments and vitamins for menopause, as well. It is the consumer's chore to evaluate the effectiveness of these remedies by "giving them a try" or by researching the product ingredients.

This brings up one way that a consumer can spot a questionable product. Manufactures that are confident in the quality and effectiveness of their products will provide a detailed list of ingredients. The best manufacturers will even provide information supporting the use of the ingredients for any given condition. Manufacturers that make broad, non-specific statements concerning ingredients are either unsure about what the product contains, unsure about the products effectiveness or trying to mislead the consumer by insinuating that the product contains substances that are actually not included.

Let's look at an example of what to avoid, without giving any brand names. One internet company that sells vitamins for menopause makes this statement, "formulated to deliver essential vitamins and minerals, as well as menopause discomfort relieving herbs and isoflavones." Sold under the heading "herbal remedies menopause", this product apparently contains no herbs of any kind. The list of ingredients includes a number of vitamins, but no herbs and no isoflavones. Apparently this company is hoping that the consumer will read the description, but not the list of ingredients.

None of this is meant to be discouraging. There are a number of effective herbal remedies; menopause relief (even in a jar!) is available. And, most health care professionals recommend specific vitamins for menopause health, when used in conjunction with a healthy, well-balanced diet and regular exercise. You may wonder why exercise is so important. You may think that if you take a calcium supplement you are protected from osteoporosis (a weakening and thinning of the bones), even if you do not exercise regularly. If you think this way, then you are wrong. Certain activities (or lack of activity, in this case) and substances have a canceling effect on vitamins and minerals. Lack of exercise cancels out the positive benefits of calcium supplementation.

The commonly recommended minerals, dietary supplements and vitamins for menopause or the years leading up to menopause are calcium, vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B-complex, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, potassium, fiber, isoflavones and phytoestrogens.

Isoflavones are actually a well-researched form of phytoestrogens, but are sometimes listed separately. Phytoestrogens are simply plant compounds that have an "estrogen-like" effect on the body. Lessening levels of estrogen in a woman's body are believed to cause both PMS and menopause related symptoms. The most common sources of isoflavones are soy and red clover. Soy, as you probably know, is a food. Red clover can usually be found under the heading "herbal remedies menopause", except in the case of the product mentioned above.

Dietary guidelines from the USDA recommend that people should get most of their vitamins and minerals from the food that they eat, but that in certain cases supplementation may be necessary. Specifically related to vitamins for menopause are the recommendations that people over the age of 50 should add B-complex and D supplements or foods that are fortified with these vitamins. Vitamin D is necessary for the body to efficiently absorb calcium, as is phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, iron and vitamin C.

When it comes to other products usually sold in the "herbal remedies menopause" section of your local drug store, black cohosh will almost certainly be there. It was used historically by Native Americans to correct hormonal imbalances. Scientific studies in the nineties and the following years confirmed that it was a safe and effective alternative to hormone replacement therapy. It is not always promoted or recommended by doctors, partly because the quality of the product that a patient may purchase cannot be controlled, partly because the safety of long term use is unknown, but mostly (I think) because most doctors know very little about herbs and other natural products. Example: An article written by a doctor for a popular medical website states in the first paragraph that isoflavones may be effective for relieving the symptoms of menopause. In the last paragraph she lists a number of herbal remedies, menopause treatments and vitamins that have little evidence to support their use. Among them is red clover, which is one of the best known sources of isoflavones.