What Are Pre-Menopause Symptoms - What Will You Experience During Menopause?

If you are a woman approaching your late 40s, you have probably begun to have thoughts about the changes your body will experience during menopause. It is only natural for women to feel apprehensive as that time in life approaches, particularly if they have not taken the time to research the various pre-menopause symptoms they will soon be experiencing. Educating yourself can help you to avoid the common misgivings that many women feel, and also offer you the opportunity to seek out early treatments that can often serve to minimize some of the more serious symptoms.

One of the first pre-menopause symptoms that you will experience is irregularity in your menstrual cycle. This can take a variety of forms, but usually begins with a shorter cycle - with the frequency of your periods being reduced from once every 28 days to something closer to once every 24 days. In addition, those periods may see an increase in the amount of blood flow at the onset of pre-menopause, which gradually lessens until there is little or no bleeding at all. If you experience these pre-menopause symptoms, you may be somewhat alarmed at the sudden changes. If they cause you undue concern, always consult with your physician.

In addition to changes in the menstrual cycle, other pre-menopause symptoms include the well-known hot flashes and mood swings. Both can be disconcerting, but are natural by-products of the changes in your body's hormone levels. Hot flashes can be especially bothersome, as they can be very uncomfortable and can even interrupt normal sleeping patterns. The mood swings that affect many women can make you irritable and more prone to emotional outbursts of sadness and anger.

These feelings can be aggravated by other stress in your life, and can leave you feeling disillusioned and even depressed. Many women suffer from feelings of hopelessness and loss as they endure these pre-menopause symptoms, and feel as though they are losing something very precious to them.

If you begin to feel that way, you may want to talk to a professional or a close friend or family member who has undergone these changes already. Your feelings are perfectly natural, since you are indeed losing something during this period of change. All of these pre-menopause symptoms are a sign that your body is beginning the process of ending your reproductive capacity - hence the feelings of loss.

If you are one of the millions of women for whom the effects of pre-menopause symptoms prove to be too much to bear, you can consider treatment options such as hormone replacement. While this does not end the process of menopause, it will alleviate many of the symptoms by helping to at least partially restore the balance of hormones within the body. The important thing to remember is that there is assistance available to you as you manage your pre-menopause symptoms, and that you need not suffer through the effects of menopause alone and in silence.

Amberen Side Effects

Amberen is an increasingly popular product which is being used by thousands of women each year but what are some of the side effects? The website is annoyingly cryptic about this important question, so in this article I will write about some of the reported side effects of the natural menopause treatment.

Amberen has been tested on a number of patients and they claim that there are absolutely no significant side effects but I have not found this to be true. Over at my website menopause reviews, we have found that there are actually a number of quite scary side effects that tend to be associated with taking amberen.

Having said that, Amberen appears relatively safe. It should not cause any long term damage and any of the symptoms listed tend to quickly disappear after stopping treatment. Having said that, if Amberen side effects are causing you major problems, please talk to your doctor as soon as possible and get a professional opinion. Here are some of the effects experienced by women who have taken Amberen:

• Headaches


• Temporary increase in hot flushes


• Nausea


• Hive-like Rashes (Especially around the neck region it seems)


• Watering Eyes/Nose


• Heart Palpitations


• Irritability

Fortunately, these seem to still only affect quite a small number of people.

It is sad that there are potential reactions but any treatment is likely to give a reaction in a minority of people. My suggestion is that you give it a try and if after a week there are still issues then stop treatment. I say leave it a week as there are some women on our website who initially had problems but then ended up swearing by Amberen.

Menopause Relief And Herbal Remedies From South America

What about the rain forests

With all the attention in the news these days concerning the depletion of the Amazon rain forest, you might be concerned about the supply of herbal remedies from South America. What happens to all those amazing plants that are used everyday by millions of women to get menopause relief by using herbal remedies?

This is a huge problem, and getting worse all the time. Not only are the rain forests being depleted and plants disappearing at an alarming rate, but other sources of wild herbal remedies are under attack as well.

Wild herbs and their harvests

It is surprising that many wild plants are nearing extinction or being severely depleted by wild harvesting. Just take a look at this quote from the Botanic Gardens Conservation International:

On January 18, 2008, the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (representing botanic gardens in 120 countries) stated that "400 medicinal plants are at risk of extinction, from over-collection and deforestation, threatening the discovery of future cures for disease." These included Yew trees (the bark is used for cancer drugs, paclitaxel); Hoodia (from Namibia, source of weight loss drugs); half of Magnolias (used as Chinese medicine for 5,000 years to fight cancer, dementia and heart disease); and Autumn crocus (for gout). The group also found that 5 billion people benefit from traditional plant-based medicine for health care.

It is not hard to imagine all the small group of well-meaning harvesters of wild herbs and plants gathering their natural products and feeling happy in what they are doing. On the other hand, by over-harvesting they are actually doing incredible damage to their own livelihood.

What are some of the herbal remedies from South America?

There are literally thousands of plants used in South America for treating the night sweats and other symptoms of menopause. One of the best and non-endangered is maca. Maca is well known and safe to use. It has no known health risks, but many wonderful benefits.

In Peru, where maca is common, there are government agencies that regulate the it's production and exportation. While it is readily available at any village market in the regions in which it is grown, exporting is a different story, especially if you are certified to be organic.

Maca is a wonderful food and is called an herbal remedy, though it really is not an herb. It is a bit like a potato, and is eaten by the locals, as it has been for thousands of years. It is well known that maca acts as a balancing agent in the body to help maintain health and well-being. It is also widely recognized as having no ill side effects.

As an added plus, maca often helps increase libido in men and women. This is obviously a wonderful benefit because the libido can dwindle down to near zero during menopause. Not only do you feel better, your hot flashes diminish or disappear, but you can feel aroused again and ready for some loving!

Learn more about maca and sex drive here...

Female Menopause

Menopause is now a widely known condition that happens to women who are middle aged or a little older. What used to be thought of as a psychological condition is now being researched more and more so that treatment options are available and relief of frustrating symptoms is possible. This is very beneficial for women who want only to feel as if they are in control of their lives. Here is some more helpful information on female Menopause.

What is Menopause?

As women age, the female hormone estrogen starts to decrease. Normally, this happens between the ages of 40 and 50, although it can start even as low as the age of 35. While the decrease is quite sudden and fast, menopause usually lasts around 5 to 7 years although this can change depending on the woman. All women are different so a few years may be normal for one woman while several years might be normal for another woman. When this happens, the woman's menstrual cycle ceases and she is no longer able to reproduce. Along with these things, women experience many different frustrating symptoms.

Symptoms of Female Menopause:

These can range from very mild to very severe and can include many different types. Some of the most common symptoms generally experienced by most menopausal women include:

o Hot Flashes - These are attacks of heat which envelop menopausal women, making them feel overheated and as if they cannot cool off. Some attacks of hot flashes can be very mild and not as frustrating, but some are very severe and make women feel extremely uncomfortable and irritable.

o Vaginal Dryness - This happens as the woman's body no longer makes enough or any of the natural lubricant which is normal for intercourse. This can make intercourse painful or impossible for women to endure and it is a very frustrating thing for them to have to deal with as well.

o Sleeplessness - This can often occur during menopause and may be the result of other symptoms making sleep impossible, or a symptom in itself. Some women may feel extremely tired but unable to fall asleep and others may feel very alert although they should feel tired.

o Depression - Many women experience depression during menopause which can include a feeling of hopelessness, a great sense of loss, exhaustion and many more aspects. Depression is one of the most difficult things to deal with, especially for those women who seek an alternative treatment to menopause. This is because many doctors are quick to prescribe drugs in order to help them manage depression.

Female menopause can feel like a nightmare for women who have to suffer through the symptoms that come along with it. However, many women only experience mild symptoms or even no symptoms at all. The symptoms, severity of the symptoms and how long they last really all depend on the individual woman and her unique chemistry. Luckily there are many alternative treatments which women can take advantage of in order to reduce or alleviate the symptoms of menopause.

Early Menopause and Lupus

Early menopause occurs most often in women who are 30 to 40 years of age. It may occur in women younger than that with underlying causes. It very important that if you are suffering the signs of early menopause that you consult a doctor to rule out anything else that may be happening or a consequence of other health conditions. This is especially important if you have lupus and are experiencing signs of early menopause.

Lupus Symptoms

There are a few types of lupus including Discoid Lupus and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Discoid Lupus most often affects the skin. It will present as a red rash that could have raised edges. It commonly occurs on the face and scalp. The rash is not itchy but scarring on the scalp can cause irreversible hair loss. Up to approximately 10% of those who have Discoid Lupus will develop Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

The most common complaints of those who suffer with systemic lupus erythematosus include fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle pain, arthritis and mouth/ nose ulcerations.

A facial rash (butterfly rash), photosensitivity and inflammation of the lining that surrounds the heart-pleuritis and the heart-pericarditis are also symptoms of lupus. Problems with circulation to the fingers and toes when it is really cold are also called Raynaud's phenomenon. Inflammation of the brain, liver, and kidneys also occur in SLE. There may be a decrease in white blood cells and clotting factors. This increases the risk of infections and bleeding.

More than 50% of those with SLE will develop the flat red butterfly rash. Most SLE sufferers will develop a type of arthritis that is very similar to rheumatoid arthritis. The small joints of the hands, the wrists, and feet may swell, become painful, stiff and sometimes deformed. Inflammation of the blood vessels especially those that supply oxygen to tissues can cause nerve injury, injury to the skin, or injury to an internal organ.

These are some of the major and most common symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus. Within each symptom is a set of sub-symptoms that result from the main symptoms. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can be very treatable. It may also cause death depending on which body organs are affected.

The diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus is determined if a patient has four or more of eleven criteria. They are: malar-butterfly rash, discoid rash with patchy redness, photosensitivity (sensitivity to light), mucus membrane ulcers, arthritis, pleuritis and pericaridits-inflammations of the linings of the heart lungs along with pain when breathing, kidney abnormalities including an abnormal quantity of urine protein or clusters of cellular elements (casts), brain irritation, blood count abnormalities, immunological disorders-abnormal results of such tests as Anti-DNA, or anti-Sm, testing positive for antinuclear antibody.

Other tests could include a Sedimentation Rate, blood chemistry and evaluation of body fluids, as well as tissue biopsies. SLE can also cause one to enter early menopause

Treatments of systemic lupus erythematosus include get more rest during the active phases of the disease. Inadequate sleep is key in the progression of fatigue in SLE patients. A doctor must focus on poor sleep and the effects of depression, insufficient exercise and patient's personal care coping abilities on their over-all health. Drugs that are used to relieve symptoms of SLE include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that help muscle, joint and other body tissue pain.

Corticosteroids are stronger in lessening inflammation and restoring the ability to function when SLE is active and they are helpful when internal organs are involved. They can be delivered in a number of forms but they have some serious side effects in long-term use at high doses. Thinning skin and bones, weight gain, infections, diabetes, facial puffiness, cataracts and even death (necrosis) of large joints are also possible. There is a wide variety of types of drugs used to treat mild to severe cases of SLE.

Symptoms of Early Menopause

Lupus and early menopause have some common symptoms. Sleep problems, heart palpitations, headaches and hot flashes that can occur in lupus and the patient not are menopausal. Irregular periods and bleeding are classic signs of beginning menopause. If you are a woman with lupus menstruation can continue but as has been mentioned become irregular and cease altogether catapulting you into early menopause. Other symptoms of it include appetite changes, weight gain, body aches, and mood swings all of which can also occur in lupus.

Early menopause in lupus can occur as a result of the disease itself. It can also be a result of the medications used to treat lupus. It can also be a result of heredity as opposed the disease or treatments of the disease.

Treatment of these symptoms can be HRT- hormone replacement therapy, anti-depressants, and anti-inflammatories. These treatments can have some very serious side effects such as increased risk for heart attack and some cancers. Most women seek to avoid these side effects and turn to natural treatments such as herbal supplementation.

Herbal supplements may also include vitamins such as B-complex and C vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and zinc. In order to get the highest quality supplement there should be no fillers or preservatives. The ingredients will have had the molecular path tested at the molecular level and their interactions evaluated as well. Only standardized herbal extracts are used and they are made to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. This all helps to guarantee top quality and consistent dosing from capsule to capsule.

Conclusion

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can attack the skin discoid lupus erythematosus and systemic lupus erythematosus that affects the joints and internal organs. It is a connective tissue disease. Either the disease itself or the medications that are used to treat lupus can put a woman into early menopause. A doctor's examination will help to determine the best course of treatment including the possible benefits of herbal supplementation.

Female Low Libido Causes and Natural Remedies That You Should Know

There are range of factors that can cause female low libido, from physical reasons to psychological stressors any thing can cause lack of desire for lovemaking in woman. There are few phases in a female's life when some reduction in desire for lovemaking is acceptable and inevitable but apart from these any woman experiencing lack of interest in sexual activity should be treated seriously.

Menopause, pre-menopause and pregnancy are some phases of a woman's life which affect libido negatively. Some woman experience increased desire during pregnancy while some may not feel it at all. Menopause causes lack of few hormones like estrogen in the body which causes dryness or lack of lubrication in female genitals to cause discomfort during lovemaking and eventually causing low libido. Lack of estrogen in a healthy woman can cause pain during intercourse, vaginal infections like yeast or bacterial infections damage tissues of the genitals, diseases like endometriosis, vaginismus and dyspareunia also cause severe discomfort during lovemaking activity to promote low sex desire in female.

Stress, fear, anxiety, depression are few common reasons for low libido in female, excess work at office or home, fears related to financial security, relationship and other issues, performance anxiety and sometimes fits of depression caused due to these reasons or other factors cause low libido in female. Obesity, lack of energy either due to stress or due to other health related issues drop lovemaking very low on the priority list and slowly it slips out of the list completely. Relationship issues with the partner can reduce the desire for lovemaking drastically. Diseases like diabetes, hyper or hypothyroidism, infections in kidney, prostrate gland etc, injury to spinal chord, pelvic infections, epilepsy and arthritis can cause hormonal imbalance, nerve damage or lack of sensation to promote low libido in female.

Natural treatments and remedies can alleviate the situation of female low libido without leaving any side effects and is the most economical way of treating this problem. Herbs like Maca roots, horny goat weed, Ashwagandha or withania somnifera, muira puama are few commonly used herbs for treating low libido in female. These herbs promote hormonal balance and secretion to improve functionality of reproductive organs. These herbs also safeguard atrophy of reproductive organs and tissues to prevent other disorders which may cause female low libido.

There are certain foods and if these are included in the diet they resolve and prevent the situation of low libido effectively. Avocado, pine nuts, almonds, cooked tomatoes, asparagus, celery, figs, ginger, garlic and banana are recommended as foods to boost up sexual desire and performance.

Herbal supplements are available in the market using herbs as ingredients are also very effective and economical way of treating the problem or preventing it. Regular exercise and physical activities like walking, jogging and yoga keeps mind and body fresh and also promote mental clarity which keeps stress at bay. Avoiding spicy, processed and food high on fat, too much use of sedatives, tranquilizers and birth control pills is also helpful in treating problem of low libido in female. Communicative relationship with the partner is always helpful and conveys the feeling of one partner to other for keeping relationship transparent and healthy.

Menopause Relief - How to Get Rid of Dry Eyes

Typically, when you think about finding menopause relief you don't automatically think of dry eyes. Yet over 60% of women are affected by dry eyes, and much of the reason is directly related to the hormonal change during menopause.

Dry eyes can be very annoying, and it can also cause scarring on the cornea, develop into ulcers and even lead to infections. The eye fluids normally carry away dust and debris, once this ceases there is a higher incidence of infections.

What are some dry eye symptoms?

Everyone experiences dry eyes occasionally. It could be from fatigue, overuse, weather, contact lenses, or a lack of sleep. When the symptoms don't go away, or increase you should see your doctor.

• 
  Sensitivity to light
  
  
  


• 
  Mucus that stings.
  
  
  


• 
  Irritation from wind or smoke
  
  
  


• 
  Itchiness
  
  
  


• 
  Tears that run down the cheek
  
  
  


• 
  Scratchy feeling
  
  
  

The conventional treatments

Conventional medicine usually prescribes eye drops, or blocks the drainage system. These are useful in the short-term, but do nothing to treat the underlying cause. Dryness of the eyes is regarded as a sure sign of an internal imbalance.

The two main causes

Dry eyes are primarily caused by two things: too little oil production by the glands, or too much evaporation of the tears. Usually people are affected by both causes.

Obviously, if your lifestyle includes hours of staring into a computer screen, or gazing into a microscope, your eyes can become dry. Lasik surgery also can cause dry eyes because the nerves are cut, thus affecting the stimulus to blink and produce tears.

Diets low in fatty acids also fail to provide the needed nutrients for the oil in tears. Medication can also have the same affect.

Menopause, hormones and dry eyes

During menopause, the hormones responsible for lubrication in your body begin to diminish. This explains the vaginal dryness, dryness of the joints, and dry eyes. Too little estrogen, testosterone and progesterone is being produced, and the result is the various symptoms of menopause.

When the hormones are in balance, your eyes are clear, bright and full of life. When they are out of balance, it is often plainly visible in the eyes. There is a reason for such expressions as, The eyes are the window into the soul. Very often, when a person is depressed, it is plainly evident by their eyes.

What can you do to get rid of dry eyes naturally?

One of the recommended treatments for dry eyes is to have a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. This is usually done by eating certain fish and nuts. Many women also supplement their diet with fish oil to get the Omega-3 fatty acids. This is a very simple and inexpensive way to find menopause relief.

This often has the result of helping the entire body become lubricated. The dry eyes disappear, the creaky joints become more supple and the vaginal dryness is reduced. This is so much more beneficial that simply taking some drops or blocking the drainage!

By approaching health in a holistic manner, the entire person is viewed as a whole. Everything is related, and a lack in one area might easily show up in a seemingly unrelated manner. Yet, this is how nature is, one beautiful cycle of life and healing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

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

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

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

Effective Herbal Remedies for Irregular Menstruation, Menstrual Cycle

Irregular menstruation can rise from a number of causes. Normally, the menstrual cycle of a woman occurs within an interval of 25-31 days. The period can be extended or shortened occasionally due to minor hormonal imbalances. In case of frequent irregularity in the cycle, like missing periods for months (other than pregnancy), periods occurring within very short intervals or extending for more than a week and heavy bleeding, one should seek proper medical consultation. It is commonly observed in women approaching menopause, and the condition is attributed to severe hormonal fluctuations of the body. Other physiological disorders may also result in irregular menstrual cycles.

Symptoms

1. Frequent alterations in the time period of menstruation.
2. Missing periods for months.
3. Heavy bleeding continuing for more than a week.

Causes

1. Hormonal imbalances in the body.
2. Cysts or tumors in the ovary
3. Approaching menopause
4. Over exercise
5. Taking contraceptive pills or hormonal tablets.

Herbal Remedies for Irregular Menstrual Cycle

Herbs are very useful in treating irregular menstrual cycles. One can regularize the cycle by following the simple and effective herbal remedies.

1. The herb Parsley is very effective in treating irregular menstrual cycles. Consuming a mixture of juices from parsley, carrot, beet and cucumber helps in normalizing the menses.

2. Tea made from fresh or dried Parsley leaves is equally beneficial in treating irregular menstrual cycles. Add 2 teaspoonfuls of parsley leaves in boiled water and keep it for half an hour. Strain the mixture and it is ready for drinking.

3. Asafetida is another popular herbal ingredient used to treat this disorder. A small amount of asafetida is fried in ghee and taken along with goat milk adding little honey. This is a very effective remedy to treat irregular periods.

4. Extract from the bark of Ashoka tree is very effective in controlling the menses. It stimulates the uterine walls and helps in normalizing the menstrual cycle.

5. Leaves of bamboo are often prescribed to regularize the menstruation flow.

6. The Chinese herb "Dong Quai", popularly known as "female ginseng" is very effective in regularizing the menstrual flow. The herb is also beneficial in treating various symptoms of menopause.

7. Drinking Aloe Vera juice is another effective herbal remedy for irregular menstrual cycles. It controls heavy bleeding and regularizes the missed periods.

8. Drinking a decoction of ginger adding little honey is also beneficial in normalizing cycles.

9. Decoction of chicory seeds is very effective in normalizing menstrual flow in case of missed periods.

Herbal Allies For Post-Menopausal Women - Pt 3-5

BIOFLAVONOIDS

Plants containing flavonoids (from the Latin, flavus, yellow) were originally valued as dye plants. Today we appreciate them because we know they are anti-inflammatory, antihepatotoxic, anti-tumor, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiallergic, antiulcer, analgesic, and strengthening to the entire circulatory system, from capillaries to heart.

Flavonoids have an estrogenic effect, scientifically established as 1/50,000th the activity of estradiol. Bioflavonoids in foods are essential to our ability to absorb ascorbic acid. No wonder plants exceptionally rich in flavonoids are such important allies for post-menopausal women.

Regular use of bioflavonoid-rich herbs helps:

• restore vaginal lubrication
  


• decrease or end hot flashes
  


• improve pelvic tone
  


• improve liver activity
  


• strengthen the bladder
  


• lower risk of stroke & heart attack
  


• reduce water build-up in tissues
  


• reduce muscle cramping
  


• ease sore joints
  


• improve resistance to infection

The richest source of bioflavonoids is the inner skin of citrus fruits. "Peel Power" is a lovely way to start the day.

Buckwheat greens, Buckweizen, Sarrasin (Fagopyrum esculentum) are an exceptional source of bioflavonoids. Grow them at home, like alfalfa sprouts, or buy them dried and made into tablets. (Kasha, the grain of buckwheat, does not contain bioflavonoids.) The wild equivalent is the leaves of yellow dock (Rumex crispus) or any knotweed (Polygonum).

Elder, Holunder, Sureau (Sambucus nigra and other species) are rich in bioflavonoids. I use the berries in jelly and wine, and the flowers for tinctures and wines.

Hawthorn, Weissdorn, Aubépine (Crataegus oxycantha and other species) offers berries, flowers, and leaves full of bioflavonoids. I use the berries to makes jellies, wines, and a heart-strengthening tincture. The flowers and leaves, dried, make a wonderful tea.

Horsetail, Ackerschachtelhalm, Prêle des champs (Equisetum arvense) is best picked in the spring. I use it fresh in soups (not salads) and dried as a tea.

Knotweeds, Vogelknöterich, Renouée des oiseaux, Ho Shou Wu (Polygonaceae) are well known for their abundance of bioflavonoids. In addition to buckwheat and yellow dock leaves, try the greens of any other knotweed local to your area.

Roses, Hagrose, Rosier (Rosa canina and other species) are sisters to hawthorn and similarly abundant in bioflavonoids. I use fresh rose hips in jellies and wines and dry them for winter teas and soups. We eat the blossoms in salads and use glycerin to draw out the healing qualities of flowers and leaf buds.

Shepherd's purse, Hirtentäschel, Capselle (Capsella bursa-pastoris) leaves are wonderful in salads. When it flowers, I use the whole fresh plant to make vinegar and vodka tinctures, capturing bioflavonoids for later use. (A dose is 25-50 drops three times daily.)

Sea buckthorn, Sanddorn, Argousier (Hippophae rhamnoides) leaves are rich in many nutrients needed by post-menopausal women: bioflavonoids, carotenes (vitamin A), vitamin C, vitamin E, and the B vitamin complex, especially B6. If you live where it grows, try the tender baby leaves in salads.

Toadflax, Frauenflachs, Linaire commune (Linaria vulgaris) flowers add flavonoids to salads. They can also be tinctured. (A dose is 15-20 drops.)

White dead nettle, Weisse Taubnessel, Lamier blanc (Lamium album) doesn't sting, so try it in salads. Or dry bunches when it's flowering and get your bioflavonoids from the infusion; or make a vinegar.

VITAMINS

Vitamins for menopausal years. Lists are arranged thusly: most important sources, in decreasing order, are first. Other excellent sources follow the semicolon.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A is formed in the liver from ingested carotenes and carotenoids. No plants contain it. Liver, milk, and eggs do. In pill form, vitamin A can cause birth defects, hair loss, and liver stress.

Depleted by: Coffee, alcohol, cortisone, mineral oil, fluorescent lights, liver "cleansing," excessive intake of iron, lack of protein.

Vitamin B complex: For healthy digestion, good liver function, emotional flexibility, less anxiety, sound sleep, milder hot flashes with less sweating, steady heart beat.

Depleted by: Coffee, alcohol, tobacco, refined sugar, raw oysters, hormone replacement, birth control pills (deplete B6 especially).

Food Sources of B vitamins: Whole grains, well-cooked greens, organ meat (liver, kidneys, heart), sweet potatoes, carrots, molasses, nuts, bananas, avocados, grapes, pears; egg yolks, sardines, herring, salmon, crab, oysters, whey.

Herbal Sources of B vitamins: Red clover blossoms, parsley leaf, oatstraw. See also specific factors, following.

Vitamin B1, Thiamine: For emotional ease, strong nerves.

Food Sources of B1, Thiamine: Asparagus, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, barley grass, seaweeds, citrus fruits.

Herbal Sources of B1, Thiamine: Peppermint, burdock, sage, yellow dock, alfalfa, red clover, fenugreek seeds, raspberry leaves, nettle, catnip, watercress, yarrow leaf/flower, rose buds and hips.

Vitamin B2, Riboflavin: For more energy, healthy skin, less cancer.

Depleted by: Hot flashes, crying jags, antibiotics, tranquilizers.

Food Sources of B2, Riboflavin: Beans, greens, onions, seaweeds, yogurt, cheese, milk, mushrooms.

Herbal Sources of B2, Riboflavin: Peppermint, alfalfa greens, parsley, echinacea, yellow dock, hops; dandelion root, ginseng, dulse, kelp, fenugreek seed, rose hips, nettles.

Vitamin B6, Pyridoxine: For improved immune functioning; especially needed by women using hormone replacement.

Food Sources of B6: Baked potato with skin, broccoli, prunes, bananas, dried beans, lentils; meat, poultry, fish.

Vitamin B factor, Folic acid: For strong, flexible bones, easy nerves.

Food Sources of folic acid (folate): Leafy greens, liver, kidney, lentils, whole grains, seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables.

Herbal Sources of Folic acid: Leaves: Nettles, alfalfa, parsley, sage, catnip, peppermint, plantain, comfrey, chickweed.

Vitamin B factor, Niacin: For relief of anxiety and depression, decrease in headaches, reduction of blood cholesterol levels.

Food Sources of Niacin: Asparagus, cabbage, bee pollen.

Herbal Sources of Niacin: Hops, raspberry leaf, red clover; slippery elm, echinacea, licorice, rose hips, nettle, alfalfa, parsley.

Vitamin B12: For healthy metabolism, stronger eyes, better memory, more energy, less cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, fibromylagia, and depression. Aids adsorption of all other minerals, especially calcium.

Depleted by: Unfermented soy, lack of animal foods in the diet.

Food Sources of B12: Liver, kidney, yogurt, cheese, milk, eggs, meat, poultry, shellfish.
Herbal Sources of B12: None.

Bioflavonoids: For healthy heart and blood vessels, fewer hot flashes and night sweats, less menstrual bleeding, unlumpy breasts, less water retention, less anxiety, less irritable nerves.

Food Sources of Bioflavonoids: Citrus pulp and rind.

Herbal Sources of Bioflavonoids: Buckwheat greens, elder berries, hawthorn fruits, rose hips, horsetail, shepherd's purse, chervil.

Carotenes: For a well-lubricated vagina, strong bones, protection against cancer, healthy lungs and skin, strong vision, good digestion.

Food Sources of Carotenes: Well-cooked red, yellow, or green vegetables/fruits: carrots, winter squash, tomatoes, seaweeds, cantaloupe.

Herbal Sources of Carotenes: Peppermint, yellow dock, uva ursi, parsley, alfalfa, raspberry, nettles, dandelion greens; kelp, green onions, violet leaves, cayenne, paprika, lamb's quarters leaves, sage, chickweed, horsetail, black cohosh roots, rose hips.

Vitamin C complex: For less intense hot flashes, less insomnia and night sweats, stronger bones, fewer headaches, better resistance to infection, smoother emotions, less heart disease, rapid wound healing. Critical to good adrenal functioning, especially during menopause.

Depleted by: Antibiotics, aspirin and other pain relievers, coffee, stress, aging, smoking, baking soda, high fever.

Food Sources of Vitamin C: Freshly picked foods, cooked potatoes.

Herbal Sources of Vitamin C: Rose hips, yellow dock root, raspberry leaf, red clover, hops; pine needles, dandelion greens, alfalfa greens, echinacea, skullcap, plantain, parsley, cayenne, paprika.

Vitamin D: For very strong, very flexible bones, hormonal ease,
cancer prevention, regulation of glucose metabolism, reduction of risk of adult onset diabetes.

Depleted by: Mineral oil used on the skin, frequent hot baths, sunscreen with SPF8 or higher.

Food Sources of Vitamin D: Sunlight, butter, egg yolk, cod liver oil; liver, shrimp, fatty fish (mackerel, sardines, herring, salmon, tuna).

Herbal Sources of Vitamin D: None. Vitamin D is not found in plants.

Vitamin E: for milder hot flashes, fewer night sweats, protection from cancer, fewer signs of aging, fewer wrinkles, moist vagina, strong heart, freedom from arthritis.

Depleted by: Mineral oil, sulfates, hormone replacement.

Food Sources of Vitamin E: Freshly ground whole-grain flours, cold-pressed oils; fresh nuts, peanut butter, leafy greens, cabbage, asparagus.

Herbal Sources of Vitamin E: Alfalfa, rosehips, nettles, dong quai, watercress, dandelion, seaweeds, wild seeds (lamb's quarters, plantain).

Essential fatty acids (EFAs), including GLA, omega-6 and omega-3: For a healthy heart, less severe hot flashes, strong nerves, strong bones, well-functioning endocrine glands, fewer wrinkles.

Food Sources of EFAs: Flax seeds, cod liver oil, wheat germ oil, whole grains; seeds such as borage, evening primrose, black currant, hemp, safflower, and their oils.

Herbal Sources of EFAs: All wild plants, but very few cultivated plants, contain EFAs; fresh purslane is notably high.

Folic Acid: See vitamin B factor, folic acid.

Vitamin K: For less menstrual flooding, stronger bones.

Depleted by: X-rays, radiation, air pollution, enemas, frozen foods, antibiotics, rancid fats, aspirin.

Food Sources of Vitamin K: Healthy intestinal bacteria produce vitamin K; green leafy vegetables, yogurt, egg yolk, blackstrap molasses.

Herbal Sources of Vitamin K: Nettle, alfalfa, kelp, green tea.

MINERALS

Minerals for menopausal years.

Boron: For strong, flexible bones.

Food Sources of Boron: Organic fruits, vegetables, nuts.

Herbal Sources of Boron: All organic garden weeds including all edible parts of chickweed, purslane, nettles, dandelion, yellow dock.

Calcium: For sound sleep, dense bones, calm heart, strong muscles, less irritable nerves, lower blood pressure, sound blood vessels, regular heart beat, freedom from depression and headaches, less bloating, fewer mood fluctuations.

Depleted by: Coffee, sugar, salt, alcohol, cortisone, enemas, unfermented soy products, antacids, too much phosphorus.

Food Sources of Calcium: Yogurt, raw-milk cheese, dark green leaves; nuts, seeds, tahini, seaweeds, vegetables (especially sweet potatoes, cabbage), dried beans, whole grains, whey, salmon, tuna, sardines, shellfish.

Herbal Sources of Calcium: Valerian, kelp, nettle, horsetail, peppermint; sage, uva ursi, yellow dock, chickweed, red clover, oatstraw, parsley, black currant leaf, raspberry leaf, plantain leaf/seed, dandelion leaf, amaranth leaf/seed, lamb's quarter leaf/seed.

Chromium: For less fatigue and lots of energy, fewer mood swings, stable blood sugar levels, higher HDL; less risk of adult onset diabetes.

Depleted by: White sugar.

Food Sources of Chromium: Barley grass, prunes, nuts, mushrooms, liver, beets, whole wheat, bee pollen.

Herbal Sources of Chromium: Oatstraw, nettle, red clover tops, catnip, dulse, wild yam, yarrow, horsetail; roots of black cohosh, licorice, echinacea, valerian, sarsaparilla.

Copper: For supple skin, healthy hair, strong muscles, easy nerves, less water retention, less menstrual flooding, lower blood cholesterol.

Food Sources of Copper: Liver, kidney, seafood, organically grown grains, beans, nuts, leafy greens, seaweeds, bittersweet chocolate, mushrooms.

Herbal Sources of Copper: Skullcap, sage, horsetail; chickweed.

Iodine: For fewer breast lumps, less fatigue, healthier thyroid function, stronger liver.

Depleted by: Unfermented soy products.

Food Sources of Iodine: Seafood, seaweed, sea salt, spinach, beets, mushrooms.

Herbal Sources of Iodine: Kelp, parsley, celery, sarsaparilla root.

Iron: For fewer hot flashes, less menstrual flooding, fewer headaches, better sleep with fewer night sweats, easier nerves, more energy, less dizziness.

Depleted by: Coffee, black tea, alcohol, aspirin, carbonated drinks, lack of protein, enemas, unfermented soy, processed dairy.

Food Sources of Iron: Liver, red meat, canned salmon, sardines, egg yolk, leafy greens, molasses, dried fruit (cherries, raisins, prunes, dates, figs), yellow/orange/red vegetables, bittersweet chocolate; whole wheat, oatmeal, brown rice, mushrooms, potatoes, honey, seaweeds.

Herbal Sources of Iron: Chickweed, kelp, burdock root, catnip, horsetail, Althea root, milk thistle seed, uva ursi, dandelion leaf/root; yellow dock, dong quai, black cohosh, echinacea, licorice, valerian, and sarsaparilla roots, nettles, plantain leaf, fenugreek seed, peppermint.

Magnesium: For deeper sleep, less anxiety, easier nerves, flexible bones and arteries, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, stronger heart, more energy, less fatigue, fewer headaches/migraines.

Depleted by: Hot flashes, night sweats, crying jags, alcohol, chemical diuretics, enemas, antibiotics, "soft" water, excessive fat intake.

Food sources of Magnesium: Leafy greens, seaweeds, nuts, whole grains, yogurt, cheese; potatoes, corn, peas, squash, beans, figs.

Herbal Sources of Magnesium: Oatstraw, licorice, kelp, nettle, dulse, burdock root, chickweed, Althea root, horsetail; sage, raspberry leaf, red clover, valerian, yellow dock, dandelion greens, carrot tops, parsley leaf, evening primrose.

Manganese: For keen hearing, flexible bones, reduction of dizziness, prevention of diabetes.

Depleted by: Chemical fertilizers used agriculturally.

Food Sources of Manganese: Any leaves or seeds from plants grown on healthy soil; seaweeds.

Herbal Sources of Manganese: Raspberry, uva ursi leaf, chickweed, milk thistle seed, yellow dock; ginseng, wild yam, echinacea, and dandelion roots, nettle, catnip, kelp, horsetail, hops flowers.

Molybdenum: For fewer hot flashes, prevention of anemia.

Food Sources of Molybdenum: Organically raised dairy products, legumes, grains, leafy greens, seaweeds.

Herbal Sources of Molybdenum: Nettles, dandelion greens, sage, oatstraw, fenugreek seeds, raspberry leaves, red clover blossoms, horsetail, chickweed, kelp.

Nickel: For milder hot flashes, easy nerves.

Food Sources of Nickel: Chocolate, nuts, dried beans, cereals.

Herbal Sources of Nickel: Alfalfa, red clover, oatstraw, fenugreek.

Phosphorus: For strong, flexible bones, more energy.

Depleted by: Antacids.

Food Sources of Phosphorus: Whole grains, seeds, nuts.

Herbal Sources of Phosphorus: Peppermint, yellow dock, milk thistle, fennel, hops, chickweed; nettle, dandelion, parsley, dulse, red clover.

Potassium: For more energy, less fatigue, less water retention, easy weight loss, steady heart beat, lower blood pressure, better digestion.

Depleted by: Frequent hot flashes, sweating, night sweats, coffee, sugar, salt, alcohol, enemas, vomiting, diarrhea, chemical diuretics, dieting.

Food Sources of Potassium: Celery, cabbage, peas, parsley, broccoli, bananas, carrots, potato skin, whole grains, pears, citrus, seaweed.

Herbal Sources of Potassium: Sage, catnip, peppermint, skullcap, hops, dulse, kelp, red clover; horsetail, nettles, plantain leaf.

Selenium: For clear vision, slower aging, strong immunity, less irritability, more energy, healthy hair/nails/teeth, less cardiovascular disease.

Food sources of Selenium: Liver, raw milk cheeses, seaweeds, whole grains, garlic, kidneys, fish, shellfish, meat, yogurt, beans.

Herbal Sources of Selenium: Catnip, milk thistle seed, valerian root, dulse, black cohosh and ginseng roots; uva ursi leaf, hops flowers, kelp, raspberry leaf, rose buds and hips, hawthorn berries, fenugreek seed, roots of echinacea, sarsaparilla, and yellow dock.

Silicon: For strong, flexible bones, less irritable nerves.

Food Sources of Silicon: Unrefined grains, root vegetables, spinach, leeks.

Herbal Sources of Silicon/Silica: Horsetail, dulse, echinacea, cornsilk, burdock, oatstraw, licorice, chickweed; uva ursi, sarsaparilla.

Sulfur: For relaxed muscles, soft skin, healthy nerves, strong liver, glossy hair.

Food Sources of Sulfur: Eggs, dairy products, cabbage family plants, onions, garlic, parsley, watercress.

Herbal Sources of Sulfur: Sage, nettles, plantain, horsetail.

Zinc: For slower aging, better digestion, stronger bones, healthy skin, cancer prevention, increased sex drive.

Depleted by: Alcohol, air pollution, hormone replacement.

Food Sources of Zinc: Liver, meat, sardines, oysters, eggs, yogurt, leafy greens, beans, pumpkin seeds, nuts, whole grains.

Herbal Sources of Zinc: Skullcap, sage, wild yam, chickweed, echinacea, nettles, dulse, milk thistle; sarsaparilla.

Legal Disclaimer: This content is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare practitioner with a specific formula for you. All material contained herein is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second opinion.

Seven Myths You Should Know About Menopause

You may know a bit about menopause, most likely from your mother or the ladies in the office. However there are some myths about menopause that you should know about - not only so you aren't confused about what to expect, but so you can pass this valuable information on (to the ladies in the office!)

Myth #1 - Menopause isn't a disease so I shouldn't need to see a doctor for it.

Truth: Although most symptoms of menopause are more annoying than truly painful, there are some symptoms that can easily mimic those of real diseases. Some of the symptoms can be associated with Epstein-Barr virus, anemia, thyroid disorders, and even the big "C". Do you really want to take that chance?

Myth #2 - Your sex life is gone once menopause begins, you may as well face it.

Truth: Many women don't experience the drop in libido after perimenopause starts, although some find that the vaginal dryness can make intercourse painful. If you find that to be true, try getting some lubrication first, it can make the difference. Also there are some terrific estrogen creams that can be used to help as well, and don't forget it may take a little longer to get you ready, but isn't that what it's all about? Tell your partner to work at a little, for once. It's worth it!

Myth #3 - Hormone replacement therapy is the only way to treat menopause.

Truth: Many women find that they can help to keep the worst symptoms at bay using natural remedies, such as: black cohosh, licorice root, red clover, dong quai, ginseng, primrose oil, and of course the addition of soy to the diet on regular basis. Even a change to a healthier diet and a regime of exercise can make a huge difference in how you feel. Of course natural remedies may be a bit less risky than HRT as well.

Myth #4 - Women don't have to worry about heart attacks like men do.

Truth: Please don't believe this myth - it could really cost you your life! As female hormones decrease, especially estrogen, a women's risk of heart attack and stroke start to rise. This is because the hormones have a protective function in nature, which is lost as the estrogen starts to lessen. Doctors have been starting to make women aware of this but many still don't get the message.

Myth #5 - A simple blood test can let you know whether you are starting menopause or not.

Truth: Actually there is a test to find out if the hormone FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) is decreasing in the body, and this can be an indication of perimenopause. However, even as this is the main hormone responsible for the beginning of a woman's period, the catch is that this doesn't necessarily indicate the fluctuation of hormones that mean menopause is truly here. In other words it's not a yes or no test.

Myth #6 - I'm only 36 years old, way too young to be starting symptoms of menopause.

Truth: Although it's true most women start having these symptoms between the ages of 45 and 55, it's not unheard of to start having them much earlier. General health, diet, and even genetics play a role in how soon a woman starts perimenopause, so it's really a tossup at best.

Myth #7 - Irregular bleeding almost always means cancer.

Truth: As a woman reaches menopause, the hormones will fluctuate wildly to the point where a regular period may not happen for months. One month her period may be very heavy, and the next month almost nothing. This is normal, and should not be a cause for alarm by itself. Of course if your period is heavy for a much longer time period, see your doctor to make sure it's not something else.

It's Natural - Menopause Symptoms

Perimenopause Side Effects - Friend Or Foe

While menopause is a natural part of a womans life, it is certainly not the most welcome stage of life for her. Many women experience symptoms of menopause that make life, in a word, challenging for both her and those around her. Recognizing the signs beforehand helps all involved deal with the potential disruptions.

The First Menopause Side Effects

Menopausal changes actually begin in a stage called "perimenopause." Perimenopause can begin a decade or more before menopause, when hormone shifts begin to happen. Menopause itself usually begins to show with missed or irregular periods. Their flow may also be very erratic, from light to very heavy. Of course, women in their late 40s to 50s will be aware that they are likely experiencing menopausal changes and not be concerned about these symptoms other than perhaps to mourn the end of one phase of life. If, however, you are concerned that this may be something more serious, you will want to visit your doctor to rule out underlying health problems. Your doctor will also be able to give you suggestions to manage the uncomfortable symptoms, such as hot flashes.

Coping with Menopause

First, it helps to know that menopausal symptoms are normal and not to be feared. Although certain changes must be monitored and handled with appropriate treatment if they occur, such as an increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis after menopause, most menopausal symptoms are uncomfortable rather than dangerous.

Perimenopause Side Effects

Although it can be uncomfortable symptomatically, menopause is a natural stage of life for women in their 40s and 50s to go through. The first symptoms you may notice include irregular periods and perhaps hot flashes or night sweats. These are caused by hormonal changes. Women's eggs may also cease to release at regular times of the month, which contributes to irregular periods. Eventually, they will stop altogether. The most uncomfortable menopausal symptoms may last for as long as five years, but can be greatly relieved with certain medications. Speak to your doctor. Certain herbs such as black cohosh may also help.

The Mental Pressure of the Menopause Symptoms

As with the changes that occur through puberty, mood swings may accompany the hormonal and physical changes that are occurring. These, too, can be helped with medication, and should ease as menopause settles in and your body adjusts to the changes it has gone through.

Its important to remember that menopause side effects will impact your life. Recognizing these signs and dealing with them, will help out your family and bring you piece of mind knowing that the normal symptoms you're experiencing, are all a part of the normal cycle of life.

Menopause Natural Remedy - Tips To Alleviate Menopause Symptoms

Do you think a menopause natural remedy is for you? Eventually every woman has to decide if they want to do something about their menopause symptoms. Women are often weary of hormone replacement therapies... as they should be. There are many risks associated with hormone therapy. Natural remedies don't carry these risks... and they have been shown to be quite effective.

So what are some tips that can help you alleviate your symptoms?

Menopause natural remedy #1:

Eat more veggies. Changing your diet helps you balance out everything that is going on in your body. You should attempt to eat a diet that consists of at least 50% raw veggies and fruits. That means food that has not been processed. Try to avoid things such as sugars, breads, pastas, rice etc... Try to find foods such as veggies and fruits. Try to use your common sense and look for anything that isn't processed and fake. Try adding foods like broccoli, seaweed, bok choy, salmon, sardines, and white fish to your diet. These foods all help with various menopause symptoms. These foods also tend to be low in calories... which help you maintain a healthy weight.

While you are at it... take a protein supplement to help you stabilize your blood sugar.

Menopause natural remedy #2:

Cut back on animal products. Dairy products and meat make your body more susceptible to hot flashes. When you eat a lot of red meat or dairy they tend to contribute to a loss of calcium from your bones. I would try to eat small limited portions of low-fat yogurt... or maybe buttermilk.

You should also try to avoid alcohol, caffeine, sugar, spicy foods, and other hot things. These things have been shown to throw off your body chemistry which results in a greater occurrence of hot flashes and bad mood swings. Cutting these things out of your life will prevent your blood from becoming acidic. When your blood becomes acidic your bones release calcium as a buffering agent. As you hit menopause... your ability to repair your bones diminishes. So you need all the calcium that you can get!

Menopause natural remedy #3:

Add more soy to your diet. Consuming soy helps your body regulate its estrogen levels... and can completely eliminate hot flashes. Eating soy products... like soy beans, tofu, soy milk, soy burgers... all will help replace depleted estrogen in your body. Many of your symptoms are brought on by low estrogen levels... so consuming soy will help to balance you out.

Natural Menopause Treatments - How To Cure Hot Flashes And Other Symptoms Of Menopause

"They are not hot flashes. They are either "personal summers" or "my inner child playing with matches" or "power surges"." Unknown

MENOPAUSE, Are you Irritable, Have Hot Flashes and Mood Swings?

This can be the happiest and most miserable time of life, when you are beginning menopause. You have gotten rid of that monthly visitor but now Mother Nature seems to have a whole new set of problems waiting for you. When you are beginning the stages, the hot flashes are the only symptom, you feel like the situation is manageable. (Usually occurs in or around most women's 40's.) When you get into your 50's you might not be able to sleep, find yourself a little more anxious or nervous than you may be use too. You might start to notice horrible hot flashes and mood swings and generally want to bite the head off of every person (friend or foe) you come across. Dizziness, heart palpitations, headaches, memory lapse, depression, joint pain or even bladder problems along with the possibility of skin problems, oh, don't let us forget to thank Mother Nature again for the decreased libido that will slowly start to make its own general appearance. Let's recap ladies.... the situation now seems unbearable.

PLEASE don't fret, Ladies these symptoms can be relieved and even eradicated with a few lifestyle changes.

Menopause is a prime example of how Western Medicine thinks everything can be cured with a pill or shot. Ladies in this day and age, we're becoming so much smarter than that and are aware this. In fact, lowering estrogen levels in our bodies can be regulated by incorporating some or all of the following things into our diet.

繚 80mg Black Cohosh, two or three times a day has been known to deal with many menopausal symptoms. Give 6 to 8 weeks to take effect.

繚 Flaxseed, 1 to 2 tablespoons daily. Take with 8-10oz water. Water helps hydrate the system from hot flashes and clean system. Drink as much water as you can daily.

繚 Soy Products, if you don't like tofu and such, try soy milk, and no it's really just like thicker.

繚 Plant foods, whole grains fresh vegetables and Fruits have a hormone balancing effect.

繚 Tuna, Cod, and Salmon help with skin conditions.

繚 Cold pressed nut and seed oil regulates estrogen production.

There are also a few things you want to eliminate from your diet. Try eating hormone free animal products, to stop a hormone imbalance. Eliminate Carbonated or alcoholic beverages they can aggravate the hot flashes. (That will probably be the hardest part of all. No carbonated drinks like sodas, but better kidneys as well. No Martini or second glass of champagne, but healthier liver... but trust me ladies, one glass of wine is still allowed so I've been told.)

Menopausal Spotting and Discharge

When menopause begins in a woman's late forties or early fifties, a number of changes take place in the body. Some of these changes can lead to vaginal discomfort, and two symptoms in particular have women around the world worried--spotting and vaginal discharge. Menopausal spotting and discharge are common; however, there are cases in which this can be an indicator of a more serious health problems as well.

As you reach an age close to menopause, the hormones in your body change drastically and you stop ovulating. Rather than experiencing a regular monthly period, you may find that your bleeding only lasts for a few days or is preceded by a few days of spotting. This is normal. Even when periods stop completely, you may at first experience spotting. This is due to the hormonal changes in your body that cause your vagina to change in size. When this occurs, vaginal dryness and decreased sexual drive are also common.

On the other hand, if you experience painful vaginal symptoms in conjunction with spotting, you may have a more serious problem, such as uterine cysts. You should see your doctor, and he or she can give you proper diagnosis. It is always better to be safe, so protect your health by seeing a medical professional if you have any questions or feel uneasy about the spotting you are experiencing.

Vaginal discharge is a whole other type of problem. This problem is difficult to solve for many women, as it is an embarrassing subject. Although excessive vaginal discharge is something that most women must face at some point in their lifetime, women going through menopause are more likely to develop this problem. As your hormones fluctuate, vaginal dryness persists, making sexual encounters painful if you are not using proper lubricant. This can tear the vaginal walls. Tears can naturally occur as well. In either case, this makes you more susceptible to yeast infections, which are the primary cause of abnormal vaginal discharge. This can be easily cleared, however, once your doctor diagnoses the problem, ruling out other infections and viruses, such as STDs.

Vaginal discomfort due to spotting or discharge cannot be stopped, but you can treat the problem if you see your doctor. He or she can recommend a number of options for you--it might be as simple as changing the soap your use or changing your exercise routine. Diet also plays a role, and your doctor can suggest a number of natural remedies. Vaginal discomfort is something than most menopausal women experience, so you are not alone in your struggle. You don't have to live with these problems, and although it may be an embarrassing topic, trust me, your doctor has heard worse. Stay healthy by keeping an open dialogue with your doctor and take heart--spotting and discharge are not long-term problems and can be cleared quickly in most cases. Although uncomfortable, these are both normal signs of menopause for women in the forty to fifty year old age range.

Hypoglycemia Caused by Menopause

There are so many different things that can go wrong whenever a woman is going through menopause and in many cases, their body changes so rapidly that it is difficult to keep up with those changes. As a result of the estrogen and progesterone levels dropping so rapidly during this time in their life, the body tends to go through the change rapidly as well. This can result in so many different problems and for many of them, they simply need to be ridden out until your body levels out at the end of menopause. Something that you may be dealing with, however, that can be corrected to a large extent is hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar and many people experience this throughout their entire life. In many cases, it is something that people experience before they have diabetes so it certainly is nothing to be overlooked if you are experiencing a problem with it. In order for you to overcome hypoglycemia, especially during menopause, it is necessary for you to level out your blood sugar to the best extent possible. This is done through exercise and through eating a diet which is low on the glycemic index.

Exercise is going to help you to balance your body, regardless of what it is that you're trying to accomplish. You will notice a leveling off of your blood sugar level whenever you exercise, and in many cases this may be enough to help you to overcome hypoglycemia that you are experiencing. If you eat the proper type of food, however, you can experience more health benefits than simply level blood sugar.

If you are not familiar with the glycemic index, you should download and print out a chart so that you can familiarize yourself with it. The glycemic index is a list of foods that release sugar into your bloodstream and they are rated according to how quickly that sugar is released. Foods that are high on the glycemic index are going to quickly release the sugar into your bloodstream and caused it to fluctuate rapidly. By eating foods that are low on the glycemic index, you will have a much more stable blood sugar level, overall.

One other thing that you can do is to make sure that you are eating regularly, perhaps five or six small meals a day instead of just a couple of meals which most people tend to eat. This will also help you to level off your blood sugar and feel better, overall.

Menopause Supplements and Memory Loss Concerns - The Main Culprit Revealed

You may have suffered a moment in time when for no reason your thoughts unexpectedly go totally blank?

Or out of the blue you suddenly find yourself being more absent minded than usual?

At one time this was exactly what I realized was happening with me with increasing regularity.

You quite possibly might have found this to be a problem for you also.

What is actually the cause of memory loss in women as they approach closer to their menopause years? Could hormones be connected to memory problems? Or Is it truly just the signs of aging?

I believe you will really be shocked at the reasons.

When it comes to a woman's hormonal levels, fluctuations can often bring about all kinds of emotional and mental turmoil. This may include nervousness, anxiety and even depression.

Plus aging also has some influence on a person's ability to retain information, I'm certain.

However, the main perpetrator of memory loss during the stages of pre and post menopause is definitely stress. Research has verified it.

Quite a few women in menopause (and in peri-menopause) lament about memory problems to their medical doctors. In the past researchers originally had surmised that low levels of estrogen likely affected a woman's mental function.

Naturally that had been the typical explanation given from the medical doctors; that memory loss was basically nothing more than a symptom of being menopausal.

Having said that, during 2003 one particular Chicago scientific study published some important results.

St. Luke's Healthcare Centre research workers had undertaken a study relating to menopause and memory loss over the course of 6 years. They signed up 803 females between 42 and 52, and all were actually within the stages of pre menopause. None of them had been using HRT.

Throughout the six years, each year these women would be given a number of memory tests. Undoubtedly the research workers anticipated that the women's memory results would go down while they progressed throughout the span of the study. What they observed however astonished all of them.

The results ended up being the complete opposite!

The research results from these women in fact showed an improvement in memory capacity by approximately three per cent!

A lot more of these types of studies are now beginning to clearly show that the memory challenges most women are complaining during the course of menopause (and peri-menopause) may also be more so indicators of stress rather than simply the changes in female hormones and getting older.

Bear in mind more females nowadays wind up having to deal with keeping up with the demands associated with their life at home in addition to their professions, so it's not surprising.

If you are going through episodes of memory loss you may need to think about making certain modifications to your lifestyle to assist you in controlling stress.

The following are just a few suggestions that can help:

• Find out more about relaxation techniques and then take time to release stress on a daily basis.


• Exercise and remain active both mentally and physically.


• Eat foods that are known to be rich Omega-3 sources and/or supplement with a quality Omega-3 Fish Oil; it's known to be quite effective for fighting both the physical and mental negative effects most typically associated with stress.


• Supplement by using Turmeric extract.

Studies undoubtedly show that turmeric may help to reduce the chances of Alzheimer's disease.

The actual healing compounds inside turmeric are known as 'curcuminoids'. Curcuminoids appear to be an aid to decrease the advancement of Alzheimer's disease by reduction of the build up of particular proteins that happen to be a common characteristic of this and other similar diseases.

It is also necessary to be aware that potency and purity is crucial when considering any all natural health supplement which contains Turmeric extract.

My personal word of advice is that you pick a natural menopause supplement which has an actual 'standardized' Turmeric extract incorporating no less than 95% curcuminoids for best results.

Other valuable herbs that help deal with the health destroying effects associated with stress also include:

• Ginkgo Biloba extract which has been utilized throughout traditional Chinese medicine to boost memory as well as attention span.


• Damiana helps relax the nervous system and is beneficial just for helping to manage mood swings.


• SAMe is particularly useful for diminishing indications of depression and Alzheimer's. It's also known to be of great help for improving intellectual performance plus slowing down the aging process.

There are effective natural supplements for menopause that can also assist you with the symptoms related to both menopause and for treating stress related memory problems that often occur during this phase of life.

In the end I'm describing the domino effect that occurs, but one that can be cured with proper supplementation and healthy lifestyle habits.

Can a Chiropractor Relieve Your Menopause Symptoms?

Anxiety isn't the only menopause symptom. Menopause can also cause a slew of other emotional and physical symptoms including back pain and discomfort. The good news is that menopausal women who suffer from back problems are finding relief through chiropractic medicine.

What is chiropractic medicine? It is a treatment that assists in restoring balance, healing and energy throughout the body. When our bodies lack balance, the hormonal and stress response system are affected. Thus, chiropractic medicine works by alleviating pressure on the nerve roots of the spine, helping to relieve discomfort. It detects dislocation (subluxation) and promotes correction by encouraging the function, repair, coordination and communication of the nervous system. Chiropractic medicine is a non-invasive drug-free treatment that is performed by a chiropractor.

How is it performed? First of all, chiropractor treatment will vary for each patient, as different techniques may be used to help alleviate certain symptoms or health conditions. Therefore, a chiropractor will want to know the medical history of the patient and their current health problems. Once this information has been processed, treatment will then be provided.

Most chiropractors will use their hands to perform treatment; however, they may also use other treatment methods such as light, heat, ultrasound, electrotherapy and other special adjusting instruments. You will also likely be provided with information regarding a personalized exercise program, nutrition and lifestyle changes that can help improve your symptoms.

Is treatment painful? No. Most people find chiropractic medicine to be quite relaxing. What may be unnerving to some patients are popping sounds that joints make when they are adjusted. This popping noise is the sound that occurs when a gas bubble between the joints pop. It's the same sound and feeling that happens when you crack your knuckles.

How can a chiropractor help during menopause? Chiropractic medicine can relieve a variety of painful and uncomfortable menopause symptoms related to estrogen deficiency including:

o Back pain

o Headaches and/or migraines

o Stress and tension

o Neck problems

Chiropractor treatment is also considered beneficial for treating the beginning stages of osteoporosis. It is incredibly effective at restoring flexibility to joints and decreasing muscular tension and pressure on nerves.

Chiropractic treatment can provide relief fast, which is often why it is one of the most celebrated alternative remedies. That being said, you will need more than one chiropractic treatment. The average patient has eight annual visits, but this number will vary depending on the health concern.

Are their any risk? It is extremely rare for complications to occur during chiropractic treatment, especially if performed by an experienced and qualified chiropractor. Therefore, it is a low risk, non invasive therapy that is virtually safe for everyone.

How do I find a chiropractor? Although you don't need to be referred to a chiropractor by your doctor, it is a good idea to first consult your health care provider to find out if he/she has any recommendations. You should also speak to others who have had chiropractor treatment to learn about their experiences and ask them about their chiropractors.

You can find chiropractors to help treat your menopause symptoms by checking your local yellow pages, phoning your local hospital, or doing an online search with your city and "chiropractor" as the main keywords.

Anxiety Attacks and Menopause

Anxiety is one very big cause of stress in any person's life. A woman may have anxiety attacks and menopause at the same time. Of course, anxiety occurs outside of menopause as well. Anxiety can be managed or controlled with medication, dietary supplements, and some life style changes. This can be a very stressful time for women as they go through many changes.

Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety is controlled by the part of the brain called the amygdala. Anxiety attacks are responses to real or imagined stressful situations. For example, public speaking is a source of anxiety for a lot of people. The fear is that they will forget what they wanted to say, drop their notes, or not be effective. If this has happened to you, the next time you face public speaking your anxiety level will rise again.

As a woman who is in menopause you may have a severe hot flash before an important meeting. Before the next meeting you may become more anxious and fearful that the same thing will happen.

Causes

Anxiety attacks are not a direct result of erratic hormone levels. They are however, a result or offshoot of the symptoms associated with menopause. One of the symptoms of menopause is sleep problems. If you are starting to have sleep disturbances that you never had before you may become anxious about them each night. This in turn can cause more sleeplessness and more anxiety.

Treatments of Anxiety Attacks and Menopause

Treatments for menopausal symptoms can include anxiety attacks, sleeplessness, hot flashes and mood swings. The good news is that there are treatments available. You are not alone as every woman at some point will go through menopause. No two women will experience the symptoms or degree of intensity of those symptoms.

The most common treatment for menopause symptoms is HRT- hormone replacement therapy. HRT can be estrogen, progesterone, or a combination of these female hormones.
The preferred method is the combination of estrogen and progesterone. There are some serious side effects including increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer of the breast and uterus.

Anti-depressants are often prescribed to deal with symptoms such as depression, mood swings, and anxiety attacks. Antidepressants can also have some serious side effects including a loss of interest in sexual activity, stomach upset and intestinal discomfort.
Anxiety is eased because these drugs work on the chemicals of the brain to balance them at a healthy level.

Due to all the side effects of traditional treatments of them, many women seek alternative treatments such as herbal supplements. Some herbs that are effective in treating menopause symptoms are black cohosh, wild yam, and chasteberry. The supplement you choose should at least have black cohosh as it is one of the most effective relievers of menopause symptoms.

Herbal supplements have far fewer side effects, effective, and probably less costly then traditional treatments. The best supplements are made to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. They are extensively tested. The metabolic route of the ingredients' is examined at the molecular level and the interactions of the ingredients are examined as well. They are made only with standardized herbal extracts. This all helps to guarantee that each capsule is the same in dosing and quality.

Many herbal supplements also use vitamins such as B-complex and C vitamins. Minerals such as magnesium or zinc are also added. This is so that the supplement will not only treat your symptoms but positively affect your over-all health. Herbal supplements should not be used with out your doctor's knowledge because some herbs can interfere with the performance of prescriptions you may already be taking.

Conclusion

I would say most people experience some form of anxiety at some point in their lifetimes.
If you are a woman who is in menopause you may have anxiety attacks and Menopause. The symptoms of menopause can be treated and offshoot symptoms are generally relieved. Many prescription drugs come with some very serious side effects not the least of which are low libido, higher risk for heart disease, higher risk of strokes and a higher risk for breast and uterine cancers.

This is why herbal supplements are becoming so popular. There are few to no side effects and may be more cost effective. You do have options for treatment and they should be discussed with your doctor.

Free Menopause Information

Although menopause is a natural part of a woman's life cycle, it is surprising how many women have misconceptions about it. There are a wide array of sources for information about what menopause actually is, how it progresses, and the broad range of effects that may affect women to one degree or another. A brief discussion on what menopause is some treatments that are available, and finally a list of resources where you can find free information on menopause will be provided.

Menopause and Its Effects

Menopause is just the cessation of a woman's monthly menstrual cycle. A woman is considered menopausal after one full year of having no periods. Menopause actually is a progressive end to a woman's fertile phase of life. It can start anywhere from two to ten years prior to the final period. The average age of a woman who is menopausal is 45 to 55 years of age.

Some of the symptoms that may accompany menopause include hot flashes, night sweats (night time hot flashes), flushing of the skin, irregular bleeding, and irregular periods. Vaginal dryness, lower sex drive, cramping, weight gain, lack of energy, and other symptoms may occur. These symptoms can occur from being minimal to being serious enough to be debilitating.

Treatment Options

Treatment options include pharmaceuticals, diet and regular exercise, and also, natural treatments such as herbal supplements. Some doctors do not put forth the natural treatments so you may have to ask them directly about it. Your physician should have resources available if you want information.

A healthy diet and regular exercise is the cheapest way to go and will be very effective if you have mild symptoms. Believe it or not, regular exercise can help keep your sex drive going.

Pharmaceuticals are prescribed medications which are typically Hormone Replacement Therapy. They are given to help keep a woman's hormone (estrogen and progesterone) levels at a stable level and this helps relieve many of the symptoms. They are very effective but have some side effects that are dangerous to those who take them. They include heart attack, breast cancer, blood clots or dementia. If you still have a uterus, the possible occurrence of uterine cancer increases. If you have to take them, do so at the lowest dose possible and for the shortest time possible.

Natural products such as Herbal Supplements are an option many are looking into. Herbal supplements are an effective treatment option for many women, particularly if they are looking to avoid the side effects associated with prescriptive medications.

Herbal supplements of the highest quality will be rigorously tested. The metabolism of the ingredients is tested at the molecular level for optimal health results. The interactions of the ingredients will be examined on quality supplements. When being manufactured, they should be made according to pharmaceutical grade standards. This ensures the purity, safety, and the effectiveness of the supplements. They have few if any side effects.

These supplements are a blend of specific herbs and other nutritive substances known to benefit menopausal symptoms. Black Cohosh has been very effective in treating symptoms. Black Cohosh is known to lower a hormone called luteinizing hormone due to the fact that it has isoflavones (similar to estrogen). Others that might be used are wild yam, chaste berry, red clover, don quay, and wild yam. When purchasing herbal supplements for menopause, some supplements may have all of these herbs or just a couple. If that is the case, for effectiveness, Black Cohosh should be at least one of the ingredients.

Free Information Resources about Menopause

The Internet - there is literally millions of sites available online.

Your Physician should have information available to you.

Local Health Services/hospitals - often have information fairs and resources.

They may also have support groups who will give you information.

The library has countless books, magazines and other materials that can be borrowed.

Friends/Family who have already been through menopause will also have free information but be warned they might be "old wives tales."

Conclusion

Menopause brings with it sometimes debilitating symptoms like the well known hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. There are pharmaceutical treatments that include either estrogen or progesterone, and some that may contain a combination of the two.

The serious and potentially dangerous side effects such as breast or uterine cancer are something most people want to avoid and as result turn to natural herbal supplements. They are safer with no or very few side effects.

Check with your doctor before taking them as they might have an effect on prescriptions you may be taking for other health conditions. These supplements also have a general good effect on your over all health.

Natural Strategies For Menopause and Perimenopause

Symptoms and etiology

Menopause, referred to as a cessation of the menses, generally occurring between 45 years and 55 years, although it may also occur in women as young as 40 or older than 55. Symptoms include hot flashes, insomnia, parethesias, palpitations, cold hands and feet, headache, vertigo, anxiety, irritability, nervousness, depression, fatigue, forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, and weight gain. Hot flush usually lasts from a few seconds to 4 to 5 minutes. Peripheral blood vessels dilate; skin, especially on head and neck, becomes red and warm. Chills may follow. Hot flashes occur in more than 75% of all women at menopause, and may occur in more than 25% for 5 years or more. Vasomotor symptoms of hot flush occur with onset of luteinizing hormone pulses, although not dependent. Since LH rise is associated, but not every rise, it is suggested that anterior hypothalamic centers control both flushes and LH release. The connection between hot flashes and endorphin production have been made, as endorphin increase decreases hot flashes.

Other hormone changes that occur in the perimenopausal period and beginning postmenopausal include some regular cycles, or shorter cycles with a short follicular phase and increases in FSH, and decreases in estradiol and progesterone, with estrogen rising sporadically and progesterone diminishing. Cycle length can become variable, with even a few viable oocytes formed. LH and FSH levels greatly increase in postmenopause with FSH to LH typically being greater than 1 mIU/mL due to negative estradio feedback. Estrogen levels are significantly reduced, with androgen slightly reduced. The androgens convert to estrogens in the periphery, mainly in fat cells and skin, which makes up most of the estrogen circulating, unless supplemented. FSH levels will increase as estrogen decreases.

Helpful food strategies

Menopause may not be a significant factor if we all ate more seeds and beans. Dr. Bernard Jensen once referred us to as the "seedless generation" because we have developed so many ways of avoiding seeds in our diet. Seeds contain important hormone-modulating nutrients. The seeds from grains (flax, sunflower, sesame, etc.) and fruits (berries, oranges, watermelon, etc.) contain special compounds that will, depending upon the situation, either stimulate hormone production or reduce hormone production. Wheat, barley and other grains also contain these compounds, which include phytoestrogens and other phytosterols and sitosterols.

Soy is touted as a natural phytoestrogen, however a number of other beans have potent levels of phytoestrogens, including kidney beans, adzuki, black, fava, great northern, lima, mung, lentils, and black-eyed peas are close, with many surpassing soy's levels of genistein and other isoflavones. Soy products like miso and tempeh also deliver better digestable soy, as they are cultured. Issue related to phytoestrogens are whether they interfere with estrogen production because they can bind to estrogen receptors. Typically phytoestrogens will increase estrogen production when its low, and bind to sites, modulating available receptors and decreasing estrogen levels when high. Because foods contain balancing effects to these phytoestrogens, whole foods provide better strategies than supplements.

Other helpful foods that contain estrogen-like sterols or ferulic acid, which enhances endorphin release. Ferulic acid foods include whole grains, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, fresh veggies and fruits, garlic, dates, flax seeds, pomegranates, yams, coconut, oats. Fenugreek and yams contain diosgenin, used by the body to help manufacture progesterone. Foods that stress the body and thus reduce progesterone include refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and red meats.

Chemical hormone-disrupters

There are a number of chemicals that have been shown to disrupt natural hormone manufacture in the body:

• The most studied are polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins. A number of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides still contain these elements


• Chlorine and fluorine can also interfere with hormone production, attaching to receptors typically designed for other minerals.


• Polycarbonate plastics have been studied for their hormone-disruption and should be avoided. Plasticizers from cling-wrap can also leach into food that it touches, especially under any kind of heat


• Sick buildings and molds can also act as hormone-disruptors

Vitamins and minerals associated with easing menopause include:

• Vitamin E (200-800 IU)-can help cool hot flashes and calm anxiety


• Vitamin C (up to 5,000 mg/day) with hesperidin flavonoids-also help cool hot flashes, leg cramps, etc.


• Calcium/magnesium supplements (citrate, gluconates, carbonates, etc.)-ease mental stress and decrease bone loss


• B-vitamins and especially B6 can help hot flashes


• Selenium-helps maintain hormone function


• Lecithin helps emulsify E


• Potassium or potassium-foods or multi-mineral foods to replace minerals lost in sweat


• Magnesium relaxes blood vessels and muscles


• Calcium feeds bones, often depleted in hormone imbalances


• Boron and vitamin D helps calcium bone absorption and balance hormones

Good sources of these include whole mineral salts and food-based multivitamins.

Useful herbs and oils

• Evening Primrose Oil-contributes to estrogen production, is sedative and diuretic. Can use with omega 3 supplement oil like flax. 800-1200mg to 20%GLA for primrose oil


• Black cohosh root can mimic estrogen, is antispasmodic and diuretic, eases hot flashes. 500-1500 mg/day at 2% triterpene glycosides


• Dang Gui is a phytoestrogen and also helps calm spasms and GYN issues


• Vitex berries act directly on pituitary gland, modulating hormone secretion. 600mg standardized to ½% agnuside daily


• Licorice contains phyroestrogens and steroidal estrogenic saponins that balance female hormones, best to limit usage to first half of menstral cycle


• Other estrogen-enhancing herbs include anise, fennel, sage, sarsaparilla, squavine, unicorn root and wild yam root


• Saw palmetto is a hormone modulator


• St. Johns Wort raises serotonin levels, controlling mood swings


• Red raspberry leaf strengthens uterus and relaxes smooth muscles


• Kava can help relax muscles


• Gingko and cayenne can increase circulation, warming hands and feet


• Ustilago maydis mushroom used by the Tewa to regulate menstral difficulties


• Ayurveda includes ashwaganda as a hormone-modulating herb


• Specific hot flash remedy: simmer 2 parts celery with one part motherwort.

Aromatherapy

Oils of chamomile, cypress, fennel. During perimenopausal times, clary sage, cypress, jasmine, juniper, marjoram, and Melissa have been shown to cool the body and reduce flushing spells.

Other helpful hints

• Acupressure points S36, Sp6 and three ear points


• 15-30 minutes of sunlight per day during the summer, triple that during winter


• Walk outside with fresh air, breathing deep


• ½ ounce of water per lb of body fat per day


• natural progesterone cream may be better and estrogen


• vitamin E cream or E capsule onto vaginal area can help itching and dryness


• moderate and regular exercise important---try to achieve endorphin level without over-exerting


• reduce stress levels


• breathe deep


• laugh more

Natural Menopause Treatment - The Best Way to Combat Menopause Symptoms

Are you experiencing hot flashes? Vaginal dryness? Mood swings? Bloating? If so, it is quite possible that you are experiencing menopausal symptoms. I personally went through these symptoms and it was like I was living in hell. I couldn't get a good night sleep. I had terrible mood swings and worst of all, I was gaining weight which as you know is a woman's worst nightmare.

At first I tried different methods to reduce these symptoms and it wasn't until I tried a natural menopause treatment where the symptoms reduced dramatically.

Using natural herbal ingredients is a much healthier route to take when trying to stop menopausal symptoms. Some major ingredients that can help with menopause are:

1. Soy seeds. Soy contains a huge amount of phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogen is a natural plant estrogens and it decreases estrogen levels in the perimenopause cycle and also increases estrogen levels in the postmenopausal period.

2. Vitamin E is an antioxidant which proved to be an effective treatment for postmenopause and menopause symptoms as hot flashes, urinary discomforts, and vaginal dryness.

3. Black cohosh root is an American herb that is widely used in medicine. It's primary use is for alleviating menopausal symptoms.

4. Damiana leaf is a well known stimulant and aphrodisiac. It is used to relieve anxiety and depression.

It is much better and healthier to use herbal ingredients to combat menopause rather than prescription medicine. With traditional hormone replacement therapy there are some dangerous side effects. Natural replacement therapy contains natural ingredients to stimulate estrogen production rather than relying on synthetic hormones.

Want An Easier Menopause? Take Action Now!

If you're a woman over 40, it's highly likely that you're in your menopause years.

Not happy with that? Disbelieving?

Here's the bald truth - menopause is a natural, unavoidable journey that every woman alive must make - and the transition can take 10 or more years from start to finish! You can choose to accept menopause reluctantly, or you can decide to find the joy and the lessons this honorable life passage has for you. At its most basic, menopause is an emotional and a physical transition from one stage of life to the next. And I know you'll agree that change is always best when handled with grace, rather than denial or resistance.

If you have to ask 'Is this menopause?' about symptoms such as skipped periods, unusual weight gain, unexplained exhaustion, sleep issues and more.Then yes, the answer is: it is!

Many women go through menopause without any trouble. But if you're one of the ones who finds menopause is interfering with your quality of life, take immediate action and prevent bigger problems down the line. Face what's happening to your body and don't wait until you have a humongous problem to solve. Remember, in menopause as in life: "pain is inevitable; suffering is optional!"

Begin with the end in mind by deciding what you want. Then be consistent with the remedies or actions you've decided to take. You're wasting your time and money, and contributing to your own misery, if you stop and start treatment that makes sense for you.

Many natural remedies require several weeks or months before you really know if they're helping you or not. Make a commitment to give the remedies time to work. You didn't develop your menopause challenge in a month or two, so give it a few months to turn around. Quite a different approach from hormone therapy which deals with symptoms only, can be required for years and result in serious side-effects.

It's important for you to take 100% responsibility for your own health and wellness and make choices that are right for you. Make sure your menopause remedies or lifestyle choices make your life easier or at least fit into your life without too much effort so you'll stay motivated to continue them.

If you don't know which natural remedies to try, start slowly with something will contribute towards your greater health and wellness - usually your digestive system. Digestive enzymes, cleansing, whey protein shakes all contribute towards digestive wellness.

Addressing digestive issues first is the strategy herbalists call 'circling the dragon' because you're treating the 'big picture' - your overall health and wellness - before you attack a specific complaint. The bonus is you just might resolve several health challenges simultaneously and a more targeted approach may not be necessary.

Whatever else you decide to do to improve your menopause transition, I highly recommend that you eat more foods that will help you manage your blood sugar, immune system and weight. These include whey protein shakes, garlic, dried sea vegetables, maitake and shiitake mushrooms, raw fruit, green vegetables and fresh vegetable juices.

If you have troublesome menopause symptoms it's always a good idea to improve your diet and make it a habit to do a regular nutritional cleanse to get rid of toxins hidden in body fat and organs.

You may decide to take whole food supplements, herbs or homeopathy known to help women make an easier menopause transition.

You may decide to choose a homeopathic remedy such as Sepia that is known to help many women resolve their pre-menopausal symptoms including mood swings.

You could choose herbal menopause foods such as maca root, pycnogenol or herbal tea made with herbs used for hundreds of years to relieve troublesome menopause symptoms.

Remember, the best menopause symptom treatment is prevention. Decide on a course of action while your menopause signs and symptoms are relatively mild. If you wait too long to take charge of your health and wellness, you may find yourself in a crisis, forced to choose medical intervention that you don't want, in order to find symptomatic relief.

Ladies Choice Menopause Review

The Menopause is a difficult time in a woman's life as it signifies a drastic change in the reproductive system, which can come with a lot of unpleasant side effects. There are many supplements and remedies on the market, which are produced to target these symptoms and bring women back to feeling normal again. One of these supplements is Ladies Choice Menopause.

Like most menopause pills, Ladies Choice Menopause contains many natural, non-chemical ingredients designed to work in harmony with your body. Although the idea of natural ingredients can come with the connotations of being weak or ineffective, clinical trial show that the pill is effective.

This supplement does not contain caffeine which although can be helpful during daytime fatigue, common in menopause, is not helpful for restless nights. Menopause often leads to sleepy spells during the day and an inability to sleep at night. Therefore Ginseng is used in Ladies Choice to give natural energy during the day that does not effect night time sleeping or give a jittery feeling of restlessness which caffeine is known for.

The key ingredient to this supplement is Black Cohosh. This ingredient stemming originally from natural medicine is used as a replacement of estrogen, which the body lacks during menopause. Research shows that the active ingredients can help minimize hot flashes by 57% and help ease intensity by 38%. Countries all over the world use this ingredient for many different reasons but a very important reason is for regulating a healthy female reproductive system. This extract is most effective for the menopause in regards to hot flashes.

Licorice root is included in this pill, which is said to promote the production of estrogen and possibly help support the function of the kidneys and adrenal glands.

Another important ingredient in Ladies Choice Menopause is Soy Isoflavones. These are known for keeping a good hormonal balance in the female body which can be unbalanced during the menopause and perimenopause.

Overall this product may help women with a unbalanced hormones and fatigue. The balancing properties may lift mood yet daily dedication is necessary, which is similar in other supplements. The natural ingredients should not have any drastic negative side effects and are safe for the body. It is important however to always check the label of any supplement and the other ingredients of this pill are listed below.

Other Active Ingredients:

Vitamin E, Red Clover, Vitex Agnus Castus, Dong Quai, American Ginseng, Red Rasberyy, Pommegranate Seed, Protykin Trans-Resveratrol