Natural Menopause Remedies And Red Clover

Many women are looking for natural remedies for menopause, and red clover is one of the safe and effective herbal remedies. It has long been used in traditional medicine and has been shown to help with hot flashes, insomnia, irritability and night sweats.

The news about hormone replacement therapy has motivated women everywhere to find alternative treatments for these symptoms of menopause. You know there must be a way to find natural menopause relief, but you want to be safe and not experience any side effects. Red clover is certainly one of the best herbal remedies available today.

What about scientific studies?

Red clover is the subject of current study in scientific circles and the preliminary results look very promising. Of course, this comes as no surprise to natural healers and herbalists. Nevertheless, it is always encouraging when science and traditional healing agree.

Red clover is rich in bio-active compounds, which are considered to help in menopause. Some of the chemicals in the plant bind with estrogen in the tissues and produce a subtle physiological action. Soy and kudzu, which are cousins to red clover, work in a similar manner by regulating responses in the bodies cells to help balance hormones. This explains why red clover is effective: it helps balance hormones, and menopause symptoms are caused by an imbalance.

What about side effects?

The good news is that no scientific study has demonstrated any negative side effects from using red clover. Of course, common sense always is in order, and you should talk with a herbalist or naturopath if you have any uncertainties or questions.

How much should you take?

Should you decide to use red clover as a stand alone supplement, you should look for capsules containing extracts of organically grown clover, and it should include at least 40 mg isoflavones or 8% isoflavonoids per capsule. Usually the leaves are mixed with the flowers to maintain a balanced formula that is most effective in treating menopause symptoms.

How long have women used red clover?

There is evidence of women using red clover in teas, tinctures, infusions, and extracts from ancient times, but nobody really knows just how far back it's use goes. Certainly, any herbal remedy that endures for thousands of years should be investigated.

Red clover is also commonly used to treat sore throats, ulcers, bronchitis,sores and eczema for centuries.

Stop Menopausal Hot Flashes Now, Without the Use of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hot flashes or flushes are described as a sudden feeling of warmth or heat within the body and often with associated sweating. A hot flash can be an intense feeling of heat usually in the upper half of the body but can be experienced in the lower half as well.

The exact cause of hot flashes isn't known but they do know that factors affecting the regulatory area of the brain, the hypothalamus, regulates body temperature. When the brain senses an increase in body temperature it will release chemicals which cause the blood vessels in the skin to dilate in an attempt to release the heat. It is said that estrogen and testosterone allow the body to tolerate changes in core body temperature, therefore, as these hormones decrease in peri-menopause and menopause so does your body's ability to tolerate increased heat.

In my opinion this is only part of the problem. I believe it is more of an imbalance in the hormone family than just a decrease in estrogen and testosterone. In some women, when estrogen is balanced with progesterone, hot flashes decrease or stop altogether. Knowing what is out of balance will help you determine why you have hot flashes in the first place. Hot flashes are not normal, they are one of your body's very intelligent ways of communicating a larger problem.

Lifestyle, stress and dietary habits play a huge role in the occurrence and frequency of hot flashes and night sweats. Known hot flash triggers are:

Caffeine

Physical, Emotional & Dietary Stress

Alcohol

Nicotine

Over the Counter Medications

Prescribed Medications

Obesity

Spices

Physical Inactivity

Heat

Know what your triggers are and attempt to avoid them as much as possible. Avoid closed, hot rooms and lower the temperature in your surroundings. Dress in layers and do not wear synthetic clothing as they trap the sweat. Cotton clothing allows your skin to breath. Increase your exercise routine to 30 minutes per day and get sound, quality sleep. Decreasing stress is a no-brainer but not so easy to do. Practice stress reducing techniques and mindfulness. Absolutely avoid processed foods including; boxed and canned goods, fast foods, enriched breads, sugars, sodas, etc. These non-foods put undue stress on your digestive system and ultimately your endocrine system (hormones).

So what's the problem with (HRT) Hormone Replacement Therapy? Most of us have heard the stories, read the articles and have seen the warnings. The possible side-effects of HRT are just a bit too scary for me. Breast and/or uterine cancer, heart disease, blood clots, and stroke being the most prominent. Unfortunately, some of you have even experienced one of these yourself. And, watch out ladies, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy can be dangerous as well. Natural progesterone cream is sold over the counter and being used without knowing one's hormone levels. Hormone creams and gels must be used very carefully and monitored closely with appropriate testing. One of the many problems with using the transdermal creams and gels is that they are absorbed into the subcutaneous fat tissue where they build up and can eventually saturate the tissue and over time start to spill back into the system creating an overdose of the 'free fraction' of the hormone in the body. At this point your cells will down-regulate (not accept) the hormone and you will once again have the symptoms of deficiency while you actually have too much of the hormone in your system. Routine (serum bound) blood tests cannot accurately monitor the use of transdermal creams and gels. Testing must be performed in the free state, otherwise a person will be profoundly overdosed with 'free' hormone levels by the time the blood tests detect any significant changes. I have witnessed many a website advising the use of creams and gels without regard to the individual's symptoms, history or tested levels. This is totally irresponsible and a major problem for women looking for an end to the sometimes debilitating symptoms of menopause. When administering a hormone in a 'free' form you must test for and monitor the hormone in a 'free' form (saliva or serum free). Since hormones are interactive, the problem doesn't end here. Depending on the hormone being overdosed, multiple other imbalances will stream into the system. Hormones given in amounts that exceed normal physiologic needs will cause receptor cell down-regulation (the cells will not accept the hormone once the liver can no longer clear the excessive levels). In addition, Brain, HP (hypothalamus/pituitary) dysregulation is created and atrophy of the gland as well.

DHEA is also sold over the counter. You can literally go into a health food store and buy a bottle of 25 mg capsules of DHEA. Women should not take DHEA unless absolutely necessary. Women are especially sensitive to DHEA and will not tolerate DHEA if not needed, or if given in too large of an amount. In fact, the majority of men do not need 25 mg DHEA daily. What's the big deal? DHEA can boost estrogen levels or testosterone levels and for women that could mean facial hair, deeper voice, not to mention dys-regulating the steroid hormone family even more. Hormones are very powerful messengers in very tiny amounts. Start playing with the numbers and you could be creating some very serious health problems for yourself. This goes for the men as well. For men, when taking DHEA in higher than needed amounts it will convert to Estrogen.

OK, now that I've gone on and on what are some of the solutions? Medically, I've seen recommendations for prescription drugs such as Effexor, an anti-depressant which has been successful in relieving hot flashes in low doses. The two problems I see here is that #1, it is not solving the problem and #2, there are side-effects to every medication known. You're putting a band-aid on the problem and worse than that you will, in all probability, have a known or unknown side effect from the medication. They are now performing clinical trials on the drug Menerba. From what I can gather it is a plant based drug with 10 or 20 herbs, licorice being the major player. Hmmm, maybe I'll just try some licorice?

Let's look at some of the herbs that may be of value here:

Tribulus -

Indicated for hormonal support. Tribulus is known to boost male and female fertility and libido, enhance athletic performance, stamina and endurance, restore and build vitality, relieve menopausal symptoms and is helpful in male menopause.

Black Cohosh -

Is specific for menopausal symptoms such as reproductive problems, especially when accompanied by pain: amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, uterine pain, ovulatory pain, post-partum pain, testicular and prostatic pain, and menopausal symptomotology such as anxiety, depression and insomnia. It is mildly useful for hot flashes and is more effective when used with Chaste Tree, Motherwort, Licorice, and Dang Gui. Black Cohosh is contraindicated in pregnancy & low blood pressure.

Sarsaparilla -

This herb is getting a lot off attention for its' role in decreasing hot flashes. Although a cooling herb Sarsaparilla is more specific for inflammatory conditions of the skin, connective tissue, and bowels. That being said, it does clear blood heat and is used with other herbs to reducef hot flashes.

Red Clover -

The isolated isoflavones are being used to treat menopausal symptoms. Since it is a cooling herb it can help reduce hot flashes.

Licorice - Contains isoflavones and is used for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. More effective when used with Chastetree, Black Cohosh, Motherwort, and Sage. High doses of Licorice is contraindicated in people with high blood pressure.

Soy - I'm going to be very opinionated here. I don't believe soy is meant for human consumption, there is a tremendous amount of controversy about the efficacy of soy and about the fact that is does not digest in the human body. BTW, soy is not an herb.

Wild Yam - What can I say, some experts swear by it and others say that is has no real benefit for menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes.

When using herbs be sure to purchase your herbs from a known and reputable source. Do a bit of research to be sure the herb is not contraindicated with any medications and/or physical challenges you may have.

No matter how long you have been suffering with hot flashes and/or other symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause, it's not too late to stop hot flashes now. The good news is - You can begin by knowing your triggers and avoiding them. Eat a healthy well balanced diet. Find a qualified herbalist or hormone specialist and discover your hormonal levels so that you can begin the balancing act for a healthier and happier you.

What Do You Mean I Have Pre Menopause Symptoms? - I Am Only 35 Years Old!

Warning! This article deals with women's issues.

So you are in your mid thirties and you are a busy woman. You are running here and there delivering kids to all of their various activities and are the foreman in charge of the mechanics of a busy family. That is the reason you are experiencing changes in your normal monthly cycles, right?

Wrong! For many women these pre menopause symptoms begin in their thirties. They just don't attribute those changes to hormones because of the busy lives they lead. But the fact is, our bodies begin to change much earlier than we anticipate and the awareness of those changes at an early stage can mean all the difference in how easily our body transitions to the next stage of our lives.

First I want to dispel a common misconception.The word menopause is not the hot flashes and all of the other unpleasant symptoms women go through as our bodies slow the production of estrogen and progesterone to match the decreased number of eggs our ovaries have in store. Menopause is in fact, the word for the complete cessation of our period. Peri menopause, or pre menopause symptoms is the word for the transitional time when these symptoms begin to interfere with our lives.

Pre Menopause Symptoms include:

• Irregular menstrual cycles, usually with very heavy flow and abnormal clotting


• Hot flashes


• Sleeplessness or difficulty staying asleep


• Night sweats


• Headaches


• Joint and muscle pain or overall achy body


• Mood Swings- Bouts of being emotional, cranky or anxious


• Incontinence - Bladder suddenly releasing small amounts of urine.


• Vaginal dryness


• Hair and skin become dryer

Some people believe memory loss is a pre menopause symptom but it has been proven false. Most likely the lack of sharpness is due to extended periods of sleep deprivation due to the night sweats and insomnia associated with perimenopause.

So what should you do? Well, you can't stop it or slow it down. It is a natural process of life. You can, however, take action to help your body maintain more balanced hormone levels. The sooner you begin the better. HRT (hormone replacement therapy) was once the number one treatment for pre menopause symptoms but has since been directly links with many health risks including the increased risk of cancer. There are natural ways you can keep your body feeling balanced and you should find out more about them. Yes, you are in your thirties and you are busy. Don't let the natural rhythm of your body slow you down.

Vaginal Atrophy, Low Estrogen Levels & Natural Menopause Relief

About half of all perimenopausal and menopausal women experience vaginal atrophy -- the thinning and swelling of vaginal tissue. Along with this, women experience vaginal dryness. All of these symptoms result in painful sexual intercourse and urination.

Causes and Cures of Vaginal Atrophy

* Hormones: Vaginal atrophy is often hormone related. Since our progesterone levels are low during peri menopause, and our estrogen levels are low during menopause, these shifting hormones can be at fault for our soreness. Many women use estrogen cream and progesterone cream to boost their low hormone levels.

If you'd like to boost your estrogen level naturally, try eating 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed daily or use herbal supplements like chasteberry and black cohosh. (These can also relieve hot flashes and night sweats.)

A low level of testosterone could also be part of the issue. Your body needs decent levels of both testosterone and estrogen to maintain a healthy level of bacteria and blood flow in your vagina.

* Stress: It's hard to feel sexy when you are stressed. And there is a good reason for that. Besides the effect that stress has on our minds, stress also effects our hormones. When we feel stress, our bodies release the stress hormone, cortisol. If we are constantly stressed and constantly producing too much cortisol, the other hormones in your body are affected.

Incorporating some exercise into your life can help to relieve your stress. Or, focus on making some time for yourself. Sit down with a cup of tea and just breath for a few moments.

* Foreplay: Not enough lubrication during sex can be painful. If this is an issue for you, work with your partner to take sex a bit more slowly. By increasing foreplay, you increase the time for your body to respond and get naturally lubricated.

If you've done this and it's still not helping, consider using an over the counter, water based lubricant.

* Medications: Some medications like decongestants and oral contraceptives can irritate your condition along with smoking and drinking too much caffeine. See your doctor if you suspect your medications may be at fault.

* Sex: As the name "vaginal atrophy" implies, underuse won't do anything to help your symptoms. Keeping an active sex life will help your vaginal tissue to stay healthy. And, the more sex you have, the more sex you will want.

Your Menopause - Can Natural Remedies Help You Cope?

One look at the pharmacy shelf will show literally dozens of natural remedies for menopause vying for your attention. But how do you choose the right one to help with those unpleasant symptoms you've been experiencing and are they likely to work?

So many more women are choosing the natural route, with the current trend for organic and healthier options for food and a more natural way of treating our bodies.

So, when you're going through the menopause, what natural remedies and supplements can help and what can they be used to treat?

Women suffer from a wide variety of symptoms at various stages of the menopause and perimenopause. Unpleasant symptoms can include some or all of the following:- hot flashes, anxiety, weight gain, night sweats, depression, mental fog or confusion, loss of libido and insomnia. The causes of these are related to the changing levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone in the body and can cause severe and almost debilitating symptoms.

Whilst herbal or natural remedies are no substitute for visiting a doctor, they may help to relieve symptoms sufficiently to make them bearable.

Popular remedies include black cohosh and supplements which contain natural hormone replacement ingredients, for example, chaste berry. Another way of getting nature to help you is by increasing your intake of soy products, which are high in isoflavons and phytoestrogens and have long been thought to be one of the reasons that women in some cultures have far less severe menopause symptoms than women do in the West.

Recent research has shown that black cohosh seems to have less effect than at first thought. However, it's important to remember that different women respond differently to herbs and remedies, so do try out a number of supplements that are designed to treat the symptoms that are causing you most trouble.

For example, if you are struggling with hormone fluctuations, wild yam, chaste berry and St John's Wort may help to bring some balance. If it's hot flashes that are causing the most problems, then black cohosh, soya products and ginseng may help to provide relief. Of course, for severe symptoms, it's important to get in touch with your doctor.

Just do your research about what can help offer you relief and stick with it for the recommended treatment time to see if it is having the desired results for you.

How Long Do Menopause Symptoms Last?

Well the average age of perimenopause is fifty one years nevertheless symptoms can still take place after peri menopause.

Menopause Symptoms may perhaps commence gradually with a few small symptoms such as a few hot flashes or night sweats, occasional mood swing, or infrequent spotty periods

Depending on the frequency and severity of these symptoms, a woman may perhaps seek aid eventually. In a lot of women (regrettably) these symptoms may well expand to include (along with greater frequency and intensity of the aforementioned symptoms), added problems connected to the digestive system, blood pressure, weight gain, thinning hair, and the onset of osteoporosis.

A lot of women today have abandoned the solutions obtainable by large pharmaceutical corporations like HRT or bio-identicals because of safety issues and have turned toward natural solutions toward their peri menopause relief. A natural relief for menopause could offer additional relief with fewer side effects or risk.
Many women have found 100% natural plant based premenopause remedies to be the best solution to balancing hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen.

Due to the hormone regulating properties of phytonutrients found in flaxseed that act as week estrogen replacments women can safely and effectively deal with there peri menopause symptoms as a result.

Flax hull lignans taken from the surface hull of a minor flaxseed hold the highest dose of SDG (secoisolariciresinol diglucoside) lignans or phytoestrogens existing in the plant kingdom, simply a few tablespoons a day of flax hull lignans might help treatment even severe menopause symptoms, that is pretty effective results from a plant.

Menopause Relief - Natural Remedies and Treatment That You Should Know

The side effects of menopause or pre-menopause can be very debilitating for any woman that is why natural supplements are recommended as a treatment to menopause symptoms and to provide relief. Generally women experience hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, irregular menstrual periods, incontinence, headaches, memory lapses, lack of concentration etc as symptoms of menopause. Some woman pass their menopause without facing any of these effects and while some face a torrid time facing few or all of these symptoms during menopause.

Certain herbal and natural supplements have been found to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of menopause to pass the troublesome duration with some ease. Mostly the fluctuating hormone levels are the root cause for most of the problems during menopause and particularly lack of estrogen hormone. Inclusion of soy beans in the diet and isoflavanes helps the body in making up the lack of estrogen production. Soy beans at least 50g per diet is recommended to control hot flashes, vaginal dryness and night sweats during menopause. Consumption of black cohosh is very safe and helpful in treating hot flashes and night sweats. St. john's wort treats mild depression with great effect, it is recommended to not to use this natural supplement along with anti-depressants as it can interfere with their effects.

Beet root juice 90 ml twice a day relieves symptoms and effects of menopause, carrot seeds boiled in cow's milk for 20 minutes and later consumed along with the remaining milk also provide relief from various side effects of menopause. All type of fruits also contributes in relieving the symptoms of menopause and particularly fruits rich in calcium are extremely helpful. Women tend to develop deficiency of calcium in the body during menopause which makes her body prone to osteoporosis, good supply of calcium will keep this problem at bay. Red clover extracts are another good source of calcium and rich source of phytoestrogens.

Ginseng has been used for improving general well being and is also helpful during menopause for alleviating its symptoms. Studies show that ginseng may not provide any relief from hot flashes but certainly increases the feeling of well being in the woman. Overall it is effective in providing good overall health. Ashwagandha or withania somnifera is another old trusted natural supplement which has excellent properties to maintain and establish hormonal balance. The effects of this natural compound controls mood swings, promotes sleep and relieve vaginal dryness by maintaining the minimum level of estrogen hormone in the body of menopausal woman.

In the body of menopausal woman the secretion of prolactin hormone gets increased which causes severe and fluctuating hormonal imbalance causing mood swings, dryness and other problems. Use of chasteberry as a natural supplement in the diet helps the body in inhibiting the harmful effect of this hormone during menopause. Evening primrose oil is also recommended during menopause for relief but clinically it is not proven if it can be effective treatment. It is suggested for breast pain relief, bladder symptoms and menopausal symptoms.