Menopause Symptoms and Naturopathic Treatment

Symptoms of menopause vary. It may be due to hormonal imbalance or can be emotional. The most common factor of menopause is aging, which is natural. Naturopathic treatment is found to be very effective in the treatment for premature menopause. Let us dig deep into the symptoms of menopause.

Blood Vasculature
Nonsmoking women have a virtual immunity to coronary heart disease before the menopause; unfortunately, after menopause the incidence of heart and vascular complications rapidly approaches that of men. During menopause, such temporary symptoms as hot flashes, night seating, and tension or migraine headaches contribute to the overall irritability and insomnia that normally occur during this time. Depending upon the severity of these symptoms, hormone replacement therapy, using estrogen and sometimes progesterone, can be used as treatment. The years preceding the climacteric may be filled with patterns of irregular bleeding, heavy in some instances or frequent enough to produce anemia. Postmenopausal bleeding is a signal to seek immediate medical attention, because the incidence of uterine or cervical cancer after the climacteric ranges from 15 to 30% of women.

Musculoskeleton
And increased laxity of ligaments as well as reduced muscle tone and strength contribute to many of the symptoms occurring after ovarian failure. Backache and pain in the shoulders, elbows, knees and joints of the hands often occur. In addition, decreased muscle tone affecting the pelvic floor muscles, the bladder, and the urethra results in urine leakage and need to urinate frequently. Urinary tract and vaginal infections are more likely to occur because of the changes from a protective acidic environment to one that is less acidic.

Emotional Status
Anxiety or depression or, usually, a mixture of both may not result directly from the menopause; more importantly, these may be symptoms arising from the personal life of the individual. Many situations seem to coincide with the age of menopause, such as adolescence crisis in a child, departure or marriage of the children, declining sexual activity, the husband's own frustrations and anxieties, parental loss or parental dependence, or loss of the husband. Psychiatric therapy and help from an understanding sexual partner and family can be the most beneficial remedies. Hormone replacement therapy or anti-depressive drugs are not the solution for such emotional problems; in fact, this type of treatment present more difficulties, rather than relieving the situation.

Sexual Activity
About 20 to 25% of menopausal women experience dyspareunia, which is pain or discomfort during intercourse. In most instances, this problem arises from thinning of the vaginal wall and a lack of vaginal lubrication, both due to estrogen deficiency. This problem can be solved by applying a lubricant. The involvement of an understanding sexual partner can relieve emotional problems that cause declining sexual activity in some women. On the other hand, many women experience heightened libido because of such factors as a loss of the fear of pregnancy.

Accepting Menopause Symptoms the Right Way

A woman approaching her forties or fifties might notice the sudden changes in her body and mind set. There is no need of any cause to be concerned as it is the natural process of the body bidding goodbye to the ovulation cycle. The process continues in a gradual manner for most ladies and is typically referred to as menopause symptoms.

Though difficult to accept, it is inevitable and women must learn to mature and attain menopause gracefully. Changes in the body due to menopause can bring about depression and low self-esteem. Physically a noticeable number of changes keep happening. The woman might suddenly find herself putting on weight with no rhyme or reason. Her craving for certain food items such as sweets and chocolate might just intensify.

You find yourself looking more often towards the mirror and concerned about the sudden spate of growth in grey hair accompanied by hair fall. Thinning of hair on the scalp and sudden spates of facial hair are also noticed among females suffering from menopause symptoms. The frequency of joint pains and aches seem to be rising and too often you keep reaching out for that pain balm to be applied for joint pains or for a headache. Since the lack of hormone estrogen is the underlying cause one also suffers from unexplained hot flashes.

These are sudden break of sweat followed by a feeling of cold. There are many who may not display all the symptoms and some who suffer absolutely no kind of menopause symptoms other than the menstrual cycle being stopped. Women showing "menopause symptoms" are often found to complain about lack of sleep and or irregular sleeping pattern that can be extremely disturbing to her. Other family members find the woman to develop mood swings and display of short temper frequently. Hence it is important for a menopausal woman have support from family members in coping with menopause symptoms.

Thankfully plenty of natural products and e-books are available for sufferers of menopause symptoms. Many have found great benefit from reading such material and consuming safe naturally produced products for menopause symptoms.

Dizziness During Menopause Can Have Several Causes

Unfortunately during menopause, the explosive symptom of dizziness is all too common. You know the feeling - a spinning sensation inside your head ripping down through the rest of your body making it impossible to be at peace. Or the inability to get up quickly not unlike the sensation you have when just hopping out of a roller coaster. In extreme cases, you may feel as if you are on the receiving end of a knock out blow to the head.

Away from menopause, dizziness can be attributed to a variety of factors - most notably fluctuations in:

1. blood pressure

2. low blood sugar, and

3. viral infections

When it comes to menopause, anxiety and particularly hyperventilation, migraine headaches, and panic attacks can all cause bouts of debilitating dizziness. Some women suffer so much from this symptom that they become agoraphobic because they should they leave the house, they fear becoming faint and dizzy.

For starters, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, and this is one of the first things that need to be checked by your doctor before you do anything else. Estrogen affects the nerves as well and if not enough is produced, it can leave you feeling "frayed" at the edges.

Progesterone is produced in the brain as well as serotonin and if this hormone is lacking, your ability to feel calm can be affected. And, when not enough estrogen is being supplied to the brain, dizziness and other related feelings can result.

Tinnitus, another infamous symptom of menopause, can also contribute to feelings of dizziness. The constant ringing, whooshing, and chirping of the ears can disorient you. Combine that with various other symptoms like migraine headaches, hot flashes, night sweats, and panic attacks and you have a formula for being unbalanced.

Women who are suffering from panic or anxiety attacks during menopause are more likely to hyperventilate and this rapid breathing can easily cause dizziness, giddiness or feelings faint.

Some women report that not eating properly including skipping meals can also cause dizziness. If you feel dizzy, first sit or lie down and breathe deeply and slowly. This eliminates hyperventilation, especially if you breathe deeply into a paper bag. If you are feeling fatigued, try cutting out sugar and caffeine and drink lots of water. Walk around the block instead of sitting in front of the TV.

Do a new activity that gets you moving tai chi or yoga. Both of these exercises get your energy moving as well as calm you and release tension from the body. Sometimes menopausal symptoms are aggravated because at this time in many of our lives, the demands on us are increased significantly.

We may have grown children who are in college, getting married, or just leaving home. Possibly our parents who are ailing and maybe even some of our friends. Often our relationships are shifting and roles are changing. If you are the type of person who has difficulty with change anyway, this can become an even more difficult transition.

See your doctor to determine the cause of your dizziness. If it is related anxiety, you may need medical assistance. On the other hand, your symptoms may be handled simply with self-care and alternative healing.

Hot Flash Natural Treatment - Discovered With Good Old Fashion Apple Cider Vinegar

I have to admit in doing my research on Apple Cider Vinegar I am discovering all sorts of outstanding reports and feedback to support its use as a hot flash natural treatment.

After reading various women's testimonials on the health properties of Apple Cider Vinegar, I have gathered nothing but rave reviews and exceptional feedback. Apple Cider Vinegar, a common widespread folk remedy, is produced from fermented apple juice, and contains a wide array of vitamins and minerals that offer numerous health benefits. One of its benefits, which may not be as well known, is for relieving the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause.

Apple cider vinegar helps relieve hot flashes, one of the most common symptoms of menopause. According to a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic researchers found that between 75 to 80 percent of all women in America experience hot flashes. Apple cider offers a really great and effective alternative to women who cannot undergo hormonal treatment or simply want the option of using a natural remedy.

In addition, Apple Cider Vinegar aids in the relief of night sweats, another symptom of menopause. Night sweats are occurrences of significant sweating during the night. They characteristically cause perspiration on the upper area of the body, typically the head, face and chest while dampening sleep wear and bedding.

Here's another outstanding benefit of apple cider vinegar, it contains magnesium, manganese, a mineral which supports and maintains bone mass and prevent or lessen the progression of osteoporosis. Wait, there is more to this overall truly awesome health tonic, it supports the body's absorption of calcium from the foods we eat.

Now before you go out and buy the typical supermarket brand you want to head to your local health food store or alternative grocers. The unprocessed Apple Cider Vinegar or unfiltered variety over the processed maximizes the health benefits for menopause discomfort. You want to buy the Organic Apple Cider Vinegar.

If you decide you want to give Apple Cider Vinegar a try you should take 2 tablespoons once in the morning and again in the evening. Admittedly, some women complain of the super tangy taste but please don't let that discourage you. If you want you can drink it quickly straight or add it to a glass of water. So women elect to use a chaser, so to speak, after they take it...such as a small amount of honey, a piece of fruit or juice. By the way, apple cider vinegar is great to use in salad dressings.

So there you have it, another hot flash natural treatment that amounts to literally pennies a day for the treatment. Once again we have Mother Nature to thank for the relief!
To your excellent health!

Note-

Please remember that it is always important to consult your health practitioner before beginning any remedies to assure they won't harm your health nor have any adverse effects. The information provided is for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Bleeding After Menopause is Actually Quite Common - But What Are the Causes?

Okay, you are having all of the symptoms, mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, memory lapses, loss of libido, weight gain and more and you think 'wow, I'm definitely in menopause' and boom, you have another period after months of having no periods at all. Perhaps there is something wrong, or perhaps this is perfectly normal, but the bottom line is that no woman wants to see Bleeding After Menopause because it is typically proof positive that they are going to have to start counting the days again until they are officially post menopausal.

Bleeding After Menopause is actually quite common and there is usually no reason to get overly worried if this happens. In most cases bleeding will occur because of the hormonal imbalance that is going on in the body, even if you are taking HRTs or natural supplements to help you manage your hormone levels. The bottom line is that your body is changing and some spotting or even a full blown period is perfectly natural during this time. It can be frustrating, especially if you have gone several months without a period, but there is no reason, generally, to get too worked up over this common occurrence.

However, if you are experiencing Bleeding After Menopause and it has been more than four months since your last period, then you will want to visit your doctor as soon as possible (you should see your doctor regardless of the time between periods, but after four months it can be indicative of a more serious health problem). If you are taking HRTs and your body is also producing estrogen you could be endangering your future health because of the flood of estrogen in your body. Also, it could be an indicator of false menopause and your doctor will need to check you for other medical issues that could have caused your period to initially cease.

While there many reasons that you could experience Bleeding After Menopause, the most common reason is hormonal imbalance, which can typically be corrected with a change in your medication, whether it is an HRT or a natural remedy. A trip to your doctor is always a good idea in these cases to ensure that you are in your best possible health and that there are no underlying causes for this to happen.

The Estrogen and Wrinkled Skin Connection

Can Estrogen Prevent Wrinkles?

Did you know that besides using the best wrinkle creams money can buy, for women of a certain age, estrogen or natural plant based hormones can also be used in the war against wrinkles?

Menopause or Premenopause starts with a decline in hormones which also causes a decline in:

-skin moisture
-collagen production
-elastin production

All of this leaves us with wrinkled, thin, dry itchy skin. Not fair is it?

But Don't Despair - There May Be Hope After All

When plant based estrogens - called phytoestrogens - breakdown in the body they convert to estriol. Although estriol is the weaker of three main estrogens produced in the body, it is an important anti aging skin cream for women experiencing a decline in estrogen production.

Studies have shown that a drop in hormone production causes elastin and collage and production to drop - leaving us with wrinkly, sagging skin.

The Journal of International Menopausal Society has stated that estrogen decline has a profound effect on skin and found that when postmenopausal women received estrogen treatment - they had an increase in collagen, elasticity, and dermal thickness.

Other studies found that in women who took estrogen replacement, the chance of having dry wrinkled skin was 30% less, than those who did not. They also took in to account life style habits, such as smoking and sun expose, adjusted for these two factors, and still found the benefits of estrogen on skin health were significant.

So What Can You Do?

Try Natural Estrogen Creams

While hormone replacement therapy may not be for everyone, there are safe alternatives you can try to help relieve or prevent menopausal skin deterioration. You can try over-the-counter natural estrogen (estriol) creams containing plant compounds with phytoestrogenic activity.

Dr. John Lee, a pioneer and international authority in the use of natural estrogen and progesterone creams for natural hormone balance. He found that phytoestrogen creams applied to the skin can help reverse wrinkling and should be considered an important anti aging skin care treatment. He also found that estriol cream can be helpful for acne and acne scars.

These creams can be found anywhere in health food stores or the internet. My favorite is a brand called Emerita. They've been around long before I ever needed hormones - I found out about them while working at a health food store and this brand was the favorite among pre and menopausal women.

Try Natural Progesterone Creams

USP natural progesterone creams are also sold over-the-counter and are derived from plant fats and oils - a substance called diosgenin - which is extracted from wild yams or soybeans.

A study published in The British Journal of Dermatology documented the beneficial effects of using 2% natural progesterone cream on skin texture of women during and after menopause. The impressive results showed a 23% increase in skin firmness, 29% wrinkle reduction around the eye area (crows feet) and almost 10% reduction of the depth of laugh lines.

Some companies sell both natural estrogen and progesterone together in one cream product; however, you need to find which one is best suited for your needs.

Some women may be estrogen dominate and therefore will only need or feel good when using progesterone cream. Others may be low in both estrogen and progesterone and will require both hormones.

Please be sure to speak to your gynecologist or health care professional before trying any topical hormones.

Black Cohosh

An natural product that can help is an herb called Black Cohosh. It was originally used by Native American to ease menstrual problems, is often included with these natural hormone creams. Black cohosh has been found to have a hormone-like structure, allowing it to bind to human estrogen receptors - making it a good choice for correcting the negative effects of decreased hormones on the skin.

In addition, black cohosh may help prevent the breakdown of skin structure support and increase the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. This herb is often added to natural estrogen creams along with other herbs as complete hormone balancing formula.

How To Use The Creams

Keep in mind, these are not face creams, they are natural topical hormone replacement creams applied to the body to help restore proper hormone balance.

They are generally applied a few times per week in small amounts (1/4 of a teaspoon) to the thin, hairless areas of the skin -- like inside your wrist or stomach. However - very important - please be sure to speak to your gynecologist before trying any topical hormones, especially if you have and hormone related health issues.

Natural Cures For Gout, Also Known As Metabolic Arthritis

Gout is one of the over one hundred forms of arthritis, and is triggered by excessive blood levels of uric acid.

Gout, otherwise known as gouty arthritis, is commonly accompanied by sudden and severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and inflammation. Post-menopausal women may experience an elevated risk of developing this form of the rheumatoid disease. Middle-aged men, between the ages of forty and fifty feature the usual face of a gout sufferer. Nine out of ten gout patients are men over the age of forty.

The Four Stages of Gout

Gouty arthritis is marked by four stages. The four stages of gout are asymptomatic, acute, intercritical, and chronic.

The first stage of gout is the acute stage. Generally accompanied by no symptoms, this stage of gout marks the onset of the excess uric acid crystals, which is responsible for the irritation and inflammation associated with the advanced stages of the condition.

The first attack of gout occurs in the acute stage of the disorder. This second stage of gout sports both mild and severe bouts with gout. Gout attacks can last as long as one or two weeks.

The first gout attack is followed by a period of several months, or possibly years, without a single symptom of gout. This is known as the intercritical stage of gout. The majority of gout sufferers experience their second attack within two years of the first episode.

The final stage of gouty arthritis is the chronic stage. Episodes of gout attacks become more frequent during the chronic phase of the condition. Chronic gout can cause damage to other areas of the body; damage to the kidneys and the development of high blood pressure are signature features of gout's chronic stage.

Gout is a highly treatable form of arthritis. There are a number of home remedies for gout and it's natural treatment.

Herbal Medicine: Herbal medicine is one of the holistic home remedies for gout treatment. The pantry may be the optimum spot for snagging some of the staples of home remedies for gout. Cherries, juniper berry, bilberry, nettle root, and celery.

Nutritional Therapy: Nutritional therapy is one of the home remedies for gout. Vitamin B12, vitamin E, folate, and the B family of vitamins are a part of nutritional home remedies for gout treatment. Implementing nutritional improvements is one of the home remedies for gout used to reduce the occurrence of metabolic arthritis flare-ups. Many of the vitamins included in the therapy have been proven beneficial in preventing gout.

Regular Exercise: A buildup of uric acid plays a pivotal role in the development of gouty arthritis. Regular exercise is one of the home remedies for gout episodes that has been documented as useful in both treatment and prevention. Exercise routines that improve circulation include stretching, dancing, yoga, Tai Chai, and aerobic.

Metabolic arthritis, or gout, is one of the one hundred forms of arthritis that characteristically features severe and sudden attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and warmth afflicting the joints.

Gouty arthritis is a treatable condition that most commonly affects the joint of the big toe, but may also occur in feet, ankles, knees, hands, and wrists. The first onset of gout generally occurs at night and continues on for a week or two before the symptoms subside. Seventy-percent of first gout attacks occur in this part of the body.

Gout is one form of arthritis that made it's debut as early as the eighteenth century. Gout was historically linked to overweight, lazy, middle to upper class, middle-aged men. This perception of gouty arthritis sufferers was born from the fact that many of the foods the influence the onset of gout were routinely reserved for the rich-earning the rheumatoid condition the nickname of "The Disease of Kings." Queen Anne, John Hancock, and American founding father, George Mason are some of history's most noted gout sufferers.

Gout occurs as a result of the body hosting uric acid in elevated levels. Only designed to carry trace amounts of uric acid, the human bloodstream turns excess uric acid into crystal deposits that lodge themselves into the joints of the body, sporting a chalky white-colored material. Uric acid buildup occurs during the body's breakdown the waste product called purines. Purines is commonly found in foods like liver, brains, and kidneys, as well as sweetbreads, mushrooms, and asparagus.

Natural Cures for Gout

Since highly treatable, implementing a number of lifestyle changes can serve as one of the effective natural cures for gout. Adopting a low purine diet is one of the natural cures for gout suggested by some medical professionals. Cherries, strawberries, and blueberries have been identified as some of the staples of a diet low in uric acid. Limiting consumption of fish, poultry, and tofu is also a part of a low purine diet. Other foods to avoid to discourage a gout flare-up include:

Sardines

Sweetbread

Scallops

Alcohol Beverages

Diet Soda

Who's At Risk For Developing Gout?

The condition is most common among middle-aged men between forty and sixty years old. Women are at an increased rate for developing gout following menopause. African-American men are twice as likely as White men to suffer the onset of gout.