How to Ease Menopause Symptoms The Natural Way - Here Are The Foods To Eat During Menopause!

Menopause means cessation of menstruation: the word comes from the greek word men (month) and Pausis (end). In reality, however, the disappearance of menstruation is only one of the symptoms of menopause. Some other symptoms are:

• Pain in the bones. This is the most common symptoms: two out of three women complain about it. Some form of physical activity can help you alleviate this symptom.
• Hot flushes: 63% of women complain about them.
• Emotional problems. Most women report sleeping disturbances, irritability and depression.
• Urinary disorders.
• Vaginal dryness. The reduced activity of vaginal glands decreases the production of mucus secreted by the vagina and can lead to a painful sexual intercourse.
• Skin issues. The skin gradually becomes dry, less elastic and more fragile. It is also more prone towards redness and irritation. The decrease in estrogen can reduce collagen production and create wrinkles in the skin.
• Hair problems. Normally, after the age of 40, the hair becomes thinner and weaker and the renewal process becomes progressively slower. After menopause hair tend to become less shiny and more fragile. Taking vitamins A, B, C, D and E can help you make your hair less fragile.
• Nail problems. Like hair, your nails can also change and may break more easily.
• Changes in breast size. Your breasts may gradually become smaller due to the disappearance of the glandular tissue.
• Belly fat issues. Many women complain about their belly getting bigger, which may happen due to hormonal changes. Adding some lactic acid bacteria to your diet by eating more yogurt can be beneficial.

Bad habits to avoid during menopause:

• Smoking - It 's definitely the most important risk factor: it has been found that particularly in leaner women, smoking can precipitate menopause by 1-2 years because it accelerates the decline of the ovarian function. What is more, smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
• Sedentary lifestyle - it increases the risk of fractures and cardiovascular disease.
• Psychotropic drugs - taking drugs and sedatives to treat the problems of anxiety and insomnia is certainly not advisable, because they can create hormonal havoc.
• Alcohol - Approximately 15% of menopausal women report daily intake of alcohol, usually 1 or 2 glasses of wine. However, excessive use of alcohol should be avoided.

To cope with the complications of menopause it would be a good idea to use natural remedies that increase the level of estrogen in the body. The daily consumption of foods that contain a large percentage of estrogen can be helpful. Soybeans, flax seeds, green beans, corn, pumpkin seeds, beets, olives, oats, peas, alfalfa, garlic, sesame seeds, potatoes, cucumbers, apples, cabbage, olive oil, papaya and sunflower seeds are some natural sources of estrogen.

Vaginal Dryness Symptoms and Treatment During Menopause

Vaginal dryness in women indicates symptoms that lead to menopause. It can highly affect your daily life and cause severe problems in your sexual life. Mostly women do not report this condition to their gynecologist as they think that it is part and parcel of being a woman but the fact is that there are things that women can take help of if they are suffering from vaginal atrophy or vaginal dryness. In this article let us find out some effective remedial measures you can take to lead a normal and healthy life during menopause.

Causes of Vaginal Dryness

Mainly this condition is experienced as a side effect of menopause. During menopause vaginal and urinary tissues become thin and shrink considerably due to the reduced levels of estrogen in the body. This thinning of tissues cause many uncomfortable and embarrassing health issues to women.

Symptoms

Due to the reduced levels of estrogen in the body multiple number of tissues lose their natural elasticity specially the ones present in the urinary area. This causes lack of elasticity and low lubrication the vaginal area which can cause extreme discomforting situations like pain during sexual intercourse, inflammation, urinary incontinence, burning and watery vaginal discharge.

All these above conditions clearly point to the health ailment called vaginal atrophy or vaginal dryness which is faced by a majority of women at some point in their life.

How To Treat Vaginal Dryness

A woman can do a lot of things to experience relief from this condition. The most sought after remedy is hormone therapy which involves replacement of estrogen from the ovaries that they are no longer producing in the body. The following can also be used as effective remedial measures for vaginal dryness.

Herbal Vaginal Lubricants

These herbal lubricants for overcoming vagina dryness are highly effective and provide immediate relief. These herbal creams support the normal production of vaginal fluids hence helping the body naturally lubricate the vagina.

Have An Active Sex Life

Women who indulge in regular sexual activities have been found to deal better with vaginal dryness problems as regular sex allows normal flow of blood to vagina area and provide nourishment to vaginal cells. A lot of foreplay and even masturbation can help in keeping the vagina moist.

Strengthen Pelvic Floor Muscles

Providing strength to your pelvic floor muscles can effectively help in enhanced sexual life and improved circulation of blood to the vaginal area for normal sexual functioning.

Menopause Natural Supplements, Treatment - Menopause Relief

Menopause is a normal phase in a woman's life, but it is also agreed that it might be difficult to cope with and it might frustrate the one that is going through it. Menopause implies a lot of changes both in what concerns the body of the woman and her mental state. Irritability and mood swings are common in this period, as well as hot flashes and night sweats. Menopause symptoms occur well in advance and women start looking for menopause relief in order to make the changes in their lives easier to deal with.

Menopause natural supplements are very popular among middle-age women because they have no side effects and they make the transition smoother. They alleviate the symptoms without posing any danger to the woman's health. There are many herbs that are used in menopause natural supplements due to their various properties. Some of them are

1. Dong quai - It is very beneficial for women suffering of menopause symptoms or of PMS. It balances the hormones and thus it offers relief from mood swings, hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It also enhances libido and it is considered a general tonic for a woman's body.

2. Black cohosh - It provides menopause relief in what concerns all the symptoms associated with this phase because it balances hormones and it gives an extra amount of estrogen to the body.

3. Evening primrose - Oil from this plant is known to alleviate one of the most severe symptoms of menopause: hot flashes.

4. Red clover - It is a plant providing vegetal estrogen to the body and eliminating red flashes and feelings of anxiety.

5. Chaste tree - Menopause natural supplements containing this herb are stimulating the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus and it balances the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. It helps women cope with depression that sometimes occurs in menopause and it also alleviates vaginal dryness, pain in the breast area and irritability.

6. St John's Wort - It deals most with psychological changes during menopause and, being a natural sedative, helps in depression, irritability and states of fatigue. It provides natural relaxation.

Besides menopause natural supplements containing herbs like the one mentioned above, women looking for menopause relief should also consider taking supplements with vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. Vitamin E, vitamins B and C are essential for women going through menopause, as well as minerals like calcium and selenium. The importance of Omega 3 fatty acids shouldn't be neglect either.

Macafen Help For Menopausal Women

Women experiencing menopause are often seeking some kind of solution to their symptoms to make them feel like themselves again. Menopause is a tough time and for many women a very unwelcome distraction in a busy life. There are countless products on the market claiming to aid menopausal side effects and most boast all natural ingredients in some form of combined pill. Macafem on the other hand only has one ingredient, reducing the risks of reactions and side effects to a list of other ingredients and hopefully maintaining the potency of other products.

The active ingredient in macafen is maca. The key problem during menopause is the hormonal imbalance in the body. At this stage in a woman's life the body is moving from being fertile which means the reproductive system is changing drastically. Once menopause is over the body finds its new balance without reproductivity but during the transition the hormones such as estrogen and progesterone fluctuate substantially. Maca is said to aid this hormonal imbalance bringing the body back to a normal level whilst allowing menopausal process to continue unaffected.

Maca is a plant of the radish family and is considered an endocrine adaptogen. This means that it causes an effect that regulates endorcrine support in the body. The glands in the endorcrine system produce chemical messengers (hormones). Maca effectively helps these glands to produce the hormones they need to keep the body at a stable level. Maca itself does not contain hormones, it merely induces the production process in the glands.

As well as being an effective hormone balancing supplement, maca is also great for the bones, skin and teeth. It is also used to improve physical endurance, which is also useful during menopause to keep the body healthy and to fight the symptoms.

Maca's other use during menopause is to replenish a dwindling sex drive. This is said to be effective in both men and women but one key side effect during menopause and the hormone shift that goes with it, is a confusing decrease in libido. At the same time maca is said to reduce tiredness, another pesky symptom in menopause.

Maca has many uses during menopause and tackles most symptoms either directly or indirectly. It should be taken daily and for an extended period of time to feel its full effects.

Overall a natural supplement can really help with a wide variety of symptoms but it is always a good idea to first consult your doctor.

Post Menopausal Bleeding: Dealing With It Naturally

Post menopausal bleeding can understandably cause alarm to most women experiencing it. If you're one of them, remember that it's a common enough symptom to affect as much as 30% of post menopausal women. Still, it doesn't mean that you can just leave it be. The absence of menstruation for at least 12 months signals in post menopause, so bleeding at any time after that period is considered abnormal and should be immediately checked by a doctor.

While most causes of and conditions leading to post menopausal bleeding are benign, there is the possibility that other, more serious reasons are behind it. For one thing, there can already be cancer-causing abnormalities in your uterus or vagina which require medical investigation. Polyps, fibroids, and other growths are usually harmless but nevertheless need to be treated to stop the bleeding. To determine the real cause, a range of gynecological tests involving trans-vaginal ultrasound, hysteroscopy, or even a biopsy can be done.

Perhaps the most common cause of post menopausal bleeding is the decline of estrogen levels leading to atrophic vaginitis. The lining of the vagina gets thinner, resulting in dryness and in painful intercourse. Also, lowered hormonal levels are responsible for endometrial atrophy, which results in the thinning of tissues lining the uterus and spontaneous bleeding or spotting.

Barring going for risky, side effects-laden hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which can actually be causing post menopausal bleeding in the first place, what can you do to address this inconvenient symptom? Lots of things; and the good news is, they can be safe, effective, inexpensive, and all-natural methods.

Keep calm and carry on. Not to oversimplify or understate post menopausal bleeding, but clinical studies have shown that this actually ties in pretty well with a woman's anxiety levels and state of mind. Intense excitement, anger, depression, or anxiety have been known to cause spontaneous bleeding, especially among post menopausal females. So try to steer clear of emotional and psychological stress-inducing situations, and keep a positive and serene frame of mind at all times. As an added physical fitness bonus, try doing yoga and other exercises that can keep you centered and calm, and tone your muscles at the same time.

Make heat your friend. Hot flashes should be kept at bay during menopause and beyond, but to effectively address post menopausal bleeding, semi-hot baths, heating pads, and hot water bottles can actually help relieve discomfort. Take lukewarm baths as often as you can because they can aid in relaxing your muscles and alleviating aches temporarily. If some pain comes with the bleeding, you can place a hot water bottle or a heating pad on your lower back or abdomen while resting to ease you of it.

Try natural treatments to control post menopausal bleeding. Over-the-counter medication can be prescribed at any time, but they can prove to be quite expensive in the long run. Why not go for organic and natural cures first? Homeopaths and herbal practitioners attest to their efficacy in the right dosages. Some of the most popular ones that address post menopausal bleeding include alfalfa, which balances hormones, lowers cholesterol, and eases vaginal inflammation when eaten in itself, taken as a supplement, or infused in a sitz bath. Black cohosh is another favorite gynecological ingredient due to its menstrual symptom-relieving properties. Tinctures and tablets containing extract of black cohosh are recommended to lower blood pressure and to stimulate the pituitary gland. You can also try cinnamon bark tincture to address the bleeding. Six to twelve drops of it on your tongue or mixed with drinking water or juice and taken thrice daily can do wonders in alleviating lower back pain and treating uterine hemorrhaging.

Home Remedies For Mood Swings - Deal With This Naturally

Mood swings can be defined as the extreme and sudden changes in the mood of a person. Almost all persons experience this problem sometime in their lives. Women seem to be more susceptible to mood swings than men, especially during their pregnancy and after childbirth. Mood changes can also be closely associated with menopause. It should be noted that a normal mood swing is quite different from the mood changes caused by bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder usually go through severe and prolonged mood swings that often disrupt their personal, professional, and social lives.

Factors and conditions that can cause abrupt fluctuations in the mood of an individual include hormonal changes, unpleasant life events, poor nutrition, use of certain medications, sleep apnea or lack of sleep, and certain medical conditions. Constant changes in mood can definitely reduce the quality of your life and may affect your relationships with family members and friends. Fortunately, there are some home remedies and lifestyle measures that are effective for controlling your mood changes. Eating a healthy and balanced diet is essential to cope with this problem. Make sure that your diet includes mood-elevating foods such as whole grains, milk, green vegetables, diary products, lean protein, soy items, foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, and fruits, such as bananas, strawberries, and blueberries.

Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Fluctuations in blood sugars can cause changes in your mood and therefore reduce the intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates. You should also stay away from caffeinated beverages and alcohol, as they can rapidly change your mood. Increase the consumption of vitamins B complex, vitamin E, and minerals like zinc and calcium. These nutrients are found to be effective in improving mood and reducing mood fluctuations. Exercises are also good home remedies for mood changes. Doing simple aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, and biking can help you deal with your mood changes.

Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, massage therapy, and breathing exercises are also very helpful in managing the mood changes. Adequate sleep is a good remedy for mood swings. Try to sleep six to eight hours a day. An easy way to overcome this problem is to talk to a friend or someone whom you trust about the things that worry or bother you. Boil cardamom with water and drink this infusion twice a day to relieve mood swings. There are certain herbs that can be used as home remedies for mood swings. St. John's Wart is considered to be an excellent mood stabilizer. It does have the potential to improve low mood and provide emotional wellbeing.

Drinking a cup of chamomile tea is one of the best ways to calm your nerves and to alleviate your mood fluctuations. The root of Valerian plan, lemon balm, tea made from passion flower, and Gingko leaf extract area also good home remedies for mood swings. However, these herbs can interfere with certain types of medications and so if you are on any medication, talk with your doctor before starting to take them. Aromatherapy can also be used to balance your mood swings.

Herbal Menopause Remedies - The 5 Best Phytoestrogens

When you buy an herbal menopause remedy, make sure that they contain herbs with phytoestrogen properties. Otherwise, your remedy won't do much to relieve your hot flashes! Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring substances in plants that can influence the function of estrogen in the body. Although they can alleviate some of the symptoms of menopause by affecting estrogen activity, phytoestrogens are not "real" estrogens in the sense that they are the same estrogens produced by our bodies. Phytogestrogens bind to estrogen receptors in the same way actual estrogens do, and can either have pro-estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects - depending on how saturated the receptors are. In bodies with low estrogen, as in menopause, empty estrogen receptors can accept phytoestrogens, which have a weak pro-estrogen effect and relieve menopause symptoms.

Unlike synthetic estrogens, which get stored in fat and stay in our bodies for a long time, phytoestrogens only work on the precursors to estrogen. That way, you can enjoy the relief of an estrogen boost without worrying about the serious health impacts of estrogen dominance that can be caused by hormone replacement therapy. Below are the five most effective phytoestrogens for menopause relief.

Black Cohosh - A very effective menopause herbal treatment

Black cohosh is from a tall flowering tree that grows in North America. It is known to contain a non-steroidal phytoestrogen called isoflavones, which can regulate temperature, strengthen bones, and provide vaginal lubrication. These effects are observed when black cohosh reaches the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that regulates hormone production and body temperature. Many women swear by black cohosh's ability to relieve the discomfort caused by hot flashes and night sweats. Black cohosh can be taken daily for up to six months, but should not be used as a long-term remedy. Since the herb is known to increase the number of liver enzymes, black cohosh should not be taken by those with liver disorders.

Ashwagandha - A treatment to correct the vata

According to India's ancient healing tradition Ayurveda, hot flashes, anxiety, and insomnia due to menopause are caused by an excess in vata energy. Vata is the air and space energy that regulates motion, breathing, blood circulation, and heartbeat. A balance in vata is characterized by vitality and creativity. An imbalance causes anxiety, fear, and other physical symptoms. The Ayurvedic approach to treating menopause involves correcting the vata imbalance with herbs like ashwagandha. The ashwagandha plant is an important herb for Ayurvedic medicine because of its beneficial properties, including flavonoids and phytoestrogens that can reduce inflammation, decrease stress, invigorate the body, and serve as an antioxidant.

Ginseng - A trusted menopausal herb

The perennial plant ginseng is one of the most popular herbal remedies for menopause, particularly for hot flashes and palpitations. Although there have been few human studies on ginseng's impact on menopause symptoms, animal investigations show that ginseng lowers body temperature by releasing the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). ACTH is responsible for triggering the utilization of glucose and fatty acids, which are important substances that help the body cope with stressors. Increased levels of ACTH were also found to counteract the skin temperature rise that results from hot flashes. Although ginseng is primarily a stimulant, it was also found to be helpful in dealing with menopause-induced insomnia.

Dong Quai - Another menopause natural medicine for hot flashes

Often called the "female ginseng" for its benefits to female reproductive health, dong quai is another important herbal remedy for menopause symptoms. Aside from containing a high concentration of phytoestrogens, dong quai also contains vitamins A, E, and B12. The herb also relieves hot flashes by dilating the blood vessels and increasing the blood flow. Clinical studies on dong quai show that menopausal women who take daily 400mg doses of the herb experienced a 25% decrease in hot flashes. Dong quai is especially potent when used with black cohosh.

Red Clover - For all around menopause symptom relief

Last but certainly not the least is red clover, a plant primarily grown for grazing purposes. Today, however, red clover is an important cure-all for uncomfortable menopause symptoms. Clinical trials on red clover supplementation show that it can reduce the frequency of hot flashes and the intensity of mood swings. Aside from alleviating the discomfort in menopause, red clover can preserve the state of your health. Its high calcium and magnesium content makes the herb a great protector against osteoporosis and bone density loss. Red clover is also thought to increase the amount of good cholesterol, or high density lipoprotein, reducing the risk of heart disease.

Remember, herbal remedies can interact with prescription medication you might be taking now. Consult your doctor or a licensed herbalist before taking any supplements.