Female Care » Menopause

Herbs and Supplements to Ease Symptoms of Menopause

Article Poster — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:26:00 +0000

Menopause is the time in a woman’s life that is often referred to as “the change of life.” It is the time when a woman’s body decreases its output of female hormones, which leads to the end of her menstrual cycle. Menopause usually begins between the ages of 40 and 50 and ends around the age of 60. It can also be kick-started by a radical hysterectomy at any age, or a round of chemotherapy that destroys the function of the ovaries.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the first of three stages of menopause. It usually occurs between the ages of 40 to 50 and is when a woman’s body begins to produce a decreased level of the female hormones progesterone and estrogen. It can last for a period of two to ten years.

Menopause

Menopause is a time when a women’s body cuts back the production of female hormones to the point where her ovaries cease to release eggs. This is the time when menstruation ceases or is very infrequent until it stops completely. The length of menopause is different in each individual.

Postmenopause

This is the time in a woman’s life after menopause is complete. During this time there is absolutely no menstruation.

Symptoms of Menopause

Every woman has the same symptoms of menopause, though they vary from mild to extremely severe in each individual. Symptoms include anxiety, hot flashes, heart palpitations, bladder problems, dizziness or vertigo, night sweats, insomnia and vaginal dryness. Lack of sexual libido is experienced in some cases.

Herbal Supplements

There are a variety of herbal supplements that can be taken to ease the symptoms of menopause drastically.

Black Cohosh

Black Cohosh eases hot flashes and cramps during the menstrual period of perimenopausal women.

Angelica

Angelica is a natural uterine relaxant. It can be taken to ease all symptoms of menopause.

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is also known as natural Prozac. It relieves anxiety, insomnia and depression that are caused by menopause. It cannot be taken with HIV drugs of any kind.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek contains high levels of isoflavones, which are similar to the female hormone estrogen.

Licorice

In times gone by women used licorice for many ailments. It affects the female body in a similar way to the hormone estrogen. Some women find that taking licorice root capsules, or even ingesting black licorice eases menopausal symptoms.

Sage

This herb is another plant that has been used by people for centuries as a medicinal supplement. Some women find that sage eases the symptoms of hot flashes and mood swings when ingested on a daily basis.

Vitamins

Vitamin C and E

Both of these vitamins provide protection from antioxidants and reduce intensity of hot flashes and night sweats brought on by menopause.

Vitamin A and B

These vitamins give menopausal women a boost by aiding and improving the function of the circulatory system.

Hersperidin

This herbal supplement will reduce the symptoms of menopause because of its bioflavonoid qualities.

Lecithin

When used in conjunction with Vitamin E and Evening Primrose oil, Lecithin will help menopausal women produce estrogen. This will reduce hot flashes, irritability, mood swings and night sweats.

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil will help menopausal women by easing all symptoms of menopause with the exception of heart palpitations. Some women may find that when they take evening primrose oil other symptoms ease while heart palpitations seem to become stronger. Heart palpitations will not harm menopausal women, but can cause some discomfort.

Soy Products

All soy products contain estrogenic isoflavones, which is very similar to the hormone estrogen. Soy products help to ease overall symptoms of menopause in women.

Minerals

Calcium and Magnesium

Minerals are essential for women who are menopausal. Calcium and magnesium cause the nervous system to calm and reduce irritability, mood swings and nervousness. If you are taking calcium, it is imperative to take Vitamin D to ensure your body absorbs it.

Potassium

Potassium helps women replace electrolytes that they lose through perspiration and night sweats during menopause. Women can replace electrolytes by eating foods that are high in potassium including bananas and kiwi, or taking a potassium supplement such as pedialytes.

Zinc

Zinc is beneficial to menopausal women because it reduces overall symptoms of menopause and protects against the onset of osteoporosis.

Conclusion

If you are nearing the age of 40, or are in the perimenopause stage of your life, start taking a daily regime of the herbal, vitamin and mineral supplements mentioned in this article. They will ease the menopausal transition and you will feel less great. Remember, menopause is a natural aging of our bodies and if you take natural supplements you will get through it with ease.

Benefits of Vitamin E

Article Poster — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:46:25 +0000

Vitamin E is essential to healthy skin care. It is often a key element found in many skin care products. Clinical studies have shown that the use of Vitamin E can reduce the effects of scarring as well as reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Regular use can also diminish the appearance of wrinkles and results in smoother and more supple skin.

Vitamin E is beneficial to health in a variety of ways. Taking Vitamin E supplements each day can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent abnormal blood clotting. Vitamin E is also credited with protecting the nervous system, lowering the risk of certain cancers and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It is said to protect the immune system, aid in healing skin injuries and even helps to prevent cataracts. Vitamin E is also important for healthy red blood cells.

To ensure that you are getting an adequate supply of Vitamin E in your diet you should eat plenty of leafy green vegetables and whole grains. Vitamin E is also found in nuts, vegetable oils and wheat germ. You can also take a Vitamin E supplement. The curative powers of Vitamin E have been linked to the fact that Vitamin E enhances immune function although some studies have proven to be inconclusive. Although side effects of taking Vitamin E are relatively rare those who are at risk for bleeding should use caution since Vitamin E acts as an anticoagulant and can decrease blood clotting.

Still the benefits of Vitamin E are not to be diminished. Studies also show that Vitamin E may be used in the prevention and treatment of such ailments as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. It may be helpful in both joint mobility and pain relief. A long list of benefits have been credited to Vitamin E. These include improving the condition of anemia, lowering blood pressure, healing burns and reducing the hot flashes associated with menopause.

Of course the best way to get a proper intake of vitamins and minerals is to make sure that you eat a healthy and balanced diet. If you feel that you may not be getting an adequate intake of Vitamin E or other vitamins and minerals you may consider taking a supplement. If you have any questions or concerns regarding such supplements consult with your family physician. Whether you decide to take a Vitamin E supplement or not your skin can still reap the rewards of Vitamin E by using topical skin creams that are rich in Vitamin E.

The Benefits of Calcium

Article Poster — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:07:33 +0000

Calcium is well-known for its connection to healthy, strong bones and teeth. Calcium is a major contributing factor to the prevention of bone density loss and osteoporosis. These are by far the most obvious benefits of this important mineral, but there are actually many other benefits to consuming an adequate amount of calcium in your daily diet.

Calcium directly affects the hormones that control the condition of your arteries. Healthy arteries and low blood pressure are associated with healthy calcium levels in the body. Since your arteries and blood pressure affect the heart, calcium is highly beneficial in maintaining a healthy heart. Calcium is also connected with the health of your colon, and particularly the prevention of colon polyps and colon cancer. Calcium has an important role in maintaining a healthy weight, as well. The same hormone that influences the health of your arteries affects the way your body absorbs nutrients and fat. When this hormone is properly regulated by calcium, it is easier to maintain your weight.

Maintaining healthy levels of calcium is easy to do by monitoring your diet and, if necessary, taking a calcium supplement every day. Dairy products, dark green vegetables, and lintels are just some of the foods that are high in calcium. The body absorbs calcium best from the food we eat, so it is important to have a high-calcium diet even when you take a calcium supplement. Talking to your doctor is a good way of determining how much of a calcium supplement you need to stay healthy. Keep in mind that other vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, magnesium, and phosphorus are crucial in the body’s absorption of calcium, so it is important to have enough of these in your diet, too.

Menopause Treatment

Article Poster — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:01:16 +0000

Menopause is a natural period of the woman’s life. It is not supposed to be treated. You should know what is this and what to do. There are certain symptoms and risk associated with health because of estrogen level drop in the female organism, but it is able to be cured.

Menopause (Climax) is a specific period in every woman’s life characterized by termination of menstrual periods, and various psychological and physical changes. Menopause is characterized by estrogen hormones development disorder. Menopause is considered to come when a woman does not observe any blood drops of the menstrual periods during a year. Usually this process comes at 45-56 years of age and lasts for a long time. Menopause lasts for long because the process has serious consequences and cannot quickly change the whole organism. There are several stages to help women to prepare to this process better. It occurs for relieving symptoms and other reactions. Recently the climax treatment has been considered as important.

During general aging changes, the climacteric changes are experienced in the reproductive system. The sexual hormones developed by ovaries affect functions of various systems. So, if there is estrogen deficiency, osteoporosis, hormonal cardiopathy, depressions, age-related psychoses, including climacteric syndrome may be observed.

For relieving symptoms and supporting the organism, menopause can be treated with the medications. During past several decades the traditional medicine recommended the menopause therapy with synthetic estrogen, substituting for deficient estrogen in the organism for hot flush reduction and other uncomfortable symptoms relieving. However, mass therapy is discussed because of adverse reactions and potential risks during long application.

Recently the herbal remedies have been successfully used for relieving symptoms of climax. There are various herbal remedies based on natural medicine and consisting of the natural extracts for smoothing of hormonal changes and maintenance of effective protection during menopause. These remedies usually are based on the phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogen regulates metabolism and hormonal balance, reduces climacteric symptoms and fights against the ageing process, and it is a natural remedy, so any side-effects of phytoestrogen have been reported. They make deficiency with no adverse reactions in contrast to synthetic hormones. If you decided to treat menopause, consult the doctor.

Menopause Symptoms

Article Poster — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:57:35 +0000

Every woman experiences the period called menopause or climax. It is the specific period in women life when estrogen development by ovaries terminates. Usually it comes at 50 years of age. Objectively it is revealed by estrogen level decrease in blood and menstrual periods termination. Generally the process is individual. Every woman experiences it in a different way. At the average the physiological process starts in women of 45-50 years of age and depends on various factors. Heredity plays a big role. Menopause may start earlier or later.

Menopause is characterized by full termination of female sexual hormones development in the female organism, menstrual cycle disorders (change in discharge amount), change in mucous of vagina (dryness), and uterus reduction. A word ‘menopause’ literally translated from Latin means ‘end of menstrual bleeding.’

Symptoms of menopause may appear about 51 years of age, but may be experienced earlier. The early beginning of menopause does not mean anything, just your organism feature. But women should be prepared for this process physically and morally. For this purpose it is better know some symptoms to reveal the beginning of menopause.

Symptoms of menopause include: sudden changes in menstrual cycle, menstrual bleeding may be profuse or irregular; weight gain, especially in the belly, or on the contrary weight loss; sleep disorders or anxiety never experienced earlier; night disposition to sweating, accompanied by hot flush; unusual mood swings, depression without visible reasons; and irritability.

Also you can face the following problems: sudden change in libido, sexual inclination may be increased or lowered, sudden change of short-term memory. Though menstrual periods are still stable and the doctors even recommend using contraceptive medication for protection, the women starts to understand that ageing process is inevitably coming, but different women relate to this state in different way. After the first symptoms of menopause, women experience menopause and worry. Some of them getting upset of thought that they cannot have children, but some, on the contrary, breathe freely with end of menstrual periods.

However, a woman can react in different way, but the process is inevitable. All women pass through this period of life, just be ready.

Menopause Signs

Article Poster — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:54:29 +0000

Climax is not a disease or disorder of the organism. Menopause is a transient state between two life stages of women when menstrual bleeding terminates. Various symptoms testify about hormonal changes during menopause. If consider menopause signs, the first is the age. Menopause occurs in certain age, therefore knowing approximate period we can compare to other signs and realize that menopause has come. The exact age of climax is impossible to define, because the processes responsible for ovaries activity have not been studied yet. Also we can say that this process occurs individually, but certain average time frames of menopause coming can be defined. It is the age of 45-56 years. However, as it was told above, it can be observed individually, earlier or later. The shorter time intervals between menstrual periods can be the first sign of menopause approaching. During menopause, menstrual periods come unexpectedly.

Before climax bone density and cholesterol level are decreased leading to cardiovascular diseases. The following first signs can testify about menopause: mood swings, depression, chronic weakness, headaches, change of menstrual cycle, pain, spasms, blood sugar fluctuations, body water retention, sleep disorder, low libido, painful urination and skin ageing.

Besides, during premenopausal period an estrogen level is sharply decreased in woman. However, the reason of estrogen level decrease should be revealed. It may not be associated with menopause. The doctor will define menopause after checking gonadotropin level in blood or urine. If hormones level is high, the hypophysis releases them for extra stimulation of ovaries activity. It means that the process begins.

Generally, it is impossible to say that menopause came, even if the said signs are observed. Any modern and advanced analysis cannot define when a woman experiences climax. So, ask your mother when she experienced this process in order to be ready because it depends very much on hereditary.

Menopause is the beginning of a new life for a woman. In the beginning of this process there is nothing bad and you can feel many positive effects. As this process is inevitable you will have to adapt. Knowing when you can expect the beginning of this process will help you to prepare.

Menopause Diet

Article Poster — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:38:06 +0000

The female organism experiences specific changes in the certain period. These changes is called menopause. Menopause is a process experienced by every woman at the certain age of physical and psychological origin.

Climax is the physiological state of the woman’s organism when hormonal background is changed, ovaries and hypophysis functionality is lowered. The main clinical symptom of climax is termination of menstrual periods.

However some problems, such as depression and body weight changes during menopause may be observed. It happens because the metabolism process in the woman’s organism is decreased, therefore healthy food and physical exercises have a great value. The prophylaxis of overweight is important for one more reason: fast body weight gain is scientifically proved to increase a fatal breast cancer number during the menopause.

After menopause many women continuously fight against overweight. The questions regarding the problems associated with menopause remain without satisfying answers. However two Canadian food specialists have written a book about a diet for woman during this period and how certain vitamins and minerals containing in food can substitute for hormones.

Diet is the best decision of overweight problem during menopause. First of all, it allows not using medicines, and second of all, it is safe and has no side-effects which can harm in this state.

Symptoms of menopause in different women are experienced in different way, nevertheless, there are general rules of healthy food to follow. The healthy food with sufficient amount of necessary vitamins and minerals give the same results as hormonotherapy. There are more recommendations regarding a diet during menopause.

Try to avoid stressful situations and have a long rest. High hydrocortisone level (stress hormone) stimulates fat storage around the belly. Especially it is observed in women during menopause. Do not overeat and do not go hungry. An insufficient daily ration lowers metabolism and complicates weight loss. Refuse high-calorie alcohol. Clinical researches have revealed that there is a correlation between consumption of alcohol and overweight after menopause. One of the most important things is to keep good physical shape. Supporting muscle tone will allow avoiding the fat storage. Physical exercises (even walking) will help to improve blood circulation.

There are many various diets specially created for women in the menopause stage. However they depend on general state of the woman.

Menopause and Depression

Article Poster — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:32:42 +0000

Every woman experiences the specific period called menopause or climax. Menopause is a period in women characterized by disorder of estrogen hormones release. These hormones define activity of ovaries and hypophysis. Usually this process starts in the female organism after the age of 45 to 55 years, and its average duration is from 4 to 8 years.

Menopause does not come in one moment, this process is complicated physically and psychologically. Generally the female organism has enough time to prepare for a new stage of the life because the process lasts for long and categorized by certain stages which help to manage with these changes.

Menopause is divided into three stages: pre-menopause (from the beginning of lowering ovaries function to menopause), menopause (the last menstrual periods), and post-menopause (from the end of the last menstrual periods to the end of the life cycle). The process occurs gradually and woman is getting used to changes without serious affecting. But very often women feel menopause depression.

The scientists have been trying for over the century to find correlation between menopause and depression. The physiological and psychological changes observed during menopause depression have not been studied yet. Many mood swings are caused by estrogen deficiency, however it is not always like this, so it cannot be explained by the specific factors. Menopause was always associated with the period when women are especially sensitive to mental disorders. However, psychological disorders depend on various factors. Very often these disorders are related to early menopause. Early menopause may arise due to many reasons, for example: surgeries, ovaries functionality lowering, diseases, and many other disorders.

The beginning of the early menopause for many women signifies the end of life, but it is not like this. They cannot have children, they are getting older after menopause and these factors cause depression. After deep reflections, they may experience mood disorder hard to be treated.

This female menopause depression problem has been studied for a long time by the doctors, and the clinical researches conducted to reveal menopause depression reasons define various results.

It is difficult to make a specific conclusion on the basis of available analysis. Probably, we can say that menopause depression is not observed in all women, but many women experience these symptoms, especially in perimenopausal period.

Menopause Age

Article Poster — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:18:25 +0000

If men hardly survive the beginning of the middle-age-crisis, the end of it is far harder for women. Women feel approaching the middle age more sensually. Significant changes are going in the female organism. If say more precisely this is an approaching menopause (climax). This physiological process is specific and though it is inevitable for every woman in certain age, but it is discussed not too much. Women can tell, for example, about their marriage, divorce, facial surgery, their preferences in sex and drug addiction, even about their body weight. But they never tell about approach menopause.

Menopause is an exact undeniable symptom of age. When this period is approaching, life of women starts to be changed. Though healthy food, sport activity and good gens protect your appearance, you do not lose your attraction, you look healthy, nevertheless, approaching menopause, most likely, makes you to remember many terrible stories associated with this period of the life.

Climax is a physiological state of the woman’s organism when a hormonal background is changed, ovary and hypophysis functionality is lowered. Main clinical symptom of climax is the menstrual flow termination. Many women consider this process as very negative and with its approaching are getting upset, but some woman on the contrary are happy to this change of their life and thereafter they are busy and full of joyful life. But this depends on many factors: the process, the organism tolerance, symptoms, and also a menopause age plays a very important role.

An average age of menopause in women is after 45 years. Generally the beginning of the menopause lasts from 45 to 56 year of age. All depends on predisposition, heredity and many different factors. Cases when menopause came much earlier or after the specified age have been reported. The age of menopause plays a big role in relation to this process and the further life.

The menstrual bleeding termination means that a woman has lost reproductive function, consequently cannot have children anymore. If this process is experienced in early age it will lead to other serious reactions. Menopause may occur early due to various reasons, for example surgery on ovaries leading to polycystic ovary. However, in any age this process means only a new stage in every woman’s life. It does not mean the termination of youth and life, and many women start a new, even brighter, life at menopause. So, you should find the positive moments.

About Menopause

Martin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:04:43 +0000

Every woman reaches a certain period in her life when she feels she is getting older and her body shows all signs of this process. Except usual ageing of the organism, women experience such physiological process as menopause.

Menopause is a normal physiological process in certain age in all women. So, having reached the certain age, every woman passes this process that changes her further life. Menopause is one of physiological processes affecting the whole organism. This process is called climax that means from Greek a ‘step’ to a new life because it is a period of numerous changes. Menopause is characterized by female estrogen hormones development disorder. The doctors call this process the full termination of menstrual periods. During menopause the hormonal background is changed, ovaries and hypophysis functionality is decreased leading to menstrual periods termination, change of vagina mucous (dryness), and uterus reduction.

Menopause, except hormonal background change, is characterized by the most unpleasant property, ageing. Really, menopause is a synonym of ageing of women. Menopause starts usually in women at the age of 45-50 years and depends on different factors. Sometimes menopause may start earlier or later. Some women are afraid of approaching menopause and consider these changing as something horrible, some women, on the contrary, face the changes as a new stage of the life. Every woman considers this physiological process and this stage in different way according to her opinion.

If menopause is naturally coming at the proper age not due to diseases or surgery, it can be divided into three stages:

Premenopause — the period from the beginning of ovaries functionality decrease to menopause;
Menopause — the period of premenopause and postmenopause, including one year after menopause;
Postmenopause — the period after menopause to old age.

After menopause process termination, the woman during menopause comes from the reproductive period to unproductive, losing ability to conceive and give birth to a child.

The organism responds to new changes in a different way. But menopause symptoms are almost identical. They include emotional disorders, headaches, tachycardia, irritability, weakness, depression, forgetfulness. Only the doctor can relieve menopause process. Therefore, after first symptoms of this process, women are recommended to visit the doctor.