Menopause and Natural Alternatives

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Filed under: Anxiety Remedies 

Most women experience the menopause(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Menopause.html) at around fifty years old. At this time a woman stops ovulating and ceases to have a monthly menstrual cycle. The menopause may occur overnight or can be more of a gradual process. The period of time leading up to menopause is often described as the perimenopause. For every woman, this is the time when the production of estrogen decreases and hormonal changes occur which can affect her physically, mentally and emotionally.

When the estrogen production slows down, the adrenal glands may become overworked, resulting in smaller amounts of hormonal production. The blood vessels dilate, and this can often result in hot flushes. Other common symptoms are restlessness(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Restless-Legs-Syndrome.html), anxiety, strange food cravings, achy joints and emotional instability. There could also be changes in sexual desire, excessive sweating, palpitation, frequent urination, insomnia(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Insomnia.html), night sweats and headaches. It is important to consider all these different symptoms in the treatment of the menopause.

Through the centuries, ancient medicine has recommended natural remedies for the treatment of the menopause. The traditional Chinese remedy for menopausal symptoms is Dong Quai. This well-researched natural remedy has phytoestrogenic properties and has proved effective in inducing progesterone receptor activity, which balances the progesterone/estrogen ratios. Another remedy is Goji, which is also said to restore hormonal balance. Today, Black Cohosh is also fast gaining popularity as an herbal cure for menopausal symptoms. This thoroughly researched herb contains phytoestrogens which balance the systemic estrogen production and suppress the high levels of the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) which is responsible for hot flashes. Other remedies that have proved helpful in the treatment of the menopause are flaxseed oil and Evening Primrose oil, both of which alleviate the symptoms of menopause. Though the results on the use of soy in the treatment of the menopause are inconclusive, many women swear by it and say that they have felt much better after including soy in their diet. Red clover which is full of isoflavones is also being widely used instead of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

The menopause is certainly a time for women to look after their general health. Healthy eating and exercise are particularly important. Many women gain weight during the menopause so it is important to keep an eye on your diet. Limit high fat and high sugar foods; include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean sources of protein and complex carbohydrates. It is very important to ensure adequate calcium intake at this time, as the protective effect of estrogen on the bones will be diminishing. From Around 50 years of age a women’s requirements for calcium increases from 1000 to 1200mg per day. This can be met through diet through ensuring 3-5 portions of calcium containing food per day. A portion is equivalent to glass of milk or calcium-fortified soy milk, a small pot of yogurt, an ounce of cheese, a large helping of green leafy vegetables, or a few ounces of tofu.

It is also essential to ensure adequate vitamin and mineral intake at this time to assist with the treatment of menopause. Vitamin C is essential to keep the immune system in good shape. Vitamin B6 increases progesterone levels and helps to raise serotonin production which can calm a person down. Folic acid helps in cellular metabolism, assists in repairing damaged cells and neutralizes toxins. Zinc helps the immune system and assist with building strong bones.

Besides what one takes, what one does is very important too and there’s nothing to beat a bit of exercise in the treatment of menopause. One study had 55% of women experiencing a reduction in the severity of hot flushes with aerobic exercise. Walking is a great form of exercise and it is weight-bearing which is important in keeping your bones healthy. In a study conducted at Tufts University, postmenopausal women who lifted weights twice a week for a year gained 1% in bone density. Yoga and acupuncture have also proved beneficial in studies. All in all, placing a little more emphasis on staying fit and healthy and putting you first seem to be key in overcoming problems associated with menopause.

Mitamins Team
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/menopause-and-natural-alternatives-95474.html

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Comments

13 Comments on Menopause and Natural Alternatives

  1. sandy s on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 7:29 am

    2. Have you tried evening primrose oil, in capsule form. They’re highly recommended.
    References :

  2. Roxy. on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 7:31 am

    3. Black Cososh is what I used for hot flushes, it worked a treat once it got into my system. Get them in a Health Shop.
    References :

  3. cocoa on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 7:33 am

    4. I had hot flashes a year ago and my doctor suggested I try "Black Cohosh". This did subside the flashes quite well except it affected my Liver functions and they were sky high.One evening I was getting ready to go to bed late in the evening and all of a sudden I couldn’t stop itching Went to the drug store the next morning and the pharmacist told me when your liver isn’t working properly you can become real itchy. Your liver functions should be in the 70′s, mine shot up to the 200′s. I had to go to a specialist that summer because of my blood levels. My doctor thought I had ‘LUPUS".All kind of blood tests were ran and some of the ones the lab did weren’t covered and I had to pay cash. (DNA & ANA). The specialist came to a conclusion that the Black Cohosh was the initial cause of the whole thing. I stopped taking it and the following month my blood levels returned to normal. So be careful what you take or this may cause much heart ache. Cocoa
    References :

  4. dr.kristen on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 7:35 am

    5. There is a great product by a company called Enzymatic Therapy- AM/PM menopause formula & a perimenopause formula… you probably need the perimenopause formula.
    I recommend it to a lot of my patients & they love it!
    You can get it at many health food stores, even GNC… or look for it on the internet, a good discount place is http://www.iherb.com
    good luck
    References :

  5. nicole on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 7:37 am

    6. you could try going to your local health shop and asking them there should be quite a few things out there for you and dont worry about the others what comes around goes around for them hope you find something good luck http://www.healthspan.co.uk/menopause/c3174-1.html?lpsrc=google&lpcat=menopause&lpkey=herbal+remedies+for+menopausetry this site
    References :

  6. Cazzy1 on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 7:39 am

    7. Try Maca, it comes as a powder and though not very nice, you mix it with a drink or make a smoothie, it really does work. You can buy it online from DETOXWORLD, it works out cheaper than Black cohosh, sage and red clover, and I felt so much better within a very short time. I don`t know about losing weight, but my weight became regular once I started taking maca. Good luck in this time of hell, it does get better.
    References :

  7. Dr Frank on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 7:41 am

    8. You are unlikely to get far with alternative therapies. The one that worries me most is plant oestogens, no one has a clue what their long term effects are. Vitamins of course have no effect on anyone or anything, unless you actually have a vitamin deficiency.

    The worries about HRT, unless you have a past history of clot, must be put in to perspective. Their use has fallen by 1/2 to 2/3 over the past 10 years, that to be frank is a little unjustified. They can be used relatively safely, short term to manage symptoms.

    Alternatives are beta blockers and clonidine.
    References :
    GP for more years than I care to remember

  8. xCassiEx on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 7:43 am

    9. Black Cohosh will help – as will cutting out caffeine from your diet.

    Ask around at some health shops as theyll be able to help you out!!!
    References :

  9. krystel_me on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 7:45 am

    10. my mom was using activella for that.. i think it must have helped her as she didn’t complain as much as she were. i just hope i don’t go through this also… but don’t despair there are lots of other medicines if one does not suit you…
    References :
    http://www.drugdelivery.ca/s33915-s-ACTIVELLA.aspx

  10. irene c on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 7:47 am

    11. I find Menopace helps with the tiredness and hot sweats,plus wearing light weight clothes.Good Luck
    References :

  11. Sue on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 7:49 am

    12. My sister found a herb in a health shop called Meno Herb. It was the only thing that helped her…

    Good Luck
    References :

  12. talon on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 7:51 am

    13. Belle,
    Yes, there is one that I found that saved my sanity. It is a chinese herbal pill called Xiao Yao Wan. Any health food store or chinese market should carry it. Do yourself the biggest favor in the world— TRY THEM! They are 100% natural and they work for me.
    References :

  13. LemonBalmLil on Sun, 21st Feb 2010 3:27 pm

    14. Hot flushes/flashes & natural alternatives for early menopause. What do you use?
    HRT isn’t an option. What herbal/homeopathic or vitamin treatments have you found that work for you? What cools down your inner thermostat? Are there any herbal teas you have tried that work well for that. Does losing weight also help?
    To the awful person who posted 2nd on here (Yahoo Sucks 6) – why bother!!! And, just for the record, if you are female, then one day you’ll know what this is like and be needing this help too – so be warned – it’s not nice!

    On a happier note, thank you so very much to those of you who have posted an answer so far. You have been very helpful and I appreciate it. xx

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