As your hormones are going crazy and your body is trying it’s best to adjust, you’re going to have a lot of issues. Some are psychological (crying) and others are physical (discomfort - pain). This article is on the physical symptoms you might encounter with your breasts and stomach and what action you can take to try to alleviate some of your discomfort.

Why Are My Breasts So Sore? Is it Menopause?

Menopause brings all kinds of changes, your hormones are there, then they’re gone, then they seem to come back again. At least the symptoms of menopause do. One of the most aggravating hormonal changes affects the breasts fullness and firmness. Let’s not forget to give proper credit to gravity and lack of exercise. Your breasts are not only saggy, they’re tender, sometimes very tender. The sad truth is this discomfort can last for days.

For some reason our pain always is worse at night. This may be true of your tender breasts also. Possibly using a heating pad when you sleep could give you some relief from the discomfort. Some women have found applying Castor oil, lavender essential oil or natural progesterone cream soothing. It’s also possible you could alleviate some of the discomfort by reducing your intake of salt, salted foods and caffeine.

During the day, wear a proper bra, one that will keep your bosom off of your belly. Always wear a bra that’s not too snug and without underwires. To deal with the saggy factor, join a weightlifting class or get a good book that will show you the exercises to do to firm and lift your breasts. Supportive exercises and bras come in very handy during these trying times.

What’s The Matter With My Stomach?

As you age, it appears your stomach rebels. Indigestion is a daily grind, sometimes it’s so intense that your throat burns and your eyes water. If you add other factors like lack of exercise and weight gain, we ladies can suffer big time from abdominal discomfort. So you have a couple choices, grab an antacid or eat yogurt. It just isn’t any fun having to constantly deal with that irritating bloating and heartburn.

Does menopause have anything to do with your indigestion. In a word, yes. When your body reduces its production of estrogen during menopause the end 1000 result is gastric distress. Combine that with other age-related symptoms such as poor digestion and a decreased amount of the lactose enzyme that breaks down food and liquids and you become the uncomfortable victim of gastrointestinal distress. Not only are you downright miserable, but so is everyone else who happens to have the same room.

Suggestions For Elimination Of Discomfort

You should avoid certain fruits, high-sugar foods, cauliflower, onion and broccoli as they may irritate your intestines. The last thing you want to do is develop intestinal inflammation which will create extreme and painful indigestion. Your may also notice your tolerance for spicy foods has changed. Try eating moderate servings of fresh food whenever possible. If your indigestion is severe and remains severe, you will want to talk to your health care practitioner, who can give your a prescription medication to help relieve your discomfort. Don’t ignore severe indigestion; if untreated it can lead to ulcers, infection and acute gastritis.

For a more natural approach, try drinking herbals teas to restore some balance to your system; however, don’t mix teas. You might start with a cup of peppermint tea. Also, to assist your digestion process don’t allow stress or stressful subjects to be discussed at meal time. Set aside some quiet time to eat your meals and try to enjoy your food. Don’t eat while you are reading or watching TV.

I hope this information was helpful. Going through menopause is very trying and sometimes having a little bit of knowledge is helpful. Understand that you’re experiencing a normal part of life and even though there are times when you think you just can’t take another hot flash, hold on tight and keep the faith.

By: Loretta Moreland

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Loretta Moreland is an experienced health care provider who specializes in Elder Care
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As your hormones are going crazy and your body is trying it’s best to adjust, you’re going to have a lot of issues. Some are psychological (crying) and others are physical (discomfort - pain). This article is on the physical symptoms you might encounter with your breasts and stomach and what action you can take to try to alleviate some of your discomfort.

Why Are My Breasts So Sore? Is it Menopause?

Menopause brings all kinds of changes, your hormones are there, then they’re gone, then they seem to come back again. At least the symptoms of menopause do. One of the most aggravating hormonal changes affects the breasts fullness and firmness. Let’s not forget to give proper credit to gravity and lack of exercise. Your breasts are not only saggy, they’re tender, sometimes very tender. The sad truth is this discomfort can last for days.

For some reason our pain always is worse at night. This may be true of your tender breasts also. Possibly using a heating pad when you sleep could give you some relief from the discomfort. Some women have found applying Castor oil, lavender essential oil or natural progesterone cream soothing. It’s also possible you could alleviate some of the discomfort by reducing your intake of salt, salted foods and caffeine.

During the day, wear a proper bra, one that will keep your bosom off of your belly. Always wear a bra that’s not too snug and without underwires. To deal with the saggy factor, join a weightlifting class or get a good book that will show you the exercises to do to firm and lift your breasts. Supportive exercises and bras come in very handy during these trying times.

What’s The Matter With My Stomach?

As you age, it appears your stomach rebels. Indigestion is a daily grind, sometimes it’s so intense that your throat burns and your eyes water. If you add other factors like lack of exercise and weight gain, we ladies can suffer big time from abdominal discomfort. So you have a couple choices, grab an antacid or eat yogurt. It just isn’t any fun having to constantly deal with that irritating bloating and heartburn.

Does menopause have anything to do with your indigestion. In a word, yes. When your body reduces its production of estrogen during menopause the end 1000 result is gastric distress. Combine that with other age-related symptoms such as poor digestion and a decreased amount of the lactose enzyme that breaks down food and liquids and you become the uncomfortable victim of gastrointestinal distress. Not only are you downright miserable, but so is everyone else who happens to have the same room.

Suggestions For Elimination Of Discomfort

You should avoid certain fruits, high-sugar foods, cauliflower, onion and broccoli as they may irritate your intestines. The last thing you want to do is develop intestinal inflammation which will create extreme and painful indigestion. Your may also notice your tolerance for spicy foods has changed. Try eating moderate servings of fresh food whenever possible. If your indigestion is severe and remains severe, you will want to talk to your health care practitioner, who can give your a prescription medication to help relieve your discomfort. Don’t ignore severe indigestion; if untreated it can lead to ulcers, infection and acute gastritis.

For a more natural approach, try drinking herbals teas to restore some balance to your system; however, don’t mix teas. You might start with a cup of peppermint tea. Also, to assist your digestion process don’t allow stress or stressful subjects to be discussed at meal time. Set aside some quiet time to eat your meals and try to enjoy your food. Don’t eat while you are reading or watching TV.

I hope this information was helpful. Going through menopause is very trying and sometimes having a little bit of knowledge is helpful. Understand that you’re experiencing a normal part of life and even though there are times when you think you just can’t take another hot flash, hold on tight and keep the faith.

By: Loretta Moreland

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Loretta Moreland is an experienced health care provider who specializes in Elder Care
confidentialonlinepharmacy.blogspot.com
onlineherbalist.blogspot.com

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Menopause And Complications

Usually one in some 100 women will experience ovarian failure before the age of 40. A chilling fact is that a lot of them have complications because of this and some half of million women in the United States must have hysterectomies. Other severe complications would involve the compleat removal of both ovaries.

Complications will most often appear in women that are experiencing an earlier menopause than it should be. The natural way, meaning the right way that it should be, usually involves the estrogen level dropping easily during the time of 2 to 10 years. In the case of surgically induced menopause the estrogen level suffers a sudden drop, fact witch can lead to complications in that particular woman.

Vasomotor symptoms are not that often and not to big in intensity in the case of general older women that are going through menopause the natural way. Its progression is rather smooth with the usual case of a bad month followed by some good month with out pain or other strange symptoms. On the other hand, severe reactions may be felt by more younger patients the effects also being more drastic. Practice done by certain doctors have shown that surgically menopausal women are very predisposed to suffer from vasomotor symptoms, reactions being very severe and spacing over a period of over 8 years. Natural menopausal women seemed to have almost none of those severe symptoms with the exception of some hot flashes. Nature has its more milder ways of getting women trough this harsh times, and although complications do appear they are rarely severe and usually go away in maximum 2 years.

Because of nasty side effects immediately after the surgery caused by bilateral oophorectomy, patients may not be able to take the medication orally, especially the estrogen pills. For this reason patches that have the same role have been developed. The advantage of these patches is that they release the estrogen gradually in the blood stream over the period of days, thus balancing levels in the body.

Patches deliver estradiol by being placed on the lower abdomen (estradiol being the primary hormone produced by the female ovaries). Modern development has made it smaller than it was and also more resistant to daily activities like showers or changing clothes. They have even gone so far as to make it swim proof, thus the fact that it has to be changed only twi 1000 ce a week. It is very useful against symptoms caused by an estrogen crash.

As in all other diseases and illnesses exceptions do exist, this way women that have complications are not advised to use estrogens. Side effects may be very severe.

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By: Groshan Fabiola

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Did you know that it’s only recently that there has been a strong push by the medical industry to “medicalize’ the perfectly natural condition known as menopause. The medical industries concept of “treating” menopause as an illness was born with the advent of antidepressants and tranquilizers in the mid to late 1950’s.

It’s something we’ve all seen before. From puberty to childbirth, the medical profession does it’s very best to “medicalize” each and every condition that it possibly can. How many young women are being placed on birth control pills during puberty to “regulate” their cycles, even though though their cycles are supposed to be irregular during that point in their lives?

Even childbirth was once considered a perfectly natural event. Sometime during our grandmother’s time, childbirth moved out of the midwife’s hands at home, into the doctor’s hands at the hospital. While the results of that change weren’t universally negative (infant and maternal mortality rates were drastically reduced), the rate of cesarean births shot through the roof.

Most recently, there has been a strong push by the medical industry to “medicalize’ the perfectly natural condition known as menopause. The medical industries concept of “treating” menopause as an illness was born with the advent of antidepressants and tranquilizers in the mid to late 1950’s. Although first used in mental hospitals, the pharmaceutical companies quickly grasped that a much larger market could be tapped in the form of middle-aged women. By the sixties, these drugs (among other psychotropics) were being widely promoted to doctors as a method to “cure” their menopausal patients of their “symptoms”. Although prescribing tranquilizers as a form of treatment was quickly abandoned, the damage had been done: Menopause was now thought of as an “illness” that needed to be treated.

This approach then shifted quickly from the mind to the body. According to doctors, the women who were experiencing these menopause symptoms weren’t nuts, they were just had a “estrogen deficiency disease”. This, despite the fact that if estrogen deficiency were really a disease, all men should have been declared chronically ill. Instead, doctors declared this “disease” to be the result of a problem specific to females which they defined in the gynecological texts as ovarian or reproductive “failure”. In short, women who were entering this perfectly natural stage in their reproductive lives were being labeled as “sick” failures. What’s worse is that this type of thinking continues to dominate the medical approach to menopause. It’s an approach that echoes the age old attitudes that were held about menstruation and childbirth. While men are free to naturally progress from youth to old age, women’s progression through life leads to “illness” and “disease”.

A perfect demonstration of this attitude can be demonstrated by a 1967 entry in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society by F.P.Rhoades which went so far as to call menopause a tragedy: “Many women are leading an active and productive life when this tragedy strikes. They are still attractive and mentally alert; they deeply resent what to them is a catastrophic attack upon their ability to earn a living and enjoy life.” (Rhoades, F.P. “Minimizing the menopause.” Journal of the American Geriatric Society 1969; 15(4):346-354)

Today, despite the fact that more and more medical professionals have begun to accept a less melodramatic approach to menopause; describing it as simply the transitional period from reproductive to non-reproductive status, many of the “old school” still prefers to approach menopause as a disease, which can have a number of unfortunate implications. On a practical level (the one that is further trumpeted by the pharmaceutical companies), it implies a distinct need for medication. In their opinion, it is a disease to be “treated” like any other. Unfortunately, this has led to a mindset among middle-aged women that they are ill simply because they have entered the “change”.

Follow the Money - Menopause is Big Business

Despite the fact that women in so many other cultures experience menopause as a natural stage of life, there is one overwhelming reason why menopause has been turned into a “disease”. In a word - money, money, money. The fact is, diseases need treatment, and (at least in the for-profit health system that exists in the United States) treatment costs money. The medical establishment in the U.S. has long been both a victim and willing participant of manipulation by the pharmaceutical industry.

Although we may think of the medical establishment as (*ahem*) above manipulation and the drug makers as altruistic, the fact is that the big pharmaceutical industry exists first and foremost as a vast profit machine. You need look no further than the relatively recent proliferation of television advertisements that are touting drugs for treating “conditions’ that just a few years ago literally did not exist. Couple that with the fact that they are just as adept at marketing to medical professionals as they are to the general public (if not more so), and you have the perfect environment for creating the perception that the body’s natural processes not only need to be treated, but that it will actually be harmful NOT to do so.

Furthering this climate is the ongoing perception that because medical “treatments” are scientific, that the doctors simply MUST be right. If the doctors say I need hormones because my body is “broken”, then it must be true, right?

The Media - A Willing Accomplice

Unfortunately, big drug companies and medical professionals are not the only one responsible for perpetuating the myth of menopause as a disease. The mass media have been more than willing and eager to spread the misinformation touted by big pharma. Almost weekly, the media confuse press releases, marketing, and tentative findings generated from very small studies as if they had already been proven in the mainstream. On the cover of the December 1995 Reader’s Digest Premarin was boldly labeled the “pill that keeps women young”, this despite the fact that an insert for Premarin stated plainly that ” You may have heard that taking estrogens for long periods (years) after menopause will keep your skin soft and supple and keep you feeling young. There is no evidence this is so and such long-term treatment may carry serious risks.”

Many popular women’s magazine are even encouraged to run as many stories as possible about osteoporosis and heart disease, which attracts plenty of ads for hormone replacement therapy. Think that’s a coincidence? consider this example:

In the first edition of Prevention magazine (a very popular monthly health magazine geared towards baby boomers), there were at least two major articles touting the advantages of hormone replacement therapy. In that very same issue were ads for Premarin. When they later ran articles advancing soy protein as an alternative to expensive estrogen treatment for reducing hot flashes, there were no hormone replacement drug ads to be found.

Is it any wonder that so many women are confused about their choices for dealing with the change? With so many people and companies invested in keeping menopause classified (at least in the minds of women) as a disease that needs medical treatment, it is getting harder and harder to filter out the noise and find what will option work for YOU.

Alternatives to Drugs - From the West to the East

The good news is, thanks to the internet there is a pelthora of information covering natural and alternative remedies for menopause. Form natural supplements and herbs, to acupuncture and other alternative treatments, there are some great treatments that involve less risk and changes to your lifestyle than a strictly pharmacological approach. Here’s a lsit of a few of the herbs that have been found useful (I recommend you Google each one) in treating many of the various symptoms of menopause:

• Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

• Chaste tree (Vilex agnus- castus)

• Damiana (Turnera diffuse)

• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

• Dong quai (Angelica sinensis)

• False unicorn root (Chamaelirium luteum)

• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

• Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus, Panax quinquefolius)

• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

• Liferoot (Senecio Bursas)

• Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

• Red clover (Tritolium pretense)

• Sage (Salvia officinalis)

• St. Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

• Sarsaparilla (Smilax officinalis)

• Saw palmetto (Serenoa serrulata)

• Shepherd’s purse (CapseIla bursapastoris)

• True unicorn root (Aletris farinosa)

• Wild yam (Dioscarea villosa)

There are, of course, legitimate uses for almost every approach to “treating” menopause symptoms. However, I recommend you weigh ALL the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, the possible benefits to alternative treatments, and find what’s right for YOU.

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Herbs are nature’s gifts to mankind. Unlike synthetic drugs, herbs can help to rebalance your body without side affects.

If you are looking for natural relief of your menopause symptoms, the following herbs have been used by women since ancient times. Use them with wisdom (more is not necessarily better), and you will gain its healthy benefits.

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa): Contains phytoestrogens, which are chemicals found in plants that are similar to the female sex hormone oestrogen; the ovaries stop producing this hormone during menopause which may result in menstrual irregularities.

Black Cohosh herb has been found to be affective for hot flashes, vaginal dryness, osteoporosis and even arthritis; due to its antispasmodic properties it may help relieve menstrual cramps by raising the blood flow to the uterus .

Studies have found that black cohosh is safe, but its not encouraged for women who have breast cancer or for pregnant women, as it may stimulate contractions and lead to premature labor. Women with heavy flooding should not use black cohosh.

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus): a hormonal regulator is an ancient herbal remedy that was originally used to reduce female sexual desire.

Vitex helps to normalize the hormones in a woman, specifically the estrogen and progesterone ratio, which in turns relieves PMS and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and irregular periods.

Caution: Side effects are very rare. Consult with your healthcare provider if taking dopamine receptor agonists and dopamine blocking agents such as dopamine metoclopramide. The potential interactions are theoretical, has not been documented.

False Unicorn (Chamaelirium luteum) :The root has steroidal saponins which has medicinal effects, and makes it a effective uterine tonic that stimulates ovarian hormones and is useful during the early stages of menopause. It has the ability to balance hormones which helps with menopausal symptoms. It helps with painful menstruation, irregular cycles and low sex drive. Even treats venereal disease if used as a douche to help heal the infection.

Caution: No known research has been conducted with this herb. As always, check with your health provider if taking medication.

Gingko Biloba (Ginkgoaceae): The Ginkgo tree has been around for over 200 million years and is one of the oldest living tree species on earth; individual trees live up to 1,000 years.

Clinical studies have shown its effectiveness in improving circulation and blood flow to the brain, and is used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s. It also has been shown to be effective for tinnitus (ringing of the ear).

Caution: If taking warfarin, antiplatelet agents or aspirin, it can increase risk for bleeding. Other than this, the herb is well tolerated.

Lady’s Mantle(Alchemilla vulgaris ): Is commonly used to reduce heavy bleeding associated with periods and helps with the symptoms of menopause. It has anti-inflammatory properties; it’s great as a digestive aid, a soothing douche, and for diarrhea due to its astringent properties. In ancient times and in Arab countries, women consider this herb a beauty tonic.

Caution: No known research has been conducted with this herb. As always, check with your health provider if taking medication.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): As women enter menopause there is a risk for developing osteoporosis (bone loss). Several studies indicate that the extract of red clover isoflavones may be helpful in slowing bone loss and increasing mineral density; also useful for reducing hot flashes. This versatile herb is also suggested for chronic skin problems such as adult eczema and psoriasis. Has also been used in the treatment of cancer and tumors.

Caution: No known research has been conducted with this herb. As always, check with your health provider if taking medication.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): A soothing herb that grows in North America, Asia, and Europe.

Has been traditionally used centuries for sleep disorders, panic attacks and anxiety. Also used to relieve muscle cramps associated with stress, PMS and menstrual cramps.

Caution: Do not exceed recommended dosage. Extremely high dosages may cause a weakening of the heartbeat and paralysis.

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Author: Marie Jimenez-Beaumont

http://naturesmenopauserelief.com

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In many industrialized countries, menopause can be a time of great discomfort and stress. Menopause is not a disease, to be viewed as something to be ‘treated’, but a passage in life from childbearing years. The symptoms American women may experience include hot flashes, mood swings, irregular bleeding, memory problems, decreased sexual interest and other changes that effect the enjoyment of sex. Although dietary habits and amount of activity a woman engages in can decrease many of these problems, genetics and previous health can also play a role in how severe the symptoms can be for a woman.

Multiple studies today indicate that taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may not be as safe as previously believed. As just one example, in July, 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative Study published results that demonstrated that the risks of HRT outweighed the benefits. Now more and more women entering menopause are considering ‘natural’ solutions to resolving uncomfortable symptoms of this life transition.

There are three particular herbs of interest when entering menopause. They include Black Cohosh, Chaste Tree Berry and Red Clover.

Black Cohosh

Black Cohosh is also known as Black Snakeroot, Bugwort, Rattleweed, Snakeroot, among other names. Black Cohosh was first used medicinally by Native Americans who introduced it to European colonists. Do not confuse black Cohosh with two unrelated plants, Blue Cohosh and White Cohosh.

Black Cohosh is one of the most popular herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms. Overall, the research supports that using Black Cohosh can help reduce menopause-related hot flashes. The research is a bit mixed on exactly how Black Cohosh works and if it has estrogen-like activity. Some research does show that in any estrogen-like activity, this activity does not pertain to the reproductive organs, such as breast, endometrium, and ovaries. A big question for women going into menopause is whether this is a safe herb for women with a history of cancer; the research generally says it is. However, for all women, this herb should not be taken for unlimited amounts of time.

There are also concerns of liver toxicity with the use of Black Cohosh. Until more is known, anyone who wishes to take Black Cohosh should consult their health practitioner and monitor their liver function to be on the safe side. It would also be wise to avoid taking it along with other herbs that may increase the risk of liver damage, which include androstenedione, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, germander, kava, niacin, pennyroyal oil, red yeast, and others.

Remifemin, a branded black Cohosh product, has been used in Germany since the mid-1950s to manage menopause. Research that has been done generally has used either Remifemin or two other products produced by Enzymatic Therapy and Phytopharmica.

As mentioned earlier, before taking this and most other supplements, make sure to discuss them with your doctor, particularly if you are taking any prescripti 175e on medications or have any medical conditions. All herbs do have various interactions with other substances.

Chaste Tree Berry

Chaste Tree Berry is also known as Vitex, Chinese Vitex, Hemp Tree, and Mang Jing Zi, among others. An interesting bit of history is that historians say that monks chewed Chaste Tree parts to make it easier to maintain their celibacy.

This herb has been most often recommended for relieving symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as bloating, headaches and cramping. Although this is where most of the research has focused, it is now being studied to see if it can help with menopausal symptoms as well, and has also become quite popular for this use although there have only been three studies looking into how it could help with hot flashes in menopause.

The therapeutic effects of Chaste Tree Berry have primarily been attributed to its indirect effects on various neurotransmitters and hormones. It seems to increase levels of progesterone and decrease levels of estrogen. Theoretically, Chaste Tree Berry might interfere with the action of dopamine antagonists such as antipsychotic drugs due to dopaminergic effects of Chaste Tree Berry. It is believed that this herb could interfere with any hormone-related medications. Finally, there is a report that some women who were receiving invitro fertilization procedures and taking Chaste Tree Berry were unable to get pregnant. Consequently, if you are taking any medications or have a history of any medical conditions, speak to your health professional before starting this herb.

This is an herb that is not recommended for women with a history of any hormone-related cancers. However, for others it does appear to be safe. So, particularly for women who suffer from PMS or have mild menopausal-related hot flashes without a history of cancer, this could be an effective herbal remedy.

Red Clover

Other names for Red Clover include Genistein, Meadow Clover, Purple Clover, Trifolium, among others. Do not confuse Red Clover with Sweet Clover, Soy or Liverwort, however.

As a food, Red Clover is considered safe. Medicinally, there have only been four studies on Red Clover for menopause and three of these showed no benefit. Research has considered a possible blood cholesterol-lowering affect, decreasing prostrate size, and perhaps a positive effect on cancer, but research has not definitively supported any of these benefits, yet.

There is some evidence that red clover isoflavones can inhibit oxidative and conjugative metabolism. The list of possible drug and herbal interactions is so large that the best recommendation is to never consider this herb without a long discussion with your doctor, or avoid this herb completely.

This is an herb that appears to be safest when eaten as opposed to taken as a nutrition supplement. Although it could be safe for healthy persons with no medical history or on medications or other herbs, it does not appear to relieve any menopause symptoms. It also is an herb recommended to be avoided by any woman with a history of cancer.

We have just reviewed three popular herbs taken to relieve menopause symptoms. Of the three, the one with the best safety and effectiveness profile is Black Cohosh. Chaste Tree Berry has been shown to be most effective for PMS and should not be taken by women with a history of breast cancer. Red Clover appears to be something safer to eat than take as a supplement and should be avoided by women with a history of cancer, as well as people on any other medication or herbal product. Something that I hope readers were able to realize is that although herbs are a natural form of medication, they still do work like drugs and should be taken as seriously as prescription medications are. Interactions are possible with all substances and before taking any herbal product, I highly recommend that you consult with a healthcare professional with adequate education and background to help you make an informed decision on how to best handle symptoms.

Finally, it’s important to point out that in some societies there is not even a word for menopause. Women pass through this stage of life without notice. This makes it very clear that lifestyle has much to do with how a woman experiences this period of time in her life. If you currently suffer from symptoms of menopause, there are several things that you should evaluate. These include:

The amounts of fruits, vegetable and whole grains you eat daily,

Your intake of saturated fat, animal products and refined foods,

Your alcohol intake and smoking habits,

Regular exercise habits.

Each of these factors plays a large role in not only your health but how you experience the journey through menopause.

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Author: Marjorie Geiser

Marjorie Geiser helps people overcome their confusion and distress they may feel when trying to add healthy eating and fitness into their busy lives. She offers a free, monthly newsletter on various topics of health. She is a Registered Dietitian, Personal Trainer and Life Coach. To learn more about her services, go to her website at http://www.megfit.com or email her at margie@megfit.com.

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As we discussed in part 1 of this series, again the choices seem endless and can be confusing, especially with all the often conflicting reports and advice from the experts and the self-proclaimed experts. Here we will weed out the safe and reliable options from the snake oil in nature-based menopause medication.

We have probably all heard lately the scary, conflicting and sometimes confusing reports about the potential dangers of using hormone replacement therapy. Because of this, many women have turned to alternative therapies for help with their symptom relief, and you may want to do the same before choosing prescription menopause medication, or perhaps you will be one of the women who feel a combination works best for them.

• Deep breathing and relaxation exercises, as well as yoga or other forms of exercise, may reduce hot flashes and even emotional discomfort. You can also use this in addition to more traditional treatment, such as hormone replacement therapy, to help manage symptoms.
• Black cohosh, available as a supplement alone or in combination with other products available over the counter, may prevent or relieve menopause symptoms in some women. Studies show mixed results, though, so it may or may not work for you. If you choose to use it during perimenopause or menopause, be sure to let your healthcare provider know you are using it and get regular checkups.
• Soy. Making soy a regular part of your diet may help reduce and regulate your menopause symptoms, and it can have other health benefits as well, especially in menopausal women. If you think tofu is your only option, think again. There are many delicious products available to us. Experts agree that soy foods - yummy yogurt, nutrition bars, roasted nuts - are preferable to soy supplements. If you do choose soy as a part of your menopause regimen, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about other medications or conditions you may have. As with anything in life, moderation is key.

Alternative Therapies You May Want to Avoid

Not all natural therapies are necessarily harmless or good for us. According to WebMD, here are some treatments not recommended as part of your menopause medication therapy plan.

• Kava, evening primrose, dong quai, valerian, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and angelica.
• Wild yam or natural progesterone creams.

These products have been shown to simply not work as advertised or may even be harmful. Often they are processed in a unsafe or unsanitary manner.

In spite of this, if you do decide to add one of these to your menopause medication regime, again, be sure to inform your healthcare practitioner about just what you are using, how much you are taking, and why you are using these products. Always obtain them through the most reputable and trusted manufacturers available who follow safe and appropriate guidelines and quality control to make sure you get on the best natural medication available.

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Menopause is the stage of a woman’s life when she has to pause the activities of her life. This is not easy for any women to get rid of her responsibilities and set aside her regular activities. Menopause is the phase when the resistance of a woman’s patience is concluded. Menopause is the phase that brings so many changes in a woman body. The changes occur in a body because of decrease in production of essential hormones. Menopause causes pain in the body muscles, change in menstruation cycle, inadequate sleep, stress and depression.

During menopause women may experience mood swings, change in moods for no reason. The cause of depression is the stress of menopause. The symptoms of menopause have adverse affect on a female body. Women become restless due to disturbance while sleeping. At the same time, women have to deal with her family, friends, finances and work. The normal activities look like over burden on life. Because of the drastic change in the body female feel depressed and stressful.

The changes in the body are the result of the organs that stop producing the hormones to balance the biological activities. The essential hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which controls the brainwaves, temperaments, menstruation cycle of a female body, become inadequate in the body. As a result, the female feel depressed. Depression is the state when a person thinks deep about any impression and this deep thinking results as depression. In depression, a female may feel ignored, over exhausted, Helpless to share her physical problems. Because of this feeling, the female may feel of attempting suicide. Thinking negative about events, pessimistic about life, unusual anger or crying is the beginning symptoms of depression. Women who have a history of mood swings in past are relatively more prone to face serious depression during menopause.

Females who had taken surgical treatments for menopause are having higher side of risk of having depression. If a woman has a smoking habit, she is considered more at risk for depression during menopause.

Depression should not be ignored considering it as a normal mood swing.

Depression is a very serious problem that occurs due to hormonal changes in a female. Depression can lead a person to feel like worthless and ignored in life. A worse depression can turn into suicidal act. Depression is the phase when a being undergoes deep thinking in passive terms. Female should take proper medication to cure it. The medicines should not be stopped without consulting the physician. Some behavior therapies are also available to control the emotions during depression. During menopause, hormone replacement therapy is helpful source to restore the lost hormones to overcome the depression.

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"Does Menopause last long?" is often a question women ask their doctors. Women who are looking for menopause relief are always waiting for the end to come near. For many women, menopausal symptoms cause pain and are very uncomfortable, so they are looking for the end from the moment perimenopause begins.

How Long Does Normal Menopause Last?

For most women, they can expect all the stages of menopause to last between four and five years. From the first early symptom or sign to the last, hot flashes can actually range from one year to eight years. This is not much relief for women who have been suffering for several years already.

Premenopausal woman may already be experiencing the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause and wondering when it will all be over. Unfortunately, there is no specific time frame for menopause. Some people believe that women who have had heavy periods will have longer menopauses than people who have had lighter periods. Others believe that the earlier menopause or perimenopause sets in, the longer it is going to last.

The Average Length of Time

There is no strong evidence to support any predictors for the length of menopause. Every woman is different and every woman will experience menopause at a different pace. On average, a woman who is suffering from premenopausal issues will have four years before their period has disappeared. It may take longer for all hot flashes to disappear.

Relief for Symptoms

There are a variety of techniques available to help relieve the symptoms associated with menopause. Some of the most popular ways to relieve menopausal symptoms are:

* Medications like estrogen

* Herbal supplements like Black Cohosh and Chaste Tree Berry

* Reducing life stressors

* Exercise

* Eating right

Family and loved ones being supportive can also be a great relief for women suffering through menopause. Women who are surrounded by understanding people are going to have a much calmer menopause experience than a woman who is constantly struggling to get her symptoms heard and understood.

What can be done?

There is no predetermined amount of time that menopause will last. Some women may experience menopause symptoms for only a couple years while others may suffer for over five years. There is also no way to determine how uncomfortable the menopause process is going to be for a woman. Some women will not notice very many changes in their body as they breeze through menopause, while other women may feel like they are in agony for much of the process.

Relief of menopause symptoms can come from medication, herbal remedies, and emotional support. Although the time frame is unknown, women who have a good support system around them are more likely to find the menopause experience bearable.

For families who have a woman going through menopause, they can offer support by being understanding of the radical mood swings and bodily changes that the menopausal woman may be suffering from. Menopause is something that all women will go through at some point in their life. It is important to seek medical support as well as the support of family and friends during the long process of menopause.

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Author: Mike Jerry

Helping people who are experiencing the effects of menopause and perimenopause is our commitment! For beneficial tips, articles and other information sources please visit us at: http://www.yourmenopauserelief.com

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Keeping Sane During an Insane Period -

The symptoms of menopause can at times be overwhelming. Hot flashes that appear seemingly from nowhere; sleep disruptions due to hot flashes and tears at the drop of a hat, these are the things that make you feel as though you can’t survive menopause.

There’s no reason to feel like you have no coping strategies. There are many different ways to keep sane during your body’s insane period of changes. Utilize the many resources available on the Internet, your friends and family, and of course your family doctor.

Two of the most common symptoms and advice offered to help offset them are offered here:

Hot Flashes: The most common symptom of menopause and probably one of the most uncomfortable ones to endure. They can last anywhere from six months to many years.

Managing: Keep ice water or other cold beverages on hand; take a cold shower before going to bed at night; use cotton sheets on your bed; turn pillow often at night or keep a cold pack under the pillow.

Common triggers to recognize: warm environments; stress or anxiety; spicy foods, hot drinks; caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, sugar; and appetite suppressants.

Treatment Options: Increase vitamin E to 800 mg/day; increase soy protein; yoga or meditation; exercise; learn controlled breathing.

Mood Swings: Fluctuating hormones can lead to mood swings that make you feel like you’re riding a roller coaster every day. Half of all women will experience mood swings during perimenopause. Treatment should begin with lifestyle changes, then alternatives to medication and finally medication if needed.

Lifestyle Changes: Remove as many stressors as possible from your life; get plenty of sleep, eat a balanced diet; exercise more; avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. Make time for family and friends, those things that make you happy.

Alternative Medicine: Herbal supplements such as Black Cohosh, Vitamin E, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng; non-oral alternatives including massage and acupuncture. Research these areas to find more alternative methods.

Medication: This option should be the last option but should not be ruled out. You may need a doctor to intervene with medication if your mood swings become severe. HRT or hormone replacement therapy is a widely debated treatment option. Discuss this with your doctor and do your own research before deciding. There are also other medications that can help alleviate mood swings. Talk to your physician and get a second opinion if necessary.

There are as many treatment options for the symptoms of menopause as there are symptoms themselves. By using the research tools available through the Internet you can investigate your alternatives and be armed with information when you visit your doctor.

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Author: Julie F

Are you going through menopause and struggling with your symptoms? Have you gained weight as you have gotten older? If so, you can help both of these issues with an easy and healthy weight loss plan. Don’t wait another minute to feel better about yourself.

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