Learning How to Deal With Menopause
Learning how to deal with menopause
A woman’s life is often marked by drastic changes. From adolescence to her menopausal years, women strive to cope up with the remarkable changes that come their way.
According to medical experts, menopause is a very significant time in any woman’s life because this is the time her body goes through a lot of changes. These changesmostly physicalgreatly affect her social, emotional, and intellectual stability. Studies show that when a woman goes through her menopausal years, her feelings about herself and her attitude towards work and life in general changes considerably.
MENOPAUSE FACTS
Menopause is perfectly a natural occurrence in any woman’s life. Unlike before when menopause is dreaded like some sort of disease, medical advances today have proven that a wide range of health care choices can be done to help women cope up with their menopausal stage.
Learning what menopause is all about, what causes it and what are the things that can be done to enhance the quality of life during this phase will help women nearing it understand it fully. Knowledge about it can even teach women how to deal with the phase when it comes.
In medical terms, menopausemeno (menstruation) and pause (stops)refers to the last menstrual flow in a woman’s life or the end of a woman’s menstrual periods. Medical experts say that menopause is a natural part of aging and usually occurs when the woman’s ovaries stop making hormones called “estrogens.” When the ovaries stop producing estrogen, the estrogen level will drop and will halt monthly periods. Low estrogen levels are usually linked to many uncomfortable symptoms in most women. Since estrogen plays a big role in shaping a female’s body in preparation for various female functions such as pregnancy, it’s loss during menopausal years can create a big impact on a woman’s overall well being.
The climacteric spans of menopausal years are usually dated from early or mid 40s to late 50s to early 60s. The entire phase includes the pre-menopausal years (before menopause), the menopausal climax years (during menopause), and the post-menopausal years (after menopause) or the “Change of Life.” Aside from aging, menopause can also be triggered by surgical removal of the ovaries for any other reasons like illness.
Medical experts agree that about 75 percent of women across the globe report uncomfortable symptoms during menopause and these vary from the most common to the most complicated ones. Studies show that the most common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes and vaginal atrophy or thinning, drying, shrinking and thinning of the vagina. Other symptoms include hot flashes along with sudden and violent waves of sweating, irregular periods, vaginal or urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence or inability to control the flow of urine, redness or inflammation of the vagina, ultimate discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse, visible changes in skin, digestive tract, and hair.
Emotional changes like mood swings and depression are also distinguished during pre-menopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal years.
In the long run, more serious health risks are related to menopause or the lack of estrogen supply in a woman’s body. These include osteoporosis, heart diseases and heart attacks that can be traced due to being overweight or obesity, blood pressure that is monitored regularly, cigarette smoking, illness such as diabetes, high levels of “bad” cholesterol in the body and a low level of physical activities.
Menopause is usually determined after a woman has visited her physician. After the health history and physical examination has been diagnosed and conducted by the doctor, the appropriate therapy is then recommended to improve the menopausal discomfort. If you are on the verge of menopausal and you’re worried how to deal with it, make sure that you ask for professional help before anything gets worse.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Natural ways to deal with menopause/hysterectomy?
What resources would you recommend to learn about natural ways of dealing with menopause/hysterectomy?
I am 30 years of age and am facing losing my uterus to cancer.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Dr. John R. Lee has a few books out and they've really helped me open my eyes to the reality of the medical community in general.
"What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause" is the one I read. He also has a website - I think it's http://www.johnleemd.com
References :
November 25th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Black Cohosh works great for hot flashes/night sweats. It also benefits you, by helping with irritability. I use a product called Estroven. WalMart's version is called Estrablend, works great, and is cheaper than Estroven. I had a surgical hysterectomy at 27, and was having hot flashes before I left the hospital. Hormone replacement therapy was the answer for me. Later on, I started using the Black Cohosh and feel fine.
References :
November 25th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Hi Mennyd, no, only not hysterectomy. I not is supporter of this procedure. After the surgical procedure called hysterectomy, since hormone production has been altered, a woman may experience one or more of the following side effects: anxiety, depression, mood swings, dizziness and nervousness, fatigue, hair loss, headaches, heart palpitations, insomnia, irritability, joint pain, low sex drive, painful sexual intercourse, memory lapses, unexplained weight gain, urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness,….
Women who have had a hysterectomy are at increased risk for developing heart disease, arthritis and osteoporosis.
There are conditions for which hysterectomy is advisable or medically necessary, especially if malignant cancer is involved. The presence of malignant ovarian, uterine, or cervical cancer, uncontrollable bleeding, severe endometriosis (adenomyosis) and complex hyperplasia would justify the hysterectomy procedure.
After a hysterectomy, women will experience a deficiency of two critical hormones – progesterone and testosterone. If only the uterus is removed in a partial hysterectomy, progesterone levels will fall dramatically in one to two months and estrogen levels will decrease in one or two years. Progesterone deficiency is related to numerous side effects including the side effects of a hysterectomy listed above. Progesterone deficiency is related to increased risk of developing certain kinds of cancer, including endometrial cancer. Testosterone deficiency in women causes low sex drive, low energy levels, thyroid deficiency and depression, for which there is no clear medical explanation.
There are effective alternative and less radical treatment for common menopausal symptoms. For example: for "hot flashes" you can use Black Cohosh (also known as squaw root, black snake root or rattle weed).
Many women experiencing menopausal symptoms also have difficulty sleeping, you can use Kava. Kava (or Kawa) is used throughout the world as a remedy for anxiety and insomnia. Other remedies proven effective for treating insomnia and sleeplessness are Valerian root.
Women becoming depressed and moody during menopause, these symptoms are very serious and if not treated properly can become dangerous and harmful. St. John’s Wart (also known as goat weed) has proven to be an affective antidepressant in reversing the feelings of depression which many menopausal women experience.
Abnormal hair growth (also called hirsuitism) is perhaps one of the most embarrassing symptoms for women suffering from menopause. Saw Palmetto (also known as Serenoa repens or windmill palm) is used for women who are experiencing abnormal hair growth during menopause.
Jason Homan
References :
http://www.askedweb.com/askedweb/Category:Medicine/
The AskedWeb.com information portal … »
November 25th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Homeopathic Treatment(s) for Menopause Symptoms :-
Aversion to bathing; tiresome, loosing weight; hot and itchy feeling Sulphur 200, 4 hourly (3 Doses)
Melancholic, irritable and talkative patient. Burning sensation all over the body. Cannot bear touch even of clothes. Dark coloured haemorrhage. Distressing headache, palpitaion and haemorrhoids. Worse after sleep Lachesis 200 or 1M, weekly (3 Doses)
Weeping disposition; changeable temper; hot perspiration in close and warm room; loss of thirst; desire for open,cold air Pulsatilla 200 or 1M, weekly (3 Doses)
Tired feeling due to over work; pale, flabby, relaxed and chilly patient Calcarea Carb 200 or 1M, weekly (3 Doses)
Tall, thin, easily depressed patient; dislikes sympathy. Bearing down pains, haemorrhage with prolapsus of uterus; leucorrhoea with dyspepsia or constipation. Hot flushes; tendency to faint Sepia 200 or 1M weekly (3 Doses)
Small bones is painful in morning with acidity; dirty coated tongue; filthy taste and bad breath; pallore and chilliness; worse in cold weather. Facial neuralgia due to suppression of leucorrhoea; better sea side Medorrhinum 200 or 1M, weekly (3 Doses)
Rheumatism of muscles of the back and soreness of neck.Violent headache; patient feels as if top of the head is torn off Actaea Racemosa 30, 4 hourly
Physical symptoms disappear as mental symptoms develop. Arrogant and proud patient; contempt for others. Excessive bleeding of dark clotted blood with pain in ovaries. Nymphomania Platina 200 or 1M, weekly (3 Doses) .
No side effects or complications if taken as directed, please do not exceed the given dosage and under any circumstances do not try to mix any remedies and avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.
Take Care and God Bless You !
References :
Homeopathic Practitioner.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Chinese medicine has rich experieinces in women problems
http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/exam/index.html
References :
November 25th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
My mother in law just had to have a hysterectomy and it was due to a tumor in her uterus. She started taking X20 immediately after her surgery and all through her chemo and radiation and it helped her a lot, she is not as fatigued or down after the surgery or even during all the chemo and stuff. Please go to this site and research it.
http://www.xoomaworldwide.com/krystynasherrer
and research the product and in the product you can link to testimonies and at the bottom of the page you can search for key words and type in your key work and you can see how it has helped other people too. It also does many other great things for you and it is not that much. Look into it. It is great. My family and I take it also and it helps with a wide variety of things by balancing out your body. Please look into it, it is a great help.
References :
November 25th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Try the Natural Cures.
The menopause or a woman’s change of life is a perfectly normal event which occurs in the mid or late 40s, but you are too young for it, sorry to hear it. It signifies the end of the female reproductive period of life which commenced at adolescence in the early teens. There are several misconceptions about menopause. Many women at this time feel that they are growing old and that they are well past their full physical vigor. Other women feel that the menopause brings a cessation of sexual pleasure. These apprehensions are far from true. Menopause may be considered an end to women’s fertility but certainly not to her virility. It does not decrease a woman’s physical capacity or sexual vigor or enjoyment.
Symptoms: During the menopause, the entire chain of endocrine glands is disturbed, particularly the gonads, thyroid and pituitary. In a really healthy woman, the menopausal change takes place without any unpleasant symptoms. The only sign that the "change" taking place is the cessation of menstrual flow. There are, however, many women who do not enjoy good health due to dietetic errors and a faulty style of living. In these cases, the menopausal change often leads to all kinds of distressing physical, emotional, and nervous symptoms and manifestations. Hot flashes, night sweats, nervous tension, menstrual disturbances, insomnia, diminished interest in sex, irritability, and depression are the typical symptoms of menopause. Other symptoms are chilly feelings, fatigue, palpitation, dizziness, headaches and numbness. Not every women will get these severe reactions. The severity or otherwise of the symptoms depend on a variety of factors such as general health, previous surgery and radiation. Menopause and its problems are usually over when menstruation stops.
Causes: The annoying symptoms associated with menopause arise from the fact that the ovaries are no longer producing their normal amount of estrogen, the dominant female hormone. Anything which interferes with the normal functioning of the ovaries may also bring about these symptoms. The same strange feelings may occur if the ovaries are removed by surgery because of disease. This can also result from heavy X-ray therapy or the use of radiation. A lack of normal hormone balance may also result in a severe backache. This is caused by thinning of the bones arising from the low level of estrogen in the bloodstream. Unless properly treated, this may eventually lead to a collapse of one or more of the vertebrae.
Treatment: Although menopause cannot be avoided, it can be postponed for as long as 10 to 15 years and it can be made a smooth affair when it comes, with a proper nutritional programme, special supplements and the right mental attitude. When a woman is affected by the menopausal change to any marked extent, it is a sure sign that her body is in a toxic condition and in need of a thorough cleansing. For this purpose, she should undergo a course of natural health building treatment. Diet is of utmost importance in such a scheme of treatment. In fact the problems at menopause are often much more severe than that at puberty largely because the diet has been deficient for many years prior to its onset, in many nutrients such as protein, calcium, magnesium, vitamins D, E, and pantothenic acid. The diet should be made up from three basic food groups, namely (i) seeds, nuts, and grains (ii) vegetables and (iii) fruits. The emphasis should be on vitamin E-rich raw and sprouted seeds and nuts, unpasteurised high quality milk and homemade cottage cheese and an abundance of raw, organically grown fruits and vegetables. Plenty of freshly made juices of fruits and vegetables in season should also be included in this diet.
All processed, refined and denatured foods, such as white sugar, white flour and all articles made with them, should be completely eliminated. Take special supplements such as vitamins C, B6 and pantothenic acid, which have a specific property of stimulating the body’s own production of estrogen or enhancing the effect of the existing estrogen. During menopause, the lack of ovarian hormones can result in a severe calcium deficiency. For this reason, a larger than usual intake of calcium may help greatly. Vitamins D and F are also essential for assimilation of calcium. Any woman having difficulty at this time should supplement her daily diet with 1,000 units of natural vitamin D, 5000 milligrams of magnesium and two grams of calcium daily, which can be supplied by one quart of milk. During the menopause, the need for vitamin E soars 10 to 50 times over that previously required. Hot flashes, night sweats, and other symptoms of menopause often disappear when 50 to 100 units of vitamin E are taken daily. The symptoms recur quickly if the vitamin is discontinued.
Of late, it has become popular to take estrogen to prevent or postpone menopausal symptoms. Although hormone therapy is apparently successful and will, in many cases, help the patient to feel and act younger, it cannot be recommended in all cases because of its carcinogenic effect. If, however, estrogen therapy is undertaken, it should never be administered at the same time as vitamin E therapy. Ingestion of estrogen and vitamin E should be separated by several hours. Beet juice has been found very useful in menopausal disorders. It should be taken in small quantities of 60 to 90 ml at a time thrice a day. It has proved much more permanently helpful than the degenerative effects of drugs or synthetic hormones. Carrot seeds have also been found valuable in menopausal tension. A teaspoonful of the seeds should be boiled in a glassful of cow’s milk for about 10 minutes and taken daily as a medicine in this condition.
Plenty of outdoor exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming, horse riding, or cycling, is imperative to postpone menopause. Other helpful measures in this direction are avoiding mental and emotional stress and worries, especially worry about growing old, sufficient sleep, and relaxation and following all general rules of maintaining a high level of health. The healthier a woman is, the fewer menopausal symptoms she will experience.
The menopause can be made a pleasant affair by building bodily health and a sane mental outlook. From puberty to menopause, a woman has been somewhat of a slave to her female glands. At specified intervals she was inconvenienced by her menstrual periods. She bore children, enduring the pain and discomfort of pregnancy. Menopause relieves her of this bondage to her femininity. She can now experience some of the happiest days of a woman’s life. A whole new life is given to her, if she is wise enough to prepare for it and accept it as such.
Hope this helps, Good Luck.
References :
Research Study.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Kava Kava and Valerian Root Help with alot of stress, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Extra Calcium because it helps regulate hormones in women. No caffiene because it causes more problems and depletes what calcium you have. Lots of Vit. C too. It helps with depression and also try keeping a journal of some sort it will help you determine if there is some kind of pattern. It will also help you avoid stress if it seems to come at the same time. Walking is also the best exercise you can do. Especially if you can get outside and walk. My mom had a Hysterectomy at 32 and she didn't have menopause till 45ish. It lasted a few years and now at 48 she is doing much better. I am 32 now and not having the problems she did because I do some of this stuff now. Good luck!
References :
Life
November 25th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
try arbonne's natural balance cream they are awesome!
References :
http://www.myarbonne.c o m