Menopause: Natural Treatment Options

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Menopause: Natural Treatment Options

 

• Signs and Symptoms

• What Causes It?

• What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

• Treatment Options

• Complementary and Alternative Therapies

 

 

 

Menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. It is a

normal biological event (except with surgery). Women begin menopause

at the average age of 51. Although women now live longer, the age at

which menopause begins has not changed. This means most women will

live a third of their lives after menopause.

 

 

 

Signs and Symptoms

 

• Menstrual bleeding slows and then stops; process takes about

four years

• Hot flashes—flushing of face and upper trunk; may occur with

heart palpitations, dizziness, headaches

• Night sweats—depression and irritability may result from insomnia

• Cold hands and feet

• Vaginal symptoms—dryness, bleeding after intercourse, itching

• More frequent urination, burning, nighttime urination

• Depression, irritability, tension; usually occurs with sleep

disturbances

• Facial hair growth and wrinkles

• Osteoporosis—bone breaks become more likely

• Coronary heart disease (CHD)—twice as many women die from CHD

than cancer

 

 

What Causes It?

 

Lower estrogen and progesterone production--as the result of fewer

functioning follicles (the cell structure that houses the eggs)--

leads to the end of menstruation. There may be a genetic link for

the age of onset. Smoking lowers the age at which menopause begins.

 

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

 

Your health care provider will give you an examination that includes

a Pap smear and will describe the benefits and risks of different

treatments.

 

Treatment Options

Treatment Plan

 

Your health care provider will discuss with you the various drugs

available for the symptoms of menopause.

There are potentially serious side effects from these drugs.

Careful consideration of alternatives is justified.

 

Drug Therapies-Prescription

 

• Estrogen (HRT)increases your risk of getting breast cancer,

gallbladder disease, and blood clotting.

Side effects include bloating, nausea, adult-onset asthma,

and breast tenderness.

 

Complementary and Alternative Therapies-

 

Alternative medicine has much to offer for improving cardiovascular

health and preventing osteoporosis. Relaxation techniques, stress

management, yoga, and meditation can help with perimenopausal

symptoms. Exercise increases endorphin release, which helps relieve

pain and elevates mood. Walking, swimming, and biking are less

stressful on the joints.

 

Nutrition-

 

• Vitamin E (400 to 1,600 IU a day) can balance vasomotor

instability, decrease hot flashes, and is cardioprotective. High

doses are not recommended for women with high blood pressure.

 

• Take magnesium (1,500 mg a day) with meals.

 

• Avoiding smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and refined processed,

spicy foods may help decrease hot flashes.

 

• A combination of vitamin C (1,200 mg), hesperidin (900 mg), and

hesperidin methyl chalcone (900 mg) may relieve hot flashes.

 

• Gamma-oryzanol (from rice bran or rice bran oil) 300 mg per day gives partial

or total relief of hot flashes in over 80 percent of users.

 

Herbs-

 

Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas),

glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts).

 

Teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep

covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers; 10 to 20 minutes for

roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day.

 

 

• Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) relieves vasomotor symptoms

and depression; *Remifemin* is the most tested extract of black

cohosh. Long-term use is safe; 2 mg a day

www.enzy.com

 

• Angelica (Angelica archangelica) relieves vasomotor symptoms.

 

• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), an estrogen-balancing herb

especially for chronic stress; do not use if you have high blood

pressure; 250 mg three times a day, 30 to 60 drops tincture three

times a day, or 1 cup of tea three times a day

 

• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) improves circulation to cold hands and

feet; also used to treat depression; may take up to 12 weeks for

full effect; 120 mg two to three times a day

 

 

Acupuncture:

Acupuncture enhances endorphin release and stimulates kidney

function. It may also help to balance hormones and relieve vasomotor

symptoms.

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

We have made every effort to ensure that the information included in these pages

is accurate. However, we make no guarantees nor can we assume any responsibility

for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, or

process discussed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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