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What
is Menopause
Are you a woman
experiencing hot flashes and a disruption in your menstrual cycle?
It could be menopause.
What it
is
A
naturally occurring decline of the hormones associated with female
fertility, estrogen and progesterone, resulting in the cessation
of menstruation. Unfortunately it cannot be prevented and cannot
be predicted, but it is not a disease.
The average age
of the onset of menopause for most women is 47-51, and it can last
4-5 years.
A combination of
clinical symptoms associated with menopause are sometimes called
the ‘menopausal syndrome’
It is also known
as the climacteric or the change of life. Surgical or artificial
menopause may be induced after hysterectomy, radiation or chemotherapy.
Peri-menopause is
the time immediately before menopause; menopause or post menopause
is the time when menstrual cycles have completely stopped for one
year. Most people are talking about peri-menopause when discussing
menopause.
Postmenopausal women
are more at risk for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
Symptoms
of menopausal syndrome
- menstrual irregularities,
hot flashes and night sweats
- vaginal dryness
and thinning, urinary tract infections
- fatigue
- decreased libido
- mood swings,
depression and changes in memory and cognition
- sleep disturbance
- hair loss on
head and hair thinning
- hair growth and
acne of face, skin changes
- palpitations
- nausea
- headaches
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Diagnosis
of Menopausal syndrome
The diagnosis of
menopause is usually clear, based on age and the menstrual history.
Hormones levels can be evaluated, in particular follicle stimulating
hormone (FSH), which increases as ovarian function decreases, however
it is not diagnostic for menopause.
Postmenopausal woman
should have regular evaluations for bone density and cardiovascular
health.
Pharmaceutical
interventions
Hormone
Replacement therapy
Hormone replacement
therapy (HRT) is the most common treatment for menopausal symptoms.
The main pharmaceutical form is conjugated estrogens, with or with
synthetic progesterone (progestins). Traditionally conjugated estrogens
are obtained from pregnant horse’s urine, i.e. Premarin.
When conjugated
estrogens are given alone there is an increased risk of endometrial
(uterine) cancer, when given with progestin there is a slight decrease
in the risk, but it does not go away.
Although it was
originally thought that HRT reduced the risk for cardiovascular
disease (stroke, heart attack, embolism, deep vein thrombosis),
current research indicates it does not, and can increase the risk.
HRT should not be
used for anybody with an active or past incidence of cancer, liver
or gall bladder disease
HRT also increases
the risk of other conditions such as gall bladder disease, migraine
headaches, blood sugar problems and high cholesterol.
Natural
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Natural hormone replacement
therapy (NHRT), or bio-identical hormones, are natural based hormones
made from plants. Natural hormone preparations can be individually
prescribed and made by a compounding pharmacy. There is limited
research using bio-identical hormones, but they have been used by
health care practitioners with great success.
Antidepressants
As the use of HRT
becomes more dangerous, antidepressants are used with more frequency
for women who suffer form insomnia and depression. In some cases
antidepressants have helped with hot flashes. The main class of
antidepressants used is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(Prozac and Aropax are examples). These medications have several
side effects such as fatigues, rebound anxiety and sexual dysfunction.
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Lifestyle
and Dietary Modifications
With the increased
risk for heart disease, a healthy diet is more than important, it’s
essential. Focus on a high fiber, whole foods diet with modest amounts
of fat and carbohydrates and adequate protein.
Refined sugars should
be reduced, as rapid fluctuations in blood sugar may cause hot flashes.
Soy foods have been
shown to reduce menopausal symptoms. Cultures that include soy foods
in the diet have less menopausal complaints than cultures that do
not. Soy foods are tofu, soy milk, tempeh, and roasted soy nuts.
Only fermented soy foods should be consumed, unfermented soy foods
contain enzyme inhibitors and phytates that interfere with the absorption
of certain minerals. Soy products can also interfere with Thyroid
hormone activity, and interact with certain thyroid medications.
Other foods to include
are flax seeds, which can be ground into a meal and added to food.
Flax not only contains essential fatty acids, but also lignans that
have a phytoestrogen effect.
Avoiding hot and
spicy foods, which frequently can trigger hot flashes.
Avoidance of coffee
and caffeine containing products, not only to prevent hot flashes
but unfiltered coffee products have been sown to contribute to cardiovascular
disease.
Lifestyle
modifications
Quitting smoking
can reduce hot flashes, and improve overall bone density in postmenopausal
women.
Prevention of the
cardiovascular risk associated with menopause by aerobic exercise
and healthy eating.
Weight bearing exercise
is shown to improve bone mineral density
Reduce or limiting
alcohol intake; alcohol not only contributes to hot flashes, but
also to heart disease.
Keeping the ambient
temperature of a room constant and somewhat cool can reduce hot
flashes.
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Nutritional
Factors shown to be Beneficial
Soy isoflavones
The most abundant
soy isoflavones are genistein and daidzein.
The isoflavones in soy products are converted by the bacteria in
the large intestine to compounds that have weak estrogenic activity,
therefore they are considered phytoestrogens.
Phytoestrogens are thought to act in the human body by bonding weakly
with an estrogen receptor, therefore causing a smaller level of
activity. Soy isoflavones act on tissue in the uterus, ovaries,
breast, and brain. Some health care practitioners advise against
the use of soy products in certain kinds of cancers, especially
breast cancers. Current research is not clear.
Dose: 50 and 15 mg per day of soy isoflavones
Black Cohosh
(Cimicifuga racemosa)
The best-studied
herb is black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa). A standardized
extract of black cohosh manufactured in Germany is a popular substitute
for
HRT.
Black cohosh has been used to treat women’s health conditions
before it was known that it also contain isoflavone compounds. It
has an estrogen-like effect due to these compounds.
Dose of black cohosh: (300–2,000 mg
per day),
Black cohosh should
not be used by pregnant women. There are no known drug interactions.
Hesperidin/Vitamin
C
The combination of
vitamin C with the bioflavonoid hesperidin has been shown to reduce
the amount of hot flashes during menopause.
Does: 1000 mg Vitamin C with 1000 mg hersperidin
methyl chalone
Vitamin
E
This is another supplement
with demonstrated effectiveness in
reducing the symptoms of menopause. Studies in the 1940s demonstrated
vitamin E's effectiveness in reducing hot flashes associated with
menopause Vitamin E also helps relieve vaginal dryness.
A fat-soluble antioxidant, vitamin E also helps to lower cardiovascular
disease risk.
Dose of vitamin E 400-800 IU day
Omega 3
Fatty acids
Fish oils that contain
high amounts of the omega 3 oils EPA and DHA have been shown to
reduce blood lipids and the rate of heart disease in post menopausal
women, whether or not the women have supplemented with any pharmaceutical
or natural hormone replacement therapy. Consumption of fish oils
have been shown to reduce the risk of endometrial and breast cancer
Dose ranges from 3-5 grams a day.
St. Johns’
wort (Hypericum perforatum)
St John’s wort has been used for improving the moods associated
with menopausal syndrome, and is a potent therapy for stopping hot
flashes as well. St John’s wort should not be used for those
taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants.
Does: 500-1000 mg twice or three times a day
5-Hydroxytryptophan
(5-HTP)
5-HTP is a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan and increases
serotonin levels naturally and is more preferred than Prozac.
Dose: 100-300 mg a day
Acupuncture
Acupuncture
has been studied to reduce hot flashes and improve quality of life
in postmenopausal women.
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Recommended
NaturalMeds Products for Menopause
Omega
Woman
Omega Woman provides a balanced ratio of the essential fatty acids
EPA, DHA, and GLA specifically designed for women’s health.
This ratio has shown to benefit problems associated with premenstrual
syndrome, fibrocystic breast disease, infertility and menopause.
Dose: 2 capsules twice a day Pack size: 120
capsules
Black
Cohosh 80 mg
Black cohosh has been used by Native Americans for the treatment
of women’s health conditions since for centuries. Black Cohosh
standardized extract may help reduce the occurrence of hot flashes.
Dose: 2 tablets a day Pack size: 60 tablets
5-HTP
50 mg
Studies have shown that 5-HTP increases the amount and availability
of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, produced by the body.
Dose: begin with 1 capsule, gradually increasing
dosage up to two capsules daily, if needed, three times a day, away
from food Pack size: 30 tablets
St.
John’s Wort Extract 300 mg
A daily intake of St. John's wort herb, standardized to 2.7 mg of
hypericin, may support a positive outlook and mood. It has been
used successfully to help reduce hot flashes.
Dose: 3 capsules two to three times a day
Pack size: 60 capsules
Vitamin
E Mixed tocopherols 400 IUs
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is one of the body's chief
antioxidants. This product has the addition of mixed tocopherols,
of which Vitamin E is related.
Dose: 2 softgels with food a day Pack size:
50 softgels
Vitamin
C Ascorbic acid crystals
Vitamin is an astounding nutrient, as supplementation not only helps
with immune function but as an antioxidant protects against free
radical damage. Powdered forms of vitamin C are easy to take.
Dose: ½ teaspoon two to threes times
a day Pack size: 8 ounces (226.796 g)
C-1000
For those who prefer to take tablets, this vitamin C provides 1000
mg or 1 gram of ascorbic acid per tablet. It is made from tapioca,
otherwise called sago, a GMO free, corn free source.
Dose: 2 tablets two to three times a day Pack
size: 100 tablet
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