Are you a woman experiencing hot flashes and a disruption in your menstrual cycle? It could be menopause.

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.
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
(top) 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.

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 (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.

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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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.

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.
(top) 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.
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.
The combination of vitamin C with the bioflavonoid hesperidin has been shown to reduce the amount of hot flashes during menopause.
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.
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 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.
5-HTP is a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan and increases serotonin levels naturally and is more preferred than Prozac.
Acupuncture has been studied to reduce hot flashes and improve quality of life in postmenopausal women.
(top) 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.
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.
Studies have shown that 5-HTP increases the amount and availability of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, produced by the body.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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