Perimenopause, or menopause transition, is the stage of a woman's reproductive life that begins several
years before menopause, when the ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen. It usually starts in a woman's 40s, but
can start in a woman's 30s or even earlier as well. Perimenopause lasts up until menopause, the point when the ovaries stop
releasing eggs. In the last one to two years of perimenopause, this decline in estrogen accelerates. At this stage,
many women experience menopausal symptoms. The signs and symptoms of perimenopause include a wide variety of physical and
mental health symptoms.
With "Perimenopause: Have It, Live It, Love It!", you can get the answers to all your questions pertaining to perimenopause. You
get to understand and respect the changes that are happening to your body. And perhaps, most importantly, you’ll gain
the tools you need to carve out your freedom and regain control of your body and your life once more. You'll also learn how
you can treat your symptoms WITHOUT the use of drugs and pills. Over 50 home remedies - with recipes and instructions - to
help you cope with various perimenopause symptoms.
Few women know and truly understand all the alternatives, solutions, treatments, and practical help that is out there.
Learn the latest information in medical research and alternative approaches to treating menopause symptoms. Menopause is brought
on by low levels of estrogen and progesterone and can cause symptoms such as irregular periods, hot flashes, vaginal dryness,
memory loss and difficulty concentrating, insomnia and fatigue, frequent urination, and mood swings. Many women going through
the change of life opt for menopause natural remedies for various reasons. Most women choose menopause natural remedies because
they are worried about the adverse-side effects of conventional medicine. more
Herbs for Menopause .Types of Herbs for Relieving Menopause Symptoms
There are basically two types of herbs for menopause symptoms relief: Phytoestrogenic and Non-estrogenic
herbs for menopause. The first one contains phytohormones in it and the second one stimulates natural production of hormones
in your body.
Phytoestrogenic herbs for menopause are all the plants that contain a type of
chemical compounds called phytoestrogens which are a group of herbal components that have chemical structures similar to those
of estrogen.
These are the phytoestrogen and the non estrogenic herbs. Phytoestrogen herbs are those that contain
estrogenic properties (i.e., they help produce estrogen in a woman's body). Black Cohosh ,Ginko biloba,Ginseng,Red Clover and
Dong Quai are examples of these herbs. In simple words, these herbs replace the natural hormones the body produces with
plant hormones (phytoestrogens) with good results. However, the use of these herbs for menopause has been recently questioned
by doctors because some studies have shown that there may be a relation between phytoestrogen and the development and growth
of breast cancer and other diseases.
Phytoestrogen herbs, however, are not best for treating hormonal imbalance. In
addition, if you're taking something that's already increasing the production of estrogen, your body might decrease its own
natural production of it, resulting in the further decline of hormones in your body. This may result in your body's hormonal
balance to go hay-wire.
On the other hand, non estrogenic herbs do NOT provide additional estrogen into your body. Instead,
they nurture the hormonal glands, prompting them to create natural hormones better. In the end, these herbs aim to help your
body produce your natural hormones, aiding in the better functioning of your endocrinal and pituitary glands.
Non
Estrogenic Herbs
Non-estrogenic herbs are any plants that don't contain any form of estrogen. Although
most plants could be grouped under this category, only a select few contain the types of nutrients (vitamins, minerals, and
amino acids) that have the ability to support and nourish the endocrine glands and hence stimulate the body's hormonal production.
Keep reading to learn more about non-estrogenic herbs and their action in the body.
Non-estrogenic
herbs for menopause:
How do they work:
During menopause, the ovaries
produce less and less amounts of estrogen, and the type of estrogen they do produce is now a weaker form than before. The
body has a difficult time adapting to these lowered levels of hormones, and hence the symptoms of menopause appear. Non-estrogenic
herbs for menopause facilitate and stimulate the body's own hormonal production, thus gradually normalizing hormonal levels
and gently and effectively alleviating menopause symptoms.
Health benefits
Non-estrogenic herbs balance hormonal
levels gently and gradually, thus effectively relieving the symptoms associated with menopause or other endocrine system disorders.
The
main health benefits non-estrogenic herbs provide are the following:
•Stabilizes hormonal levels •Effectively
relieves the majority of menopause symptoms •Protects against osteoporosis (loss of bone
mass) •Protects against heart disease •Augments fertility •Improves sexual activity
The most common non-estrogenic herb used to treat menopause symptoms is MacaActive. This is the only
non-estrogenic herb with significant medical studies proving the herb's efficacy and safety. Keep reading to learn more about
MacaActive
What is Maca fem? Macafem (Lepidim meyinii or Lepidium perianium Chacon) is a hardy perennial
plant cultivated high in the Andes Mountains, at altitudes from 8,000 to 14,500 feet. The area where Macafem is found is an
inhospitable region of intense sunlight, violent winds, and below-freezing weather. With its extreme temperatures and poor,
rocky soil, the area rates among the world's worst farmland.
What is Maca fem used
for? Today, Maca fem's popularity continues to grow, as people discover that the plant does in fact increase libido,
sexual function, overall energy and relieve menopause symptoms as well as health risks in menopausal and postmenopausal women.
Maca fem is used for:
•Hormonal imbalance •Relieves hot flashes •Mood swings •Lack of energy •Menopause symptoms •Improve sexual function
While more than 600,000 hysterectomies are performed each year in the United States, 90 percent of them are unwarranted.
This vital health guide offers women the information they need to empower themselves in making critical health decisions.
For example, surgery can often do more harm than good and may pose needless risks, except in situations involving a life-threatening
illness such as cancer. However, surgeons often rely on hysterectomies as a panacea for everything from premenstrual syndrome
to uterine fibroids. An important step in bridging the communication gap between patient and physician are the specific questions
in this book for women to ask their doctors. Included is information about various gynecological conditions with suggestions
for alternative treatments, such as endometriosis, uterine prolapse, ovarian cysts, and precancerous conditions. "Read this book before you agree to having a hysterectomy. I have had two doctors recommend that I undergo hysterectomy. I refuse. A woman's uterus is her vital female organ, and there
is no reason to have it removed unless there is cancer present. Find a physician who is skilled at performing myomectomies, or consider embolization, but don't let them cut out your uterus. Dr. West gives clear, eye-opening
information, and much detail to allow a woman to make an informed decision. Dr. West also gives important information about
the after-effects of having a hysterectomy. This is one of the most important books that a woman will ever read
MENOPAUSE
Menopause is the cessation of the menstrual
period in women. It occurs when the female hormone levels drop below a critical value needed to produce the normal cycle
of ovulation and menstruation.
This occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 in many women. At times, it occurs
much earlier. This is a sign of ill health in most cases or occasionally due to stress, and even too much exercise.
This can be corrected with a nutritional balancing program, in our experience.
This article can help you avoid and correct
menopausal symptoms in most cases without the use of replacement hormones. Hormone replacement therapy, in my experience,
is rarely needed and can be dangerous and costly. Before trying it, consider our natural methods first. Also,
click here to read about Hormone Replacement Therapy.
NORMAL MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS
Menopause
should occur without difficulties if the adrenal and thyroid glands function normally. However, often women experience
hot flashes, fatigue, irritability and vaginal dryness. Other signs and symptoms can rarely include the development
of breast lumps, tumors and fibroid uterine tumors.
It should be a time of great joy, ease and even relief for women
who have been concerned with unwanted pregnancy, often for years. However, due to impaired body chemistry, too often
it causes stress, fatigue and even anguish.
CAUSES OF MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS
The
hormonal theory. One way to understand menopausal symptoms is that imbalances in the thyroid and adrenal glands interact
with lowered hormone levels. This occurs most often when the ovaries cease producing the same amount of ovarian hormones
such as estrogen and progesterone.
Normally, the adrenal glands should increase or balance the lower ovarian production
and there should be no symptoms. If they do not do this, then symptoms arise.
Said differently, the inappropriate
responses of the adrenal and thyroid glands to the changes in the ovarian hormones are what cause the vast majority of menopausal
symptoms.
This means that correcting thyroid and adrenal imbalances can go a long way to preventing and correcting menopausal
symptoms.
The stress theory. A second way to look at menopausal symptoms is that a hormonal change causes
added stress on the body. The woman’s glandular system can react by having occasional ‘flashes’ of
adrenal activity, which are most annoying, though they are not harmful as far as medical science knows. This might be
called the stress theory of menopause, which is also essentially correct.
THE ADRENALS
AND MENOPAUSE
The adrenal glands, perched on top the kidneys, produce small quantities of both male
and female sex hormones. At the menopause, the adrenal glands should produce adequate estrogens, progesterone and other
needed hormones in the correct balance and amounts to avoid symptoms that can occur when ovarian hormone production of these
hormones diminishes.
However, many women today have a condition that is termed adrenal insufficiency. This is
basically underactivity of the adrenal glands. These women’s adrenals do not respond correctly to the new need
for sex hormones in response to diminished ovarian hormone secretion. Click here for an article on Adrenal Burnout Syndrome.
Briefly, the causes of weakened adrenals include stress of any kind, nutritional deficiencies and almost always a buildup
of toxic substances. These include toxic metals and perhaps environmental chemicals in the adrenal glands themselves
and/or in the pituitary gland, which regulates the adrenal glands, signaling them when and how much of its hormones to secrete.
At
times, an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system is at fault as well. This can cause the adrenals to malfunction,
secreting either too much or too little or the incorrect balance of hormones. This brings us to the other vital gland
involved in menopause symptoms.
THE THYROID GLAND AND MENOPAUSE
The
thyroid gland is the other piece of the puzzle that frequently is involved in menopausal symptoms. This is not to say
there are not other causes, which are covered later. However, thyroid imbalances are very common and definitely affect
female hormone regulation in the body. Click here for an article about Thyroid Disease And Its Healing.
The thyroid
produces thyroxine, a powerful hormone that affect the burning of sugar or glucose in the body and in so doing regulates the
rate of metabolism, body temperature and much more. It is such as critical hormone that many people are given thyroid
hormone replacement when they feel tired, cold, short of breath or have thin, brittle or falling hair. Low thyroid activity
can also cause weight gain, a sallow complexion and many more problems for a person.
CAUSES
OF THYROID IMBALANCE
Thyroid difficulties are extremely common and almost universal due to iodine
deficiency, in part due to the presence of iodine antagonists in the environment such as fluorides, chlorine compounds and
bromides in baked goods such as breads.
I find that diagnostic names such as hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
or others are less important than figuring out and correcting the biochemical imbalances affecting the thyroid gland.
The
gland is either toxic, depleted of vital nutrients like iodine, or affected by tumors, or is not functioning correctly due
to pituitary gland problems. This gland, often called the master gland, secretes TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone.
This hormone directs the thyroid to secrete its hormone in the proper amount.
Other thyroid imbalances that are somewhat
less common include an inability to convert T4, a largely inactive hormone, to its active form called T3 or triiodothyronine.
This imbalance is called Wilson’s Syndrome, and can be researched on the internet. It is overdiagnosed in our
opinion since many times the cause is once again a toxic or depleted body chemistry. Specifically, selenium and other
nutrients are greatly deficient in this condition and it usually responds to the type of nutritional therapy that we suggest.
Another
cause of thyroid problems that is extremely common is stress. This is a general term for excessive physical, mental
or emotional activity that overtaxes the gland. When it can no longer respond correctly, it malfunctions, either secreting
too much or too little hormone. These are among the major causes of thyroid imbalances.
Another cause of thyroid
imbalances, touched upon but in need of elaboration, is mental and emotional stress that affects the thyroid gland in particular.
Women are much more prone to this stress-related condition than men. Women are, in most cases, not accustomed to expressing
themselves completely. They have been shut out of the mainstream of society by men and by tradition in many cases, for
generations. As a result, when faced with a crisis, they often go into a form of “overdrive” or a more technical
term is a stress response that severely taxes their thyroid gland.
When this occurs, and it can happen at any age and
usually in childhood, the thyroid is severely damaged. The problem frequently does not reveal itself on tests until
menopause, when the deficiency of ovarian hormones places added stress on a woman’s body.
At this time, the problem
“catches up” with the woman and she experiences symptoms that are attributed to menopause but are really due to
an underlying thyroid imbalance. The thyroid problem may or may not be revealed on standard blood tests. However,
it is very apparent on properly interpreted hair mineral analyses and often by symptoms such as a low body temperature, dry
hair and very dry skin at times, fatigue, weight gain in some cases and perhaps other related conditions.
THE BONES AND MENOPAUSE
Bone health is impacted by menopausal symptoms.
Copper is sometimes involved in this process. Click here for an article on Copper Toxicity Syndrome. Copper helps fix
calcium in the bones. Without adequate bioavailable copper, calcium may go to the bones, but does not remain as well
as it should.
Another related syndrome we call slow oxidation involves the bones. Slow oxidizers, as those with
sluggish adrenals and thyroid activity are termed, often have biounavailable calcium and magnesium because the body cannot
keep these minerals in solution in the blood and they precipitate or collect in the soft tissues instead. The body then
robs the bones of calcium to place more calcium into the blood. This is also explained more in another article on this
website, Osteoporosis. Lead can also enter the bones and weaken them and this is the case in many, many women.
Like the fatigue and stress feelings, the bone problems often begin to show up at the time of menopause or afterwards.
At this time, the hormone system is under more stress and begins to malfunction more obviously. Click here for a more
extensive article on Osteoporosis in general.
PREVENTING SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE
The
standard medical treatment for menopausal symptoms is estrogen, preferably accompanied by progesterone. A synthetic
estrogen is used in some common preparations, although studies show little benefit and much danger in these synthetic or semisynthetic
prescriptions. Common products are Premarin and others. Breast cancer has decreased as less of the synthetics
are being used.
Progestins, not natural progesterone, may be given along with the estrogen. An example of this
drug is Provera. This treatment is not too effective and may be quite toxic for some women. It also does not address
the causes at all and further disrupts the natural hormone balance. Therefore I cannot recommend it very much.
An
alternative used by many holistic doctors is the use of all natural, bio-identical hormones. This is better, but still
does not address causes at all, and definitely upsets the natural hormone balance further because it does not address the
causes outlined above. For this reason, I cannot recommend these either, except in rare cases where the glands cannot
be rebuilt. These cases occur, but not frequently. The best solution is to address the causes listed above.
The finest way I know of to do this is with nutritional balancing science. You can read much more about this approach
on this website. We may use symptomatic remedies along with these programs, however, if needed, and these are listed
later in this article. Hormones are kept as a last resort because the natural products mentioned are usually sufficient.
Nutritional
balancing is the only approach I am aware of that considers the lifestyle, diet, nutritional supplement needs, detoxification,
balancing the minerals, spiritual issues and more in approaching menopause. This utilizes a properly performed hair
mineral analysis. I train practitioners in this and they are listed on this website as well under hair analysis practitioners.
We
find that in most cases, menopausal symptoms are quite easy to remedy by this method! Natural vitamins, minerals, herbs
and lifestyle changes, along with sauna therapy and perhaps other detoxification procedures are usually quite sufficient to
rebuild the glands enough to stop the most annoying and dangerous of the menopausal symptoms.
SYMPTOMATIC
REMEDIES FOR MENOPAUSE AND LOW BONE DENSITY
If you are not ready for a complete nutritional balancing
program or are having a lot of difficulty with menopausal symptoms, you may safely try the following remedies:
1.
Drink a lot more water, either distilled or spring water. This has worked for several women. The probable reason
is that it reduces the stress of not drinking enough water, which is a very common problem today. Drink at least 3 quarts
of spring or distilled water only, each and every day. Use distilled water for only up to a year, as after this it will
start removing too many essential minerals. At this time, switch to spring water. Do not drink alkaline water
or tap water, preferably.
2. Reduce stress. This stops many cases of hot flashes. Reduce
your workload, if possible, or go to bed much earlier – by 8-9 PM at the latest, every night, and get 10+ hours of sleep,
reduce vigorous exercise and generally relax more. This rests the adrenals and the thyroid and even the ovaries, and
is most helpful.
3. Thyro-complex. This is a glandular support product for the adrenals and thyroid
gland from Endomet Labs in Phoenix, AZ. 1-800-528-4067 or 1-602-995-1580. If you say Dr. Wilson recommended it
you can ask for a 20% discount at the time of this publication. Take at least 3 capsules daily. Rarely it will
cause some anxiety, in which case you will need to take less. You may take up to 9 per day, in 3 divided doses, if needed.
4.
Several kelp capsules per day with meals. This is an alternative to the Thyro-complex that is a little less costly.
Take at least 3 to 6 per day. Wait a week or two at least for effects. It usually does not work as well as Thyro-complex,
however.
5. Boron (3 mg capsules or tablets). This is another simple remedy that works quite well
in some mild cases. This product is found at most health food stores. Take up to 1-1-1 of these as needed only.
Too much boron can be a little toxic, but is helpful for many women in small amounts.
6. Ova-adren.
Try this if the remedies above are not helpful enough. This is an herbal formula for women, with a few nutrients as
well. This is also available from Endomet Labs. Take between 1-1-1 and 3-3-3 of these tablets.
7.
Natural progresterone, preferably in a sub-lingual tablet form, would be best, though some women like the creams.
Creams can build up under the skin and eventually cause problems.
This remedy is placed last because in most cases
it is not needed and the others should be tried first because all hormones are somewhat toxic and they all will upset the
natural feedback system that regulates the hormone balance. This is not helpful in the long run.
Hopefully, progesterone
use, if needed, will be of short duration until your body balances out or you decide on a more complete program with us or
with one of the doctors we have trained.
Osteoporosis Remedies. The best approach, by far,
is a complete nutritional balancing program, just as it is for menopausal symptoms. However, for the prevention of osteoporosis
or as a minor remedy, I recommend that all women over about age 50 or so take some microcrystalline hydroxyapatite crystals
(M.C.H.C.). This is a bone extract that is a highly boavailable formula to help prevent further bone degeneration.
It is not costly and available at health food stores or through Endomet Laboratories at the same phone number listed
above. Of course, a healthful lifestyle with some exercise, sun exposure daily for about 20 minutes, an excellent diet
and plenty of rest and sleep are also most helpful. These are also extremely beneficial for menopausal symptoms, by
the way.
Also, I do not like the drugs prescribed for osteoporosis or osteopenia at all!! These include Fosamax,
Boniva, and ALL the others. They have been shown to cause jaw bone deterioration and other adverse symptoms.
Instead,
take the MCHC listed above and the lifestyle changes listed above. This is far better, along with a nutritional balancing
program. In our experience, osteoporosis can often be reversed with these natural methods of healing , and quickly if
one will follow all th instructions we offer.
More
and more women, every day, are turning to natural alternative treatments to treat the symptoms they experience during menopause
including hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. Try the following tips to ease your symptoms of menopause:
•Your diet is an important tool that you can use to help control your menopausal symptoms. Foods to avoid include high
amounts of caffeine in any foods, and carbonated beverages which contain phosphorous and can increase bone loss. Also, limit
your consumption of commercially raised meats including beef, pork, and chicken because these meats contain a high amount
of saturated fats and decrease the body's ability to metabolize estrogen. Excessive sugar intake also limits your liver's
ability to metabolize estrogen and impairs the immune system.
Increase your intake of foods that contain phytoestrogens
including soy. Other foods that you should include in your diet include grains ,oats, wheat, brown rice, tofu, almonds, cashews,
and fresh fruits and vegetables.
•According to research published by the Journal of the British Menopause
Society, red clover isoflavone supplements, used in controlled studies, have been shown to have a significant positive effect
on the rate of bone loss, improve cardiovascular health, and may offer some protective effect against breast and endometrial
cancer. There is also evidence which suggests that red clover isoflavones decrease the incidence of hot flashes, one of the
most common vasomotor complaints experienced by peri-menopausal and menopausal women. In one study, after 8 weeks using Promensil
40mg daily participants experienced a 58% decrease in the number of hot flashes experienced; study participants also experienced
a significant reduction in the severity of night sweats. Promensil is a dietary supplement that is available over-the-counter,
without a prescription, at retail grocery, drug, and health food stores.
•Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidus
(the "good" bacteria in our intestines) cultures are important for women during menopause to help with metabolism
and utilization of estrogen, and some believe these "good" bacteria help reduce the occurrence of yeast infections.
These can be found in various nutritional formulas on the market.
•In his book, Medicinal Herbal Therapy:
A Pharmacist's Viewpoint, registered pharmacist Steven G. Ottariano says that certain vitamins and minerals can provide particular
benefits to menopausal women. These include Vitamin E (400 to 800 IU daily) to help reduce hot flashes and night sweats; Calcium
(1500 mg daily)--the best type of calcium is not calcium carbonate which may not be fully absorbed, but microcrystalline calcium
hydroxyapatite calcium (MCHC) or calcium citrate; Magnesium (500 mg to 750 mg daily) is essential to help with the absorption
of calcium; Vitamin C (1,000 mg to 2,000 mg daily) helps absorption of Vitamin E and decreases capillary fragility.
•Also recommended by Pharmacist Ottariano is Black Cohosh (20 mg to 60 mg, 3 times daily) which is a phytoestrogen
that helps many women manage menopause symptoms. There are a number of Black Cohosh products on the market for menopause including
Remifemin. However it's important to note (as I have learned through my personal experience) that women with surgical menopause
may not find phytoestrogens as helpful as those who experience natural menopause. Other herbs recommended as potentially beneficial
by Ottariano include Dong Quai (500 mg to 1000 mg, 2 or 3 times daily), Evening Primrose Oil (500 mg 3 or 4 times daily),
Ginseng (100 mg to 500 mg, 3 times daily), and Vitex Agnus Castus (175 mg daily).
•Natural estrogen compounds
are available by prescription from compounding pharmacists. These types of estrogen are bio-identical -- they are chemically
equal to the estrogen produced naturally in your body. There are 3 types of estrogens commonly used in bio-identical hormone
replacement therapy. These are: Estrone (E1); Estradiol (E2), and Estriol (E3). Estrone and estradiol cause most of the risks
associated with estrogen use. Natural or bio-identical estrogen compounds are prepared in any combination or number of these
3 types of estrogen; the most common formulation is 10 percent Estrone, 10 percent Estradiol, and 80 percent Estriol--called
Tri-estrogen or Tri-est. A two estrogen bio-identical compound is called bi-estrogen.
•Natural progesterone
is an important component in menopausal symptom management for many women. It's available over-the-counter in products such
as Pro-Gest, in compounded prescriptions, and a pharmaceutical called Prometrium. The benefit of using a cream product over
an oral form is that you need a much lower dose because it does not have to be metabolized by the liver. Progestins such as
Provera are not natural progesterone but a synthetic version which is not chemically equivalent to the progesterone produced
by the body. Natural progesterone causes virtually no side effects--progestins cause side effects that include irregular bleeding
and fluid retention.
•Of course, don't forget to get plenty of regular exercise. Exercise is probably the
single most important thing a woman can do to improve her overall health and well-being throughout her life. Regular exercise
(at least 3 or 4 days a week) helps prevent and reduce bone loss, and plays a key role in reducing your risk of many types
of cancer, as well as heart disease. Although these suggestions work for many women, remember every woman is different
and it may take some time for you to find which treatments, or combination of treatments, work best for you. Always inform
your healthcare provider of any natural alternative treatments you are using--this includes all vitamins, herbs, creams, etc.
According
to Shé D'Montford, Shambhallah, from Australia ‘The human body "WILL HEAL"... If we get out of our
own way and allow it, it heals itself. It is our basic nature. Anybody who tells you other than that is trying to sell you
something. No matter what you have been told. Don't give up on yourself and don't buy into the lines like ... ‘oh well
you've had a good life'... 'at your age'... and the worst of all ...'there's nothing further I can do, I suggest you finalize
your affairs'... How dare anyone tell you to give up! So much in society combines to convince us of the propaganda that some
things never get better. It's up to you ... do you want to get better? Make things better? It is human nature to make things
better, evolve and grow.”
This site is intended to provide general information only and is not a substitute
for medical evaluation or treatment. All matters regarding health or a particular health situation should be supervised by
a licensed health care professional.The author and the publisher shall not be held responsible or liable for any harm or loss
allegedly arising, directly or indirectly from any information in this site
