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Monday, December 18, 2006

Hormones Menopause Symptoms

Natural Remedy for Menopause - Anything on the Menu?

by Lyne Doxley

It�s dreaded by every woman beyond child-bearing years. Obviously there�s no cure. Menopause is an entirely natural process, like going through puberty when a woman develops breasts and begins her menstruation. Just as puberty reveals that a young woman is able to have children, menopause signifies the end of that part of a woman�s life cycle. Menopause is almost like puberty in reverse process.

Menopause�s arrival is made known it�s by the slowing and eventual ending of menstruation. Other signs are diminishment of breast size and density, and the body�s eradication of hormones linked with child bearing. It is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes, insomnia, osteoporosis, night sweats, and erratic mood swings. Hormone replacement therapy, is often prescribed by gynecologists, however, the link of these medications to breast cancer is still the subject of debate.

So it is no wonder that today more and more women are choosing a natural remedy to ease the symptoms of menopause. One hundred years ago, women used Lydia Pinkham pills, a combination of vitamins and herbal substances, to make menopause easier. Today, if you reject take hormone replacement options, and after discussing with your physician, you may wish to try a natural remedy for menopause.

In traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda), Shatavari is a particularly useful treatment as a natural menopause remedy for hot flashes. Since it is a natural diuretic, Ayurveda practitioners recommend that women who use it fortify potassium intake to avoid becoming dehydrated by drinking orange juice and eating bananas.

Chinese natural healing uses an herb called Dong Quai to treat women�s health issues such as menopause symptom, menstrual cramps, and premenstrual symptoms. Even though its effectiveness has not been confirmed by the FDA, many women find it helpful and recommend it to other menopausal women.

Black Cohosh Root is a particularly popular natural menopause remedy. This herb was used in the original Lydia Pinkham tablets during the turn of the century. It�s a general tonic for menopause, relieving hot flashes, irritability, headaches, vaginal dryness and insomnia. It has few, if any, side effects and is tolerated well by most.

Two important cautions about Black Cohosh Root: it should not be confused with Blue Cohosh, a potentially harmful root that has no relation to Black Cohosh. Herbalists recommend that Black Cohosh Root be taken continuously for only six months.

Another favorite natural menopause remedy is Soy Isoflavones. This is a substance derived from soy beans and their by-products tofu and soy milk. Soy acts like a mild natural form of estrogen. It is found particularly useful by women who choose not to use prescription hormone replacement. Herbalists recommend eating soy-containing food rather than taking soy pills or capsules. Soy Isoflavones should not be used if you have a history of breast cancer.

Like Black Cohosh Root, Red Clover is a favorite herb for natural menopause remedy. Red Clover is particularly helpful for easing hot flashes. It may also lower cholesterol levels in post-menopausal women. As a mild form of estrogen, it should not be used by women who have a history or are at risk for breast cancer. Nor should it be combined with blood-thinning medications like Warfarin.

Lastly, gaining ground as natural menopause remedies are alfalfa leaves and seeds. Further research is needed on these plants, but it�s been established that alfalfa has an effect on the body similar to estrogen. Those with diabetes or an autoimmune disease such as fibromyalgia or lupus should avoid using alfalfa.

Natural menopause remedies are generally safe and non-toxic if used correctly and with the precautions noted. They are available in many major supermarkets, in natural health and food stores, and of course, on-line.

Was the information in this article helpful to you? For more in depth information on menopause natural remedies, subscribe to this free newsletter, or download this report.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lyne_Doxley

Ac/peri Menopause Symptoms

Male "Menopause"...Is There Such a Thing?

by Ted Crawford

Yes, by all means, but it is technically called hypogonadism (low testosterone levels). Symptoms may vary, but most men will experience decreased libido (sexual desire) as well as erectile dysfunction, hot sweats, decrease in body hair, fatigue, or even depression. They also tend to lose muscle mass and gain weight due to increased subcutaneous fat.

Erectile dysfunction is a common complaint of male patients past the age of 50, and although it is most commonly caused by such problems as vascular insufficiency (decreased blood flow) to the penis which usually responds well to such medications as Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra, your physician should check for hypogonadism as a possible cause and also screen for cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes. Certain prescription medications can also lead to problems with both libido and sexual dysfunction; most notably certain anti-depressants and hypertensive medications.

Serum testosterone levels are at their highest between the ages of 20 to 30 and tend to progressively fall after age 40. If your testosterone levels come back low, your physician may wish to order a couple of other tests to determine the actual cause. There are other causes of low testosterone other than merely aging. If your testosterone level IS low and you are going to receive treatment, make sure that you are screened for prostate cancer. Your doctor should perform a digital rectal exam, order a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test, and your testicles should be examined for size, nodules and other abnormalities.

Topical testosterone gel is usually the preferred method of administering the hormone. Topical 1% testosterone is available as Androgel or Testim. The starting dosage is 5 gm a day and applied to dry skin of the abdomen, upper arm or shoulders. The gel should not be placed on the genitals! The area of skin should be allowed to dry and a shirt be worn during contact with children or women as it IS possible to transfer the medicine to the skin of another individual. The serum testosterone level should be determined again about two weeks after initiating treatment.

The administration of testosterone replacements have NOT been demonstrated to increase the incidence of prostate cancer, myocardial infarction, cardiovascular disease, or stroke. It can, however, elevate the PSA (prostate specific antigen) level.

Treament has come a long way over the past few years with the advent of the topical applications. Testosterone used to be given by intramuscular injection which was both painful and had to be given rather frequently because the levels of the medication would not last long in the blood stream. The topical applications tend to maintain an even level of medication at all times without the peaks and valleys caused by the old injections.

Testosterone replacement should improve libido, muscle mass, and well being. It can aggravate sleep apnea, cause mild acne, and gynecomastia (slight enlargement of the breasts), but NOT in everyone.

It can enable a male to feel much more vibrant, improve his sexual desire, ability, and performance, and make life a lot more enjoyable overall.

Copyright 2006 Ted Crawford

"Male "Menopause"...Is there such a thing?"==>http://www.babyboomersdoc.com.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ted_Crawford

Benefits Of Provera Treatment For Menopause Symptoms

Understanding Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MRT)

by Rebecca Prescott

In our grandmothers' time, the menopause was looked on as a natural part of life and women just had to put up with it. Some women sail through it and notice no symptoms at all and others suffer quite a lot. Nowadays, there is a lot of help available in the form of hormones, to deal with symptoms that you may experience during perimenopause and menopause.

What's Perimenopause?

This is the time prior to menopause (anything up to several years) when a woman's monthly cycle begins to become irregular. She may experience hot flashes, sweats at night, dryness of the vagina and feel emotionally labile.

The perimenopause is what women are really enduring when they say they are going through the menopause. The medical definition of menopause is when a woman has not had a period for a year. It usually occurs when a woman is in her late forties or early fifties. Women who have had their ovaries removed during surgery, for whatever reason, will go into a sudden menopause if hormone replacement is not offered.

At the beginning of perimenopause, some doctors prescribe birth control pills. These can help to regulate or stop heavy, frequently occurring, or unpredictable periods. They can also help with the unpleasant symptoms and will prevent pregnancy. Many women think that they won't conceive as their periods are now so erratic and then find themselves with a new baby!

What Is MHT?

Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) is the new name for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). This is in the form of estrogen. If you still have a uterus, it will be combined with progesterone. Estrogen supplements alone can cause cancer of the uterus but the risk is virtually eliminated if a progestogen supplement is given with it.

MHT may help to prevent your bones thinning (osteoporosis) and help with menopause symptoms but they may return if you stop taking it.

Controversy surrounds MHT as there are risks involved. Some women may increase their risk of suffering blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer and disease of the gall bladder. If you are considering MHT, talk to your doctor who can help. It's recommended that hormones are given in the lowest dose that helps, and taken for the shortest time that they are needed.

Five Things You Should Know Aout MHT

* It doesn't prevent heart attacks or strokes.

* It doesn't prevent loss of memory or Alzheimer's disease.

* It has not been shown to prevent aging, wrinkles or sadly, to increase sex drive.

* Risks and benefits of hormone pills, patches, creams, gels and rings may all be the same.

Herbs and other natural products should be used with caution, although more open-minded doctors are happy for their patients to take them, and may even help with herbal choices. Research the latest studies to see if they may benefit you. If you are a breast cancer survivor and your tumor was estrogen positive, you mustn't take anything containing estrogen - and that includes plant estrogens. Take care and read the small print!

To learn more href="http://www.menopausetohealth.com/hormone-replacement-therapy.html">about hormone replacement therapy, click here. Rebecca runs this site covering natural and synthetic href="http://www.menopausetohealth.com">hormone treatments.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Prescott

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Can Women Have Menopause Symptoms By Age 35

Menopause and Yeast Infections

by Cathy Taylor

Caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a fungus, yeast infections are the most common of all vaginal infections. Yeast infections are not sexually transmitted and are often caused by menopause. Of all vaginal infections, yeast infections are one of the main symptoms of menopause, caused by the fluctuating hormones leading to bacteria in the vagina going out of control. Baths, excess moisture in the vagina, or damp or tight clothes may lead to yeast infections. The signs of yeast infection during menopause, as well as otherwise, are: inflammation, continued itching and irritation, pain during intercourse, frequent urination, and a thick, white discharge from your vagina.

With the drop of estrogen levels during menopause, the walls of your vagina become thinner and weak. During intercourse, the walls become irritated, leaving tiny scars and scratches, enabling bacteria to thrive. Higher levels of estrogen, due to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also increase the chance of yeast infections. Damp and moist vagina, due to increased vaginal discharge caused by higher levels of estrogen, is a great breeding ground for yeast and bacteria.

Menopause, Yeast Infections and Treatment

Yeast infections can be treated by OTC (Over-The-Counter) medication in the form of creams and suppositories. Before using these medications, it is always advisable to have a proper diagnosis of yeast infections. Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, and other types of vaginal infections have symptoms similar to yeast infections. This makes it imperative to confirm that you actually have yeast infection before starting medication. Although creams and suppositories are sold as OTC medications, you will need prescription for oral medicines.

Before resorting to strong medications, you could try the following alternate treatments for yeast infections:

� Tea Tree Oil: Seek professional advice before trying this treatment. Tea tree oil suppositories kill yeast infections present in the vagina.

� Yogurt: Many women suffering from yeast infections apply un-pasteurized yogurt, which contains lactobacillus acidophilus or 'good' bacteria, directly into the vagina. You could use a small spoon, a spatula or an old vaginal cream applicator, to apply yogurt at night for three to seven nights to restore the balance of bacteria in your vagina. You may need to put on a sanitary pad to avoid messiness.

Avoiding Yeast Infections

Yeast infections, unfortunately, tend to recur. To prevent recurrence, or to prevent having it in the first place, you could try the following:

� During shower, wash the vaginal area to keep it clean, and completely dry it before dressing.

� Cotton panties and pantyhose with a cotton crotch are preferable.
� Do not share towels.

� Undergarments should be washed in hot water and avoid using softeners.

� After a swim or a workout, change your clothes immediately.

� Do not use scented sanitary pads or tampons, and frequently change them.

� Avoid douching, using heavily scented soaps, perfumes and talcum powders.

� During sex, ensure your vagina is well lubricated, and use water-soluble lubricating jells.

� It is better to avoid sex, if it is painful.

Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 26 years experience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy and plan development as well as management of communications nad public relations programs for small business sectors. She can be reached at Creative Communications; creative-com@cox.net or by vistiing http://www.everythingmenopause.com, http://www.everythingandropause.com, or http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cathy_Taylor

All Symptoms Associated With Surgical Menopause

Menopause Treatment

by Kevin Stith

Menopause is a normal part of a woman�s life, and as such requires no treatment. However, the symptoms a menopausal woman suffers may range from mild to debilitating. These symptoms may require some form of treatment.

Up until recently, hormone replacement therapy, in particular estrogen replacement therapy, was the cornerstone of menopause treatment. Estrogen reduces symptoms such as hot flashes, helps maintain bone strength to delay the onset of osteoporosis, and can reduce urinary incontinence. Sufficient estrogen levels in the body are also needed to keep cholesterol levels lower. However, despite these beneficial effects, recent research has shown that long-term hormone replacement therapy may actually be harmful, increasing the chance of serious complications such as heart attacks, strokes, certain types of breast cancer, dementia and gallstones.

Revised US Food and Drug Administration guidelines recommend that most women receive only short-term hormone replacement therapy. This short-term therapy is usually beneficial in reducing symptoms, without the attendant health risks long-term therapy poses. Only women who are considered to be at high risk for osteoporosis, a disease in which the bones become progressively weaker, may benefit from long-term hormone replacement therapy. Before starting any hormone replacement therapy, a woman should have a breast examination, and if thought necessary by her physician, a mammogram to rule out breast cancer.

Women with osteoporosis may be prescribed drugs such as biphosphonates to reduce bone loss. There are also a number of lifestyle changes a woman can make that may greatly improve her symptoms. These include stopping smoking, controlling alcohol intake, getting regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet, which become especially important as a woman gets older. These changes help maintain weight and reduce the risk of heart disease. Soy products are rich in plant estrogens, and are reported to reduce the intensity of hot flashes. Menopausal women have tried various forms of meditation with varying levels of success.

Although hormone replacement therapy is effective against distressing symptoms of menopause, recent research shows that it has serious side-effects. Therefore, alternative menopausal therapies are being developed, including new drugs to fight osteoporosis, changes in diet and lifestyle, and meditation.

Menopause provides detailed information about menopause, early menopause, male menopause, menopause and osteoporosis and more. Menopause is the sister site of Chronic Insomnia.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Stith

Fighting Menopause Symptoms

How Menopause Can Impact Your Relationship

by Kathryn Whittaker

Women tend to experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. The female body, no longer needing to maintain the reproductive system shuts it down. For some fortunate women the process is gradual � but for most it is akin to slamming a book shut. The body diminishes the production of progesterone and estrogen.

Some of you reading this may be wondering how this has anything to do with relationships. The reality of the situation is that women experiencing menopause can be subjected to a wide variety of troubling symptoms including: insomnia, loss of libido, changes in appetite, weight gain, depression, anger, mood swings, and hot flashes.

In terms of relationships it is not difficult to understand that some, if not all of these symptoms, can be detrimental to a healthy relationship. One minute you may be feeling fine and the next you might experience a bout of anger. While it is impossible to fashion a menopause-proof vest, your significant other will most likely have to deal with your fluctuating emotional state. True, he or she should be understanding, but dealing with mood swings can be difficult. Many women report not feeling like themselves. This can be difficult for your partner to deal with so it is important for there to be consideration on both sides.

In addition, many women go through a period of feeling undesirable, experiencing vaginal dryness, and a lack of sexual libido. This is normal but can also be difficult to deal with. The quality of a couple�s sexual relationship can be threatened.

There are a few ways to cope with the situation. An option is to see a mental health professional such as a counselor. You can either go alone or with your significant other. There are even some group therapy sessions that might be particularly helpful. The most important thing is that you get the help you need.

If you are having difficulty communicating out loud what you are going through with your partner you might want to try writing down what you are feeling. Since there are emotional side effects during menopause, simply writing down what you are feeling can be of tremendous benefit to both you and your partner.

Remember, getting through this tough time should not fall squarely on your shoulders. If you clearly explain what you are going through to your partner you should expect a demonstration of understanding.

If you are the significant other of a woman going through menopause and reading this know that you can help the situation by suggesting new ideas to take your relationship forward � sexually and otherwise. Maintaining a relationship through menopause can be a challenge. It takes dedication, love, support, trust, and honesty to allow the relationship to survive.

Menopause is a condition that all women must experience. The real decision you have to make is whether you are going to let the symptoms of menopause significantly change your life or are you going to work around them. Trust your partner to support you, and together, there is nothing the both of you can not do.

Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in Menopause. For further information on Menopause please visit http://www.natural-menopause-relief-secrets.com/menopause.html or http://www.natural-menopause-relief-secrets.com/blog/2006/09/27/how-menopause-can-impact-your-relationship/ .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Whittaker

Black Cohosh Menopause Symptoms

Hair Loss Causes - It May Not Be Genetic

by Matt Adler

Genetics is the # 1 cause of hair loss, or alopecia, affecting both men and women. In addition to our DNA there are other causes that affect us, and some are even responsible for hair loss in children. The list below details the leading causes of hair loss other than genetics.

Ringworm is a fungus, which if found on the scalp can cause hair loss. This is often found in children, and results in the hair breaking off at the scalp. Once treated, the hairs will grow back normally.

Illnesses and medical conditions may cause hair loss. This is commonly a hormonal problem which could include thyroid disease or diabetes that prevents hair production. Lupus and kidney or liver disease is also a cause. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal imbalance that causes hair loss in teenage girls and women.

Trichotillomania is just a $10 word for the psychological disorder where people twist and pull their own hair out. This is a leading cause of hair loss in children that may be nervous, anxious, or stressed out. Because this is a psychological problem, it can be difficult to stop.

Alopecia areata is a skin disease that primarily causes hair loss on the scalp, but can also affect other parts of the body. An estimated 4 million people are affected by this disease in the USA. Total hair loss can result from this condition; however, it usually results in several small bald patches. Believe it or not, this disease is caused by one�s own immune system mistakenly attacking your healthy hair follicles. Alopecia areata can begin in childhood and affects both males and females. More often than not the hair will grow back within a period of two years.

Cancer treatments used to kill cancer cells can also kill cells that cause the hair to grow. It is not the cancer itself that causes hair loss, but rather the powerful cancer drugs and treatments. New hair growth will begin once the treatments have stopped.

Hair coloring, dying, and chemical treatments may cause temporary hair loss. These treatments can damage the hair and cause them to break or fall out, but is usually not permanent.

Traction alopecia is the term for wearing your hair pulled so tightly it causes hair loss. When the hair is pulled tightly it causes tension on the scalp and can lead to hair and follicle damage which could be permanent.

Poor nutrition such as crash dieting, or eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia can cause hair loss. When the body does not get enough vitamins, minerals, or protein it cannot maintain hair growth. This is a common cause of hair loss in teenage girls. It can also affect vegetarians who do not get enough protein.

Delivery a baby or menopause resulting in hormonal changes is a common cause of female hair loss. Many times a hormone evaluation is needed to recognize what is causing the hair loss in women. This type of hair loss can often be corrected.

There are many causes of hair loss, with the primary reason having to do with the genes passed down to you by your mother and father. It is important to recognize other possible causes, as these are typically easy to correct.

For information on How to Prevent Hair Loss and other techniques, visit http://www.guide-to-hair-loss.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Adler