| A Fresh Look at Menopause |
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A Fresh Look at Menopause by Ann Marie Wishard Herbalist, Sweet Annie Herbs The “change of life” has always sounded like an unpleasant ending; not something I ever wanted to be a part of! The fact is, ladies, this is the beginning, not the end. All the passages in life should be celebrated....especially this one. Seize the opportunity to be better than you have ever been. You are now old enough to be “in charge” of your life and do what is best for you. As a woman, you have had to take care of everyone and everything around you for many years. Now it’s your turn to include yourself. During menopause your body makes some changes that can feel uncomfortable and unnatural, giving rise to the light-hearted description of the condition as “mental-pause” or “pause from men.” During the early stages, called perimenopause, you begin to stop ovulating and levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease. Your menstrual cycle gradually diminishes and finally stops. Osteoporosis begins to accelerate due to declining levels of estrogen and progesterone, and there can be hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, heart palpitations, mood swings, depression, and cognitive problems. The skin and vaginal tissues become dry, sex drive decreases, and the hair thins. Some conditions and ailments are also affected by the lack of estrogen and progesterone, including Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, incontinence, and asthma. Remember that every woman is different, and the symptoms listed are general. However, those women who breeze through menopause can miss important signposts to show them the way to preventing premature aging and improving their mental and physical health. So what should you do? Whether you are approaching menopause or in the throes of it, you can get relief by replenishing estrogen and progesterone. Prescription hormone replacement is one option. There is a lower risk of uterine cancer when progesterone is added to estrogen, but synthetic estrogen can be harsh, with side effects like depression, headaches, water retention, vaginal discharge and mood swings. Most women who go this route prefer the patch. You may want to try minimizing your exposure by using only one patch a week instead of two. Consult your doctor, but also remember to honor your own intuition and common sense. Gather as much information as you can, preferably in a notebook or file folder on “feeling good”. When you enter menopause, you are entering the “wisdom” years. You know your body better then anyone else! You also have another, more natural choice for hormone replacement therapy. Plants contain substances that mimic human hormones or help with their production. You can safely use herbs for hormone replacement, either alone or in combination with synthetic hormones. Black cohosh and licorice roots provide a natural estrogen. Soy contains estrogen in its isoflavones, and red clover has 10 times the isoflavones as soy. Wild yam and sarsasparilla can help replace progesterone. Many women have alleviated the difficult symptoms of menopause with the use of natural progesterone alone. I use it in my New Life Formula that is taken orally and in a topical 10% cream that is a low enough dose to “slather” all over my body. Now that I’m older I also use a stronger preparation in the form of Femgest or Pro-Ges cream. I believe that the safest path is through the use of herbs and nutrition. Remember that it is your choice. Gather information and choose. The recommendations listed below include my New Life Formula because that is what I use. RECOMMENDATIONS: New Life Formula (as directed) contains herbs with plant hormones that increase estrogen and progesterone, as well as balance and cleanse the female system. It also helps with hot flashes and mood swings. Evening Primrose Oil (as directed) aids estrogen production, helps relieve hot flashes, and is a mild diuretic. Vitamin E (400-l,200 I.U.’s daily; increase slowly) decreases hot flashes and improves circulation. Selenium (200 mcgs. Daily) alleviates menopausal distress and complements vitamin E. Vitamin B6 or Dong Quai (as directed) reduces water retention. When combined with folic acid, B6 promotes heart health. Calcium & Magnesium Citrate (as directed) are good for the nervous system. They also help alleviate stress and prevent osteoporosis. Vitamin D (1000 IU daily) is an important nutrient necessary for bone density. Research shows that less than 800 IU daily is insufficient for preventing fractures and that this supplement is vital for muscle strength, proper insulin function, and a healthy immune system. It can help lower the risk of many cancers. Potassium (99 mgs. Daily) is lost when you perspire, and the sweating that accompanies hot flashes creates an additional need for potassium. You may need to take this amount more than once daily. Wild yam cream provides extra progesterone to help decrease fibrocystic breast disease and the risk of breast cancer. It also helps restore libido, stimulates bone-building, assists in metabolizing fat, and acts as a natural antidepressant. A balanced diet is important. Eat lots of raw vegetables and fruits. Avoid sugar, dairy products and meat because they can aggravate hot flashes. Caffeine is to be avoided or limited. Exercise is also very important. It will help you decrease stress and keep you fit mentally and physically. Some readings I suggest are: The Yeast Connection and the Woman by William G. Crook, M.D., Hormone Replacement Therapy, Yes or No by Betty Kamen, Ph.D., What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause by John R. Lee, M.D., Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom by Christiane Northrup, and Menopausal Years-The Wise Woman Way by Susan S. Weed. Menopause can be a liberating time of life. Put yourself first for a “change!” |
