A Guide to Menopause Treatment
Menopause is a very tough transition time in any woman's life, and during this natural process, ovaries stop making the eggs, the body produces less progesterone and estrogen, and monthly cycles becomes less frequent, ultimately coming to an end. If a woman does not get periods for 12 months in a row, and there is no other medical cause for it such as illness or pregnancy, she has reached menopause.
Menopause usually happens after the age of 45, and it is beneficial to get enough information about it by talking to your doctor regarding symptoms that might be of concern so that you can get the right treatment at the right time. Termination of periods is the only common symptom of menopause, and for each woman, the experience of going through this phase is different.
Some of the most commonly experienced menopausal symptoms include change in the period pattern, vaginal dryness, hair loss, hot flashes, trouble sleeping through the night, trouble focusing, crying spells, flushed complexion, fuzzy thinking, weight gain, diaphoresis, breast tenderness, irritability, and forgetfulness. Certain menopausal symptoms can be treated by using herbal or other plant-based products such as soy in the form of powder or pill, or other sources of phytoestrogens such as black cohosh, dong quai, valelrian root and wild yam.
If used properly, menopausal hormone therapy can be quite useful in relieving the moderate to severe symptoms of menopause and also prevent the bone loss. MHT helps menopausal women by reducing hot flashes and night sweats, treats vaginal symptoms such as dryness and discomfort, increases the level of hormones progesterone and estrogen, eases mood swings and also slows down bone loss, but it may also increase the risk of certain medical conditions such as stroke, breast cancer and heart disease.
Menopause is not a disease and does not require any definitive treatment or cure. Using vitamin E, SSRI drugs, megestrol acetate, and neurontin for hot flashes, vaginal moisturizers, low dose vaginal estrogen ring, water-soluble lubricants and estrogen by mouth for dry vagina and painful intercourse, counseling, estrogen and SSRI drugs for depression and mood swings, and raloxifene, bisphosphonates, vitamin D, calcitonin, estrogen, and tamoxifen for bone loss during menopause have been quite helpful to alleviate the symptoms.
So far, estrogen has been the most effective treatment for hot flashes, but, the risks and benefits associated with this therapy need to be carefully considered. Meditation, massage, relaxation therapy, and acupuncture are few effective alternative therapies that can relieve symptoms of menopause, and for women who cannot take hormonal therapy due to its side-effect, these therapies are life-savers.
Always Go Natural! Take Back Control From Menopause Symptoms
Stop Thief, give me back my youth. These were the words that were heard coming out of my mouth when I realized it was happening to me. We never really think it will happen to us or that we would ever get to an age where Menopause would strike. But it does.
More and more of us are looking to Natural Menopause Solutions to fix these irritating reminders of the years that have passed. I have picked my top 2 natural remedies that will help you beat Menopause and come out the other side having enjoyed the process rather than resented it.
Soy and Menopause.
Soy gets talked about more and more when it comes to its relationship with Menopause. What keeps getting the media's attention is that it is said to alleviate hot flushes.
You can find Soy in a lot of foods these days. But I really suggest looking for an Organic variety as Soy can not be as useful when inside certain foods that have been processed.
It is suggested that women have 50 mg of soy isoflavones (fancy term for the good part of soy) per day. Soy protein can also help. So its good all around.
Herbs and Menopause
Herbs are being studied more and more in relation to Menopause. Many products like Menozac are based on herbs. Black Cohosh may be the most popular and it helps with hot flushes, painful periods, migraines, anxiety and hart palpitations.
Another in the long line of useful herbs would have to be St John's wort. It has been really well researched and is excellent for mild depression and different types of anxiety. It though is not recommended if you are taking anti depressants to be on St Johns wort as well as it that do not mix well.
The Moral of the Story today ladies is to always look out for a Natural Solution to your Menopause Needs. So Always be open to learning more about natural fixes and you will find the right combination for you sooner than later. Until Next Time.