Menopause Symptoms And Six Simple Steps For Relief

By Randy Hough

Eventually over half of the world's population is going to experience menopause symptoms, so it isn't surprising that it attracts a great deal of attention!

Most people just hope things will 'go away" or "get better' without actually having to do much about it. That is just human nature. For a lot of people this seems to work out fairly well, but this is not the case for everyone, not at all.

For some women, the symptoms of menopause are a real problem and they suffer because of it. According to the Women To Women Clinic in Yarmouth, Maine and The College of Family Physicians of Canada, there are a number of simple things that can be done to help alleviate these symptoms.

1. Educate yourself. There is no better way to begin than by finding out the facts. Menopause is sometimes shrouded in myth and hearsay, so it is advisable to get an educated view of what is really going on. A great place to begin is by taking the free online profile offered by the Women To Women Clinic. This gives a good starting point.

2. Drink clear water, lots of clear water. Just as water washes your hair and body, it also cleanses your insides. The recommended amount of 12 cups of water a day seems like a lot at first, but once you get used to drinking that much, it just seems natural, which it is! I doubt that women drank Coca-Cola in any of the last 50 centuries! They just drank water, teas and juices. It is a good idea to get a water bottle and make it a part of your "stuff", so you can always have it with you. There are other benefits from drinking clear water as well, such as better digestion, clearer skin complexion, weight loss, etc.

3. Keep a cooler of ice water near your bed at night. Hot flashes are more common at night, and a drink of ice water can be just the thing to cool you down. Plus, you can pour some on a towel to daub your face and feel refreshed.

4. Take long walks, or hikes. It is unbelievable how a simple activity like walking can work so many wonders! Your blood gets circulated, your mood improves, your heart rate gets going, and you get a renewed perspective on things. Being out in nature is especially invigorating for the soul and spirit. It is the blood that brings nourishment and healing to our bodies, therefore it is so important to get your heart pumping a little more!

5. Learn about nutritional supplements that help with menopause. Most symptoms are the result of a hormonal imbalance, now that the ovaries have stopped making enough of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Once again, the Women To Women Clinic has developed a great program to help with supplements. It is specifically designed for helping with menopause and other women's health issues.

6. Don't be afraid to try new things! Sometimes we can be "stuck in the mud" in our thinking. We get so used to doing things in a particular manner that it can be difficult to try something new or different. A good example is flax seed, which has been clinically proven to help with hot flashes. A study conducted at the Mayo Clinic demonstrated a dramatic reduction in the severity and frequency of hot flashes in a large group or menopausal women. The full study is in the Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. If something can help you, why not try it, especially if there is no risk involved?

These six simple steps to help with menopause symptoms are sure to give you some relief, and might even be fun (at least step 4!) Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Hough

Menopause Symptoms Treatments - Options For Menopause Symptoms Treatment

By John Gibb

Menopause is simply the end of menstruation for a woman. Also called the change of life, there are accompanying symptoms. For many women, these symptoms are a minor annoyance while for many others they can be devastating. Thankfully, there are treatment options available to help relieve symptoms until a woman reaches post menopause.

Options for Treatment

For a rare few, menopause does not create that big of a deal. Their symptoms are minimal or more to the point the effects of the symptoms is minimal. Every woman goes through menopause and experiences symptoms to a lesser or greater degree.

Lifestyle changes are one approach. If you drink at all, limit alcohol. If you smoke quit: I know that's easier said than done. Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise are also effective for relieving menopause symptoms as well as for your over-all health. Having open communication with your partner about your intimacy and accepting the fact that you are aging can all lead to relief.

The use of pharmaceuticals - drugs prescribed by your physician can also provide relief however; they also come with some serious side effects. HRT - hormone replacement therapy helps to relieve the diminishing levels of female hormones - estrogen and progesterone. They are effective but again can come with some dangerous side effects such as heart attack, stroke, or breast cancer to name a few. Due to the seriousness of these side effects, many are turning to alternative treatments.

Alternative Treatments include herbal supplements. The herbs used in herbal supplements are a blend of herbs known to benefit symptoms of menopause. High quality supplements will have been put through rigorous testing. The ingredients will have been examined at the molecular to determine their metabolic paths. The interactions of the ingredients are also observed.

When manufactured they are made to pharmaceutical grade standards. This helps to guarantee the consumer that they are getting exactly what the label says they are getting. These processes also help to guarantee their purity, safety, and effectiveness.
They will contain no additives, preservatives or fillers.

There are phyto-estrogen herbs such as Black Cohosh. Phyto-estrogen herbs that actually lowers the body's ability to make its own hormones. There are non-estrogenic herbs that true to its name, do not contain estrogen. They are known to help the hormonal glands to more effectively produce the body's own hormones. The most effective herbal supplements are a combination of phyto-estrogen and non-estrogenic herbs.

Conclusion

Menopause has accompanying symptoms that affect all women to a greater or lesser degree. If you are among those whose symptoms are serious enough to warrant treatment, there is hope. Some life style changes such as eating healthy and exercising can be effective.

HRT - hormone replacement therapy is an effective way to go but there are some very serious risks associated with their use - some potentially fatal. Many people now are opting for natural treatments such as herbal supplements. Herbal supplements of the highest quality will have been rigorously tested and made to pharmaceutical standards.

Only standardized herbal extracts are used because this is where the most active ingredients are found. Ladies there are choices and your doctor will help you to determine which one (or combination of treatments) will best provide relief.

Be sure to visit Menopause Symptoms and Treatments for further information. You can learn more about menopause and symptoms at the menopause source. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Gibb

Coping With Early Menopause Symptoms

By Susan Megge

There are several factors that may contribute to a woman experiencing early menopause (menopause before the age of 45), which include premature ovarian failure, surgery, cancer treatment, viral infections, thyroid disease and many others. No matter what the case may be, hearing that you’re going through menopause years before you were expecting to enter this transition can be very scary and intimidating, leaving you with many unanswered questions.

It’s so very important to realize that you can and will continue to be the same person – you’re not going to suddenly transform into an old lady, so don’t allow your mind to believe you will. You may be feeling like you’re less attractive or less desirable, but when these feelings of inadequacy pop into your head, remind yourself that you’re still a young woman and all that comes with it. You’re beautiful, sexy, capable and strong. Yes, your reproductive system isn’t what it was, but keep in mind that you’re much more than eggs and fallopian tubes – you’re a woman with so very much to offer.

Symptoms of early menopause can be uncomfortable, but fortunately there are many remedies that reduce and eliminate the discomforts of early menopause. Just as with menopause in an older woman, younger women experiencing early menopause will notice physical symptoms, such as:

• Irregular periods

• Infertility

• Hot flashes

• Night sweats

• Vaginal dryness

• Insomnia or disrupted sleep

• Weight gain (especially around your mid-section)

In addition to the physical symptoms of early menopause, women may also notice some changes in their emotional state, as well. It’s not unusual to experience the following:

• Irritability

• Mood swings

• Lowered libido

• Difficulty concentrating

• Confusion

• Fatigue

Coping with symptoms of early menopause can be emotionally difficult. Fortunately, lifestyle changes and other remedies can significantly reduce the physical symptoms of early menopause. Once you’ve conquered the physical signs it’s quite likely that you’ll begin to feel like your old self again and, as a result, you’ll become more optimistic and emotionally healthy. This is probably why many women choose to make lifestyle changes that have proven to effectively reduce the severity of symptoms associated with early menopause, perimenopause and menopause. For instance, it’s extremely beneficial to avoid triggers that have been known to cause hot flashes, such as hot beverages, spicy foods, alcohol, hot weather and warm rooms.

If your sleep patterns have become disrupted, try to avoid foods and beverages that contain caffeine. Also, it’s a good idea to read or take a hot bath right before bed so that you’re relaxed and more likely to fall into a nice sound sleep.

If you transform your diet into one that is healthy and includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains, you’ll notice a tremendous improvement in your overall health and just how much energy you have. You’ll want to avoid saturated fats, oils and sugars, and consume approximately 1,500 milligrams of calcium, plus 400 to 800 international units of vitamin D each day. Supplements may be required to reach these amounts. If this is the case, talk with your doctor to be certain you’re getting exactly the right dosages and ensure you’re on your way to as easy a transition as possible.

You’ll be absolutely amazed by what a regular exercise program can do to reduce and even eliminate many symptoms of early menopause. If performed correctly, exercise will protect you from conditions that are common among post-menopausal women, such as heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. In addition to preventing these conditions, exercise will eliminate the weight gain associated with menopause and will also provide you with energy that you thought may not ever come back. Exercise has also been proven to reduce the occurrence of hot flashes.

Hormone therapy (HT) also is quite beneficial in reducing many symptoms of early menopause. Unfortunately, recent studies have shown that the risks of HT, which include heart attack, stroke and breast cancer, may outweigh the benefits. While these studies may have changed the course of HT, estrogen therapy remains the most effective treatment for many early menopause symptoms. If you have not done so already, talk with your doctor to find out if a very low dose of estrogen will provide you symptom relief.

Finally, I know that this is very difficult for you and you’re likely very confused. Perhaps you were planning on having children, which may no longer be possible. Even if you weren’t considering a pregnancy, early menopause can be emotionally devastating. Please remember that you are young, you will remain young. You will no doubt get through this, because you’ve shown your strength simply by logging onto the Internet and searching for options and treatments. You’re beautiful and you have a strong resolve; I believe this and I want you to believe it too. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Megge