November 19, 2008

Using Natural Herbs to Curb Hot Flashes

For women suffering from hot flashes during menopause and perimenopause, finding a cure is often a long and ultimately frustrating process. But amid all of the synthetic treatments currently available on the market, none compare to natural herbal treatments that have been used for centuries by women in the know.

Hot flashes, which are noted by increased heat and flushing in the face, is common among women approaching menopausal age, and some are afflicted by severe symptoms. Finding relief in the form of natural herbs helps eliminate stress that accompanies the problem.

While hormone therapy is a popular treatment which is used by many women, others prefer the natural route, taking doses of Vitamin E and Vitamin B to aid in the easing of symptoms. But herbs play an important role in natural hot flash therapy.

Flaxseed, also perhaps more commonly known as linseed, is used in whole seed and oil form to help ease hot flash symptoms. While there is no hard or solid scientific evidence to back up the support of this claim, many women have used it successfully for years in the treatment of hot flashes.

Evening primrose oil is another herb commonly used to treat hot flashes during menopause. However, this botanical is sometimes accompanied by side effects such as diarrhea and nausea. It's important to talk to your doctor before combining evening primrose with other medications, such as blood thinning drugs, because it could cause adverse reactions.

Soy products such as plant estrogen, which is found in isoflavones, contribute an estrogen-similar effect to the body to weaken hot flash symptoms. Many women concentrate on using soy-based food products to treat hot flashes, not soy supplements.

Another natural herbal remedy for hot flash symptoms during menopause and perimenopause is the use of black cohosh. As a short-term natural remedy, it works very effectively. But side effects can include an upset stomach, so it needs to be used carefully.

With so much controversy in the news about hormone replacement therapy, it is important that women find reliable and natural ingredients they can use to treat various symptoms associated with menopause.

The herbs mentioned in this article only serve as a small reminder of natural cures that you can find to treat a single symptom - hot flashes. There are dozens of other herbs that can help alleviate the other menopausal symptoms women have to endure over the years.

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Consequences and Causes of Menopause

Menopause is a normal phenomenon. Women are affected by changes during their life, and one of these important changes is menopause. In most of the cases, between 45 and 55 years, in a womanâs life a great change is happening because period stops and the possibility of pregnancy is lost. We can not talk about menopause as we talk about a disease but at this time of their life women experience a mixture of symptoms like vaginal dryness, mood swings, problems with sleep, or hot flashes, symptoms that need proper medical care and treatment. During menopause womenâs estrogen levels fall and their body is suspect of osteoporosis.

Women enter this period around the age of 45. If menopause doesnât occur before 55 years and not earlier than 45 itâs considered either premature or rather late, and we can say that is an abnormal phenomenon.

A small percent of women experience premature menopause and the causes are smoking, life at high altitudes, or lack of pregnancy. Anyway, women with premature menopause should see a doctor to check for other medical problems that could cause this fact.

Just before menopause, women pass through a transition period of 3 to 5 years called perimenopause, when menopause symptoms begin but women do not stop menstruating.

Surgical menopause represents the removal of ovaries. After this procedure the risk of heart disease increases and women can not get rid of menopausal symptoms without treatment.

Menopause represents a womenâs fertility lost. During itsâ lifetime a women loses a small percentage from the up to 3 million ovarian follicles, that she has at her birth, through normal ovulation. Around the age of menopause women have fewer than 10.000 eggs, because most of their eggs die through artresia.

The reproductive hormone called follicle - stimulating hormone, FSH, is responsible for the increase of ovarian follicles in the first period of a womenâs life. After this first period in her life a womanâs ovarian follicles become immune to the hormone called follicle - stimulating hormone and ovaries reduce their production of estrogen.

Estrogen is an important hormone and itsâ production stoppage affects many parts of the body from heart to bones. This hormone loss is the cause of most of the menopause symptoms. Not only the production of estrogen is reduced in this period of a womanâs life, but also the production of testosterone another important hormone responsible with the sexual drive.

For more resources about menopause or even about menopause products please review http://www.menopause-info-guide.com

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November 17, 2008

Is There A Safe And Effective Cure For Hot Flashes?

If you're a woman and you're in menopause, then it almost goes without saying that you've suffered from hot flashes at one time or another. Hot flashes affect 75-85% of all women in menopause to varying degrees. It is not completely understood exactly what causes them, but most agree that it is due to hormonal imbalances caused by changes in the level of estrogen. Because they can be so uncomfortable and disruptive, most women are searching for a safe cure for hot flashes.

Some of the earliest symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, abnormal menstrual bleeding, and mood swings. Hot flashes and night sweats often result in sleep problems and insomnia, which can lead to anxiety and depression. Women in menopause quite often also experience heart palpitations, vaginal dryness, weight gain, loss of libido, and urinary changes. Some women float through menopause with few symptoms, but for most of us it's a different story. Is it any wonder that searching for a safe and effective cure for hot flashes can be such a priority?

Since the imbalance is caused by falling estrogen levels, it makes sense that estrogen itself is the most effective treatment for hot flashes. That's why for so many years Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) – also known as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – has been the primary cure for hot flashes. In fact, it generally results in an 80 to 90% reduction in hot flashes and other symptoms.

The peak age for hot flashes is the early 50's, but many women start getting them in their 40's. There is also a growing number of women who have undergone breast cancer treatment who suffer from hot flashes as well. Estrogen is the most prescribed medication to cure hot flashes, often as a pill or a skin patch. Generally, the amount of estrogen it takes to reduce hot flashes and other symptoms is less than the amount needed for normal menstrual periods. In recent years, doctors have prescribed much lower dosages than in the past.

Unfortunately, very recent studies have made it very clear that hormone replacement can increase the risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer, and strokes. That means the hot flash cure can be worse then just coping with the symptoms. This has led increasing numbers of women to search for a more natural cure for hot flashes.

Breast cancer survivors don't even have the option of using estrogen as a cure for hot flashes. The concern is that taking estrogen would cause the reappearance and further growth of breast cancer cells. Hot flashes then become a routine occurence in women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Many of these women have severe hot flashes.

Fortunately, there are natural remedies and strategies that can lessen the effects of hot flashes and other symptoms. Many women have turned to herbal remedies that include black cohosh, soy, and vitamin E. They have found these natural remedies to be an effective part of their search of a cure for hot flashes. Lifestyle and dietary changes also play a part. Foods and beverages that often increase hot flashes are alcohol, caffeine, and hot, spicy foods. Removing them from the diet can improve your symptoms. Increasing physical activity will also help.

In summary, hot flashes are the most common symptom faced by women going through menopause. They are caused by changing levels of hormones, especially of estrogen. Hormone Replacement Therapy is still the most prescribed cure for hot flashes. However, women are increasingly investigating natural remedies due to the increase in breast cancer, uterine cancer, and stroke risk associated with HRT. Fortunately, they don't last forever. For most women, they will decrease in intensity and frequency. It's only a matter of time.

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Overview On Premature And Induced Menopause

Menopause can come earlier in some cases. More than one percent of women stop menstruating before the age of forty. It is known as premature menopause, or premature ovarian failure and the reasons are not known yet. In other cases the menopause is brought earlier by infections or tumors that damage the ovaries. Also it is possible for menopause to be triggered prematurely by drugs, surgery that impairs the blood flow to the ovaries, chemotherapy or exposure to radiation.

The most severe symptoms and effects are encountered in the cases when the ovaries are surgically removed, or declared non-functional due to radiation exposure and the menopause is induced. This condition usually appears as a side effect in case of ovarian cancer or other abdominal diseases. Also, there are cases in which the ovaries are removed in order to prevent high risk diseases based on medical records of the patient or genetic legacy. In the past, ovaries were removed during hysterectomy together with the uterus but today they are left in place, if possible .

What causes early menopause

Menopause is in many cases dictated by genetic factors so if your mother had an early or late menopause, you probably will also. Yet, this legacy can be broken if different factors interfere.

* - Smokers experience menopause an average of 1.5 years earlier than non-smokers and the severity of the symptoms may depend on how much or for how long a woman has smoked.

* - Removal of the pituitary gland.

* - Chemotherapy.

* - Radiation therapy or other treatment to the abdomen or pelvis that damages the ovaries.

* - Genetic and auto immune diseases.

* - Oophorectomy, which causes sudden menopause.

* - Women living at high altitudes experience an earlier menopause

* - Vegetarian diet.

Women recognize themselves the signs and symptoms of the menopause in most cases. Sometimes though, a doctor's opinion may come in handy. There are certain cases, when a specialist may recommend a series of investigations like the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen (estradiol) check, who's levels can increase or decrease, and, thyroid-stimulating hormone, which can cause similar symptoms to the menopause.

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Tricks And Tips To Minimize Weight Gain After Menopause

Sometime during your 40s or 50s (usually coinciding with the menopausal transition) you may notice that maintaining your usual weight becomes more difficult. Weight gain after menopause seems to be harder to lose, and the inches tend to accumulate around your abdomen, rather than your hips and thighs. For most women, increases in weight begin during perimenopause (the years leading up to menopause). On average, women gain about a pound a year during this time. Reversing course to lose unwanted pounds needs strict attention to healthy eating habits, an active lifestyle and diligence to keep it all on track.

- Causes Of Weight Gain After Menopause -

Changing hormone levels associated with menopause aren't necessarily the cause of weight gain. Aging and lifestyle choices play a big role in your changing body composition, including:

* Exercising less. Menopausal women tend to exercise less than other women, which can lead to weight gain.

* Eating more. Eating more means you will take in more calories, which are converted to fat if you don't burn them for energy.

* Burning fewer calories. The number of calories you need for energy decreases as you age because aging promotes the replacement of muscle with fat. Muscle burns more calories than fat does. When your body composition shifts to more fat and less muscle, your metabolism slows down.

Genetic factors may play a role in weight gain as well. If your parents and other close relatives carry extra weight around the abdomen, you may be predisposed to do so, too. Weight gain can also have serious implications for your health. Excess weight increases your risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes. These factors also put you at increased risk of heart disease and stroke. There is also evidence that weight gain after menopause increases breast cancer risk. Women who gain in excess of 20 pounds after menopause increase their breast cancer risk by nearly 20 percent. On the other hand, losing weight after menopause can reduce breast cancer risk.

- What You Can Do To Prevent Or Reverse Weight Gain -

There is no magic formula for avoiding weight gain as you get older. The strategies for maintaining a healthy weight at any age remain the same: watch what you eat and get moving. The most effective approach to reversing weight gain after menopause includes a combination of the following:

* Increase your physical activity. Aerobic exercise boosts your metabolism and helps you burn fat. Strength training exercises increase muscle mass, boost your metabolism and strengthen your bones. You can become more physically active even without starting a formal exercise program. Just spend more time doing the things you love that also get you moving. Do more gardening and dancing. Take longer walks or try out a bike. Make it your goal to be active for a total of 30 minutes or more a day on most days. Increased physical activity, including strength training, may be the single most important factor for maintaining a healthy body composition (more lean muscle mass and less body fat) as you get older.

* Reduce calories. Pay attention to the foods you are eating and slightly reduce the amount of calories you consume each day. By choosing a varied diet composed mainly of fruits and vegetables, you can safely cut back on calories and lose weight. Be careful not to cut back too drastically on calorie intake, or your body will respond by conserving energy, making extra pounds harder to shed. Because your metabolism slows as you get older, you need about 200 fewer calories a day to maintain your weight as you get into your mid - to late 40s. This shouldn't be a problem if you eat only when hungry and only enough to satisfy your hunger.

* Decrease dietary fat. Eating large amounts of high-fat foods adds excess calories, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. Limit fat to 20 to 35 percent of your daily calories. Emphasize fats from healthier sources, such as nuts and olive, canola and peanut oils.

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November 15, 2008

A Natural Remedy For Hot Flashes - How To Be Side-effect Free!

If you've begun experiencing the "hormone hell" of menopause, you may be wondering just whose body you're in! Your changing estrogen levels have sent your body's temperature into a crazy burning/freezing cycle. You may be suffering mood swings and insomnia as well. Your menopausal hot flashes can start getting the best of you until you've had it! You need a solution just to get your life back to normal. But like many other women, you may be worried about hormone replacement therapy as a viable solution. A solution that works better for you and your body could be a natural remedy for hot flashes.

If you are able to control your hot flashes with a natural remedy your body will thank you. A natural remedy for hot flashes will have minimal – if any – side effects and can be relatively inexpensive. As with all medical treatments, whether natural or prescribed by your doctor, you should proceed carefully to ensure you don't have an allergic reaction to a yet unknown allergen. A good strategy is to start with some simple changes that don't require herbs or medications at all. Then slowly add other pieces to the puzzle until you have a solution that works for you.

First, try to avoid hot and humid weather. Since your inner thermostat has a mind of its own these days, running a bunch of errands in the heat may trigger a hot flash. The same can be said for hot tubs and saunas. Knowing your personal triggers is the first step when developing a natural remedy for hot flashes.

Common triggers for menopausal women include hot drinks, spicy foods, alcohol, stress, smoking, chocolate and foods with high-acid content. Now that you officially are not allowed to enjoy your favorite foods or indulgences you may wonder "what's the point?" Just keep in mind that every woman will have different triggers. Some of these foods may not bother you at all. This list is meant as a guide, not as a "never do" list. It's pretty rare to have all the items listed here as a trigger. Just knowing one or two triggers and then avoiding them will significantly help you in developing your personal natural remedy for hot flashes.

Once you discover your triggers, you are ready to proactively develop a complete game plan. Some natural quick fixes include drinking cold fluids when you feel a hot flash coming on, wearing layered clothing, and reducing your stress levels. Everyone can benefit from a few healthy stress reduction strategies. This is particularly important for women in menopause.

What helps ease stress in one woman, may just enhance it in another. Most people have a few stress reduction strategies that they utilize, but they're more important than ever when developing a natural remedy for hot flashes that really works.

Many people exercise to help reduce stress. Even though it hasn't been proven that exercise reduces hot flashes, many women report that it makes a significant difference in their frequency. A few other relaxation techniques you may not think of right off include acupuncture, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.

A great way to track your progress is to keep a hot flash journal. After you've tracked your symptoms for awhile, you'll see which foods or drinks are triggers and what exercise and relaxation techniques seem to reduce your stress and hot flash symptoms. Hot flashes can be unbearable for some women. By employing a few of the above techniques you can develop a way to beat your misery with your own personalized natural remedy for hot flashes.