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Menopause
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Menopause is a natural stage in a women's life. Just a puberty marks the beginning of our reproductive potential, menopause marks the completion.
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Menopause refers to the last menstrual period in a women's life. A women isn't medically defined as post-menopaused until one year after her last period. So, the exact time of menopause is impossible to know until quite some time after it has occurred.
Most women reach menopause when they're between 45 and 55 years old, but almost 10 per cent of women experience menopause before 40. The Australian average is 51, which means most women will live a third of their lives post-menopause. Obviously then, menopause is a natural progression in our growth as women.
In general terms, the word menopause has come to mean the changes a women's body goes through as she approaches the end of her reprouctive years. Medically, this transition stage is called the climacteric or perimenopause and lasts around two-to-six years.
During this time, the body gradually produces less of the hormone cestrogen as the ovaries get into holiday mode. Production of the hormone progesterone becomes irregular as ovulation becomes less frequent.
Testosterone production continues at much the same rate as proviously. These changes in the balance of hormones cause many of the symptoms of menopause.
While around 20 per cent of menopausal women have severe symptoms, 60 per cent have only mid symptoms and 20 percent have no symptoms at all. |
Common symptoms of menopause
- Irregular menstrual periods - cycles may be longer, shorter, or erratic and bleeding may become lighter or heavier than usual.
- Hot flushes, night sweats.
- Aches and pains, especially headaches.
- Difficulties with concentration and memory.
- Mood changes, irritability, low selfesteem, anxiety, depression.
- Insomnia or fatigue.
- Vaginal dryness, bladder control.
- Changes to libido.
- Skin sensations, such as prickling, itching or crawling ski.
Additionally, because the hormone oestrogen is necessary for maintaining home strengh, lower levels of oestrogen increases the risk of developing osteoporosis, a medical condition in which bones lose strength and density, become brittle and fracture easily.
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How to muffle the effects
Healthy Lifestyle
Its importnat maintain a positive attitude going into menopause by accepting that it really is a natural life stage. Don't believe everything you hear about menopause - attempts to treat it as an illness or disease are dangerous and ill conceived. Therapies and treatments can only alleviate the less-pleasant side effects of the normal changes our bodies are going through.
As at any time in our lives, good health is largely dependent on our lifestyles. A healthy diet and regular exercise will help reduce the effects of hormonal changes during menopause. |
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In particular, women should eat plenty of foods rich in phytoestrogens (plant compounds similar to the hormone oestrogen) to top up low oestrogen levels as the body slows hormone production. Such foods include soy products, tofu, alfalfa, nuts, whole grain, legumes (peas, beans, lentils) and fruit.
Because of the increased risk of oesteoporosis, women should also have plenty of low-fat, high-calcium foods. The recommended intake ia 1,000mg of calcium daily, which equates to three serves of dairy products.
A typical cream such as BioGest Menopause Relief can also provide relief from menopause symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance. A five-month study at the Australian College of Natural Medicine in Brisbane, showed the product helped with mood swings, hot flushes and night sweats.
Half an hour of weight bearing exercise every day such as walking or dancing and 20 minutes outside in the sunshine each day to increase production of vitamin D will also help keep bones strong. |
Herbal help
Ginseng, sarsaparilla and liquorice root boosts production of oestrogen in the adrenal glands. These herbs can be taken orally as infusions, tablets, teas or as a blend from a herbalist. However, to much liquorice root can cause fluid retention.
Ginseng is helpful in treating hot flushes, night sweats, fatique and stress, but can raise blood pressure. Panax ginseng is very strong and should not be taken for longer than two or three weeks at a time. Siberian ginseng is less potent, but still it should not be taken for more than two months at a time. |
Black cososh teken orally is effective for reducing the effect of hot flushes, sore joints, moodiness and other menopausal symptoms. Eating around 25g daily of linseed or flaxseed will also reduce vaginal dryness, and can easily be added to cereal. Porridge and muesil are beneficial as they contain oat straw, which calms the nervous system.
St John's wart is used to ease anxiety, stress and moderate depression, but can react dangerously with many prescription medications and should only be prescribed by a qualified natural therapist.
Hops may also ease anxiety and stress and relieve insominia, but shouldn't be taken if you are experiencing depression.
Passionflower or chamomile tea can promote healthy sleep patterns, while sage tea can help with night sweats. Lemon balm tea will relieve depression, tension and stress.
The secretary of the National Herbalists Association of Australia, Anne Cowper, suggests you contact the association for the name of a qualified herbalist in your area if you have any queries about the use of these herbs. 02 9555 8885 www,nhaa.org.au |
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| The hormone replacement therapy debate The most controversial treatment for menopausal symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also called hormone therapy (HT). This treatment involves taking a combination of the hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone, usually in oral tablet form, but occassionally prescribed as patches, gels, implants, creams or pessaries.
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The Jean Hailes Foundation for women's health estimates that only 20 per cent of menopausal women have severe symptons that interfere with their quality of life. HRT may provide relief for these women. We also know that oestrogen helps maintain bone strength, so the oestrogen in HRT can reduce the risk of osteoporosis. However, American medical research since 2002 has found long-term use (more then five years) of HRT results in a small increased risk of heart disease, thrombosis, stroke, endrometrial cancer and breast cancer.
On the other hand, very little clinical research has been done into alternative therapies, so the efficiency of readily-available natural remedies is not yet supported by the mainstream medical establishment and it's best to consult a qualified natural health practitioner before beginning any treatment. A holistic approach employing complementary health treatments is often very effective and can include both hormonal and herbal supplements. |
As at any time in our lives, good health is largely dependent on our lifestyles.
A healthy diet and regular exercise will help reduce the effect
of hormonal changes during menopause. |
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