Menopause

Living With Menopause

Your menstrual periods have tapered off or stopped completely. You’re having hot flashes on and off during the day, and night sweats are keeping you awake. You’re moody and irritable, and your sex life is suffering, thanks to low libido and vaginal dryness. Welcome to menopause.

Some women sail through menopause with very few symptoms, but for many this transition is a bumpy ride. Menopause is triggered by declines in the production of estrogen and progesterone. By the time you reach your late 40s to early 50s, blood levels of these hormones are so low that monthly menstrual periods cease—and symptoms of menopause kick into high gear. Click here for a list of common symptoms of menopause.

The Conventional Approach to Menopause

For decades, doctors recommended hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for their patients dealing with menopause. Besides relieving symptoms, HRT was believed to protect against serious health problems such as heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Then reality struck.

In 2002, a large government-sponsored study evaluating the effects of Prempro (a combination of progestin, or synthetic “progesterone,” and conjugated horse hormones derived from the urine of pregnant mares), was abruptly terminated. It was discovered that this drug had serious safety issues, including a dramatic increase in risk of blood clots, stroke, heart attack, and breast cancer. To read more about the dangers of conventional hormone replacement therapy, click here.

Alternative Therapies for Menopause

If you are suffering with hot flashes and other signs of menopause that interfere with your quality of life, don’t let the dangers of conventional drugs scare you away from hormone replacement therapy. You can safely reap the benefits and sidestep the pitfalls of HRT by using bioidentical hormones to alleviate symptoms of menopause. Bioidentical estrogen and progesterone are identical to the hormones produced by the human body, and they are a godsend for women going through menopause.

In addition to safety and tolerability, natural hormones offer other advantages over conventional hormones. Because they are made by a compounding pharmacy, physicians are able to individualize dosages and delivery systems to meet the needs and preferences of their patients.

These hormones do require a prescription, and many conventional physicians are unfamiliar with them. However, if you are dealing with the challenges of menopause, it’s worth the effort to track down a doctor who is skilled in the administration of bioidentical hormones. For more on bioidentical hormones, click here.

Nutritional Supplements for Menopause

Some women are reluctant to take hormones of any kind. Fortunately, there are several botanical therapies with proven track records of relieving symptoms of menopause. Black cohosh, dong quai, flaxseed, and a handful of other plants contain compounds known as phytoestrogens.

Phytoestrogens bind to estrogen receptor sites in tissues throughout the body and exert weak hormonal effects. Although the results aren’t as predictable as those of prescription hormones, they are, for some women, enough to put the brakes on hot flashes and other signs of menopause. Click here to read more about whether or not natural hormone replacement therapy is right for you.

Lifestyle Changes for Menopause

A good diet is important during all phases of life, and menopause is no exception. Make sure you’re eating lots of nutrient-dense vegetables, modest amounts of fruit, and plenty of lean protein. Go easy on starches and sugars, which cause drastic swings in blood glucose that can lead to food cravings, fatigue, concentration difficulties, and mood changes—the last thing you need during menopause.

Regular exercise and stress reduction techniques will also ease your transition through menopause and improve every aspect of your health.