Boning Up on Bones

About this time in life we start hearing about bone density tests and weakening bones. Why should I be concerned?
Let's start with a kinda scary fact: One third to one half of all women over the age of 50 will sustain a bone related fracture complication. As many women die of complications from osteoporosis, one in five, as they do from cancer and heart disease.
The good news is we can make changes and keep our bones health and strong.
Start by replacing your calcium. We do not make anymore bone mass after the age of 35.Your bones and your teeth make up 99% of the calcium in your body. The daily supplement requirement is 1,200 milligrams, and most of us are getting less than half of that each day. So, like a bank, we are loosing more and more bone density, daily. Almonds, almond milk, tuna, vegetables, calcium supplements and fortified cereals and juices are a great source of calcium. Foods that rob your bone bank include meat, protein bars and protein shakes. Salt is number two calcium depleting factor. We all tend to eat too much salt, and this makes us thirsty. We then up our water or liquid intake; we pee more, and like the baby with the bathwater, out goes the calcium as well. And #3 culprit of calcium loss is alcohol, more than one drink a day and we are tapping into the reserves.
Put a little sunshine in your life. Vitamin D helps us to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. It protects us from rickets, osteoporosis and softening of the bone. Vitamin Sunshine may even ward off high blood pressure, depression, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. New evidence show it has been found to slow down cancer and tumor development as well. About 10-15 minutes twice a week should do the trick.
Exercise..everyday, maybe out in the sunshine. The trick here is weight bearing moving. The weight of the body has to be carried by the bones in order to stimulate bone strength. Walking and dancing are weight bearing, but swimming, cycling and yoga are not. Just add one to the other if you love to swim. A variety of aerobic, load-bearing, strength-training, and balance-enhancing exercises build the bones and stave off fractures.
Because teeth are attached to Bone, you may also experience a decline in the health of your teeth and gums. Bone loss will weaken the attachment of the teeth, and sometimes teeth will fall out. Easy on the carbonated drinks, they do a number on our teeth and our bones.
When your doctor does order a bone mineral density test, (BMD) there is no reason to be alarmed. The tests do not hurt and only take about 15 minutes. The tests are repeated every 2-3 years.
The duel-energy X-ray (DEXA) is taken of your spine and hip, and they have smaller more mobile machines that may scan just your wrist and heel. These two X-ray beams measure bone thickness. The scanning arm scans your body as you are lying down. This is used to check density changes. The report shows colored images of your spine and hip, etc. reflecting different densities. The scans are then compared to the bones of an average 35 year old woman, whose average score is 0. Your scores will range from -1.0 normal, -1.0 to -2.5, lower but stable bone mass, and -2.5 and lower, you have osteoporosis. Your risk of a fracture doubles for every point below zero.
Sit down with your doctor and together decide what forms of calcium fits best into your lifestyle. Remember that the earlier we start saving the in the Bone Bank, the better.
Co-Author of Menopause Master Plan
http://www.menopausemasterplan.com/
Corby Campbell Shields

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6 Simple Ways to Overcome the Challenges of Menopause And Enjoy Your New Life

Menopause is one of the stages of life that every woman will go through. The transition into this stage of life can be very challenging. Fortunately, there are certain things you can do to overcome the challenges and live your life to the fullest.
When you're going through the process of menopause, don't just sit back and worry, or try to ignore it. Below are the tips to help you cope.
1. Reach out: Talk to other women. Find out what symptoms they're having, what causes them difficulty, and what they do to cope. A lot of women are doing their own research and information-gathering, and they can be a tremendous resource for you.
2. Find a mentor: Some older women who have been through menopause can serve as wonderful mentors. Find a woman 10-15 years older who is living a lifestyle you admire and talk to her about what has meaning in her life. Make her your role model.
3. Know your options: Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and options for dealing with them. Deciding to take hormones is a very individual decision.
Talk to several doctors if you need to, until you find one you're comfortable with and who is willing to respect what you want to do to manage your menopause.
4. Stay connected: There are so many women's community out there. Any of these communities can help you feel connected and productive during this transitional time. Therefore, join a book club or take art lesson or a course that stimulates your intellect.
5. Expect sexual changes: Some women find that sex is not as passionate but becomes more affectionate. And this can be fine, since their mate's testosterone (sex hormone) levels may be dropping as well, lowering his sex drive.
Some women also find that certain places on the body that use to be highly sensitive are less so, and that other places that were not sensitive now are.
6. Explore sexual options: Try to stay sexually active. Not having sex can cause your vagina to change in size and elasticity, which can make sex painful.
Talk to your partner about the changes you're feeling and explore new and different ways to have sex that may be more comfortable. If you don't have a partner, masturbation helps promote circulation and moistness in the vagina helping it to maintain its size and elasticity. Put these tips into practice and you'll be amazed at how wonderful your menopause life will be!
Saeed Sikiru is a fitness enthusiast, a wellness advocate, a full time blogger and freelance writer. He owns a blog where he writes regularly about Health Tips and Advice. You can also Hire Him for your writing and marketing projects at affordable cost.

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11 Secret Foods That Ease Menopause Symptoms

Good for you, you have decided to take control of yourself, instead of Menopause controlling you! One of the big steps in your personal makeover as making the right food choices. If you did not know, food choices impacts your symptoms, your energy, your frame of mind.
I am going to share with you 11 foods that have really helped me overcome those negative side affects of menopause. To name a few, bloating, anxiety, depression and constipation. These foods not only help with those wicked symptoms of menopause, but they burn belly fat, and eliminate it; they make your skin glow, increase your energy, help you sleep. These great foods are so good for you, and to you. Doesn't that make you feel a little better?
Here are the 11 Secret Foods that give you clear eyes, soft hair and nails, strong immunity. You will feel energized, empowered, and strong.These good foods even reduce the appearance of wrinkles, add oxygen to your blood, and soften your skin, along with all the other benefits I listed above. And they are so yummy, and filling. Come on, let me introduce you to our friends.
1) Cucumbers - Full of chlorophyll and oxygen, cucumbers are loaded with vitamins and minerals. A fabulous high PH, low sugar, must eat. So yummy and crisp in salads, juices and smoothies.
2) Avocados - A fruit, who knew. With more potassium than a banana. Packed with 70% good fats and oils that give you a slow burn that works on your fat, non - stop.
3) Lime - Even though this fruit is considered acidic,when the body breaks it down, it has an alkalizing effect on the body. This lowers the bodies Ph, protecting us, and burning fat. Limes give that "sweet" taste to foods.
4) Almonds - A fabulous snack! The monounsaturated fats and vitamin E will help lower your LDL cholesterol. It's a healthy substitute for people with wheat allergies or diabetics. And it helps clear your complexion.
5) Wild Caught Salmon - So much protein, vitamin D and omega - 3 fatty acids. These fish are full of good cholesterol, and the proteins and omega - 3 fatty acids are used in your fat burning furnace.
6) Fresh Spinach - Loaded with antioxidants. A strong iron source, vitamins A,E,C & K, and even those great omega - 3 fatty acids. Truly a "super" veggie.
7) Asparagus - Very low in calories and so high in antioxidants. With the nutrient density and wonderful source of fiber, asparagus aids in your digestion, and gives you a natural protein that helps build long, lean muscle.
8) Tomato - Wow, another low sugar, fat burning fruit.Tomatoes have an ostonishingly high level of vitamin A and some have even double the amount of vitamin C. Yummy too.
9) Sprouted Seed Bread - the healthiest alternative to satisfy your bread and carb needs. Yea, you get toast!Plus they are high in fiber,and have a great protein content to keep your muscles strong.
10) Olive Oil - Delicious and full of the monounsaturated fats that help reduce coronary heart disease. The fatty acids in this oil have anti - inflammatory and anti - hypertensive properties.
11) Broccoli - An anti - viral, anti - bacterial goodie. Broccoli,will all that vitamin C, helps burn fat and is an excellent source of fiber.
Look at that list! You can have toast and nuts to snack on and Avocados....no calorie counting, no portion control. And you are Burning Fat while you eat.
Add lots of water with Super Greens Supplement, and Honey, You are a fat burning machine!
Don't worry, don't give up, more help is on the way! Over the next couple of weeks you will be receiving more ammunition to fight those hormones that add belly fat, as well as so many other awful symptoms. I know what you are going though, and I am going to help you win back you sanity, your self.
Hang in there!
It's Your journey, but You're not alone,
Corby Campbell,
Co Founder: http://www.menopausemasterplan.com/

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Making Sense Of Herbal Menopause Remedies

If you've looked online recently for an herbal menopause remedy you've no doubt found tons of remedies and little information about them. Most brands rely on the prior reputation or familiarity of an herb to make the sale. There seems to be very little tangible information about what to expect in terms of results, and virtually no information about side effects and safety issues when taking herbs.
Since you're putting it in your body, you probably want to know a little bit about how a particular herbal remedy works. Let's investigate that first. Menopause complaints span a wide variety of symptoms involving many parts of the body. What they all have in common is the cause. Menopause related symptoms or complaints are attributable to dropping hormone levels of progesterone and estrogen.
Using herbs to replace dropping estrogen and progesterone
Many of the herbs that are advertised as helpful for relief of menopause complaints are essentially herb sources of estrogens. They have been called phytoestrogens (plant-estrogens) by the scientific community. By restoring dropping estrogen levels with plant like estrogens, menopause symptoms are relieved. Some common herbs (and foods) that contain phytoestrogens are red clover, soy, flaxseed and Siberian rhubarb root extract.
Alternately, some herbs contain a progesterone like molecule. The one that stands out is wild Mexican yam. Wild Mexican yam contains a substance diosgenin, which is very similar to progesterone. Different medical researchers argue in both directions-that the human body can, and cannot convert diosgenin into progesterone. So the reported benefits of wild Mexican yam may be due to its direct effect on human tissues. Or it may be due to the fact that it is converted bio-chemically by the body into progesterone, thereby restoring optimal progesterone levels as they drop during perimenopause.
Other menopause herbal remedies-Chasteberry
Other herbs and nutrients frequently used for relief of menopause related complaints don't fall into either of the above categories. That is, they don't mimic the activity of either estrogen or progesterone, yet can have beneficial effects. One example is vitex or chasteberry. This herb has been used more for relief of premenstrual complaints, and particularly for relief of breast pain associated with monthly cycling. How chasteberry achieves its benefit is not fully understood, but it has been shown to change levels of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that regulates milk production in the breast.
Black Cohosh
Another herb that is commonly used by menopausal women is black cohosh. It was initially thought that black cohosh contained phytoestrogens. This has been refuted by recent research that suggests that black cohosh impacts serotonin receptors in the brain. Serotonin is a brain neurotransmitter that is sometimes referred to as the "tranquilizing" brain neurotransmitter. Many popular prescriptive anti-depressants (the SSRI's) work by influencing serotonin levels in the brain. Research suggests that black cohosh may have some benefit for osteoporosis. Research also suggests that black cohosh has no benefit for relief of menopause related hot flashes.
St. John's Wort
Another herb that finds its way into herbal menopause remedies is St. John's Wort. The herb has a well deserved reputation for helping to relieve mild depression. Since depression may be associated with premenopause and menopause, some manufacturers of menopause herbal remedies include it in combination formula's. How St. John's Wort works is not clearly understood. It is believed to benefit brain levels of serotonin in the same way as some prescriptive anti-depressants (the SSRI's) such as Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa and Prozac.
Other issues with herbal menopause remedies
There are a number of other issues to be considered with regard to herbal menopause remedies. Herbs are effective because of specific active ingredients within the plant. These active ingredients can vary depending on where the plant is grown, the growth conditions, when the herb is harvested, etc. A quality herbal product monitors the level of active ingredients in the herb. The bottle label should refer to "standardized" levels of key ingredients in the herbs used. Herb purity is another important issue. Herbs harvested overseas can be contaminated with toxins, including bacteria, heavy metals or pollutants. A quality herbal manufacturer tests any and all ingredients used for contaminants. Finally, before taking any herbal product, you should be clear on what side effects to expect. Some herbs tend to have side effects while others do not. If you are taking an herb that may produce side effects, it is important to know what they are. If you experience them, you want to be able to recognize that they are due to the herb you are taking, so that you can stop.
For more information on menopause herbal remedies including which remedies work the best for relief of specific menopause complaints, the side effects of some menopause herbal remedies, issues of herb quality and purity, and more please visit http://herbalmenopauseremedy.com/

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Finding the Right Remedy for Menopause

What is the Right Choice for a Remedy for Menopause?Since not every woman is the same it is necessary to find the right remedy for menopause for you. There are prescription treatments, natural treatments, and a variety of other types of treatments. The main goal is to lessen the symptoms and make your life more comfortable while you are going through the journey of menopause.
Understand that treating menopause will require making some changes to your diet, your daily habits, and adding in some exercise. This will help to make it a bit easier than if you continue with your regular diet and your regular habits. Your body is going through some very big changes and you really need to make the right changes to your life as well.
The Most Popular Remedy for Menopause
Probably the most popular remedy for menopause is getting a prescription from the doctor. This does not make it the best treatment just because it is popular and comes from a doctor, however. Most doctors will prescribe estrogen and progesterone, which are better known as hormone replacement therapy.
Usually this treatment is for those women that still have their uterus and it will help to prevent osteoporosis and reduce many of the symptoms of menopause. When a woman has already gone through a hysterectomy most doctors will only prescribe Estrogen instead of both drugs.
Hormone replacement therapy used to be a very popular choice as a remedy for menopause, but more recent studies show an increase in risk of heart disease, blood clots, stroke, and breast cancer are associated with this type of treatment. This may be a few good reasons to seek out treatment other than prescription drugs.
Most of the drugs that comes from doctors come with at least some side effects and risks. Many women are not seeking our more natural ways to treat the symptoms of menopause and there are many choices. Changes to your diet and to your lifestyle can make a difference along with adding in specific vitamins and herbs.
It may take a bit of time to find the right combination to help treat all the symptoms you are suffering from, but it will be worth it. Below are some of the recommended herbs and vitamins that can become the natural remedy for menopause you are looking for.
Choices to Add to your Remedy for Menopause
Before we get into the different natural herbs and supplements you can take to help with things like hot flashes and night sweats you need to understand that natural does not equal safe. If you are currently taking prescription drugs you will need to talk with your doctor before adding in an herbal remedy for menopause because it could react negatively with the drugs you are taking.
Taking Soy and Isoflavones can help with hot flashed within the first two years of menopause and can also help with night sweats. These contain plant estrogens and can be found in the form of soy protein. Taking 50 grams a day can be helpful in the short term and over the long term it can help make your bones stronger and keep your cholesterol down.
However, if you take large amounts of soy it can interact with your natural estrogen and can be harmful to any women with a history of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. It is always good to stick with the recommended amount and having too much can cause issues you don't want to deal with.
A few other choices to treat the symptoms of menopause include St. John's Wort, Flaxseed oil, Red Clover, and Black Cohosh. There are many therapies that can help as well like relaxation techniques, meditation, and acupuncture. These are just a few choices you can add to your remedy for menopause.
Find out how you can get the Menopause Control you are looking for by reading the Menopause Control EBook Review here

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A Unique Natural Hot Flash Treatment - From The Ocean

In my quest to identify Hot Flash Natural Treatments I've discovered an unlikely source which comes from the ocean and that unique source is Kelp...
If you have problems with hot flashes, along with other challenging menopausal discomforts and are seeking a natural solution, then you've come to the right place.
I am on a mission to "unearth" as many natural remedies or treatments for hot flashes as possible. In my pursuit I've "discovered" Kelp which is a variety of seaweed. It is found along rocky sea shores throughout the world.
Oh my! Kelp is so awesome... here's the scoop... In my research of Kelp I found that it is loaded with nutrients which include over 70 minerals and trace elements. I can't believe that I am just now realizing the incredible benefits of Kelp.
Please pay attention to this. In addition to the over 70 minerals, Kelp possess trace elements, growth hormones, enzymes, vitamins, proteins which include iodine, potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium.
Kelp supports the thyroid gland, which is a key sex gland stimulator, can lessen and may even stop menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, weight gain, moodiness and menopausal tension. When Kelp is taken daily it may promote emotional balance.
As a bit of a bonus here are a few more benefits of kelp for all around physical and emotional well-being.
Additional reported benefits of Kelp:
1.) Strengthen immunity
2.) Effectively fights viral condition
3.) Improve liver function
4.) Suppress AIDS
5.) Supports healthy digestion and lessens constipation
6.) Reduce hair loss
7.) Combat against heart disease and cancer
8.) Support lowering of cholesterol level
How Do I Take Kelp?
Kelp can be taken as a supplement, dried, granulated or even in powder form. Kelp is easy to consume you can add it to drinks, used for flavoring in the manner salt is used, add it to meals for seasoning and even eat the powdered kelp directly.
The miraculous Kelp can be easily attained at your local health food store. A side note, I bought Kelp this past weekend at my local health food store in the powered form.
I wanted the dry Kelp (seaweed) but the store only sold the powered form. It has a very distinct taste... rather fishy...now what else would I expect knowing that the source is the ocean.
The second time I tried it I added a heaping tablespoon of Kelp to a half glass of apple juice. Granted the apple juice didn't totally masked the distinct taste of Kelp but it does make it a bit more palatable.
Because I know that Kelp is loaded with all sorts of good "stuff" to keep my body healthy I drank it down in a matter of seconds...
Honestly, I don't know about you but I am literally blown away by the magnificent health benefits of Kelp...
The more I research natural remedies the more I come to the realization that "Mother Nature" seems to hold the "keys" to our wellness...it is the original Source for our health and wellness. Kelp has been added to a viable hot flash natural treatment.
To your excellent health,
Note - Please remember that it is always important to consult your health practitioner before beginning any remedies to make sure they won't harm your health nor have any adverse effects. The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only. This publication, and the product contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Ameenah Maria Lutfee has practiced optimal health for over 25 years before becoming a freelance writer. Her "30 Key Discoveries for Natural Relief for Menopause" report is free and available at her blog site, http://www.awesomehealthandwealth.com/. She maintains up to date insights on natural relief for hot flashes via her blog site as well.

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I Bet You Are Totally Stressed Out, How About a Bit of Down Time?

In the dictionary Stress is described as mental and physical tension and or strain.
Well duh! We can run into a full blown stress response on a daily basis, sometimes it seems to come at us on an hourly basis. Let's face it, life is stress, and that physical reaction wrecks havoc on our mind and body.
Did you know that 75% -90% of all doctor visits are for stress related problems. That in itself should tell us a boatload.
See if you have experienced any of these beauties on the list;
Headaches, insomnia, digestive problems, ulcers.
How about irritability, high blood pressure, elevation in cholesterol levels, sleeplessness, migraines, neck aches, diarrhea, dizziness, weakening of the immune system.
Stress is a cofactor in common illnesses and diseases such as heart disease, cancer, depression, ulcers, stroke and hyper tension.
OK, now what? How about a bit of help to that poor body with a bit of down time. Don't you and your shoulders that are now in your ears deserve it??
Take time for you, everyday, to unwind, even if it's just for a couple minutes. This is as important as picking up the dry cleaning and running the bank deposit at lunch.
Sit quietly outside and take in the beauties of nature. Take deep breaths. Look at that natural object; a bird, a flower, a tree. Reflect on this object and take deep breaths, clear your mind, just see it, and breathe and feel this living thing's energy. Try to reflect on this thing of beauty and relax for 10 minutes. Breathe in 1.2.3.4.5...breathe out 1.2.3.4.5...
Can't get outside? Find a quiet space, close your eyes.
Choose a calming work or sound, hum or recite a prayer. Repeat this word silently or out loud. ( Kinda depends where you are, huh.)
Start with your toes. Relax completely all the muscles in your toes, hum or repeat your word. Breathe...
Move up to your feet, ankles, calves... relax, and hum... breathe
Now your thighs, abdomen, arms, wrists, fingers
Pull your shoulders down out of your ears and relax them, your neck, your head...
Breathe slowly and naturally, saying your phrase or word as you exhale... Aim for 8-10 minutes. When you are totally relaxed, sit there a minute longer and reflect on how your body feels.
As your day goes by and you are finding your shoulders once again in your ears, think back to that relaxed state, take some deep cleansing breaths, and then move forward again to your task at hand.
Don't forget to be good to you. Hope this helps.
Corby Campbell Shields
Co-Author of the Menopause Master Plan
http://www.menopausemasterplan.com/

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How to Eliminate Perimenopause Bloating With Natural Remedies

I used to be able to eat anything. I'm not kidding. I never got indigestion, bloating or any other type of digestive problem. And then, out of the blue, I started getting bloated. First, it was only when I ate pasta, or drank too much coffee. Eventually, I was bloated all the time. Sometimes I would feel like I was going to explode. Like there was someone blowing up a balloon inside my stomach.
Causes of perimenopause bloating are generally related to hormone imbalance, but they can range from food intolerance to a decline in digestive function. A decline in function happens naturally as you age, but we modern humans have been on a quest to see how fast we can ruin our digestive systems for a hundred years or so.
This may come as a surprise, but we don't eat real food anymore. Let's take whole grains, for example. You've probably read over and over about the need to consume more whole grains if you want to be healthy, right?
What most people don't know is that grains need to be sprouted before cooking for maximum health. You need to soak them in order to neutralize the phytic acid that is present. Phytic acid interferes with absorption of calcium, magnesium and other minerals. In addition, grains contain enzyme inhibitors, which neutralize the enzymes in your digestive tract. Sprouting grains before cooking also increases the amount of Vitamin C, some B vitamins and carotene.
And let's be clear about what a whole grain is or isn't. Whole wheat pasta is NOT a whole grain. Whole wheat muffins or breads or pancakes are not whole grains. Whole grains include brown rice, millet, couscous, quinoa. Not instant versions, but the ones you actually have to cook.
So we spend years and years eating overly processed food that contains pesticides, genetically modified ingredients, grown in soil that has very few nutrients, and is usually full of rancid vegetable oils and/or some form of fructose, and we wonder why we end up with digestive problems.
Steps to Reduce or Eliminate Perimenopause Bloating
If you know there are foods that increase bloating for you, try to reduce or eliminate them. I know this is hard to do, but it is a foolproof way to reduce perimenopause bloating. It took me years to do this, even though I hated the bloating. I kept thinking that my body had never reacted to these foods before, so why should I change my diet now? Needless to say, that didn't work very well.
Use herbs to help balance out your hormones. Black cohosh, dong quai, wild yam, and vitex (chaste berry) are all hormone-balancing herbs. Or you could try some bioidentical progesterone.
Use herbs to help your digestion and/or reduce stress. Stress is extremely hard on your digestive system. Digestive herbs include gentian, dandelion, ginger and peppermint. There are many herbs for stress. My favorites are scullcap, vervain and motherwort.
Learn about fermented foods. Learn how to make them and eat them. Your digestive system will thank you. When your digestion is working well, you will not only be without symptoms like perimenopasuse bloating, but you will gain energy as well.
Candice Hughes is the founder of the Natural Approaches to Menopause website, a resource for women who want to go through menopause using natural remedies. Candice studied herbal medicine at the Pacific School for Herbal Medicine. For more information about perimenopause bloating and natural remedies, visit http://www.natural-approaches-to-menopause.com/perimenopause-bloating.html

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Can You Benefit From Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Deciding whether or not to pursue hormone replacement therapy can be difficult. Today, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy offers women the ability to safely balance their hormones without subjecting themselves to some of the risks that have been associated with animal-derived and synthetic hormones. Many women have spent years living with imbalanced hormones, wishing they had more energy, suffering from a host of menstrual problems, or other health issues. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy promises to diminish symptoms related to hormonal imbalance that many women suffer from, not realizing that there's help available.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has traditionally been viewed as a medical treatment specifically geared at women who are going through menopause. Hormones used in BHRT are derived from plants rather than from animals (which are not bioidentical to those produce by human females). BHRT has offered menopausal women the ability to control hot flashes and insomnia, while keeping libido high and decreasing the risk of strokes and heart attacks. BHRT has become well-known as an option for menopausal women because of it's ability to make menopause less uncomfortable and less hazardous on a woman's health. But few young women realize the potential benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement therapies before they reach menopause.
Younger, pre-menopausal women can benefit from BHRT too! A number of young women suffer from health issues related to imbalanced hormones. Indeed, women as young as age 35 can suffer from symptoms of "peri-menopause" (imbalanced hormones related to the bodies transition toward menopause). Many young women don't even realize that their symptoms have to do with hormonal issues pertaining to peri-menopause. BHRT offers women the ability to safely get their hormones under control to experience a clear head, vitality and energy, and the ability to control their weight during this transitional time in their lives.
No matter what your age, if you struggle with issues pertaining to hormonal imbalances, you could probably benefit from BHRT. Plant-derived bioidentical hormones present fewer health risks than animal derived or synthetic hormones, according to a number of studies. Women benefit from BHRT, both for symptoms of menopause and peri-menopause, though hormonal fluctuations related to peri-menopause have only recently come to the attention of researchers. As peri-menopause is researched more thoroughly and understood better, more younger women will be able to enjoy the benefits of BHRT. Whether you're 35 or 60 years old, your decision to pursue hormone replacement therapy can be made easier, knowing that BHRT offers women of all ages a safe alternative to animal-derived or synthetic hormones to enjoy balance throughout every stage of life.
Jennifer is a content editor for Physioage.com. The doctors at Physioage.com all have expert knowledge of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. They can help you determine if this treatment methods are suitable for you. Contact them today for help in your anti-aging efforts.

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Hot Flash Triggers of Menopause and How I Get Natural Relief

Where is the cold shower, water hose, ice packs or swimming pool? This is the immediate relief you think of when you get the hot flashes of menopause. There are many things that trigger these hot flashes. They can range from minor to severe in nature.
What are hot flash triggers?
They are any conditions or substances that bring about the symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes is one of the main symptom of menopause.
How to know you have hot flashes?
Its exactly what it says it is "hot flashes." Your body becomes or feels flushed, over-heated and you begin to sweat profusely, as though someone poured a bucket of hot water on you. You feel as though your temperature gauge is in overdrive or you think you have a fever. They appear suddenly without notice, usually are erratic and can be frequent or infrequent.
Things that trigger or activate hot flashes are:
1. Spicy foods - especially hot pepper, hot sauce, black pepper
2. Alcohol - all beverages with an alcoholic content
3. Caffeine - tea, coffee and some soft drinks
4. Hot food - soups or foods cooked hot
5. Hot weather
6. Hot shower
7. Hot rooms or environment
8. Smoking
9. Stress - can be minor or major
10. Hot restrictive or woolen clothing
11. Some medications - can be prescribed or over the counter
12. Overweight
How do I get natural relief from them:
1. Mind over matter - Think cool thoughts
2. Exercise - usually in the morning
3. Hydration - plenty of water
4. Showers - cool are best
5. Cool compress - to back of the neck for a few minutes
6. Fan - manual, electric or the little mini battery operated handheld ones
7. Reducing stress level - avoid it at all cost
8. Avoid any thing that you know will activate them
9. Wear cool or lightweight clothing
10. Cool night wear and light weight bed covers
11. If you need to lose weight, it would be an advantage
Some other symptoms of menopause are: fragile emotions (you cry at the drop of a hat), impatient and feelings of depression or anxiety (mood swings), irregular menses or no menses and sleep problems. As with any condition, you must seek the advice of a physician to be safe and ensure good health. Some women require treatment for these symptoms with medication prescribed by a physician. Depending on your severity and the advice of your doctor you still should be able to live a healthy lifestyle.

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Hormone Replacement Therapy in Menopause

Getting older is inevitable although many women dread the thought. As women age and reach menopause, they experience many changes to their bodies that can be uncomfortable and debilitating. Although there are several treatments available, these treatments are not safe for everyone. As with any medication, there are always risks and side effects that need to be considered. The physician should be consulted about whether hormone replacement therapy is suitable for them in helping to alleviate the symptoms of the menopause.
Hormone replacement therapy helps many women deal with the harsh reality of menopause. While this treatment has helped many, it may not be the right choice for everyone. Hormone replacement therapy has been know to produce both positive and negative side effects from use, this is why it is important for women to determine if this is the proper treatment for them. A physician should help one determine if using hormone replacement therapy is the wisest decision for them, as well as if the benefits outweigh the possible risks.
For many, hormone replacement therapy has proven to relieve the discomforting signs of the menopause. In fact, doctors believe that these treatments can actually help prevent many serious conditions that women are faced with as they become older. Studies show that estrogen can tremendously reduce a woman's risk for developing heart disease when taken early in menopause.Some more recent studies however have shown the converse of this,i.e that estrogen replacement actually causes heart disease. Also, a woman's risk for colo-rectal cancer is reduced significantly as well. Furthermore, studies have noted that osteoporosis can be reduced or prevented with the use of hormone replacement therapy treatment. In addition, the chances of fracturing the hip due to bone loss are reduced as well. Other benefits of this therapy include lessening of hot flashes, as well as ease of vaginal symptoms such as dryness and pain.
Although there are many benefits from taking hormone replacement therapy to prevent symptoms of the menopause, these powerful medications are not for everyone. Throughout the years, doctors have discovered that for some women, this type of therapy may actually cause more harm than good. Many negative side effects have been associated with hormone replacement therapy. In fact, women on this treatment may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. In addition, many women taking hormone therapy treatments may experience abnormal mammograms, especially false negative readings. Furthermore, the chance for stroke and blood clots are increased as well for women who manage symptoms of menopause in this way. Every woman should be evaluated individually to determine if this treatment is appropriate for them.
Even though hormone replacement therapy has many risks associated with it, it is still the most widely used option for dealing with menopause. For most women, the benefits of taking this treatment far outweigh the risks. If a woman experienced menopause early, particularly before she was 40, then the benefits likely will outweigh risks. Also, before starting this treatment, it is important that the individual does not have any previous bone loss or severe health problems. For example, if a woman currently has a heart condition, then this treatment will likely not be prescribed. In addition, a woman's family medical history and individual health are all factors that determine if this therapy should be used on a particular person for treating symptoms for menopause. With a physician's assistance, the lowest dose possible should be used, and women need to be reevaluated at least twice a year. With close evaluation and monitoring, hormone therapy treatment may help a menopausal woman get her life back to normal.
Faye Finlay has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Sciences. She works as a Health Researcher. Her special interest is in Women's Health. For more information on symptoms menopause, please visit her website at http://www.thesymptomsofthemenopause.com/

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Menopausal Vaginal Dryness

The Positive Side of Menopause
Menopause is often called "the Curse" or the "Change". Personally I prefer to refer to menopause as "the Change" because not all aspects of leaving the reproductive part of life are negative. There are benefits such as:
• No more messy periods to deal with.
• No more worrying about unwanted pregnancy
• Women who experience heavy or painful periods finally get relief.
The Not So Positive Side of Menopause
There is however, a downside to menopause. You may experience some, or all of the following symptoms:
• Hot flushes
• Irritability
• Vaginal dryness
• Pain during sexual intercourse
The Role of Estrogen
At menopause, less estrogen is being produced in your body compared to the levels that you had when you were fertile. In fact, a post-menopausal woman commonly produces only about 30% of the estrogen that she once produced. Unfortunately, this lack of the female hormone, estrogen causes changes in the vagina - including dryness. Less lubrication being produced by the vagina means more friction in the vagina during penetrative sexual intercourse. This increased friction can quickly become painful.
Some Medical Options for Menopausal Vaginal Dryness
Oral Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Until very recently, most doctors have commonly prescribed oral HRT (hormone replacement therapy in a pill form). Oral HRT dramatically improves menopausal symptoms, but unfortunately oral HRT has been linked to an increased risk of many types of cancer. Breast cancer rates and ovarian cancer rates are significantly greater in HRT users. Many doctors are aware of the increased cancer risk, and advise using the minimum dosage of HRT that can successfully relieve the symptoms and only use it for the shortest period of time.
Estrogen Vaginal Creams
Another medical option is estrogen cream that is applied by smearing in the vagina. Because estrogen creams are applied locally rather swallowed (which then affects the whole body), they are somewhat safer than oral HRT pills. Unfortunately, estrogen creams also increase the risk of endometrial cancer. The common advice is to use them infrequently or as little as possible.
Viagra for Women
Studies have been done by Pfizer, the makers of Viagra that show that taking Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) before sex can help to increase lubrication in women who suffer from vaginal dryness during sexual intercourse.
Please consult your doctor for advice if you are considering any of the above medical options.
Non - Medical and Natural Approaches for Menopausal Vaginal Dryness
Personal Lubricants
The simplest way to treat vaginal dryness is to use a personal lubricant (also known as a sexual lubricant) such as those you find in supermarkets, chemists and pharmacies, adult stores and online. There are even natural ones made from kiwi fruit available.
The Role of Diet
A healthy diet consisting of plenty of fresh foods, vegetables and plenty of good, natural fats is helpful in restoring moisture to skin cells everywhere - including in the vagina.
Natural Herbal Supplements
You may also want to try natural herbal supplements such as Evening Primrose Oil or Black Currant oil, which contain concentrated gamma linoleic acid (GLA) which can help to balance the female hormones.
Bio-Identical Herbal Hormone Replacement Therapy
Consulting a naturopath who specialises in bio-identical (herbal) hormone replacement may bring you amazing relief. Many women have had wonderful results from a naturopathic option such as personalised 'herbal HRT'.
Natural Vaginal Cream
A 99% natural vaginal cream cream called "LadySoothe" contains the essential oils of tea tree and lavender, both known for their naturally estrogenic properties. LadySoothe has a moisturising coconut oil base and is applied with clean fingers to the vagina. LadySoothe can be beneficial in helping to lubricate and provide a boost to your vaginal estrogen levels - naturally.
http://ladysoothe.com/
Jenny K Thompson is a qualified natural health practitioner specialising in women's health. For more than 10 years, Jenny has advised women on diet, weight loss and herbal remedies for various ailments.

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Lose Weight, Restore Energy and Start Your Path to a Younger You!

How many of you have learned that in order to lose weight you must limit your calories? Have you also been told to eat less fat and more carbohydrates? Has it worked for you? The only time that this type of diet worked for me was during my 20's and 30's when it didn't matter what I ate, or so I thought!
If you haven't found out already, it's not the amount of calories that are important to keeping a healthy weight it's the type and proportions of foods that you ingest day in and day out. This is actually good news my friends, because you don't have to starve yourself. That's right, you can eat all day long and lose the pounds that have been hanging on to you for dear life.
The number one key to losing weight is to feed the body every two to three hours with a small meal consisting of protein, fat and complex carbohydrates, no processed carbs please. This will help to balance blood sugar and hormone levels, help reduce adrenal fatigue, increase energy, prevent ups and downs in energy and mood, and promote weight loss.
The second key to losing weight is to feed your body with healthy, organic proteins, fats and carbohydrates to be sure that you are not ingesting toxins such as; hormones, pesticides, antibiotics and more. A Lower Carb Mediterranean Diet will give you the nutrients you need to attain optimal health and the balance you need to reach your optimal weight.
Rules to live by:
Do not eat carbs alone and especially do not eat a carbohydrate based breakfast.
Avoid stimulants including; coffee, tea, sugar, fruit juices and alcohol.
No processed foods.
Eat real, whole, fresh food.
Avoid trans-fats and rancid fats (all hydrogenated oils) such as margarine, vegetable shortening, and almost all commercially prepared packaged foods.
Eat more vegetables than fruits.
Salt your foods liberally with sea salt (low salt diets contribute to adrenal fatigue).
Drink plenty of water (filtered or spring water).
Eat foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids such as fatty cold-water (not farm raised) fish, such as salmon, trout, herring and mackerel. Limit tuna as they absorb high amounts of mercury.
Eat walnuts, flaxseeds and green leafy vegetables.
Use monounsaturated oils, especially cold pressed extra virgin olive oil as your primary oil/fat source.
No canola oil as it is highly refined.
Avoid oils that are high in Omega 6 fatty acids including; corn, safflower, sunflower, soybean, and cottonseed oils.
Eat 7 or more vegetables and fruits per day (fresh or frozen).
Make complex carbs (breads, pasta, and grains) your smallest food group.
Eat natural and preferably organic sources of good protein.
Let's not forget to EXERCISE.
If this seems overwhelming to you, start small, change one or two things each month and develop healthier habits one step at a time, but do start. It's your life, live it to the fullest.
Dr. Brenda Sahlin invites you to visit her website at http://www.managingmenopausenaturally.com/ and pick up your free eBook of '9 Secrets to Feeling Energized and Staying Young' for more tips to living a healthy and full life.

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Help With Menopause - What Are Bio-Identical Hormones?

During pre-menopause and menopause, many women suffer from an array of symptoms and need help with menopause symptoms. In this article I will discuss the cause of most menopausal symptoms as well as what options women have to alleviate them.
Most pre-menopause and menopause symptoms are due to a poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle and exposure to environmental estrogens. And also an imbalance in a woman's hormone levels. Two hormones in particular are out of balance at menopause: estrogen and progesterone.
When at menopause, the progesterone level drops to zero, a woman's menstruation stops and she starts suffering from painful breasts, weight gain, bloating, low bone density, trouble sleeping, anxiety and stress. At the same time, estrogen also declines and brings symptoms such as breast tenderness, anxiety, allergies, decreased sex drive, weight gain particularly around the belly, foggy thinking, insomnia, irritability, etc.
If the symptoms are not too severe, one type of help with menopause a woman can try is by changing her diet to include more fruits, vegetable, lean meats, whole grain and legumes. It is also important to include the healthy fats such as the Omega 3 found in fish such as salmon, herring, tuna.
Extending this natural treatment includes staying away from all types of stress as stress can worsen symptoms and cause further hormonal imbalance.
If the symptoms are more severe, a woman then can talk to her doctor about bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Bio-identical hormones are natural, plant -based hormones that mimic the structure of the hormones made by the body. Because they are natural. They do not have any side effects.
This is important to know because many medical practitioners still want to use synthetic hormones which are obtained from pregnant mares and are foreign to the human body. Studies have found that the regular hormone replacement therapy increase s the risk of breast cancer and stroke.
In order to be put on Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) you will have to find a physician knowledgeable about hormones to help with menopause symptoms. The doctor in turn will prescribe a special formula that is unique to your hormonal levels after some tests.
It is important that you get adequate information about bio-identical hormones because a lot of doctors still prescribe synthetic hormones as they are more readily available and supported by the pharmaceutical industry. Because the natural hormones cannot be patented by the pharmaceutical companies, there is still some controversy about their efficacy. So you will be wise to find out more information so you can make an educated decision about the best options for you when it comes to help with menopause.
To learn more about bio-identical hormones as well as help with menopause, get the free e-book at Menopause in Women.

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Can We Actually Feel Better Though Our Diet for Menopause?

What is a diet for menopause? It is a diet that can help with your stress, as well as the stress on your body. It is a diet that does not add extra, to your already growing waist line, due to hormonal changes and the stress on your body.
This is a diet that gives you soft supple skin, energy and shiny eyes. It is a diet that makes you feel so good, you will want to get up out of your chair and move, and bend, stretch and walk.
Whole foods fill you up, are packed with great vitamins and minerals, and they are very low in calories. These are natural, raw, real foods with names like sweet potato, avocado, spinach, almond, and cucumber. Another foreign sounding thing to consider is water. Clean, pure, body craving water.
When you decide to start eating healthier, your headaches and constipation are better. And you didn't even know how bad you felt, until you started to feel better.
So now you have decided to consider you diet for menopause. This diet involves whole fresh foods and lots of water. What does this change eliminate?
It eliminates that sluggish, sleeping feeling you get from eating frozen, processed. diet meals.
The headaches, anxiety and constipation diminish because you are no longer downing fried, fast foods.
The dull skin, puffy eyes and expanding waist line from dairy laden pizza, mac and cheese and drive thru food is a thing of the past.
And the wrinkles and depression from diet pop, sugary coffee drinks and lack of water are not so noticeable.
Sometimes it is more about what you don't eat, than what you do eat, that matters and makes a difference. Whole foods fill you up, are packed with great vitamins and minerals, and they are very low in calories. Sounds like a win-win thing to consider. Where do you start?
Start at the beginning and go from there. See if you feel better.
1. Substitute a vegetable or salad for French fries. This is a conscious start. Think about what to put in your body that is healthy. You body needs to last another 30-50 years. Help it as much as you can, so you can feel really well, as you age.
2. Order "just water, please" instead of a medium soda. This is so simple, and less expensive. Our body is 90% water. Everything in it fires and runs and blinks on water. Give your body what it craves.
3.Consider fresh juice instead of a pastry at snack, Not processed orange or apple juice, which contains a ton of sugar, but 'made from scratch' juice. The best thing about juice is it tastes amazing.
I love a glass of juice made from: supergreens and water, green grapes and green apples, cucumbers and spinach. It's so fresh, and light and tart and delicious. Juice is seriously good, and good for us. Juice is also packed with nutrients; it is filling, and is really, really low in calories.
Little changes make big differences. You may feel run down, sluggish and yucky because of what you ate. Consideration of the fuel you put in our mouth is important. Adding healthier choices is a consideration when it comes to your diet for menopause.
Corby Campbell Shields
Co-Author Menopause Master Plan
http://www.menopausemasterplan.com/

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Do Depression and Menopause Come Together?

Depression and Menopause - What you can Expect
It is true, depression and menopause can happen together. They may not belong together, but if you are going through menopause it can cause a certain amount of depression. Scientists and doctors really don't have a true answer to why the two go together, but they have found it is worse in women from families with a history of depression.
Most believe that depression and menopause are actually related more with the pre-menopause period than during actual menopause. This is when estrogen levels are beginning to decline on a gradual basis and some studies suggest this can bring out the depression in women. If you are going through the premenopausal years here are some of the symptoms you might expect.
Some of the most common symptoms with depression and menopause:
- Multiple weeks of a depressed mood
- Appetite change
- Less pleasure from activities
- Sleep patterns change often
- Loss of energy and fatigue
- Struggle concentrating
- Suicidal thoughts
- Guilty feelings and feelings of worthlessness
- Irritability
What to do During Periods of Depression and Menopause?
There are many options when going through depression and menopause at the same time. Antidepressant medications are one of the options and if you believe your depression is severe, then you need to consult your doctor. However, if you are looking for a more natural remedy, then you can try these options.
Exercise - When you add regular exercise to your daily life you will be able to help lessen the effects of depression. This will help both your mood and your physical health and there is really no substitute for exercise. A good goal to start is to strive for 30 minutes of exercise three times a week, but if you cannot manage this even 10 minutes can help.
Taking away Daily Stresses - Usually women going through depression and menopause need to ask for help around the home and with other daily tasks because you have the stress of children to care for and potentially elderly family as well. Ask for help and eliminate some of the different daily tasks to help lessen your stress.
Nutrition - Making changes to your diet can also help during this time of your life. This can include eating better and healthier foods, adding supplements into your diet, and also adding in an herbal treatment. If you put together the best choices for your diet it can help support your body and keep your depression to a minimum.
Sleep - It is necessary to make sure you get enough sleep every single night. This can be where women struggle due to night sweats and hot flashes. There are some herbal remedies and some specific diet changes you can use to help make it easier to sleep at night and this will help with both your night sweats and your depression by allowing you to get proper rest.
Seeking Help for your Depression and Menopause
If you know you are suffering from depression and menopause, then you may want to seek professional help. This can come in the form of psychotherapy, your health care provider, or even a book. Finding the right help for you may not be easy and you will have to decide whether you want to trust prescription drugs or if you want to use a more natural treatment.
Naturally treating menopause and depression is a good way to alleviate the symptoms without having to deal with the side effects possible with some of the prescription drugs. You can use specific herbal remedies, vitamins, mineral supplements, diet changes, and other natural treatments to make your journey through menopause easier.
Finding the right book or eBook can help you tremendously and it is much less expensive than taking a trip to the doctor, getting prescription drugs, or going through therapy. Plus treating your depression and menopause with a natural treatment found in a book or eBook can be much better for your body over the long journey you are about to go through.
Find out how you can get the Menopause Control you are looking for by reading the Menopause Control EBook Review here.

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Estrogen Rich Foods - A Natural Remedy For Hot Flashes

Few women suffering from hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings and brittle hair are aware that estrogen rich foods represent a natural remedy for hot flashes and most all menopause symptoms. These foods could be a particular blessing to women who are wary of synthetic hormone replacement therapy.
The foods I'm talking about help lessen the discomfort of menopause because they contain phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens come primarily in two forms - isofavones and lignans. Isoflavones are found primarily in plant based food such as fruits and vegetables. Lignans are found in legumes that grow underground. Instead of giving a long list of fruits and vegetables for you to shop for I would prefer to give you a simple four part strategy that is much easier to remember and facilitate on a daily basis.
Strategy number one, eat more beans. Beans are high in fiber, and isoflavones. They are a good source of protein and their protein to carbohydrate ratio is excellent. They are the perfect "survival" food. The best of the beans from an isoflavone standpoint are garbanzos, lima beans, navy beans and black-eyed peas..
Strategy number two, eat more fruits and vegetables. I know that it sounds like something your mother would tell you but they are good for you. They are high in fiber and isoflavones as well as vitamins and minerals. The particular fruits to target are apples, dates, plums and cherries. This is an important part of the menopause regimen.
Strategy number three, eat more soy and tofu. Soy protein shakes are an excellent meal replacement as well as being an excellent source of plant based estrogen. Tofu is excellent when cut up in salads and as a meat replacement in various casseroles. Don't make a snap judgement on the first taste of tofu it will grow on you!
Strategy number four, eat more flaxseed. I particularly enjoy flaxseed oil based peanut butter. I have a coffee grinder and I use it to grind up flaxseed and then sprinkle it into my cereal either hot or cold. Flaxseed is excellent as a source of fiber and is believed to be a deterent to many forms of cancer, most notably breast cancer.
If you have rejected hormone replacement therapy then by all means try adding estrogen rich foods to your diet as a natural remedy for hotflashes and other menopausal discomforts. Benefits derived from eating estrogen foods will take four to six weeks to become noticeable.
Take charge of your health and discover a multitude of ways to conquer menopause by checking out Help My Hot flashes or go to http://estrogenrichfoods.blogspot.com/.

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Do Natural Hot Flashes Remedies Really Work?

Hot flashes and night sweats are bothersome to debilitating, and can dominate a woman's life throughout perimenopause and postmenopause. They are one of the most common menopause related complaints, affecting 80-85% of American women who transition through menopause. An easy solution in the past has been hormone replacement therapy, which very effectively reduces hot flashes and sweats by 94%, according to researchers. However, over the past couple years researchers have found more and more risks associated with hrt. As a result both the women seeking relief from menopause related complaints and their doctors are unwilling to put themselves at risk, even for relief of life disrupting menopause complaints. With no effective alternatives available through the medical profession, women are left on their own to figure out what to do to get relief.
Turning to the internet, today's quick source for information (and misinformation) women usually try one remedy, then another, based on snippets of information or testimonials used to advertise different products. Typically one will try the most familiar herb or remedy that you happen to come across. We tend to attribute value and safety to something we are familiar with, even if that is not the case. Unable to spend the time and focus required to investigate and identify what is the best product available, we tend to go with the flow.
But what are the facts when it comes to natural hot flash remedies?
There are many natural hot flash remedies available on the market. To try and make sense of them all, I'll divide them into two groups-phytoestrogens and non-phytoestrogens. I will only discuss phytoestrogens here, since they tend to relieve menopause related complaints, particularly hot flashes more effectively than non-phytoestrogens. So let me begin by explaining what phytoestrogens are. Phytoestrogen means literally "plant"-"estrogen". But before going any further with plant estrogens, lets look at human estrogen. Our human body manufactures three estrogens, three variations on a theme if you will. The molecules look very similar, with slight variations. However, these variations are significant enough to change the effects of each of these estrogens somewhat.
Plants too, make molecules that look like human estrogen, but which are not the same as what is made in the human body. Considering all of the different plants found in nature, it makes sense that plants would not all manufacture the same "plant estrogen" or phytoestrogen. And in fact that is the case. There are many different estrogen like molecules found in nature, created by many different plants. We call edible medicinal plants herbs. And so we look to different herbs as sources for these phytoestrogens which have beneficial or medicinal qualities with regard to menopause complaints.
These many different phytoestrogens, each being unique, have different effects in our human body. Generally speaking, phytoestrogens are much weaker than human estrogens in their estrogenic activity. One researcher has ventured that most phytoestrogens have about 1/1000th the estrogenic effect of human estrogens. Because each of these plant estrogens is unique, each can have its own unique side effects. But generally, not being as potent as human estrogen, the side effects are usually less as well.
Which herbs really work for relieving hot flashes and night sweats
Let's go directly to some of the research on the ability of specific herbs to reduce hot flashes. Isoflavones are found primarily in beans, including soy beans. They have weak estrogenic activity in humans. Women receiving 60 mg of isoflavones daily for 12 weeks saw their hot flushes reduced 57% and night sweats reduced 43%. Another study way was reported in the Maturitas: Journal of Climacteric and Postmenopause. The study investigated the benefits of soy for relief of hot flashes in a group of fifty-eight women with an average age of fifty-four. In six weeks the women reported a 40% reduction in all menopause related complaints, including hot flushes and night sweats.
Red clover is an herb that is commonly used by women seeking relief of hot flashes. While red clover has demonstrated benefit with regard to maintaining bone density, at least one study reported at the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine found no benefit for relief of hot flashes. In the study women complaining of hot flashes were given either hormone replacement therapy, red clover, black cohosh or a placebo. To participate the 89 women had to have reported thirty-five or more hot flashes and night sweats each week. Those receiving the hormone replacement therapy reported the greatest benefit, with 94% reduction of flushes and sweats. Surprisingly for the researchers, the next greatest benefit was shown by the placebo, with 63% reduction. This was followed by a 57% reduction in complaints for red clover, and trailing in last place was black cohosh which according to the women, reduced their hot flushes and sweats by just 34%.
These results were not very promising, since red clover and black cohosh are two of the most commonly used herbal products in the United States for relief of hot flushes and night sweats. Fortunately there is another contender which has been shown in separate research to significantly relieve hot flashes and night sweats. It is Siberian rhubarb root extract, which while only recently available in the United States, has been used by European women for some time. A study published in the journal Menopause compared the benefits of this rhubarb root extract with ultra-low dose hormone replacement therapy. Researchers found that this extract (called ERr 731 by the researchers) reduced hot flashes and night sweats in perimenopausal women by 72%. Better yet, Siberian rhubarb root extract was reported to relief virtually all menopause related complaints including insomnia, anxiety and irritability, vaginal dryness, aches and pains, urinary incontinence and more.
For more information on Siberian rhubarb root extract and natural hot flashes remedies please visit http://herbalmenopauseremedy.com/


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Is There Something Else Going On Besides Menopause?

It is too easy for a woman that is considering herself to be in her menopause years to just assume that all of the symptoms she is feeling are menopause related. This can be risky because often many other ailments and some that are serious can be missed.
As most women know entering into menopause is not something that can be avoided and there are many symptoms that come with it. It's a well known fact that the hormones jump all over the place during this time. What also has to be realized is that there are many different types of hormones that are affected that are applicable to the different organs. One of these is the thyroid gland. It produces a hormone that plays a critical role in the body and when it is not working properly it can create all types of problems. These hormones help the body to know how much energy to use, and it also makes proteins, and just as important it direct the body on how to act in respect to the hormones. So you can see why during the menopause years the functioning of the thyroid is critical and how it can have an effect on the hormone changes that are taking place in the body during menopause.
One of the changes in hormones that takes place at the onset of menopause and often before these years are reached is a reduction in the hormones that are needed for reproduction.
The common symptoms of the menopausal years are many and they vary in intensity. They can be...
- Fatigue
- Moodiness
- Bloating
- Depressed
- Insomnia
- Weight gain
... and of course many others. Not every woman has every symptom or the same combination of symptoms.
With some thyroid disease it can be either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, the hyper meaning over active and the hypo being underactive. In respect to being close in symptoms to menopause it would be in reference to hypothyroidism.
Some of the common symptoms of hypothyroidism vary as well and there can be several combinations of them, they can be...
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight gain
- Depression
- Heavier than normal menstrual periods
They sound very close as to what one could simply assume as being menopause. You can see why these symptoms could be easily written off as being the change of life cycle. It is most important when you experience any new symptoms in your body that you have a good medical checkup. For women no new symptom should just be considered as menopause. Ideally having the thyroid checked on a yearly basis while going through menopause wouldn't hurt. You are most likely going for yearly medical checkups anyway so just insure that you ask your health care provider to check your thyroid at this time.
For other important things to keep track of during your menopause years we have lots of resources to help you with this. Plus if you are in need of some support we can help with that as well.

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How Much Do You Know About Menopause?

Menopause can be a time of great physical, psychological and emotional changes that can overwhelm you if you don't know what to expect.
If you're close to menopause age, or already going through it, the more information your have the better you will manage the transition.
With that in mind, I have set up a fun quiz so that you can discover how much you REALLY know about menopause.
1 At approximately what age can you expect menopause to begin?
a) 46
b) 57
c) 51
d) Anywhere over 35
2 Which of the following, can cause premature menopause?
a) Smoking
b) Drinking alcohol
c) Being overweight
d) Being underweight
3 Spotting or bleeding after menopause is normal:
a) True
b) False
4 Which of the following can help control the symptoms of menopause?
a) Healthy lifestyle
b) Adequate exercise
c) Good food choices
d) All of the above
5 Symptoms of menopause usually start suddenly without warning:
a) True
b) False
6 Which of these hormones do the ovaries eventually stop producing?
a) Estrogen
b) Progesterone
c) Both
7 How much bone loss per year can you expect in the first 5 years after
menopause?
a) 3-5%
b) 11-15%
c) 1-2%%
d) 6-10%
8 Why does hormone production decline during menopause?
a) Women run out of eggs
b) Reason is not yet known
c) The uterus loses it's effectiveness
d) Fallopian tubes lose their effectiveness
9 All menopausal women should be on hormone therapy:
a) True
b) False
10 Menopause is:
a) A purely physical change
b) The cause of depression
c) A natural stage of development
d) A pain
11 A diet rich in what may help control menopausal symptoms?
a) Fruit and vegetables
b) Dairy roducts
c) Lean meat
d) Soya products
12 What test can help determine whether a woman is starting menopause?
a) FSH
b) Perimenopause
c) Estrogen
d) Progesterone
13 What are the most serious side effects of menopause?
a) Cancer
b) Heart disease and osteoporosis
c) Thrombosis
d) Arthritis
14 What is the first symptom of menopause?
a) Hot flashes
b) Missed periods
c) It's different for every woman
d) Weight gain
15 Menopause can increase the chances of suffering with:
a) Bowel disorders
b) Cancer
c) Urinary infection
d) Conjunctivitis
If you're not sure of the answers, here they are:
1 c The onset of menopause varies from woman to woman - as do the symptoms. Some women enter menopause in their mid 30's, a few in their late 50's. However, most women experience menopause during their early 50's.
2 a Statistics tell us that women who smoke may go through menopause a year earlier than women who don't.
3 b Unless you're on hormone therapy, it's not normal to experience bleeding after menopause. Professional help should be sought as a precautionary measure.
4 d Medication is not always necessary to control menopausal symptoms and they can often be managed by taking a more natural approach.
5 b Symptoms usually begin gradually as the body goes through various hormonal changes.
6 c The levels of both hormones decrease throughout menopause. This causes the associated symptoms, such as fatigue, mood swings and hot flashes
7 a Bone loss can result in reduced height, weight gain and osteoporosis. It's vital to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine to protect the bones as much as possible.
8 b The cause of hormonal decline is, as yet, unknown, although it is known that the decline begins in a woman's mid to late thirties.
9 b While some women have great results from traditional(synthetic) forms of hormone therapy, others prefer to seek out a more natural approach to managing their symptoms.
10 c Yes, it brings huge changes, but menopause is a natural progression from one stage of a woman's life, to the next. And as more is discovered about it, more options are available to manage and control most symptoms.
11 d There has been some evidence that consuming soya products can have positive effects on menopausal symptoms. This is due to the mild estrogenic effect of soya.
12 a The amount of Follicle Stimulating Hormone in the blood will be tested to give an indication if a woman is in or about to enter menopause.
13 b Be sensible about your lifestyle and pay particular attention to your eating and exercise routing. Don't leave your health to chance.
14 c There is no standard menopause. Symptoms, their regularity and intensity will be different for each woman.
15 c Urinary infections are one of the more unpleasant symptoms of menopause.
For great information and a FREE report on hormone therapy - visit The Complete Menopause

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Hormonal Weight Gain - 5 Keys To Controlling Hormones and Weight Gain

Ladies, did you know that hormonal weight gain often ranging somewhere from 10 to 15 pounds on average is a very common side effect and symptom of menopause?
No doubt those women who have already begun to experience the beginning or early stages of menopause will agree with the reality of this slow shift in body weight as they watch (often in horror and frustration) their waistlines slowly thicken and increase in circumference without what seems any probable cause!
In fact both past and recent research studies that were carried out on the changes in the endocrine system and women's hormones during peri-menopause and menopause; in particular hormonal weight gain, estimates that at least 80% or more women will inevitably gain some excess poundage throughout their menopause years regardless of whether they change their calorie intake or not.
Does this sound familiar to you in any way? Have you found yourself confused and frustrated with watching your waist circumference slowly increase in spite of not making any changes to your daily diet plan?
Just to be clear, this isn't a sudden change that just happens overnight, but rather a slow, progressive change in the distribution of your body weight and where body fat tends to plant itself.
Unfortunately, it seems that the stomach, the hips and the waistline tend to be the most favoured areas for extra body fat to be stored for most women, much to our dismay.
Calories taken in are not the culprits here either, so reducing your calorie intake has little effect in maintaining your hourglass figure of yesterday.
In fact, fad diets that endorse a near starvation calorie intake of less than 1,200 calories daily can actually exacerbate the problem and be dangerous to your health!
Rather, hormonal weight gain is a direct cause and the thickening effect that follows as a result of fluctuations and shifts in a woman's hormone levels - in essence, your hormones are to blame for that excess belly fat.
There's no question that hormones and weight gain are very intricately linked and there are actually four key hormones at play here, each having its own unique role in how and where your body stores body fat.
Diet and exercise are the first two main factors that can influence the state of your hormones.
Stress, sleep and nutritional supplementation are three important factors too and also play an important role in influencing the state of your hormones and maintaining a healthy body weight as well.
Knowing what NOT to do can be helpful too.
For example, cutting back or avoiding excessive caffeine, alcohol and other stimulants is also important.
The good news for women is that many of these factors can be manipulated and changed in order to help you achieve optimal hormonal balance and avoid hormonal weight gain.
To learn more about your hormones and weight gain and how you can best put these 5 key factors into practice visit http://www.belly-fat-blues.com/

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Doctors and Nutritionist Preach About These All the Times, What Are They?

So... You hear about Amino Acids, Free Radicals and how good Antioxidants are all the time. What the heck are they, how do they effect my menopuse, and why should I care?
While water makes up about 65% of our body, I bet you didn't realize that Amino Acids make up 20% of our weigh. These invaluable raw materials make muscle, hormones, enzymes and vital brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. (Neurotransmitters are cell phone signals to the rest of the body, like meet me for lunch, girlfriend, but really more like...tell her eye to blink)
Ok, back to Amino Acids. They play a huge roll in our physical, emotional and mental health, (hello, brain stuff here!) Our miracle body can make 11 out of 20 kinds of the Amino Acids we need to keep ticking. But, the remaining 9 amino acids we can not synthesize, so they are our "essential" ones we need to get with what we eat. And these little wonders are found in vegetables.
The nasty buggers that cause us to advance aging are called Free Radicals. If it looks dirty or feels dirty on or in our skin, it's probably one of these. Think pollution, toxins, cigarette smoke. Free Radicals target the mitochondria, which is the power plants in our cells. They cause extensive cell damage, especially in our skin, and contribute to a boat load of chronic diseases. Lucky for us, the body has a defense against these no good doers.
Antioxidants. This team of heroes is produced naturally in our bodies when we eat our fruits and vegetables. Vitamins C, E and beta carotene are in the house, along with a number of other hard workers that go around and mop up the rogue Free Radicals. Talk about Bam...POW...So, for soft clear skin and shiny eyes...eat your vegetables.
The problem is that what most people eat, ( dairy, meat and processed foods), have minimal antioxidants benefits. So, because of these food choices, the body can't recover from free radical damages as quickly or as efficiently.
Loading up with fruits and veggies will provide your body with the weapons it needs to combat the signs of aging, and protect itself from UV rays and skin cancers.
Tell me more, tell me more;
Here is what your body needs in it's arsenal.
Lycopene: The red wonder. Your best bet for this little jewel is tomato paste and sauce. It is readily absorbed and because this is the most potent of all antioxidants, think vegetarian pizza instead of burger. Other red wonders include red peppers, watermelon and pink grapefruit. Fresh tomatoes are a fab source, and works even harder, when paired with a drizzle of olive oil or an avocado.
Beta Carotene: Yep, it even sounds like carrot, doesn't it?? Think orange here; sweet potatoes, butternut squash, cantaloupe. It is also found in spinach, kale and romaine lettuce
Flavoids: They do taste good, don't they? And they are so, so good for your skin. Berries, dark chocolate, onions and green, black and white teas.
Asorbic Acid ( Vitamin C) is abundant in oranges, papaya, kiwifruit, strawberries, read pepper, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.
Vitamin E for everyday! Avocado is your hero here, yes, you do need that natural fat for your skin, and to keep your motor running. Other sources are nuts, green leafy veggies, and whole grains.
Now I am going to throw in another friend of the skin.
Omega 3-6-9 the essential fatty acids. Remember that essential means we need to eat it get it, our body can't make it.
Omega three has been shown to reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol. It also works as an anti-inflammatory agent in the body, helping with Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Even though it is not an antioxidant, these Omegas can decrease the redness and burning associated with UV sun exposure, as well as lower your risks of skin cancers.
Just for the fun of it, they also prevent dryness and irritation in the skin, in other words, helps you look smooth and soft from the inside, out.
Lets help our bodies help it self. Think about the choices you can make today in what you eat. Your skin, your brain, your self will thank you for it.
Co-Author of Menopause Master Plan
Corby Campbell Shields
http://www.menopausemasterplan.com/
For more help with your menopause symptoms
http://www.menopausemasterplan.com/order/

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Back fat and water baby

He was a gray, rainy days here of about 73 straight steam ships last spring, everyone was a little cranky. It is like living inside Tupperware. I was fixing to 55 in this organization, which remain are hunting retirement was like deer wounded. My period still get there in the middle of the large size of chicken together with Le skin and fat. When the dog park that I think I will take people by me when they smile, like "Oh Geez, life of going down the toilet."
So stupidly I decided to try to talk my hubby and my existential is a kind of foolish decision after 73 days of shagal becomes rain. The vehicle is always a good place to mention that it is as if we have them as hostages. I did with my sons, teach them to drive. "You need the licensed driver, his son. Your butt is mine ". As they stop signs, and through them you can have the "sex talk" encourage them always wear a helmet! "soldier", such as. They were hostile and, like any guy, but the car, so I decided my crankiness broach with Bob when we were pulling out of the car park in the city.
"I really feel into something blue," I said quietly, "you know, just like myself."
"They should not allow this veers out of the car," he said.
Mother of God, what was I thinking?
I told the story later that day on the Alliance, is on the couch eating chocolate avocado mousse au chocolat with my homies from the company.
"Phyllis dumb ass," said Martha, "have you used the phrase ' blow job ' in this sentence. As in "I'm depressed, want a blow?" he would have heard of, trust me. "
"Hell," Betsy, "chirped" Oh yes it will be like, depressed? This will cause you to feel better. "
Dang, is like men are going to school and learn all at the same naklad at night. When walking through the villages of Nepal men is out of their huts, while the women laughing smoking slaved in the fields and carried huge loads of things around. So, my informal research anthropologist showing male and legal blindness is a phenomenon.
What to do about fat, blue back, the male brain of Bob, my uterus is working endlessly? I don't drink, but probably should. I stopped in my mid-enough that I'm glad he thought dance drunk-cheap to boot-up on a table, gladly will jump to shake get money at a moment's notice. Some abandoned, like keeping your shirt in public, but there are days I miss some of the fun is only to be an idiot.
When I was young and married her husband # 1 was the very Club of Lion-you know, the audience is doing good things, old wears a funny hat. Well, when I was 23, he should be "Lion Tamer" when their dinners, drinking heavily, or suicide was the only way out. We even continued the merry Lion Poconos one weekend and want to of course old people not skiing or anything so I uploaded. That night, we sat on the ball of the Lion by back some terrible singer came on stage and then everyone started talking.
"Oh, come on guys!" she chirped, "just give me a chance!"
This was where I was very drunk and noisy with the righteousness of the SOT idiot I stood up, slammed on the table and hands really loud,
"F *** you! We don't have to listen to s ***! "
In slow motion, 400 Lions turned and looked at me and Aryeh Tamers. I could hear a pin drop in this living room. The boat, but held my land. Drooled a bit, probably. We asked to leave that night, but then I was invited a lot of parties.
On the way home from baby shower I decided to drown my sorrows bookshop. A small blue book grabbed me, titled "ways on f: very completely wrong answers are best. "I opened it, and soon was snorting at vaaintlktoaliot. The following is an example of biology questions of school children:
"What is a fibula?" a lie.
"What is the highest frequency noise that you can register the voice?" Mariah Carey.
You can get the idea. I laughed till it hurt people look at me, probably with the rope again; I'm sure my old fat was jiggling, but was better in all that I picked up my beer bong or 20s. You can buy the book, went home, and the Sun and out. Me and helicopter went into, all the children in the neighborhood in a teeming streets go biking, skateboards, kick soccer balls. My neighbor, holding her year-old hand waved me baby.
"Hey, you start in the garden!" I said.
"Yes," replied, "lettuce as yours for the picking."
And this is how it goes, guys. The agony, ecstasy of being human beans. Like Roseanne Roseannadana used to say: "if it's not one thing, this is another." Tupperware, facing left, her chocolate mousse; Chicken skin, children on bicycles. My neighbor offers me even still grown lettuce, you start again.
Phyllis Coletta is a lawyer "restore", former high school teacher, an EMT, cowgirl, writer and spiritual seeker over the age of 6 (maybe before, who knows). Now, the vision of life is simply to provide encouragement to those training of the spiritual path. Free of charge. There is no agenda. Read more or contact her via her musings http://www.phylliscoletta.blogspot.com/. Happy trails.

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Hot Flash Natural Relief and Natural Progesterone

Hot flashes are so common that about 80% of women have them during the menopause transition. A hot flash means you have a sudden wave of extreme heat occurring any time, causing heavy sweating. They can last 30 seconds or longer.
Hot flashes are tough to get rid of. Some women resort to HRT for relief, despite the warnings of high risk that link it to cancer and other life threatening diseases. They were unaware that a safer effective alternative existed that could offer effective relief.
What is the cause of a hot flash?
Dr. John Lee believes, "Hot flushes are not a sign of estrogen deficiency, per se, but are due to heightened hypothalamic activity (vasomotor ability), secondary to low levels of estrogen and progesterone, which, if raised, would produce a negative feedback effect to the pituitary and hypothalamus. Once progesterone levels are raised, estrogen receptors in these areas become more sensitive and hot flushes usually subside."
Hot Flashes and Bio-identical Progesterone
Why is bio-identical progesterone so effective for over 150 symptoms? Progesterone is a precursor to all other hormones in the body including estrogen, testosterone, and corticosteroids (the stress hormone). Progesterone is made from the cholesterol in your body, which is the fatty tissue. Progesterone balances your hormones if you have high or low estrogen or high or low progesterone. It affects your entire endocrine system. It may address the cause of all your hormone symptoms. Progesterone is the only bioidentical hormone that may effectively achieve relief for your symptoms.
Dr. John Lee's identified the benefits of natural progesterone cream:
• Natural diuretic
• Creates the myelin sheath over nerves
• Gives people more energy
• Helps with sleep disorders
• Helps with Fibrocystic Breast Disease
• Normalizes and restores sexual desire
• Promotes youthful skin appearance
• Resists facial hair growth
• Reduces risk of breast cancer
• Reduces risk of uterine cancer
• Improves blood sugar control
• Brings hormonal balance back into your body
• Balances estrogen dominance
• Improves lipid profile
• Improves blood sugar control
• Improves burn up of body fat
• Rebuilds lost bone mass at a rate of 5-15% per year
• Improves new bone formation
• Natural anti-depressant
Progesterone is anti-aging as it promotes youthful skin appearance. The late Dr. Robert Atkins, M.D. endorsed its use because he found it the best wrinkle eradicator he ever had experienced.
Perimenopause symptoms. The following may reflect early hormonal imbalances:
• Hot flashes
• Fibrocystic breast disease
• Insomnia
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Vaginal dryness
• Reduced sexual desire
Until recently, hormone replacement therapy for this menopause symptom was drug therapy. When research proved that HRT drug therapy had serious risks and side effects, women searched for natural solutions.
Natural progesterone cream supports relief of hot flashes by addressing the cause - balancing the hormone ratios of high or low estrogen and high or low progesterone. Backed by over 50 years of clinically used by doctors. Natural progesterone cream is recommended by health care physicians to be an effective natural choice for hot flashes..
This is for education only. It is not intended to treat, prevent or cure a medical disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult a health care professional.
Melinda Bonk is the founder of Wise Essentials, natural progesterone cream for hormone balance, a natural health and supplement company. For more information about hot flashes and progesterone and how you can improve your symptoms, visit Wise Essentials website.
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Low Energy During Perimenopause: Natural Ways To Help Raise Energy Levels

Women who are going through the transition into menopause often feel low energy. It is probably the most common symptom felt during this time. Women feel the loss of energy along with irritability and difficulty concentrating throughout the day. This article is for woman going through perimenopause and feel a loss of energy. It is important that a woman understands the changes occurring in her body during this stage of life. By understanding the symptoms of perimenopause, she may learn about natural approaches to low energy that can make her feel better.
Women complain of energy levels, feeling tired, weak and fatigued most of the time. This low energy may be caused from physical and mental conditions. Having no energy may be frustrating for a woman, as low energy affects both her body and mind at the same time. A normal cause of feeling tired and loss of energy is fluctuating hormone levels. Low energy is typified by a lack of any energy, without drowsiness.
Stress, progesterone deficiency, lack of regular exercising, obesity, exposure to pesticides and chemicals and an unhealthy lifestyle are some factors that may contribute to low energy. Estrogen dominance, the Pill, heredity, junk food, poor diet and excessive alcohol are all culprit for low energy too. The two main hormones in a woman's body are estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones are produced ovaries and may control a woman's menstrual cycle. Estrogen and progesterone need to be in ratio to each other to feel good. This balance keeps a woman healthy, with no symptoms of hormone imbalance or low energy.
Menopause starts when a woman ovaries has permanently stop egg production. Menstruation has stopped for one year. When menstruation stops, women can no longer have any children. Many women may start experiencing unpleasant side effects. In the perimnenopause stage. On average, a woman may reach menopause by the time she is 52. Perimenopause happens when a woman's ovaries start decline.  A significant decrease in progesterone and estrogen production begin to happen. Women may start to experience an irregular period and other symptoms.
Fatigue and Immune System- Progesterone may also affect the health of a woman's bones, immune system and the liver. When the levels of progesterone start to decline, symptoms and signs of perimenopause may start to appear. There are treatment options that may help to improve lack of energy. These options are lifestyle changes, natural and alternative supplements, bio-identical hormones, medications, or HRT.
Natural progesterone cream is a safe and effective hormone replacement therapy that may gently balance a woman's hormones. Natural progesterone cream contains bio-identical molecules that mimic a women's natural progesterone. It is effectively the same molecule as the progesterone that your body produces. Many women who use natural progesterone cream have experienced positive  results.
Dr. Dalton, of England, documented in the 1950's that natural progesterone cream is an effective treatment for regulating periods, depression and mood swings. Dr. Prior, of Canada, documented the effects of low progesterone with active runners.  Dr. John Lee used natural progesterone treatment for all hormone imbalances from infertility, PMS symptoms and symptoms during the transition of menopause. Dr. John Lee used natural progesterone cream treatment instead of HRT or ERT for decades.
Natural Choices for Low Energy
Natural treatments to improve energy levels may be techniques for stress reduction such as meditation or yoga, a healthier diet, regular exercise and bio-identical hormones.  Diet is especially a key to a healthier lifestyle and keeping low energy at bay. Eating properly keeps blood sugar levels balanced in addition to hormone levels. An example of a natural treatment is natural progesterone cream. The molecules in natural progesterone are bio-identical to the hormones found in women and may stimulate a woman's endocrine system, which regulates the hormones in a woman's body. This is done to balance the hormones of a woman's body in a natural and safe way. Natural progesterone cream has become a very popular natural remedy among functional medicine physicians.
Natural progesterone cream treats a hormonal imbalance at its own source. It is the only natural remedy that addresses the cause of hormone imbalance. The cause of hormone imbalance is the ratio of estrogen to progesterone and decline of all hormones.
For women who are experiencing low energy, alternative medicine combined with lifestyle changes usually proves very effective help to lessen the symptoms. By educating themselves and being pro-active, more women today may combine alternative treatments and a healthy lifestyle to help them deal with progesterone imbalances. It is important for a woman to understand that low energy may be eased with a natural treatment.
This is for education only.  It is not intended to treat, prevent or cure a medical disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult a health care professional.
Melinda Bonk is the founder of Wise Essentials, bioidentical progesterone cream for hormone balance, a natural health and supplement company. For more information about low energy and progesterone and how you can improve your symptoms, visit Wise Essentials website.

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Menopause and Fatigue

Fatigue is a symptom that is too often overlooked in our busy lives. We usually pump ourselves up with caffeine and sugar to get us through the day. It is not unusual for us to go days and weeks without getting the proper nutrition and rest that our bodies crave. We over commit, face work deadlines, and run faster and harder always promising that tomorrow we will slow down to recuperate. For too many women, that day only comes when the body is ill or diseased.
Fatigue is the first sign that your life is out of balance and something needs to change. A number of factors can contribute to low energy. A few factors that contribute to exhaustion are poor nutrition, lack of sleep, sedentary lifestyle, role as a caretaker, workaholic, or stress from life choices and life situations. The bottom line factors are:
· Not pursuing a life that stimulates your mind, your creativity, and your personal growth
· Living someone else's plan for who you should be or what you should do with your life
· Not addressing, processing, and resolving emotional pain in your life to create optimum health
The mind energizes the body. If it is mired with unresolved grief, anger, or anxiety, the result is exhaustion. Menopause is a time to resolve unfinished business in your life. There are not only internal physical changes taking place, but mental and emotional issues presenting themselves for you to resolve.
There are natural remedies and natural healing modalities to support your body when resolving unfinished emotional business.
Homeopathic remedies:
· Kali phos
· Phosphoricum acidum
· Nux vomica
Aromatherapy:
· Peppermint
· Patchouli
· Bitter orange
Herbal remedies:
· St. John's wort
· Dandelion
· Black cohosh
· Ginseng
Menopause diet:
· Ground flaxseed
· Green vegetables
· Fresh fruit
· Liver, red meat, molasses
Other remedies:
· Massage
· Journal
· Remove negative, draining people from your life
· Do something special just for you just because
· Do nothing/take a day off, if you are tired from overwork
· Get moving, if fatigue is from a sedentary lifestyle
Menopause is a change at a cellular level. Holding on to unresolved emotions that no longer serve you drain your energy. If you process through them, you will feel lighter, more focused, and more creative. It is a time to reassess your life, refocus on what really resonates with who you are becoming, and to take action. It is a time to experience the freedom of being your authentic self independent of what others think.
Suzy Manning asks..Do you need to press the pause button on life? Sizzzl celebrates women finding life balance, embracing their magnificence, and living with passion & purpose. Let's Hit the Pause Button Together! Become Sizzzlicious! Free guide.... http://sizzzl.com/

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