Take Charge of Your Menopause: Natural Hormone Solutions

by editor, May 17, 2008

Menopause is a new transition in life for a woman that occurs between the forties and mid-fifties. Each womans experience with menopause is unique; however, common symptoms of hot flashes, mood swings, forgetfulness, and vaginal dryness are among the most prevalent characteristics. There are three stages in this stage of life: perimenopause, menopause and post menopause. According to doctors, actual menopause occurs once a woman has her last period. The period before this is perimenopause and may last 8-15 years.

Perimenopause is a time of much confusion for a woman. Many changes are occurring, as Christiane Northrup, M.D., states Our nervous systems are being, quite literally, rewired. Its as simple as this: Our brains are changing. During this stage a womans estrogen levels usually remain quite stable, or may increase slightly, however, the progesterone levels begin to fall quite drastically. This results in estrogen dominance. The symptoms of PMS at this time will seem far more severe, including sporadic and heavy periods, mood swings, and lack of sex drive. Natural products that balance estrogen levels and promote proper liver function are important. For instance, Lorna Vanderhaeghes Estrosense maintains healthy estrogen balance, detoxifies the liver of carcinogenic estrogens, and eliminates PMS symptoms. Women may also find Evening Primrose helpful during this time. Evening primrose oil is often recommended to reduce breast tenderness, menstrual cramps, endometriosis, and mood swings.

Once a woman has not had a period for approximately a year, she is considered to be to in menopause. This means the production of estrogens has greatly diminished. Progesterone is also diminished and the uterus lining no longer develops. This off swing of estrogen and progesterone triggers an increase in hormones in the brain, stimulating the pituitary gland (LH blood levels) which controls sweating and temperature, causing hot flashes.

Herbs for Menopausal Symptoms

Black Cohosh extract has active components (terpenes) that lower levels of LH in the pituitary gland, therefore, decreasing hot flashes. It is clinically shown to help relieve symptoms associated with menopause including hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia, vaginal wall thinning, headaches, heart palpitations, and dizziness. Black Cohosh is very safe with low toxicity, and seldom causes side effects (GI tract discomfort). Dong Quai works as a phytoestrogen (plant estrogen) that binds to estrogen receptors in the body when the body is naturally low to balance hormone levels. Vitex (Chasteberry) also appears to help with menopausal symptoms but instead increase progesterone levels naturally. For the relief of menopausal symptoms the synergistic herbal combination of Black Cohosh, Vitex (Chasteberry) and Dong Quai can help to balance and strengthen the entire female system. This combination is useful for acute symptoms, i.e. hot flashes, and may be taken long term by women whom wish to support their body through the menopausal years.

Prairie Naturals Meno-Femme includes Black Cohosh, Vitex, and Dong Quai, along with Vervain with helps relieve insomnia and Siberian Ginseng that increases mental awareness. It also includes a combination of flower essence to alleviate emotional and psychological stress. Customers have had relief of symptoms, such as: hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, breast tenderness, vaginal discomfort.

Keep in mind that supporting the adrenal system can also help balance overall hormone production and can also improve mood, energy level, and mental clarity. Herbs such as Siberian ginseng and Rhodiola Rosea, and vitamins such as Vitamin C and a B Complex.

During postmenopause there is a decline in sex hormones, if the adrenal glands are healthy, they will take over a low rate of estrogen and progesterone production. If the adrenals are exhausted, this can cause a different set of changes in the body, which tend to be more long-term. These include vaginal dryness and incontinence, and as well, the risk of heart disease, blood sugar disturbances and osteoporosis increases.

According to Rosemary Pierce, a holistic pharmacist, women can protect their bodies from cellular damage by taking a vitamin and mineral antioxidant supplement. Antioxidant nutrient combinations containing grape seed extract, alpha lipoic acid and/or the lycopene and lutein , are a helpful addition, especially as a protection against uterine and breast cancer. Avoiding alcohol, coffee and cigarettes is a good preventative measure along with a healthy diet and the addition of certain phytoestrogen foods, such as organic, non-GMO soy, ground flaxseed and flaxseed oil, clover sprouts, celery, nuts and seeds. Optimizing liver and bowel function is vital and can be supported by cleansing and detoxifying.

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