Menopause
Menopause can be a very difficult time for
women. It is often seen as the cause of the aging
process in women. However, many of the
symptoms blamed on the menopause, such as
middle age spread, lines on the face and greying hair, are
simply part of the natural aging process which also
happens to men.
Women may also experience sadness or grief as
their reproductive years come to an end. Some
may even feel that their useful life is
over - particularly if this is reinforced by men who find them
less attractive, bosses who ignore or undervalue
their contributions, and children who seem to
need them less and prefer to spend more time
with their peers.
It is in this often stressful context that we need
to look at the symptoms of the menopause
symptoms such as hot flashes,
mood changes,
depression,
headaches,
palpitations, vaginal
soreness, and cystitis. There may also be irregular
periods or heavy bleeding, sometimes even flooding,
occurring all too frequently, often every two
weeks and persisting for the same length of time.
While hormonal changes can account for some
problems at this time, these varying symptoms
cannot all be blamed solely on the menopause.
In order to understand why stress influences our hormones, we need to
understand that the female hormonal system is influenced
by the hypothalamus. This part of the brain affects
the secretion of sex hormones, and also the
production of a whole range of other hormones
directing the endocrine glands throughout the
body. These endocrine glands control our body
temperature, circulation, digestion, bone
structure, emotions, mood changes, water
balance, sleep and weight. It is these which are
upset during menopause.
The hypothalamus is highly sensitive to stress
and so if we are stressed at menopause the natural
takeover process of estrogen production will be
upset. We cannot lay the blame for menopausal
symptoms solely at the feet of changing estrogen
levels. They may be much more related to stress
occurring at this time.
Once we recognize this, it may be easier for us
to cope with the physical changes of menopause
without feeling that they are all the fault of our aging bodies. We need to be able to discuss them
openly, and without embarrassment, when it is
necessary to do so.
A healthy diet, sufficient rest and exercise,
relaxation and enjoyment will help you to cope
with change and to keep your hormones balanced.
Calcium-rich foods are
essential during the menopause. Calcium helps prevent osteoporosis
and other bone problems. It also helps prevent hot flashes. Calcium in easily
digestible form is found in seaweeds, yogurt, and other milk products,
almonds, sesame
seeds and sesame products, and in most dark-green leafy vegetables such as
spinach,
chard, broccoli, turnip greens, and kale. There are many herbs that provide high
amounts of calcium to the diet: comfrey,
oat straw,
nettle,
dandelion greens,
mustard
greens, horsetail,
chickweed,
amaranth, and
watercress.
Seaweeds are particularly high in calcium. Though they are a major food source in
many parts of the world, they are often neglected in American diets. Three and a half
ounces of cow's milk contains 118 milligrams of calcium. The same amount of hizike (a
mild-flavored seaweed) contains 1400 milligrams;
kelp, 1093 milligrams; and wakame,
1300 milligrams.
Along with foods high in calcium, you may wish to add a calcium supplement to
your diet. If using pills, be certain the calcium is from an organic source and is
biochelated for easy assimilation. An excellent calcium/mineral supplement made from
herbs and organic sources of minerals is liquid Floradix
Iron with Herbs and
Nature Works Herbal Iron.
Supplements and herbs
- Calcium/magnesium:
Very important in helping to
prevent osteoporosis, which
can begin with menopause when estrogen levels drop. This combination is also
very beneficial is helping nervous disorders and mental
anxiety.
- Potassium: Can easily be lost in sweats and hot flashes. Important for calcium
assimilation.
- Selenium: Involved in maintaining hormonal balance in the body.
- Vitamin C: Also recommended for hot flashes and is easily lost through
perspiration.
- Vitamin E: Can help control hot flashes, increase the production of hormones,
and combat vaginal dryness.
- Lecithin: Acts as an emulsifier and can help in assimilating vitamin E.
- Vitamin B complex: Helps with water retention and is good for emotional or
mental disturbances. Vitamin B5 and
B6 injections have been known to reduce
hot flashes and minimize nervous disorders.
- Acidophilus: Can help combat
vaginitis and cystitis. Some
postmenopausal
women are more susceptible to bladder infections.
- Primrose or black current oil:
Contributes to estrogen production and works as a
sedative and a diuretic. Is also recommended for hot flashes.
- False unicorn root: Stimulates ovarian hormones and is helpful especially in
stages of early menopause. This herb contains hormone like simonies.
- Motherwort: A uterine stimulant which also helps with heart palpitations and
feelings of anxiety.
- He shou wu: A Chinese herb used to treat the symptoms of early menopause.
- Chaste tree: Helps to normalize hormonal function and balance. Some university
studies indicate that chaste tree appears to stimulate the
pituitary gland to
balance estrogen and progesterone.
- Black cohosh: Helps to
stimulate natural estrogen production and is also a nervine
tonic.
- Ginseng: Helps with
depression and in the production of estrogen.
- Damiana,
dong quai and
chaparral taken in combination can help with hot
flashes.
- Licorice: Can help to stimulate estrogen production.
- Sarsaparilla: Contains
progesterone and cortin to help achieve glandular balance.
- Gotu kola and dong quai: Help to relieve vaginal dryness and depression.
- The following herbs in combination may be useful: Black cohosh, licorice,
false
unicorn, Siberian ginseng, sarsaparilla,
squaw vine,
blessed thistle.
Homeopathy
The appropriate remedy can be taken one or more times daily, as
symptoms require. Sepia, Sulphur and Lachesis are quite deep-acting and
should be used only once daily, ceasing when results are obtained.
- Belladonna
Sudden flushing with red face, throbbing
headache, dilated pupils,
followed by sweats. Uterine bleeding, vaginal discharge,
nosebleeds, heat.
Rage, violent anger, starts in fear. Impulse to run. Feverish delirium.
Worse: night, light, noise, jarring, drafts, p.m., lying. Desires lemonade.
- Cimicifuga
Sad, gloomy, like a black cloud. Sighing. Fear of insanity. Feels caged up.
Flushing, heat on top of head. Breast and ovary pain. Flooding periods.
Weak, faintness,
palpitations,
insomnia. Sinking feeling in stomach.
Rheumatic and arthritic
pains,
sore muscles.
Neck or low
back pain.
Worse: cold, damp, the greater the
blood flow, the worse they feel. Better: warm.
- Lachesis
Flushes of heat with no perspiration; after physical or mental effort.
Rush of blood to head, burning, heat on top.
Hemorrhoids, nosebleed.
Worse when blood flow stops. Uterine hemorrhage, poor clotting. Faintness.
Constriction, sensitive to touch at throat, waist. Left sided problems.
Intense, suspicious, talkative. Memory loss. Unwell since change of life.
Worse: heat, sun, after sleep, alcohol, coffee. Better: during blood flow.
- Sanguinaria
Flushing, red cheeks. Burning sensations, burning palms and soles.
Pulsating headache (right side). Menses profuse; offensive, black blood.
Corrosive, foul vaginal discharges. Emptiness, burning in stomach.
Craves spices. Feels helpless, paralyzed. Lethargic, averse to work.
Worse: day (with the sun), night, wet weather, odors, noise. Better: sleep.
- Sepia
Hot flashes on least motion with weakness, faintness, much sweating.
Flashes seem to start in pelvis and spread upwards. Heaviness in uterus.
Excess bleeding, vaginitis, offensive urine. Falling hair. Weak stomach.
Depressed, wants solitude. Indifferent to loved ones, to sex. Sarcastic.
Worse: damp, cold, night, menses, fats, milk. Better: open air, exercise.
- Sulphur
Hot flushes with hot head, hands, feet. Burning, must throw covers off.
Mild perspiration, fatigue, faintness. Emptiness at pit of the stomach.
Profuse menses, swollen breasts, insomnia. Dry,
itching skin, scalp.
Intellectual, dreamers, but life in disarray. Irritable, depressed, selfish.
Worse: getting hot, 11 a.m., night, full moon, sweets, bathing, standing.
What else you can do
- Exercising regularly, eating a nutritious diet and leading a happy, full life can
greatly help to minimize psychological and physical menopausal symptoms.
Regular exercise has been chosen as the most significant tool against the
negative symptoms that can accompany menopause.
- Keep involved and active. Finding something that you love to do can help you
through menopause. Join a bowling league, walk with someone, try a new hobby,
or take a class.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can aggravate hot flashes.
- Eat a diet high in raw foods and low in red meats, sugar and dairy products.
Emphasize the following foods: whole grains, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds,
almonds, fresh vegetables and fruits, garlic,
beans and whole grain pastas.
- Eating frequent light meals is preferable to three heavy ones. Doing this seems to
discourage hot flashes.
- Avoid the following foods: rich dairy products, sugar, fatty greasy foods, red
meats, coffee, tea, alcohol and nicotine.
- Drink plenty of water to help with hot flashes.
- Do not smoke: Smoking is lethal regardless; however, when combined with
hormone replacement therapy it can cause an interaction which dramatically
increases the risk of stroke,
high blood pressure and
heart disease.
- Use relaxation techniques such as yoga or breathing exercises to combat anxiety
or nervousness.
- The value of regular aerobic exercise to help combat both the physical and
psychological symptoms of menopause cannot be overstressed. Regular exercise
can increase the secretions of certain brain chemicals which can elevate moods
and counteract depression. Walk, swim, climb stairs, or join a spa. Weight
bearing exercises have been found to function especially well in preventing the
onset of osteoporosis.
Usual dosage
- Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU twice daily
- Vitamin B complex, 100 mg, one to three times daily
- Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg, up to three times daily
- Calcium, 1,000 mg
- Magnesium, 500 mg
- Bee pollen, 2 capsules daily between meals
- Royal jelly, 2 capsules
HIGH-CALCIUM CANDY
- 1 cup sesame butter,
- 1/2 to 1 cup honey,
- Powdered milk (enough to thicken the candy),
- 1/4 cup ground or chopped almonds,
- 1/4 cup ground apricots,
- 2-4 tablespoons powdered calcium,
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds and/or coconut flakes.
Mix honey and sesame butter together. Add remainder of ingredients. Adjust flavors.
Thicken with powdered milk to form into balls. Roll in toasted sesame seeds or coconut flakes.
HIGH-CALCIUM SHAKE
- 2 cups fresh orange juice and/or
pineapple juice,
- 1/2 cup yogurt,
- 1 frozen banana,
- 2-4 tablespoons calcium powder,
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds,
- 1 teaspoon bee pollen,
- 1/2 teaspoon spirulina,
- 1/2 teaspoon dong quai powder.
Place all ingredients in blender and blend on high speed until creamy. A frozen
banana gives the shake a nice creamy consistency.
MENOPAUSE TEA
This tea is a great companion through the stages of menopause. At a time when
everything you have been used to becomes questionable, when body and soul are in
an uproar, when hormones go wild, it is a real comfort to sip a tea like this.
The herbs in it release ingredients that resemble hormones and gently regulate
the body, thereby calming the spirit. One of
the many benefits of this tea, for example, is that
it normalizes perspiration. At the onset of
menopause one or two cups a day will be quite
sufficient. When the sweat is running down
your face, it is time to drink the tea regularly.
The above ingredients
should be thoroughly mixed and then stored. To
make the tea, take 2 to 3 tablespoons of the tea
mixture, pour 2 cups (500 ml) water over them
and allow to steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
Sweetening the brew with honey helps the
body absorb the active ingredients. The best
way to use this tea is over a 6- to 8-week period,
with 2 cups (500 ml) of the tea being consumed
over the course of each day. The tea therapy
should then be stopped for at least 1 week. It
can be resumed if needed.
Note: The three main
ingredients of menopause tea-lady's mantle, hops
and walnut leaves-have served for thousands
of years in the treatment of women's
disorders. Lady's mantle used to be the base of most
such female recipes. The small green plant was
once sacred to Freya, the Germanic goddess of
love and fertility. During the menopausal years
the herb serves women in a different way,
namely, by regulating sweating. This effect of
lady's mantle was explained by wise
women who tended to observe their plants very
closely-by the fact that the plant itself
"sweats." Around ten in the morning the leaves
are covered with drops of liquid extruded by
the pores, just like drops of sweat. Sage leaves
lessen perspiration too, while the cones of
hops are chosen for their estrogen like active
ingredient. These chemicals are able to
alleviate the side effects of the body's diminished
estrogen levels. With the help of this tea it is
therefore possible that some women, who are
suspicious of synthetic estrogen therapy, can
avoid this procedure entirely.
A suggested combination: Another phytohormonal menopause aid is
pomegranate
seeds. Many cultures have considered the pomegranate a symbol of fertility and
rejuvenation. The plentiful seeds of the fruit are a clear indication that it
will increase fertility, and therefore desire. And the seeds do indeed contain a
natural estrogen, which is close in composition to that formed in the human
ovaries. Our tip is to augment the menopausal tea therapy by eating some
pomegranate seeds every day. They should be as fresh as possible; chew them well
and swallow them.
Warning: Pomegranate seeds may not be
taken during pregnancy or during any illness
that precludes the use of estrogen. If you are
planning a longer pomegranate cure, you
should definitely consult your physician or
health practitioner.
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