vifeheriros: December 2006

Monday, December 18, 2006

Information On Menopause Treatment

Menopause is a Transition

by Subodh Jain

Women start undergoing in thirties and it may last into their fifties or sixties. Menopause is a natural biological process. Although its onset brings in hormonal upheavals, physical and emotional changes, it is far removed from end of youth or sexuality of women.
Menopause is the cessation of the monthly female menstrual cycle.

Women who have not had a menstrual period for a year considered post menopausal. Women in late or early fifties experience menopause, women who have gone through menopause are no longer fertile. The journey to menopause begins for women long before cessation of their menstrual cycle.
It begins naturally when your ovaries start making less of estrogen and progesterone. During reproductive years these hormones regulate monthly cycle of ovulation and menstruation. For most women, hormone production begins to slow down when they reach their thirties and continues to diminish as they age. Since this process spans over decades pri-menopause precedes menopause. During pri-menopause you start experiencing symptoms through you are still ovulating. Hormonal levels rise, fall unevenly, you may experience any or all of these symptoms.

Symptoms:

Anxiety and fatigue

Bloating headaches

Heart palpitation

Insomnia, irritability

Reduced sex drive

Mood swing, night sweats

Urinary incontinence

Weight gain, dry vagina.

Quite a list

By the time women reach menopause and stop menstruating altogether, acute problems linked with it are likely to disappear. However, women become increasingly vulnerable to serious health problems. Over the period, diminished supply of estrogen increases the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and vaginal atrophy. Osteoporosis is a common problem women experience post-menopause. Recent researches say soyabeans, chickpeas and other legumes contain phytoestrogens which help in tiding over menopausal symptoms.

Lifestyle changes :- Increase intake of dark green leafy vegetables, turmeric, fenugreek, bitter gourd and broccoli. Consume foods high in magnesium (nuts like almonds, walnuts), dairy products and bananas, exercise, eat well. Get 1500 mg of calcium and 400 to 800 IU of Vitamin D. Eat five-six small nutritious meals instead of three large ones, take Vitamin E. Quit smoking. Do pelvic floor exercise to strengthen urinary muscles. Experiment with acupuncture.
Avoid pungent sour and salt tastes. Refrain from alcohol, hot weather or spicy food. Help comes in from of Menopause Formula from GNC for women experiencing menopausal symptoms.

Subodh Jain is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. He is a contributing editor to home remedies, a site dedicated to the home remedies for common ailments. Check out this site for more information on women's health.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Subodh_Jain

Looking For Information On Perimenopause Menopause

How To Avoid Pregnancy During Menopause

by Dean Caporella

Is there a correlation between menopause and pregnancy? Can you become pregnant during menopause? These questions are asked quite frequently and the simple answer is yes, you can become pregnant during menopause.

Expalining The Stages Of Menopause

Let's firstly describe the process of menopause. There are usually three stages and the whole process can can last for between 10-15 years. Perimenopause signifies stage one and is accompanied by irregular periods. The second phase is described as the main menopausal stage. If a woman hasn't experienced periods for 12 months then she has entered the main menopausal phase and in most women, it's accompanied by the usual symptoms such as decreasing estrogen levels along with hot flashes and mood swings. Postmenopause is usually reached when the common symptons accompanying phase two decline however, complications are still around including the threat of osteoporosis but with regular visits to the doctor, most women will be well aware of this and will be well prepared.

Pregnancy During The Early Phase

Pregnancy is still possible during the perimenopause stage. Periods become irregular during this phase and in most cases, women will become a little blase regarding the use of contraception during sex. What perimenopausal women need to be aware of is that ovulation still occurs during this phase. The fact that periods are still present, though sporadically, should be a clear indication that they are not yet "out of the woods" regarding pregnancy. It's considered a pregnancy safe zone when a woman hasn't experienced a period for a minimum of 12 months during perimenopause.

It's common knowledge that the older a woman gets the less chance there is of pregnancy occurring and this is particularly so for women in their forties. Many doctors will encourage women to nevertheless, maintain safe sex practices during this period. Despite these messages, almost one in two women are still ignoring contraception during the perimenopausal stage. Further concern is that aborted pregnancies during this age group are extremely high.

So the clear message is that yes, menopause and pregnancy are very much co-existant. Irregular periods doesn't mean the end of the pregnancy phase. Remember, ovulation still occurs and by applying the standard 12 month period free rule, women can avoid unwanted pregnancies.

If You Become Pregnant?

Many women believe there aren't many options available to them if they fall pregnant. Basically, there aren't. Either go through with the pregnancy or follow the abortion trail. Menopause is enough of a difficult time to negotiate for women let alone having to make major decisions such as whether to continue on with a pregnancy. The body is at the first stage of undergoing major changes which are tough enough to cope with on their own but coupled with the demands brought on by a pregnancy, then the stress suddenly can escalate.

Again, the message should be clear; if you are not intending on having children, then be a little more prudent during the perimenopase stage.

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Is there a link between href="http://www.infomenopause.com/menopause_article_list.html">pregnancy and menopause? Read the latest menopause related news and reviews at:http://www.infomenopause.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Caporella

Information On Getting Pregnant During Post Menopause

Breast Cancer - Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

by Michael Russell

Being excessively overweight and eating foods rich in fats are both possible risk factors for developing breast cancer. Excessive exposure of the breasts to X-rays or other forms of radiation increases the likelihood that cancer cells will develop and there is some evidence linking a higher risk of breast cancer with long-term use of replacement oestrogens - the hormones given to woman to replace those lost during menopause - although the data is not conclusive.

The role of oral contraceptives in increasing breast cancer risk is even less clear. Some studies, in fact, seem to indicate that the combined pill may actually reduce a woman's chance of developing breast cancer. Contrary to popular belief, failure to breast-feed does not increase the risk of breast cancer; nor, on the other hand, is breast-feeding a protective factor. Risk factors such as obesity and high fat intake are avoidable, but there are also unavoidable risks including age (after 45, the risk of developing breast cancer increases); previous breast cancer; a history of breast cancer in your mother or sister; early onset and late ending of menstruation; and not having had children or having them after the age of 30.

Although you may fall into a high-risk group, remember the chances are that you will probably never get breast cancer. Whether you fall into the high-risk group or not, regular check-ups are your best defence. Doing something about it could save your life.

Any out-of-the-ordinary change in appearance, texture, feel or function of your breast should be considered a symptom, however tentative and you should report it to your doctor immediately. Do not panic, but do not waste any time either. Most changes, such as the appearance of lumps, turn out to be non-cancerous. However, you should be particularly alert to three types of changes: a lump or thickening of tissue inside the breast, a change in the shape of any part of the breast and any fluid that comes from the nipple.

Depending on the symptom, your doctor will examine you and order tests to determine whether the sign indicates the presence of breast cancer or, more likely, is caused by something else. Minor surgery in the form of a biopsy may be necessary, but most doctors will not perform one unless a preliminary examination indicates that cancer may be present. If there is any doubt in the mind of your doctor, he will probably refer you to a specialist who may check the interior of your breast without actually using a needle or knife. The most common way of doing this is by taking a mammogram (a breast X-ray). If the mammogram reveals a suspicious spot, then a biopsy will most likely be the next step. A biopsy can be performed in one of two ways: a hollow needle may be passed into the breast to extract fluid containing cells, or the specialist may use a knife to remove a small or large portion of tissue. The first method is called an aspiration biopsy, the second is known as a surgical biopsy. An aspiration biopsy will be done either in the specialist's surgery or in the outpatient's department of a local hospital with a local anaesthetic. A surgical biopsy is usually done in a hospital and will take more time.

The simplest way to remove a breast cancer surgically is by an operation that is often called a lumpectomy. In this procedure, which is usually performed in conjunction with radiotherapy, the surgeon removes the tumour and a small amount of tissue around it, but leaves the skin over it in place. The most extensive procedure is the radical mastectomy - the total removal of the breast along with underlying chest muscles and the axillary lymph nodes in the adjoining armpit. Today, radical mastectomies to remove breast cancer are done much less often than previously even though some surgeons still believe that they offer the best chance of total eradication of the disease.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Information On Womans Menopause

Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance in Women

by Olinda Rola

Symptoms of hormone imbalance in women may begin as early as the late 20's to the 40's. Symptoms of hormone imbalance in women tend to increase as a woman ages, especially if ignored in the earlier years. Hormone imbalance symptoms can be any one or more of the following:

� Allergy symptoms

� Depression, fatigue and anxiety

� Endometriosis

� Fibrocystic breasts

� Hair loss and facial hair growth

� Headaches, dizziness and foggy thinking

� Low sex drive

� Osteoporosis

� PMS

� Urinary tract infections and incontinence

� Uterine fibroids

� Weight gain, water retention and bloating

� Wrinkly skin

Symptoms of hormone imbalance are caused primarily by the incorrect relationship between progesterone and estrogen levels in the body. The two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, exist in a delicate balance. Variations in that balance can have a dramatic effect on your health, resulting in symptoms of hormone imbalance. The amounts of these hormones that the woman's body produces from month to month can vary, depending on factors such as stress, nutrition, exercise and most importantly -- ovulation or the lack of ovulation.

In the first 10-12 days of the menstrual cycle, only estrogen is produced in the female body. If ovulation occurs, then progesterone is produced by the ovaries. On day 28 or so, levels of both hormones drop, resulting in menstruation. However, if ovulation did not occur, you can still have the menstrual period, but the estrogen is never "balanced" by progesterone, which needed ovulation to trigger its production. And this results in symptoms of hormone imbalance appearing -- you have estrogen but progesterone production drops to very low levels.

In the industrialized countries, women take birth control pills, are exposed to household chemicals at home, car exhaust and other environmental xenoestrogens. In addition, women often have stressful lives, eat processed foods or skip meals, take synthetic estrogen HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and have hysterectomies. All these factors can add more estrogen to the female body, resulting in excess estrogen which will cause hormone imbalance symptoms.

How can a woman tell if she is experiencing hormone imbalance symptoms? An easy, fast and effective way is to take the online test provided by a leading womens health clinic for early signs of menopause and symptoms of hormone imbalance in women. The online test takes just a few minutes and is free. Learn more about your health, symptoms, what the symptoms are telling you and what to do about it based on your answers to important questions. Read more about hormone imbalance, estrogen dominance symptoms and physician-recommended natural treatments for eliminating the symptoms of hormone imbalance.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Read more about symptoms of hormone imbalance and natural treatment. Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - visit the website, take the online women's hormone health test and find information on a variety of women's health issues.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Olinda_Rola

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Information On Menopause In Women

Menopause - Symptoms and Treatment

by Michael Russell

Menopause or 'change of life' occurs in most women around the age of fifty. It is a natural process the woman's body goes through whereby the monthly cycle of ovulation comes to an end. Although age fifty is the normal age, there are some women who go through menopause in their fortys or even earlier.

It is estimated only about fifteen percent of women will have severe menopausal symptoms, while twenty-five percent will go through the menopause period with no problems at all, leaving about sixty percent to experience the normal symptoms of menopause.

Sometimes the symptoms associated with menopause can be frightening to a woman; such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating and mental confusion. Many times they feel they are going crazy. For instance, they go to a cabinet in the kitchen and do not remember what they were wanting from that cabinet. Am I losing my mind?

Hot flashes are probably the most common symptom experienced by most women. They will become extremely hot and uncomfortable even though everyone else in the room claims they are not hot.

Mood swings and emotional outbursts are also common during this time. Other family members sometimes feel they are living with a powder keg, ready to explode at any time. It doesn't seem to matter what other people might say or do that triggers the tears and outbursts. Anything can cause emotions to stir up.

Anxiety and depression are normal during this time. Changes going on in the body can cause one to feel ill at ease. This is also the time of life when the kids are growing up and leaving home, and a woman could experience the 'empty nest syndrome', which could contribute to the depression.

Unable to sleep at night is very frustrating and possibly leads back to the mood swings, anxiety and depression. Losing sleep causes irritability and makes a person grouchy. Loss of sleep makes a person tired during the day and unable to function properly. Sleep loss is a common symptom of menopause.

Weight gain can be experienced by women during this time. Some women think they can eat their way through menopause. This, plus the hormonal imbalance can cause women to gain weight very easily.

Once looked upon as a dreaded experience, nowadays there is treatment for menopause that can help either lessen the symptoms or completely eliminate them. There are several hormone replacement drugs. There are risks involved in these hormone therapy treatments which should be considered before using them. These risks include an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, breast cancer and blood clots. Also, estrogen may increase the risk of uterine cancer.

The conventional doctors' theory is that menopause symptoms are caused by a drop in estrogen production; thus, their solution is estrogen replacement with synthetic hormones. However, many naturalist practitioners feel too much estrogen is the problem.

The naturalist feels, since menopause is a natural transition in a woman's body, that natural solutions should be used, such as vitamins and herbs. Vitamin E has been found to reduce the discomfort of hot flashes. The vitamin E therapy has been used since the 1940s. Soy product replacement in the diet is also beneficial in relieving the symptoms.

Herbs such as cohosh, motherwort, common chickweed, elder flower and violet are used with success in treating the symptoms.

The post-menopausal years can still leave women with some of the menopausal symptoms that carry on through the end of their life. Some women are plagued with the hot flashes and weight gain for the rest of their life.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Menopause

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Information On Using Marijuana During Menopause

Handling Menopause Naturally

by Gwen Jones

Many women have begun to look for safe and effective natural alternatives to relieve their menopausal symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy risks can outweigh it's benefits.

Menopause can be managed with diet and exercise. Exercising strengthens your muscles and bones and helps circulate your blood. It gives you a better mental outlook and aids in a better night�s sleep. Exercise can also give you a calming effect, reduce stress and increase vitality, concentration and alertness. Weight lifting exercises can help against bone loss and osteoporosis. It also improves posture, balance and muscle tone.

Many women experience good results from eating soy products. Because soy contains isoflavones, a natural plant estrogen, this can help offset the drop in the body�s estrogen that occurs at menopause. This, in turn, can relieve hot flashes and night sweats. Sources of soy include tofu, soymilk, soynuts, soybeans and soy protein powders. It is recommended you take at least 25 grams of soy protein which is equal to one to two servings per day.

Some women have reported that taking Black Cohosh, Vitamin E and herbs such as Dong Quai, Evening Primrose Oil and Red Clover diminish hot flashes, night sweats and other symptoms.

Night sweats and interrupted sleep can be relieved by wearing cotton sleepwear and using silk-filled bedding. Silk has a wicking, self-regulating quality which adjusts to the heat of the body and wicks away moisture. This results in just the right sleeping temperature and less likelihood for night sweats.

Gwen Jones lives in Toronto anxiously awaiting the onslaught of menopause sleeping in her cotton pyjamas and under her silk-filled bedding while eating soy nuts. Visit her website at http://www.menopauseliving.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gwen_Jones

Information On Wellbutrin Xl For Menopause

Endometriosis Articles

by Josh Riverside

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects millions of women. A number of articles on endometriosis are published in health magazines, newspapers and are available on the Internet. These articles enlighten patients about the disease and its symptoms, and the different treatments available to alleviate the pain and suffering.

Articles on endometriosis are very helpful for everyone including those who are not affected by the condition. It is possible for readers to gain an easy access to the causes of endometriosis through these articles. Symptoms of the disease and the latest approved treatments are covered in these articles. They are made interesting with file photos, advice and treatments given by different specialists.

There are articles based on books written by specialists that provide solutions and resources for endometriosis patients. They carry information on various endometriosis research centers and non-profit resource centers. Medical news items also cover the latest information on endometriosis research and briefings on well-known cases. Articles on endometriosis support friends are also available on the Internet. They are forums of caring and sharing for survivors of endometriosis that include chat, photos and stories of the disease. Many sites facilitate worldwide collaboration and information sharing between women with endometriosis, clinicians and scientists.

Articles on endometriosis are invaluable for a patient to know in detail the symptoms, treatment methodologies, theories, case studies and causes of the disease. There are many care centers online that provide advice to millions of people across the world by specialists. Details of symptoms, treatment, theories, case studies and causes of endometriosis from different health centers around the world are highlighted in these articles.

Endometriosis provides detailed information on Chronic Endometriosis, Endometriorsis And Infertility, Endometriosis, Endometriosis And Cancer and more. Endometriosis is affiliated with Male Menopause.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_Riverside

Proven Natural Herbal Remedy And Information On 34 Menopause

7 Healthy Tips to Help You Deal with Menopause

by Riana D Lance

Most of the time, for being strained out of menopause, women don�t pay attention to their health.

That is totally wrong. Living healthily can even help a lot in facing menopause.

To do so, you can try these healthy yet easy tips below:

1. Breakfast Power

Chances are you have been sleeping during the night and it has been at least 8 hours or more since you last ate. A healthy, hearty breakfast gives you the fuel you need during the day, or at least until lunch. Easy to prepare breakfasts include cold cereal with fruit and low-fat milk, whole-wheat toast with peanut butter, yogurt with fruit, whole-grain waffles or even last night's pizza!

2. Get Physical!

It's not as difficult as you might imagine to fit physical activities into your daily routine. Walk, bike or jog to see friends. Take a 10-minute activity break every hour while you read, do homework or watch TV. Climb stairs instead of taking an escalator or elevator.

3. Power Snack

If you eat right during the day, it�s OK to eat cookies, chips and candy, as long as you do it only occasionally, and in moderation. Snacks are a great way to refuel. Healthy snacks include a glass of low-fat milk and a few graham crackers, an apple or celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins, or some dry cereal.

4. Work Your Heart

Vigorous work-outs - when you're breathing hard and sweating - help your heart pump better, give you more energy and help you look and feel best. Start with a warm-up that stretches your muscles. Include 20 minutes of aerobic activity, such as running, jogging, or dancing. Follow up with activities that help make you stronger such as push-ups or lifting weights. Then cool down by stretching and deep breathing.

5. Too Much of One Thing is Not Always Good

You can eat foods such as hamburgers, french fries and ice cream and still eat healthy. The key is how often and how much of them you eat. Your body needs nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, fat and many different vitamins and minerals such as vitamins C and A, iron and calcium from a variety of foods. Balancing food choices from the Food Guide Pyramid and checking out the Nutrition Facts Panel on food labels will help you get all these nutrients.

6. Activate Your Family and Friends!

Research has shown that you are more apt to remain on an exercise regimen if you exercise with friends or family. Encourage others to join you and plan one special physical activity event, like a bike ride or hiking, with a group each week.

7. Eat Your Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables give you carbohydrates for energy, plus vitamins, minerals and fiber. Whole-wheat bread is healthier than white, as is spaghetti and oatmeal. Bananas, strawberries and melons are great tasting fruits. Don�t forget to add lettuce to your sandwich for a daily serving of vegetables!

About the author: Riana Lance has a deep concern on health. Get her inspirational e-mail guides on How to Cure Insomnia at http://healthifica.com/guides/menopause-stress/ Also, grasp her other motivational health tips at http://www.healthifica.com, a worth-to-visit daily updated blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Riana_D_Lance

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