Avoid Menopause Induced Bone Loss and Disease

Unfortunately, conventional medicine has done a poor job helping women to avoid the health risks associated with menopause. Just to be clear an excessive loss of hormones will cause a loss of energy, muscle mass, bone strength, cognitive function and memory. With an estimated 6,000 women per day, in the United States alone, reaching menopause this health issue should not be ignored.

3 natural remedies designed to ease menopausal symptoms
Conventionally speaking, menopause 'officially' begins 12 months after a woman's final menstrual period and is connected to a huge drop in estrogen levels. This dramatic drop in estrogen can produce a wide variety of symptoms like, hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections, joint pains, plus sleep disorders and mood swings. These menopausal symptoms are early warning signs of disease and should not be ignored. So, let's focus on some natural solutions.

According to a study conducted by researchers at Brown University, and published in The Obstetrician and Gynecologist (TOG), 'physicians should recommend herbal medicines and complementary therapies to women seeking relief from the symptoms of menopause.' Dong quai or "female ginseng", red clover and black cohosh are three widely used herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms. These herbs contain plant compounds which mimic estrogen.

Phytoestrogens  found in sesame and flax seeds, red clover tea and fermented soy products like, tempeh, miso and natto contain high amounts of plant-based estrogens called isoflavones which can provide natural relief for women with menopause symptoms. In a study performed at The University of Naples, Italy in 2005 it was discovered that isoflavones were effective in reducing hot flashes and relieving vaginal dryness during menopause. Their recommendation is 45 grams per day.

Can homeopathy help women with menopause? In some cases, the answer is yes. For example, cimicifuga has been shown to help with night sweats, vaginal dryness, bleeding and mood swings. Lachesis tends to help women who feel warm to hot all the time and may crave alcoholic beverages. Sepia is especially useful for women having difficulty with sexual intercourse, and felling chilly.

Do bioidentical hormones increase the risk of a stroke?
According to a large study from France, published in an American Heart Association journal, bioidentical hormones do not raise the risk of stroke in menopausal women. In fact, following nearly 100,000 women, researchers reveal that women using estrogen patches and progesterone in pill form had a slightly lower risk of stroke compared to women not using any type of hormone replacement.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is not necessarily safer than any other drug therapy. To bring hormones back into balance one must consider the nervous system (neurotransmitters) and all of the hormone levels from the pituitary and thyroid gland to the pancreas, adrenals and ovaries (last). Simply put, don't take the 'magic bullet' approach toward health.

Obviously, if you're suffering from hormonal imbalances and serious health issues, work with a qualified medical professional to improve all aspects of your life physically, emotionally and spiritually.

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Early Menopause Issue for Young Breast Cancer Women

Breast cancer is no longer just your grandmother’s disease.

Young women are being diagnosed with breast cancer more than ever before, in part thanks to advanced research and early diagnostics.

“Our patients used to be around 60 or 70, even 80 when first diagnosed,” said Anne Zobec, nurse practitioner at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers. “Women are being screened at younger ages and catching breast cancer earlier.”

Although discovering it in the early stages is significant, young breast cancer patients often encounter complications older patients might not have to deal with.

“Chemotherapy basically suppresses estrogen in the body,” Zobec said. “This sends patients deep into menopause early on.”

Symptoms of menopause like severe hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia combined with symptoms of cancer treatment like fatigue and nausea can make the journey to healing a painful one.

“Both create a roller coaster of moods that make everything even more difficult to handle,” Zobec said. “It’s also a concern for those who might still want to have children.”

Estrogen hormones feed breast cancer, barring patients from receiving hormone therapy to reduce side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It’s also important that patients don’t try over-the-counter remedies marketed to alleviate menopause symptoms.

“Even herbs and other ingredients can be turned into estrogens in the body,” Zobec said. “We have found that a low-dose antidepressant is very helpful for these patients, sometimes reducing symptoms as much as 60 percent.”

If the low dose doesn’t seem effective, doctors can gradually increase the dose until they see results, or they might recommend a change in diet.

“We have also come to realize that a low-carbohydrate diet similar to the South Beach Diet is an effective tool for breast cancer patients,” Zobec said.

Participating in some form of aerobic exercise at least five days a week increases a patient’s ability to minimize discomfort.

“Adipose tissue, or body fat, makes estrogen which feeds the breast cancer, so reducing body fat is helpful,” Zobec said. “Losing just 10-15 pounds is a substantial advantage and reduces the risk of recurrence.”

No matter their healthcare needs, a breast cancer patient going through both menopause and treatment should never enter their fight alone. Zobec’s team at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers is ready to help should patients need a support network. Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers partners with Penrose Cancer Center, part of the Centura Health Cancer Network, delivering advanced, integrated cancer care across Colorado and western Kansas.

“Good support is a huge help in managing every symptom,” Zobec said. “From fatigue, to emotions, poor body image and low libido; patients and their partners have to stay as healthy and positive as possible.”

Source: gazette.com

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Does Acupuncture Technique Actually Helps To Treat Menopausal Symptoms?

Not every woman experiences menopause symptoms but among those who do the symptoms can be significant and disruptive, physically, emotionally and sexually.  Among the more common symptoms associated with menopause are hot flushes, mood swings, increased irritability, anxiety, vaginal dryness and/or itching, loss of libido, acne, weight gain, fatigue, memory problems, changes in skin texture, abnormal hair growth on face and more frequent urination.

Such signs and symptoms may be prominent for a few years, but will gradually lessen in severity and eventually disappear.

Osteoporosis on the other hand will continue to deteriorate with age and requires active intervention and treatment.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is considered the standard treatment for menopause and related conditions. However there is no consensus as to how and when to use these medications. Although they may alleviate hot flushes and prevent osteoporosis, they will also increase the risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer and have a number of significant side effects. The bottom line is that synthetic hormones can never replace endogenous ones. Therefore, no matter how and when they are prescribed, the potential for adverse reactions will always be present.

How acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are extremely effective in treating menopause and related conditions. It offers a gentle, yet effective way of treating the various symptoms without any side effects. Numerous studies have shown the effect of acupuncture and Chinese herbs on the hormonal system to alleviate hot flushes, loss of bone mass and other symptoms associated with menopause. And most importantly being much gentler and safer on the body.

Also tension, stress and anxiety can aggravate symptoms. The more relaxed and at ease with ourselves we are, the easier it is to deal with this time of transition. Acupuncture helps us to relax our body and mind.

Diet and Lifestyle: what can we do ourselves
A diet including lots of fresh fruit and vegetables can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Some foods that can aggravate symptoms such as hot flushes and mood swings are best avoided, such as dairy products, red meat, alcohol, sugar, spicy foods and caffeine. Cigarette smoking has a drying affect on our body and affects our natural cooling system, our yin, so is also best avoided.

Women who tend to be more active tend to suffer less from symptoms. Activities such as yoga, tai chi, qi gong provide gentle movement whilst also reducing stress and tension. A brisk walk for half an hour several times a week is very beneficial.

It is beneficial to have regular acupuncture treatment during the peri-menopausal period, as soon as the period starts changing.  This will help  smooth out any minor symptoms and prevents them from getting worse, making the menopausal period a much more pleasant experience.

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Fact Or Fiction: Does Natural Supplements Ease Menopausal Symptoms?

Hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, and other symptoms often come with menopause. A variety of supplements claim to help with these menopausal symptoms. But we want to know if they work? Supplements are rarely tested thoroughly, and many claims made by manufacturers aren’t always supported by science.

Here’s a look at several supplements and research about their effectiveness on menopausal symptoms.

Black cohosh:The extract of the black cohosh plant’s root. When it comes to hot flashes, several studies compared it with a placebo and found that black cohosh helps. However, wrote WebMD, “Other studies haven’t found a benefit.”

Dong quai: An herb said to mimic the body’s estrogen. Dong quai has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine as treatment for women’s health. But a modern study of dong quai looked at its effects on menopausal hot flashes and found no benefits.

Evening primrose oil: Oil extracted from the seeds of a yellow-flowered plant.  Little research on evening primrose oil has been done. In fact, Health.com reported that in a 2009 review in American Family Physician, just one study comparing primrose oil and placebo in menopausal women has been done. The study found that evening primrose oil was no better than the placebo in treating hot flashes.

Ginkgo biloba: The extract of the ginkgo plant’s leaves. Ginkgo is well-known for improving memory, concentration and mood. All of these can be affected by menopause. Yet several studies have found no evidence that ginkgo can help menopausal women suffering from memory loss, concentration and mood swings.

Hops: The flower clusters of the Humulus lupulus plant. Hops are another supplement with extremely limited research behind it. There has been only one controlled trial studying 8-PN’s potential effects. 8-PN is an estrogenic compound in hops. The controlled trial found that there were favorable results reducing menopausal symptoms including hot flashes.

Red clover: An extract of a legume that contains substances that mimic estrogen. Research results from red clover have been mixed when it comes to easing menopausal symptoms.

Soy: A protein found in foods such as tofu, edamame and soy milk. Many menopausal women look to soy to help with hot flashes. Unfortunately they may not find much relief. No conclusive evidence of effectiveness was found from the use of soy is of lavones to reduce hot flashes in frequency or severity in a 2009 review of randomised controlled trials.

It’s important to talk with your doctor before taking any supplements. All supplements have potential side effects and may adversely interact with some medication.

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Scientists Map Risk of Premature Menopause after Cancer Treatment

Women treated for the cancer Hodgkin lymphoma will be able to better understand their risks of future infertility after researchers estimated their risk of premature menopause with different treatments.

The findings, set out in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, are based on the experience of more than 2,000 young women in England and Wales treated for the cancer over a period of more than 40 years.

Previous research has suggested that women with Hodgkin lymphoma who receive certain types of chemotherapy or radiotherapy are at increased risk of going through the menopause early – but there was insufficient information to provide patients with detailed advice.

But the new study, led by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, provides precise estimates of risk for women depending on which treatment types and doses they received and at what age - allowing doctors to give them detailed advice about their risks of future infertility.

The research was largely funded by Breakthrough Breast Cancer and involved researchers from across the UK at more than 50 universities and hospitals.

The research team followed-up 2,127 women who had been treated for Hodgkin lymphoma in England and Wales between 1960 and 2004, and who had been aged under 36 at the time.

All had received treatment with chest radiotherapy, sometimes alongside other treatments.

Some 605 of the women in the study underwent non-surgical menopause before the age of 40.

This was a large enough number for the researchers to estimate accurate risks of menopause at different ages, depending on the mixture and doses of treatments they received and the age they received them.

The researchers produced a risk table which could help improve the advice that clinicians are able to give to women who have undergone treatment for the disease.

Several of the treatments caused a sharp increase in premature menopause risk.

For example, a woman who had received six or more cycles of a standard chemotherapy regimen in her late 20s, but without receiving radiotherapy to the pelvic area, had a chance of around 18 per cent of undergoing menopause by the age of 30, or 58 per cent by age 40.

Overall, risk of premature menopause was more than 20-fold raised after ovarian radiotherapy, and also after some specific chemotherapy regimens.

Risk of menopause by age 40 was 81 per cent after receiving ovarian radiotherapy at an overall dose of 5 or more Grays, and up to 75 per cent after chemotherapy, depending on the type, although only one per cent after receiving a chemotherapy regimen called ABVD.

Study leader Professor Anthony Swerdlow, Professor of Epidemiology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said:

"Hodgkin lymphoma often affects younger women, and although fortunately most survive the disease, treatments including certain types of chemotherapy and pelvic radiotherapy can lead to premature menopause.

"We hope our study will help women to understand better, in consultation with their doctors, their risks of future infertility following treatment for this malignancy. By looking in a much larger group of women than previous studies of this type, we were able to produce age and treatment specific risk estimates that we hope will be of practical use to individual women. I'm extremely grateful to the patients and doctors who made it possible for us to produce this information."

Source: http://ecancer.org/news/6175-scientists-map-risk-of-premature-menopause-after-cancer-treatment.php

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