How to Deal with Menopause and Insomnia?

Menopause is a natural life event that happens to every woman in her lifetime. It can occur any time between the ages of 40 and 55. In some cases, earlier or later. While some women seem to breeze through menopause with few troubling symptoms, others may experience mild discomfort or even life altering sensations that make this phase difficult to cope with. One of the more common symptoms is insomnia. If it becomes severe, it can cause daytime sleepiness, irritability, trouble concentrating and going about daily tasks. There are things that you can do to treat effectively insomnia that is related to menopause.

Menopause signs
The menopause sign are generally irregular menstrual periods that eventually end altogether. Other common symptoms include hot flushes, nervousness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, headaches and disruption in sleep patterns. The duration and severity of these signs varies from woman to woman. Some hardly notice them while others may have difficulty coping with the discomfort.

Causes of menopausal insomnia
During menopause, a woman's body is undergoing drastic hormonal changes. Estrogen and progesterone levels tend to lower with occasional spikes as the ovulation phase nears its end. These hormones influence the production of other compounds within the body's chemistry. Feelings of anxiety are common and these can be a contributing factor to night time insomnia. Some women find it difficult to relax prior to bed time. In addition, some women experience hot flushes along with night sweats, racing heart and palpitations. These symptoms can wreak havoc on the sleep schedule. Hormonal imbalances are the main culprit for menopausal insomnia and the emotional impact of the end of child bearing ability can compound the problem.

Treatment for insomnia
There are a few different ways to approach treatment for menopausal insomnia. Since the issue is generally related to hormonal imbalances, hormone replacement therapy most often provides relief. The traditional method which relies upon synthetically manufactured estrogen and progesterone replacement is effective for most women, but there are associated risks. It can increase the likelihood of developing certain cancers and cardiac related health issues. This type of treatment stimulates the body chemistry into responding as though it is still producing estrongen and progesterone at previous levels, so other related functions respond in kind and the symptoms are reduced or eliminated. Not all women are candidates for this type of therapy, but there are alternatives.

Natural hormone replacement therapy
Herbal remedies have been found effective in treating insomnia in menopausal women. Plants containing phytoestrogens are useful in helping to restore hormonal balances. Soy beans are a rich source of these compounds. Plants high in phytoestrogens are used to extract these compounds, concentrate them and create natural supplements that work in the same manner as traditional hormone replacement therapies, except without the associated health risks. Many women opt for this treatment method when HRT is not recommended in their particular cases.

How natural remedies work?
Natural treatments using phytoestrogens are not as strong as regular HRT, but more highly concentrated doses can be as effective for some women. These compounds cause the body to respond as it did prior to the onset of menopause. Night sweats, nervousness and anxiety are generally lessened because the body chemistry returns to a more normal state with fewer spikes and valleys with regard to hormone levels. Fewer sleep disruptions occur and this allows women to achieve deeper levels of sleep for longer periods of time.

Other methods of treating menopausal insomnia
In addition to herbal supplements with phytoestrogens, there are other ways to treat menopausal insomnia. Exercise in the afternoon can help to get the systems in the body working at higher levels for a better night's sleep. Controlling your diet is also important for putting insomnia in check. Avoid foods that stimulate the central nervous system. For example, avoid caffeine late in the day because it can lead to anxiety and difficulty in falling asleep. Try taking warm showers or baths instead of hot ones, and if hot flushes are an issue, cut back on the use of hot tubs and spicy hot foods and beverages prior to bed time. Identifying your triggers for hot flushes and avoiding them can help in reducing insomnia. They may vary from woman to woman so you may want to keep track of activities or foods/drinks that tend to set them off.

Aromatherapy is another remedy that is effective in reducing anxiety and inducing sleepiness near bed time. Lavender, chamomile and Valerian are excellent choices that contain compounds that help to promote relaxation and sleepiness. Drinking a glass of chamomile tea does the trick for some women. Watch the sugar intake and if you must have sweetness, consider using a small amount of honey.

Conclusion
There is no good reason to suffer from menopausal insomnia when effective treatments are available. The more natural the treatment, the better for your long term health. A few lifestyle changes may be all that is needed to regulate your sleep patterns. The best remedy for you depends on the severity of the symptoms and what you are most comfortable with. With so many options available, you can find the combination of approaches that works the best for you.

References

https://www.behance.net/gallery/32807421/Does-Menopause-increase-risk-of-diabetes

http://www.medicalmingle.com/dorismburu/blog/2016/01/12/are_periods_related_to_age_of_menopause_onset

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Natural Home Remedy for Menopausal Night Sweats

Night sweats along-with hot flushes are highly unpredictable. While it can either be the single ailment being experienced or can be one of a host of other menopause symptoms. Besides, the frequency is also variable and can be accompanied by hot flushes.

What causes night sweats?
During menopause, the levels of oestrogen, also known as estrogen falls, thereby hampering the regular functioning of the body’s thermostat. This drop in oestrogen alters the hypothalamus or body’s thermostat, thereby leading to body’s overheating. Here are the top 10 home remedies for night sweats during menopause -

1. Sage
Sage, a member of the mint family, has been used as a medicinal herb since time immemorial. While ancient Egyptians used it for fertility; Greeks used it to clean ulcers and stop bleeding from wounds. This versatile medicinal leaf, also known as Rishi Patta in Hindi, help elderly women cope with night sweats. Apart from preventing sweating, sage also helps in offering relaxation, relieving tension and providing estrogen.

2. Dong Quai
Dong Quai, commonly known as Chinese angelica, is a root plant that has been used in Asian countries like China for hundreds of years. This dried root plant is related to celery, parsley and also carrots. Dong Quai helps in balancing hormonal levels of progesterone and estrogen. Moreover, the Chinese angelica also regulates blood flow by stabilizing blood vessels.

3. Soy
Add more soy to your diet, which is enriched with fatty acids and its micro-nutrients help in balancing the hormones. We suggest you to take soy along-with tofu, salmon and edamame to make the process more effective.

4. Motherwort
Motherwort, a part of mint family, is another top 10 home remedies for night sweats during menopause. Its active ingredients help balance the hormonal system in the body. Apart from balancing hormones, it stabilizes circulatory system and blood vessels as well. The mother wort also helps elderly women get relieved from menopause anxiety and heart palpitations. Some women experience rapid heartbeat, which also gets calm down with mother wort.

5 Add Vitamin E and Vitamin B to your food
Vitamins that make up the B complex play a key role in stabilizing adrenal glands and nervous system. Also the Vitamins B & E help in conversion of carbohydrates into the glucose, which is highly required for women experiencing menopause.Vitamin B keeps the mucous membranes of the vagina healthy, thereby managing smooth discharge during period without any pain.

While Vitamin B2 releases and activates of a variety of hormones, including estrogen, Vitamin B12 reduces depression, anxiety and helps decrease in mood swings and eliminates fatigue.Vitamin E consists of small amounts of estrogen and helps in treating menopause ailments including night sweats and hot flashes. Vitamin E also helps in fighting vaginal dryness.Add Vitamin E & B around 800 mg per day to your diet so as to help fight night sweats during menopause.

6. Exercise on a regular basis
As every woman experiences menopause differently, considering lifestyle changes can help cope with menopause ailments occurring in the body. A balanced fitness program such as mobility, flexibility, agility and strength training not only wards off postmenopausal health risks, but also helps fights with night sweats and hot flashes. Consider methods of stress relief such as meditation, yoga, and visualization.

7. Wear breathable, natural fibers
Since women experience severe night sweats, it’s ideal to sleep in removable layers of clothing to avoid being drenched from sweating while sleeping. And do not forget to avoid wear constrictive clothing, which can make you even more stressful.

8. Reduce consumption of warm beverages
Intake of warm beverages increases the risk of even more profuse night sweating. Therefore, women during menopause should avoid warm beverages like tea and coffee. Even they should reduce alcohol and caffeine intake.

9. Turn down the thermostat
As I have already suggested you to stay away from hot beverages, you should also turn down the thermostat so as not to augment the body temperature during menopause. It is also suggested to apply a cold wet compress to cool down.

10. Avoid chocolate, refined or spicy foods
Sugar and refined carbohydrates in the chocolate trigger night sweats and hot flashes. Also avoid refined or spicy foods.

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Things That No One Should Tell You About Menopause

Signs of menopause can begin 10 years before a woman is officially in this phase of her life, defined as a full year without a menstrual period. For most women in the U.S., this occurs around age 51 and signals a shift from the reproductive phase to the post-reproductive phase of life.

Hot flashes and night sweats are well known signs of menopause, but other lesser known issues can also crop up. Understanding why and what is happening can help make the transition easier. Here are seven things no one ever tells you.

1. Anxiety could increase. If you find yourself suddenly worried and anxious over seemingly nothing, hot flashes may be to blame. During a hot flash, the body releases a surge of a chemical called adrenaline, which makes arteries contract, says Dr. Philip Sarrel, emeritus professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine. “This can make you feel anxious; it’s unnerving, although it’s not harmful,” he notes. Heart rate increases by eight to 16 beats during a hot flash. The feeling should pass after the hot flash goes away, which is typically between 30 seconds and 10 minutes.

2. You may forget things. Remembering where you put your car keys or recalling the name of that '80s one-hit wonder may not be so easy after menopause. “Short term memory is directly affected by hot flashes,” says Sarrel. “If you give a woman a list of 10 words and ask her to remember them, she’ll be able to recite eight of them. If she’s having a hot flash, that drops to two.” Memory and concentration issues may be related to stress more than hormonal fluctuations. Stay sharp by doing crossword puzzles, playing chess, reading or using a computer to challenge your brain.

3. Weight gain is not inevitable. Although putting on pounds is common after menopause, no clear evidence links menopausal weight gain to hormonal changes, according to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Being less physically active and a slowdown in metabolism are believed to be the culprits. A resistance training program that preserves and maintains muscle, along with a cardio program, can help keep weight off as you age. Another bonus: exercise may also help ease hot flashes for 24 hours afterward.

4. Vitamin E can help ease hot flashes. Hot flashes affect 87 percent of menopausal women and can occur up to 10 times or more a day, says Dr. Yen Tran of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange, Calif. “Women typically feel extreme heat in the upper body, especially the face, neck and chest and the flashes usually last between one to five minutes,” she notes. For women looking for a natural solution, vitamin E has been shown to help, Tran says. “Studies show taking 800 IU of vitamin E a day reduces hot flashes by one a day,” she adds.

5. You may become depressed. Changes in brain chemistry that accompany menopause can induce depression, says Sarrel. “Some women can even become suicidal,” he notes. Mood swings from changes in hormones can trigger laughing one minute and crying the next, or feeling depressed. Although research shows menopausal status does not directly trigger feelings of sadness, women who’ve experienced depression earlier in their lives may be more susceptible to a recurrence during menopause. Ask your doctor for help if you become depressed. Physicians specializing in menopause can be found on menopause.org.

6. You’re at a higher risk for Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is the No. 4 killer of women ages 55 to 64, according to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS). Women with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other serious conditions. Hormonal changes may contribute to the risk of diabetes, but age and being overweight make you more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. NAMS recommendations include: limit sugar and unhealthy fats, control your weight, limit alcohol intake, increase sources of omega-3 fatty acids, do weight bearing exercise and keep active in general.

7. You can still enjoy sex. Although it’s different for every woman, the freedom from worrying about birth control can make sex even better, especially if you take steps to ease vaginal dryness that accompanies menopause. One of the actions of estrogen is to protect the vagina, says Sarrel. “Sadly, women often give up on sex after menopause, and it’s unnecessary,” he adds.

Lubricants such as Astroglide, K-Y Jelly and silicone can help. Coconut oil also works as a natural lubrication alternative. “Hormone therapy in the form of low-dose creams can restore estrogen locally as well,” says Tran. These prescription creams help restore vaginal blood flow and improve the stretchiness and thickness of vaginal tissue and reverses the thinning and dryness, versus providing the temporary relief lubricants do.

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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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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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Can Women Have Orgasm After Menopause?

What is menopause?

The menopause is a milestone in women’s life just like puberty. It is not a disease or a medical condition that should affect your sexuality. You should be ready to accept this as a new phase of your mature adult sex life.

The average age of menopause is 51 years; however menopause might occur after age of 35, due to some reasons. There is no definite and reliable test to predict when a woman is going to experience menopause.

The common symptoms are Irregular periods, Lower fertility, vaginal dryness, Hot flashes, Night sweats, Disturbed sleep, Urinary problems, Moodiness, Loss of breast size and failure to gain orgasm.

Orgasm during Menopause:

As you age, your body goes through their several physical and hormonal changes. Your orgasms too changes when you attend the phase of ‘Menopause’. Some women feel more confident and better during sexual activity even in old age. They know about the parts of their own and their partner’s body. They know what works for them to feel better, and experience more pleasure even after menopause. They gain their orgasm even during menopause.

But this fact is not true for all the women who are going through this phase of life. They find that their orgasm is not as intense as it was in their young age. Their own creativity and passion to the sexual activity is lost. Sex should be for fun and they fail to experience this fun.

During menopause the estrogen and progesterone levels goes down. Progesterone regulates pregnancy and Estrogen regulates menstruation. When women get older the ovaries produces less estrogen and progesterone, eventually it stop its production completely and the woman no longer has any more menstrual periods. Due to less or no production of these hormones some women find it difficult to achieve their orgasm during activity.

Falling to gain orgasm not only affect women sexually but also emotionally. There are treatments available for menopause. But what helps before treatment is following good diet and exercise that are especially for menopause relief. For instance walking regularly for 30 to 45 minutes will helps to relief you from your menopause symptoms.

Along with that not only women but also men should think that sex is for fun not a duty to fulfill each other’s requirement. Laugh with your partner during sexual activity as laughter increases your sex drive. It helps to increase all those good hormones and helps to maintain blood flow to achieve orgasm .You should think menopause as a second phase of our adult life. But when you enter menopause maintain the love, romance and passion in your life.

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Menopause ChitChat- The Online Support Group for Menopausal Women

Just as there are support groups for drug and alcohol addicts, cancer patients and even single parents, now there's one for menopausal women too. Menopause ChitChat.com is a private online platform where menopausal women may share their experiences, post questions, give advices and over-all a web-based support system for women dealing with the discomforts of menopause.

It is a website serving more than 1500 members. Here they get the freedom to ask questions they're too shy to ask from their doctors. Women also find that sharing and reading personal stories very empowering and make them feel they're not alone in this journey.

Women dealing with menopause typically feel night sweats, hot flashes and irritation. But some topics are just too sensitive that they can't ask their physicians. Problems with loss of sexual interest and weight gain are but a few of the topics women can freely discuss on this website.

Since menopause strike at varying ages of a woman's life, it may be hard for them to adjust and relate the symptoms to one another. As a challenging phase of life, women are encouraged to ask freely and advice freely so they can form a unique bond with each other and get the empathy they deserve.

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Menopause and Depression

It is now a fact that women who are about to experience menopause are at an increased risk for depression. New studies indicate that the hormonal changes that happen to menopausal women is partially to blame for this. In both studies, women in the pre-menopausal stage were observed and it was noted that none of them had a history of depression. However, their risk of developing depression symptoms considerably increased as they approached menopause. The studies published in the prominent journal Archives of General Psychiatry argued in the favour of aggressive treatment of depression symptoms aside from menopausal symptoms. Currently, health care providers tend to dismiss depression symptoms thinking that it is a normal part of the transition.

From a public health view, depression is an extensive illness that shouldn't be ignored because of its negative impact not just on patients but also on their families. This is a very real problem that should be managed properly. During the transition to menopause, a clinical depression diagnosis is two-and-a-half times more likely. One of the main causes is the decreasing female hormones. Since hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases certain health risks, alternative treatments like natural menopause supplements are becoming more popular. The big problem with these natural menopause supplements is finding one that actually works since there are many low-quality products out there.

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