The menopause is not an illness for which you need a drug (orthodox HRT). It is part of the normal cycle of a woman's hormonal life when the menstrual cycles cease. Menopause generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, though it can occur as early as 35 or as late as 65 years of age.
Dr Marilyn Glenville, an expert on the menopause, says, "At the time of menopause, a women still produces estrogen but not sufficient to prepare her womb for pregnancy. Levels of progesterone plummet or disappear completely. The ovaries continue to produce small quantities of estrogen for at least 12 years after the onset of the menopause."
For most women the menopause happens in three phases. Firstly comes perimenopause when you still have periods but they may become heavier or lighter, and symptoms such as hot flushes can appear. Then comes menopause when ovarian function decline, and periods stop. The last phase is called post-menopause, which begins 12 months after your last period.
Throughout this time, many signs associated with ageing can appear as the hormonal balance alters with the drop in estrogen and progesterone levels. Skin is more likely to wrinkle, there can be growth of facial hair and a thinning of hair in the temple region. Muscles lose some strength and tone, and many women suffer hot flushes and insomnia. Your joints may begin to ache and bones can become more brittle, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
Vaginal dryness often results from these hormonal changes. The vaginal wall also becomes thinner and blood flow is restricted. Dryness can make sexual intercourse painful or uncomfortable and can lead to irritation and increased risk for infection. You will be happy to note that having regular sexual intercourse increases blood flow into the vagina.
Loss of bladder tone, which can result in stress incontinence (leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise), can also result.
You may also experience a whole host of emotional ups and downs, one minute feeling on top of the world and the next in the pits of despair. The good news is that by eating the right diet, taking the right supplements, doing some exercise and using natural hormone replacements - virtually all these symptoms can be alleviated.
I do not advocate taking orthodox hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because of the increased risk of high blood pressure, weight gain, gall bladder and liver problems, not to mention breast and endometrial (uterine) cancers. The increased health risks of orthodox HRT have now been shown to far out-weigh the benefits. Yes, it slows the rate of bone loss, but only while you are taking it. Also, if you are under a lot of stress at this time, adrenal function is greatly affected. Healthy adrenal glands continue to supply post-menopausal women with estrogen. But if you are stressed, then your adrenal glands are kept busy pumping the stress hormone cortisol and less estrogen is made.
Wendy recently started experiencing the signs of early menopause and was determined not to give in to her doctors suggestions that she start taking synthetic HRT to deal with the symptoms. Instead she did her own research on natural hormone replacement and natural progesterone cream. She's very pleased to report that both these natural options have helped tremendously in relieving her symptoms without having any adverse affect on her health.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_J
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