Understanding Menopause

Women are different from place to place, culture to culture; but no matter where we live or who we are, we share common ground when it comes to our gender. One such commonality is menopause – the permanent ending of our reproductive lives as evidenced by the cessation of our menstrual cycles. Menopause can occur naturally – as it often does – or be brought on by a surgical procedure, but the results are the same.

Menopause generally occurs during a woman's late forties to mid-fifties and is defined by the ending of egg production by the ovaries. In addition to the cessation of egg production, the ovaries will also cease to produce estrogen – the hormone responsible for keeping the intricate processes of a woman' body in balance. The end to egg production results in the end of the menstrual cycle. And the elimination of estrogen results in a number of menopause-related symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, disruption in sleep, memory loss, vaginal dryness, loss of sexual desire, and mood swings. However, not every woman experiences every symptom. And when symptoms are experienced, the severity with which they are experienced differs greatly from woman to woman.

Menopause does not suddenly happen. It is a gradual process that normally occurs over the course of several years. However, there is also medically-induced menopause that occurs as a result of a surgical procedure.

While it is true that menopause is a physical event and manifests itself through physical symptoms, it can also have a bevy of emotional manifestations. The ending of a woman's reproductive life can be enormously sad for some women and marks the closing of a whole chapter of life. And when you are feeling a host of symptoms – some of which can be disruptive to your every day routine – it can have emotional consequences as well.

However, the experience of menopause doesn't have to be a difficult one; today's medical advancements offer a host of therapy plans designed to minimize the effects of menopause. If you find that you are having difficulties through menopause, consult your doctor to see what treatment options are available to you.

Things You Need To Know About Menopause

It seems like women do it all these days. We work outside the home, we care for our families and we cook and clean everyday. Just when it seems like our lives "get going," (i.e. the kids are grown up, there are no more school lunches to make, etc) menopause hits us like a ton of bricks.

Most of us don't think of researching and learning about "the change" until it is already happening to us. Then, when we are miserable, we try to find a way out of the discomfort. There are many benefits in learning about menopause well before it happens to us, and there are even some things you can do before it happens that will lessen the suffering when it does come!

It is certainly recommended that you see your doctor while you are going through menopause, but there are also some herbal remedies that can help you through "the change." You can find an herbal pill called Black Cohosh at many department stores and drugstores. This herb will keep your hot flashes to a minimum, and it also relieves cramping and menstrual pain. Another herb that can help you is Chaste tree, a hormonal balancer that lessens depression set on by menopause.

The normal age that women start menopause is usually around fifty to fifty-one, but there are also cases where it starts early, like as a result of surgery, chemotherapy, cancer or other serious diseases. Menopause can also start early without a cause.

Before "the change" occurs, you will go through a phase called "Peri-Menopause." During this time it is normal to have very heavy menstrual cycles, mood swings and depression. The herbs discussed above (especially the Black Cohosh) will greatly improve these symptoms. The herb, "Liferoot," is another good treatment that helps eliminate hot flashes and alleviates those heavy periods. If you are experiencing depression, try taking Gingko or St. John's Wort to help improve your mood, stress and anxiety.

After the first phase, menopause really starts and more symptoms can develop. These symptoms can include:

• Hot flashes


• Night sweats


• Migraine headaches


• Insomnia


• Weight gain


• Aches and pains in joints and muscles


• Dizziness


• Fatigue


• Depression


• Skin problems

This list can be very overwhelming, but don't worry; they don't usually occur all at once! If you have any of these symptoms for a prolonged amount of time, and none of the herbal remedies are working, make sure you see your doctor.

Some people would rather go to their doctor and get a prescription than trust herbal remedies, and this can work for your menopause symptoms as well. Remember though, that some of these medications can upset your hormonal balance, and some estrogen supplements are really not healthy for you in the long run. Some of the things your doctor can give you are:

• Estrogen replacement


• Birth control pills


• Progesterone cream


• Vitamin supplements

Vitamin supplements should be taken whether or not you are going with herbal or prescription remedies for your menopause. Your body will be going through something stressful, new and extra vitamins are needed to help your body regulate itself.