Hello Jeanie,
Welcome to our small group here at menopausal.
Here is some information on Menopause that may help all of us.
Menopause

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This page is for articales on Menopause.
I will keep adding to it as I get them so come back often.

To go to Bio Essence for Women (herbal supplement for menopause symptoms) click
your mouse here

To go to my home page click your mouse here


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Hot Flashes No More
2. Premature Ovarian Failure

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hot Flashes No More written by Dr. Love
Six to 12 months without a menstrual period is the commonly accepted rule for
diagnosing menopause. Classic symptoms include hot flashes, skin wrinkling,
vaginal dryness, headaches and night sweats.
Menopause is thought to occur when there are no longer any eggs left in the
ovaries, This "burning out" of the ovaries reflects the natural course of
events. At birth, there are one million eggs. This number drops to about 300,000
or 400,000 at puberty, but only about 400 eggs actually mature during the
reproductive years. By the time a woman reaches the age of 50, few eggs remain.

Hundreds of years ago, women relied upon their intuition and Mother Nature to
keep themselves healthy, The conventional medical treatment of menopause
disregards this factor and primarily involves the use of hormone replacem nt
therapy (HRT), whereby a combination of estrogen and progesterone is utilized to
control symptoms.

During the 1940s and 1950s, estrogen was widely prescribed to help women cope
with the symptoms of menopause. By the 1970s, estrogen replacement therapy
became firmly entrenched as the medical treatment of choice for women in
menopause. Unfortunately, the consequences of long-term estrogen therapy were
not well understood at that time.

It is now well established that estrogen replacement therapy is associated with
a 4-13 times increased risk of developing endometrial cancer (cancer in the
lining of the uterus). To combat this tendency, drug companies and physicians
began recommending that estrogen be combined with progesterone, Estrogen
replacement therapy thus became hormone replacement therapy. And hormone
replacement therapy carries with it the risk of causing other cancers.

The Physicians Desk Reference (as do the package inserts for estrogen and
progesterone products) provides a long list of side effects of HRT. In addition
to the well-known risk of cancer, estrogen and progesterone increase the risk of
blood clots, breast tenderness, PMS- like symptoms, depression, uterine fibroid
enlargement, fluid retention and headaches.

Fortunately, herbal medicine and the use of botanical extracts can provide
effective, long-term relief of such symptoms.

The use of short-term (less than 6 months) hormone replacement therapy for
menopausal symptoms provides only temporary relief. It is not a permanent cure;
it only delays the inevitable. Long-term hormone replacement therapy is not
justified in most women (exception; women with severe osteoporosis) because its
risks outweigh the benefits. Breast cancer is the form of cancer most likely to
be exacerbated by hormone replacement therapy. In 1998, it is also the most
common cancer in women.

Thus HRT is not advised for women who are at high risk for breast cancer or
women with a disease aggravated by estrogen, including breast cancer, active
liver diseases, and certain cardiovascular diseases.

I am always fond of recommending high-quality formulations of standardized
herbs, and those which are prepared in combination. Nowhere is that more
important than in your natural approach to menopause. It is in the setting of
synergistically blended formulations that one herb enhances the effects of
another thereby producing a more profound effect on a woman's health. A
healthful lifestyle is vital, fun, exciting and most importantly, free of the
bothersome symptoms of menopause.

Here are the five most common nutrients I suggest to women who are suffering
from symptoms of menopause:

Dong guai (Angelica sinensis) Called the "female ginseng", it helps balance
levels of your two major hormones: estrogen and progesterone. It also stabilizes
blood vessel walls, eases PMS symptoms and can ease heavy bleeding. Dong Quai is
also an analgesic, antibacterial and a smooth-muscle relaxant.

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus) Native to the Mediterranean, chasteberry helps
balance your hor- monal swings as well as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, heart
palpitations, night sweats and headaches.

Black cohosh (Cimic~ia racemosa) I have to thank my grandmother for introducing
me to this one. This herb was first used by Native American women hundreds of
years ago and now is a very popular alternative to HRT in Europe. It is the most
well-documented natural alternative (trade name: Remifemin) to HRT and
effectively relieves all menopausal symptoms.

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Licorice balances your hormonal levels of
estrogen and progesterone ratios, helping to ease hot flashes, mood swings and
vaginal dryness. It is useful for treating fatigue since it also helps replenish
your adrenal glands.

Soy "The Bean" is finally gaining popularity in this country. It keeps your
vaginal tissues moist and healthy, counters hot flashes and protects against
cancer (animal studies show activity against breast cancer) and heart disease.
With regards to cardiovascular disease, soy lowers blood levels of LDL
cholesterol when consumed at levels of about 45 grams or more per day.

Whether or not you're taking hormone replacement therapy, it's perfectly safe to
try herbs if you're experiencing menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, vaginal
dryness, fatigue). I urge you to consider taking herbs if:

Your menopausal symptoms are mild but you'd like relief
You don't want to take HRT because of breast cancer risk or other concerns

You're on HRT but would like the added benefits of herbs

References: (for additional scientific viewpoints)
Birkenfeld, A. and Kase, N.G., "Menopause Medicine: Current Treatment Options
and Trends," Comprehen Ther 1991; 17:36-45.

Bergkvist, L. and Perssson, I., "Hormone replacement Therapy and Breast Cancer:
A Review of Current Knowledge," Drug Saf 1996; 15:360-370.

Warnecke, G., "Influencing Menopausal Symptoms with a Phytotherapeutic Agent,"
Med Welt 1985; 36:871-4.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat,
diagnose, cure or prevent any diseases. Dr. Love is a practicing M.D. with over
15 years of experience. Dr. Love has acquired a 15-year history with the use of
natural medical therapies and is the author of the critically acclaimed book
Sudden Death. Dr. Love endorses the importance of nutritional supplementation in
his active practice and conducts educational seminars for Achievers Unlimited'.


To go to Bio Essence for Women (herbal supplement for menopause symptoms) click
your mouse here
To go to my home page click your mouse here


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)

POF is estimated to affect 250,000 American women which represents approximately
3% of women between 15-39. The average age of onset is 27.
WHAT IS PREMATURE menopause? Better called "premature ovarian failure" (a term
many patients with this condition prefer) or "POF," this is menopause which
occurs for any reason before the age of 40 as a result of lost ovarian function.
For most women with POF, the cause of their condition is never identified. Known
causes of premature menopause include: autoimmune disorders (most common),
genetic factors, chemotherapy, radiation, surgical removal of the ovaries for
any reason (e.g. endometriosis, trauma, cancer, etc.), or endocrine disorders
(e.g. thyroid or pituitary problems, diabetes). While it may seem disconcerting
that this condition is increasing in frequency, the good news is that the
increase is largely due to the large number of women who are being treated for
cancers and surviving.

The ovarian failure of POF may be temporary or periodic or incomplete. Some
patients may ovulate occasionally so contraception is still necessary if
pregnancy is undesired. Pregnancies have occurred after the diagnosis of POF in
about one in 12 women not using contraception.

Menopause means more than just losing your periods. This is a syndrome with
clinical symptoms as well as long term consequences. An important distinction
here is that women who have had a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus)
but whose ovaries function normally won't have periods, but they are not "in
menopause." They will go into menopause naturally when their ovaries cease
functioning.

POF is estimated to affect 250,000 American women which represents approximately
3 percent of women between 15-39. The average age of onset is 27. There is no
typical menstrual history for women with POF. Approximately 10-15 percent of
females with POF have primary amenorrhea, which means they never had a period on
their own.

What are the symptoms of premature menopause?
Just as with menopause, many women have no symptoms other than that their
periods occur less and less frequently, or, in some cases, "irregularly
irregular" until they stop altogether. Many women have the typical symptoms of
menopause: hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, moodiness, sleep
disturbances, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and hair coarseness/loss.

What is the difference between "premature menopause" and "perimenopause"?
Premature menopause, as explained above, is when a woman enters menopause before
age 40, for whatever reason. Perimenopause, on the other hand, is the
transitional phase a woman goes into for the 2-10 years preceding her natural
menopause. During this time she may have normal or irregular periods and one or
many of the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood
changes, irritability or sleep disturbances.

Common myths, misconceptions, and misinformation about early menopause

The most common misperception is that POF just isn't a big deal. Upon hearing of
this condition, many who are not affected react with nonchalance saying "I wish
I could get out of having my periods 10 years earlier!" This condition is about
much more than losing your periods, however. For starters, this may cause
infertility, which can be devastating not only for the woman but her family as
well. Even for women who have already had children, this can represent a strong
sense of loss. Many women with POF struggle with the emotional burden of feeling
"old" before their time. The confusion of the numerous but vague physical and
psychological symptoms can be overwhelming, especially when many physicians
don't consider menopause as a diagnostic option in women under 40. Some women
report that when they asked their doctors if their symptoms could be related to
menopause, they are told "Oh you're too young. Come back and see me in 10
years." Patients fear that they are stigmatized; they fear telling others and
fear that no one will understand.

The most dangerous myth is that POF doesn't have any serious consequences other
than infertility. This simply is not true. Women with POF go through the same
loss of estrogen as menopausal women in their 50s, but usually faster or
suddenly, as for women who have surgery to remove their ovaries. In many cases,
this estrogen loss is even before these women have had the full benefits of
estrogen in their lives, such as building maximal bone mass. Losing estrogen
puts women at increased risk for osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer,
Alzheimer's disease, tooth loss, impaired vision, Parkinson's disease and
diabetes. The longer women are without the protection of their own estrogen, the
greater their risk for serious health consequences of these conditions.

Many women in their 20s and 30s whose periods stop for 2-3 months take a home
pregnancy test and, if it's negative, assume that their period stopped because
of "stress." While this may in fact be true, there are many other potential
causes; this is worth discussing with a physician.

Just because premature ovarian failure is common doesn't mean that it's normal.
But just because POF is abnormal doesn't mean the patient is abnormal! POF is a
real, legitimate, biologic syndrome that can be treated, and managed. At this
point it cannot generally be prevented or cured. The good news is that with
prompt intervention and proper management, many of the long-term consequences
can be prevented or delayed.

Your doctor may advise you to keep a diary of your menstrual bleeding: its
frequency, duration, amount, and any associated symptoms. This would also note
menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes or night sweats. This will help your
physician confirm your clinical diagnosis.

After taking a complete history and doing a complete physical (including an
internal exam), there are numerous tests your physician may order to rule out
related conditions: this may include a pregnancy test, thyroid and pituitary
tests, and tests for autoimmune diseases. The most important test, however, will
be an FSH: this is a blood test for the hormone which causes the ovaries to
produce estrogen. The higher the FSH, the lower your ovarian function. This
should be done at least twice, a month apart. Your doctor may also recommend a
blood estradiol level and a karyotype (chromosomal test).

If you are in menopause, your doctor may recommend other tests such as a bone
mass measurement to see if you have osteoporosis. Ask your physician if there
are other screening tests usually offered to women in their 50s which you should
have earlier since you are menopausal.

Diet

Remember that menopausal women need increased calcium (1,500 mg/day) and Vitamin
D, so ask your physician if you should be taking supplements. There are numerous
new soy-based food products on the market now targeting menopausal women because
of evidence that soy may have an impact on menopausal symptoms. By all means eat
them if you enjoy them, and as a good source of dietary protein.

Stress management

Since stress is high on the list of consequences of POF, stress management
techniques are high on the list of POF management strategies. Lifestyle
modifications can also help: get enough rest; exercise, and eat healthfully.

Support groups

Women with POF consistently cite the need for more support and understanding of
their condition; the POF Support Group (www.POFsupport.org) is a great resource.
Founded in 1995, they now have support groups in several cities and are
continuing to grow. For POF patients with infertility, there are numerous
support groups. And for patients with or at risk for osteoporosis as a result of
POF, the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) can be very helpful
(www.nof.org).

Whatever your choice of therapy, remember that you're not committed to that
choice for life! You and your physician will monitor your progress and your
comfort level with your treatment plan. If there are factors that change,
including your level of satisfaction discuss this with your physician. .

As you all know by now I tried HRT. It just swelled up my joints and made them
hurt and then I found Bio Essence for Women which is a photoestrogen from
plants/herbs. I have had no side effects or weight gain from it and it took care
of my menopause symptoms.
If you want to check it out you can find information on Bio Essence click your
mouse here


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

more to come later

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Created: Thursday, January 20, 2000, 11:51 Last Updated: Thursday, January 20,
2000, 11:51