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Archive for the ‘Menopause’ Category

Male menopause (or Andropause,) is a condition of gradual changes in hormone status. Male menopause afflicts some men between the ages of 40 and 60 of age. The hormone imbalance has the biggest impact on testosterone and cortisol (the stress hormone).

So as men age, they become experience a range of andropause symptoms that are the same symptoms that women experience in menopause. But menopause in women represents a well-defined period in which hormone production stops completely. Testosterone decline in male menopause is a slower process. Many psychological signs can manifest as a result of experiencing the various physiological male menopause symptoms.

Andropause Symptoms These male menopause symptoms include:

Erectile Dysfunction Muscle Loss Decrease in libido or Sex Drive Mood changes, Irritability, Fatigue Sleep Apnea, Depression Weight Gain * Urinary Problems Hot Flashes in Men Gynecomastia (male breasts) Hair Loss

The imbalance of even one hormone causes imbalance in other hormones. Men may not experience all of the above symptoms of andropause, but instead commonly experience a combination of symptoms. While these symptoms are signs of andropause, they may also be symptoms of other conditions like adrenal fatigue and poor thyroid health.

Male menopause symptoms relief Contrary to popular opinions, none of the listed andropause symptoms manifest signs of old age. These male menopause symptoms may reduce through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy which is also called as androgen replacement therapy. This method is a lifelong treatment, since testosterone deficiency is generally a permanent condition. But, as with hormone replacement therapy in women, testosterone replacement therapy does have some potential risks and side effects. For example, some resources found that replacing testosterone may cause prostate cancer and increase the risk of heart diseases.

Natural male menopause solutions Alternative to hormone replacement therapy are natural ways. It is possible to manage testosterone levels naturally. The following three options constitute a good, safe way to start.

Exercise

Researches reported that regular exercise at least twice per week can increase muscle strength by more than 30 percent, while also boosting bone density, speeding up metabolism and pushing up production of testosterone and other sex hormones.

Nutrition

To reduce male menopause symptoms diet should contains enough good carbohydrates, protein and good fat. Studies found that protein helps maintain lean muscle mass. Lack of carbohydrates can lead to decreased serotonin levels and consequently, irritability. It also takes a certain amount of fat to keep testosterone production at healthy levels. Some studies show that alcohol decreases testosterone levels.

Supplements Vitamins B group can help with stress and boost energy.

Vitamins stabilizes production of stress hormones.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

The number one over the counter dietary supplement for male menopause treatment is dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This supplement builds block for sex hormones that the body naturally produces, but tends to decline rapidly with age. Some studies suggested that it’s ingredients derived from yams can improve skin, sex drive, mood and strength in aging men.

Fish oil

Fish oil or omega-3 supplements is also popular supplement used for male menopausal symptoms. It have been shown to improve cognitive function, boost energy and prevent heart attacks. L-arginine L-arginine is an amino acid that helps dilate constricted blood vessels associated with erectile dysfunction.

Herbs

Herbs such as ashwagandha and ginseng are very benefit for hearth of male sexual energy.

A lot of men feel uncomfortable speaking about their andropause symptoms. So they often do not treat them. Early diagnosis, hormone replacement therapy and supplements can significantly improve male menopause symptoms.

Menopause will affect all women at some point in their lives. It is the ending of your periods and your ability to get pregnant the natural way. You are considered menopausal if you have missed your period for a full year running. There is a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and headaches to name a few. Treatments are available to help ease some of these uncomfortable symptoms. Your doctor can help guide you to the treatment that would most appropriately meet your needs. There are pharmaceutical, natural, and life style changes that will ease symptoms for most women.

Pharmaceutical

Pharmaceutical treatments include Hormone Replacement Therapy. HRT is the replacement of female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) to ease the transition into menopause. HRT has been linked to serious side effects including heart attack, stroke, as well as breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers.

Other pharmaceutical treatments may include pain relievers both over the counter and prescribed. Body aches and headaches can be relieved with these medications. They do however, come with their own side effects.

Anti-depressants are or maybe prescribed to relieve the depression and anxiety that may accompany your menopause. A mood stabilizer may also be given to help balance your emotional state. This may be temporary.

Natural Treatments

Natural treatments such as herbal supplements are becoming a popular choice among many women. The reason for this is because they want to avoid the side effects of many of the traditional treatments. Herbal supplements have very few side effects if any at all.

Black Cohosh is an herb that is very popular because of its ability to lower the levels of a hormone called the luteinizing hormone associated with the symptoms of menopause including hot flashes. It has been used for centuries and is often used in the Native American culture to deal with low energy, gynecological problems, back aches and more.

Other herbs that are popular for use in alleviating menopausal symptoms include red clover, wild yam, dong quai, and Chasteberry. These herbs are effective in treating menopausal symptoms but they may also benefit your over-all health. In order to find the highest quality supplements, the herbs used should be standardized herbal extracts; this ensures quality from capsule to capsule and bottle to bottle. They are made to pharmaceutical standards and are tested extensively.

Before adding anything to your health routine, it is wise to consult with your doctor. Though there are few to no side effects, the herbs may affect the performance of prescription drugs you may be taking for other health conditions.

Lifestyle Changes to Relieve Menopause

Reducing your alcohol intake and quitting smoking will help your menopausal symptoms.

Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise will not only give you energy but it could enhance your sex drive. If you are basically sedentary, just getting a 5-10 minute walk every day will help.

Become comfortable with your aging process. Accepting yourself may help ease some of the emotional/mental symptoms of menopause. Be up front with your partner about your needs during this time. The use of natural treatments will reduce the risk of many of the side effects of prescribed treatments and may benefit your health in general.

Conclusion

Information on the menopause treatment options is abundant on the Internet, libraries, and from your physician. It is recommended that you discuss treatment options with your physician including natural treatments such as herbal supplements that may affect prescriptions you are taking for other health conditions. It is important for you to know you are not alone and there is relief.

Menopause is a difficult experience for any woman. The symptoms are irritating. Most treatments take exorbitant amounts of time to actually show results and some never do. You probably have all sorts of people giving you unsolicited advice. You pray for the day when you go deaf so you won’t have to hear everyone’s advice. Truthfully, it’s expected since one of your symptoms is irritability. Fortunately, for those around you there are many treatment options available.

When you discover one treatment doesn’t work for you don’t fret there is likely more. Here are some proven effective treatments you might not know about yet.

Develop a diet rich in phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens come from a variety of naturally occurring foods. Lignans are one of the types of phytoestrogen available in the food we eat. You can find lignans in foods that contain flaxseed, whole grains and they are also in many fruits and vegetables.

Isoflavones are also found in some beans. Most women will forgo hormone replacement therapy by using these foods rich in phytoestrogens. Tests have shown some promise as far as phytoestrogens are concerned but there is no solid proof that they can completely replace hormones. Treatment results vary greatly depending on the person. Many women describe fewer symptoms with treatment. Hormone therapy has also been reported to diminish these symptoms. It should go without writing but to keep everything covered and spelled out: a healthy and balanced diet really is an effective menopause treatment. Consuming a balanced and nutritious diet will help you keep your whole body healthy. Of course the needs of a woman going through menopause are going to be different than the needs of a woman who has not gone through the change yet. One’s calcium intake should be increased during and after menopause. If you want to keep osteoporosis at bay and keep your bone density levels up, doctors say you should get at least 1200mgs of calcium.

Smoking is, obviously, a no-no. Actually, you should not ever smoke. Quitting smoking can make you more irritable in the beginning but once you get over the initial withdrawals, leaving nicotine behind is a quite effective menopause treatment. Women who do not smoke experience fewer hot flashes. If you smoke you will probably go through menopause earlier than your non-smoking friends. So throw out the cigarettes!

You cannot universally treat menopause. No single treatment that will help every menopausal woman exists. Most women find that a combination of herbal, medicinal and lifestyle treatment is the best menopause treatment method. Other women choose only one form of treatment. Still others insist that menopause is not actually happening to them. You will figure out what is best for you. Make sure, however, that no matter what kind of menopause treatment that you decide to try, you run it past your doctor. Don’t try anything new without your doctor’s okay. You want to help yourself not hurt yourself.

Do you have to take synthetic or bio-identical estrogen to mask menopause symptoms? Then you should know that the side effects, such as breast swelling and uterine bleeding, bother many menopause women daily who take estrogen.

Estrogen was listed as one of the most potent chemical carcinogens in a biology textbook (Levine & Miller, 1994). Estrogen is a reproductive hormone, so most of its functioning sites are in the breasts and the uterus. No wonder all hormone treatments for menopause cause breast swelling and uterine bleeding. No wonder your doctor has to screen for cancers with mammograms and Pap smears routinely during your menopause treatment.

Good news for menopause women who are taking hormones: “Green tea is the single best cancer fighter.” said a director at a cancer prevention center in New York. Green tea has 20 times more free-radical fighting power than vitamin E and 200 times more than vitamin C. Nature packs green tea with EGCG, a great antioxidant which shows impressive activity against many kinds of cancer. Studies found that EGCG inhibits a key enzyme for cancer development.

EGCG is one class of a larger group of protective phyto-chemicals. Phyto-chemicals are natural chemicals widely distributed in plants. That is why eating more fruits and vegetables, in whatever form, is a great way to prevent cancers.

Extracts of green tea have been shown to prevent cancer in animals, and recently similar claims have been made about black tea. All true tea comes from the same plant species (Camellia sinensis), such as black tea, pu-erh tea, and oolong- tea, so they should contain the same amount of EGCG. However, herbal teas, such as peppermint, are not true tea, because they are made from different plants, so they do not contain as much EGCG as real tea.

You need to drink four cups of green tea daily to get the optimal dose of EGCG. Pour boiling water over tea leaves and let it steep for 5 minutes. To get the most antioxidant benefit, don’t add milk or sugar, and drink the tea immediately.

While the average American drinks 10 servings of green tea per year, the average Chinese drinks 150 servings per year. Although coffee increases heart rate, insomnia, nervousness, headache, irritability, diarrhea and frequent urination, so far, no negative effects have been reported on tea.

As Rome was not built in a day, cancer is not developed in a day. By the time you are diagnosed, the cancer has been in your body for 10 years. While you are taking estrogen to mask your menopause symptoms for years, estrogen stimulates your breasts and uterus everyday. Mammograms and Pap smears are only passive ways to prevent cancers.

Drinking tea is your daily anticancer weapon. It prevents cancer seeds from germinating and growing in your body. When the cancer is diagnosed, it has grown into a big cancer tree. The goal of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is to destroy the cancer tree, and obviously it is the last straw to save your life. Cancer risks increase as we age. Menopause women are especially susceptible to cancers while taking estrogen. Green tea is a great antidote to the cancer-causing effect by synthetic or bio-identical estrogen.

The many reasons for menopause and they include:

* An endometrial ablation (or vaginal hysterectomy) might have induced menopause, no matter what the age of the woman.

* Skipped periods and a sudden lack of menstrual migraines are the first symptoms of perimenopausal women.

* Premature ovarian failure suddenly causes early symptoms of menopause

Whatever the case may be, perimenopausal women have come to dread the symptoms that accompany the changes their bodies experience, and many of the symptoms are not only irritating but also directly affect your quality of life.

Most commonly reported pesky symptoms of perimenopause are:

* An overactive bladder that requires numerous bathroom visits during short period of time.

* Hot flashes menopause and excessive sweating.

* Periods of deep depression and sudden mood swings.

* Cognitive problems and even temporary memory failures.

Yet perhaps none of the menopausal symptoms is as dreaded as the hot flashes which are little more than hormonal imbalance symptoms underlining the fact that an estrogen dominance is no longer established while at the same time the levels of natural progesterone and natural testosterone are also no longer following their customary patterns. In the past, physicians were quick to prescribe hormone replacement therapy, progesterone cream, testosterone cream to supplement a slumping libido, a regular bone density test to ensure that osteoporosis was not sneaking up on their patients and elemental calcium to keep it at bay. Yet in recent years menopausal women have eyed many of these therapies with suspicion, especially in light of the fact that much negative publicity was published with respect to hormone replacement therapy.

This really contributes to the fact that more and more menopausal women now want natural remedy from hot flashes; yet even there some dangers lurk. Women who in the past bought a variety of dubious herbal extracts, black cohosh, hawthorn flower and other menopause supplements marketed by the same compounding pharmacy that also claimed to operate a lab which provided an allegedly genuine paternity test, soon found out that many of the claims made were overstated while some of the substances were literally harmful to their health. As the online marketplace for fad healthcare remedies, the latest treatments, and odd tinctures and teas heated up, menopausal women continued to look for a natural menopause treatment that would safely offer a respite from menopause hot flashes.

Are you experiencing hot flashes? Vaginal dryness? Mood swings? Bloating? If so, it is quite possible that you are experiencing menopausal symptoms. I personally went through these symptoms and it was like I was living in hell. I couldn’t get a good night sleep. I had terrible mood swings and worst of all, I was gaining weight which as you know is a woman’s worst nightmare.

At first I tried different methods to reduce these symptoms and it wasn’t until I tried a natural menopause treatment where the symptoms reduced dramatically.

Using natural herbal ingredients is a much healthier route to take when trying to stop menopausal symptoms. Some major ingredients that can help with menopause are:

1. Soy seeds. Soy contains a huge amount of phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogen is a natural plant estrogens and it decreases estrogen levels in the perimenopause cycle and also increases estrogen levels in the postmenopausal period.

2. Vitamin E is an antioxidant which proved to be an effective treatment for postmenopause and menopause symptoms as hot flashes, urinary discomforts, and vaginal dryness.

3. Black cohosh root is an American herb that is widely used in medicine. It’s primary use is for alleviating menopausal symptoms.

4. Damiana leaf is a well known stimulant and aphrodisiac. It is used to relieve anxiety and depression.

It is much better and healthier to use herbal ingredients to combat menopause rather than prescription medicine. With traditional hormone replacement therapy there are some dangerous side effects. Natural replacement therapy contains natural ingredients to stimulate estrogen production rather than relying on synthetic hormones.