Menopause And Risk Of Heart Disease!

Recent study confirmed that women who entered into menopause stage are at higher risk of heart disease. Researchers explain that understanding the risk factors is an important step and also there are various methods to lower the risk.

Some women who are younger than 50 and not gone through menopause stage still have higher levels of estrogen hormone, which protects their heart health.

After entering into the menopause stage, levels of estrogen hormone drop significantly and can lead to higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Another factor that can increase the risk of heart disease is weight gain, which occurs after entering into the menopause stage. So, women should maintain a healthy weight once they enter into the menopausal stage.

Additional weight can cause various changes in your body such as high blood pressure, physical inactivity, high cholesterol and diabetes, which are the leading causes of stroke and heart attack.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can greatly help to decrease the risk of heart disease even you enter into the menopausal stage. Smoking women should immediately stop smoking, consume a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and regular workouts can help to maintain a healthy body weight.

Consult your health care provider regularly to check the levels of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Is It Safe To Use Bio Identical Hormones?

Nowadays bio identical hormones have become most popular, partly because of increased health risks associated with standard hormone replacement therapy or partly due to celebrity endorsements.

Bio identical means the hormones in the product are chemically similar to those your body develops.

Marketers say that their products are safer than standard hormone therapies because:

• They are made from plant chemicals instead of synthesizing in a laboratory. There are some FDA approved products that are made from plants such as: Prometrium natural progesterone, Estrace, Vivelle-Dot patch and Climara patch. FDA has approved over 20 natural bioidentical hormone products including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone


• These hormones are custom made for you. They are based on an examination of your saliva to assess your distinctive hormonal needs. But, the hormone levels in the saliva do not replicate the levels in the blood or correspond to menopause symptoms.


• These hormones are prepared in various doses and forms that are very much different from some of the FDA approved products. You will get some bio identical hormones without any prescription, but most of them need prescription.


• If you want these hormones in any nonstandard combinations, you need to consider a non-compounding pharmacy. Here you will get medications that are specially customized to satisfy your needs.


• The most familiar bio identical hormones are estrogen and progesterone, which are produced by compounding pharmacies to reduce the menopause symptoms and hormonal imbalances.


• Hormonal imbalances lead to the risk of heart attack, stroke and even breast cancer and when used accurately, bio identical hormone replacement therapy can decrease this risk.


• Bio identical estrogen and progesterone have constantly been shown to lessen and remove the breast-cell proliferation rates whereas synthetic hormones, particularly progestin, have been revealed to raise risk of breast cancer.


• In terms of cardiovascular disease, bio identical progesterone maintains and enhances the heart protective effects of estrogen, decreasing the risk for heart attack and stroke.
  

Bio identical hormones are safe when used properly and under the care of an expert physician trained specifically in bio identical hormone replacement therapy.

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy FAQs!

Want to get relief from the symptoms of menopause?

Become tired of using various hormonal therapies for menopause symptoms?

Have you ever heard of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?

Nowadays, it is a most popular method used for relieving menopause symptoms.

Everyone has various queries about this therapy. Here are the most common questions about BHRT:

What is bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), also known as bio-identical hormone therapy recommended to treat menopause symptoms by using hormones that are molecularly identical to endogenous hormones.

Supplemental doses of hormones used in BHRT have a chemical structure similar to the hormones that your body naturally produces.

How does BHRT beneficial for me?

BHRT not only used to relieve menopause symptoms, but also used for post-menopause and peri-menopause symptoms.

Who needs BHRT?

Women suffering from the symptoms of early menopause and are looking to put an end to night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, low libido, memory loss and weight gain can undergo this therapy.

How are BHRT treatments created?

Most of the bio-identical hormones are generated from wild yams and soybeans, which contain unique compounds that are processed chemically and made into identical replicas of hormones the body produces.

Are there any other forms of BHRT?

Static dosing is one form. Rhythmic cycling is another form that is based on the cycles of nature and is meant to mimic the time during which women are at their reproductive peak. Rhythmic cycling is a new and very good approach in BHRT.

There are three categories of bio-identical hormone therapy, such as natural estrogens, natural progesterone and natural androgens.

How can I take BHRT?

These hormones are taken orally or are injected. Also, they can be applied via a cream and a suppository.

Is it safe to use bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?

Bio means natural, as any natural products are safe, these hormones are also safe to use. These are safer and more effective than standard hormone replacement therapy. These prescription and over-the-counter products are marketed as being tailored to a woman's individual hormonal needs, typically determined through saliva hormone testing.

The FDA approved bio-identical estrogen and progesterone products include: Estradiol, such as Estrace, Climara patch and Vivelle-Dot patch and natural progesterone (Prometrium). These products come in various doses and forms. Your practitioner suggests definite dosage according to your body needs.

Is it necessary to take prescription?

Yes, Bio-identical hormones must be prescribed. As the hormones are compounded, it is necessary that they be dispensed under a prescription.

Does insurance cover this treatment?

This varies according to the insurer.

How long does it usually take to adjust to the therapy?

Each patient needs are unique, so the time for adjustment varies from one person to another. Generally, it takes 3 months to alleviate all the symptoms.

Are there any other names for BHRT?

“Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy" (NHRT) is the most common name for BHRT. Generally, this name is most commonly used by the patients, whereas bio-identical hormone replacement therapy seems more popular among pharmacists and doctors.

Are there any other benefits of BHRT?

Other benefits of natural bio-identical hormones include:

• Enhances your energy levels


• Decreases hot flashes


• Slows your aging process


• Maintains arterial and cardiac health


• Maintains your breast health, along with protection against any other malignant changes


• Guards you against uterine and breast cancer


• Slow or even reverse the production of fibroids


• Delays or prevents the growth of Alzheimer’s disease


• Increases your bone density, even controls osteoporosis

Risk Of Antidepressants During Menopause!

Recent study stated that older women who take antidepressants are at greater risk of stroke and death when compared to women who are not on the antidepressant medications.

The study also stated that depression itself is a risk factor for early death, heart disease and various other illnesses. But, the study doesn’t mean that women should stop taking antidepressants. It is just only informative purpose about the risks and benefits of medications for older women.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Zoloft and Prozac are now replaced with tricyclic antidepressants, which can harm the heart. Postmenopausal women with SSRIs are at increased risk for both heart disease and depression.

Researchers found that women taking SSRIs had a 45 percent increase in risk of stroke and a 32 percent increase in risk of dying from any cause during follow up, compared with nonusers. Use of older tricyclic antidepressants wasn't linked to stroke, but it did increase by 67 percent the risk of death during follow up.


15 Tips To Beat Menopause Hot Flashes!

Menopause is the stage that every woman needs to go through it and during this stage you won’t get your periods.

Most of the women will ask a question that what symptoms they might experience during this phase.

Generally, menopause symptoms greatly vary from one woman another.

Some women may experience insomnia as a major symptom, some experience severe back pain and some others experience menopause hot flashes.

We are not always certain which symptoms of menopause will strike your life.

Here are 15 tips that can help you to reduce the severity of menopause hot flashes:

1. Dietary triggers: There are several triggers that can increase the severity of menopause hot flashes. They include: caffeine, alcohol, diet pills, cayenne and spicy foods. If the severity of hot flashes becomes more when you consume these foods, it is suggested to eliminate them from your diet.

2. Exercise: You should have at least 30 minutes exercise daily whether it may be in the form of walking, running, bicycle riding or any other activity that make you work. Don’t do any exercise at least 3 hours before going to bed, as it can increase the severity of night sweats.

3. Hormone replacement therapy: This therapy includes estrogen replacement to provide relief from menopause hot flashes. But, estrogen has been associated with some medical risks and should be taken sparingly. Before undergoing estrogen replacement therapy, make sure to understand both the risks and benefits.

4. Soy: Research showed that including soy in your diet can reduce menopause hot flashes and also various other symptoms. Take soy most from your foods but not from soy supplements. Food sources of soy include: tempeh, soy milk, texturized vegetable protein, tofu, miso, whole soybeans, and soy powder.

5. Natural progesterone: Research found that progesterone give you relief menopause hot flashes and various other menopausal symptoms. You can find natural progesterone in the form of over-the-counter cream, capsules, compound prescription cream or in traditional prescription such as Prometrium.

6. Black cahosh: This is the most popular alternative for reducing menopause hot flashes. Not only hot flashes, also has this herb helped to relieve anxiety, heart palpitations and headaches.

7. Effexor: This is an anti-depressant helps to reduce menopause hot flashes in women taking breast cancer treatment. This medicine works well for women with breast cancer, so it is a best choice for women who don’t want to seek hormone replacement therapy.

8. Gabapentin: This drug helps to relieve migraine headaches. Research proved that this drug also help to relieve hot flashes to some extent.

9. Vitamin E: Research showed that vitamin E helps reduce the occurrence and severity of hot flashes and night sweats during menopause.

10. Antidepressants: Low-dose antidepressant medication may help forestall a hot flash by rebalancing or intercepting the chemicals in the brain that transmit the hot flash alarm, epinephrine and serotonin.

11. Acupuncture: This alternative treatment helps to move your inner wind, energy, or spirit. This treatment is helpful to reduce your hot flashes.

12. Relaxation and stress reduction: Relaxation and stress reduction can lower menopause hot flashes to some extent. Follow any of the techniques such as massaging, meditation, yoga, visualization, biofeedback technique, breathing exercises, and relaxation exercises.

13. Life style factors: Changing your lifestyle habits can have a positive impact on your life. Not only they can help to reduce menopause hot flashes, but also help to reduce fatigue, mood swings, loss of libido, insomnia, elevated cholesterol levels, muscle health, heart health, and bone health.

14. Fluid: Increase the intake of fluids than the usual. Drink lots of water and juices.

15. Hot conditions: Hot weathers even increase the severity of hot flashes. So, reduce hot foods, hot rooms, hot baths, hot tubs, and hot beds. Wear cotton clothes that allow your skin to breathe.

Benefits Of HRT For Menopausal Women!

HRT or hormone replacement therapy, a treatment used to replace the hormones, which your body can no longer produce because of menopause.

In this therapy, the hormones that can be replaced include estrogen and progesterone.

The average age at which menopause can strike your life is 52 years, but some can experience menopause during their 30s only.

Role of estrogen hormone: Estrogen can be used to encourage the release of eggs. If your body can not release the eggs, it means that there is no more estrogen hormone in your body.

Also, estrogen helps to perform various bodily functions such as bone density, temperature of your skin and also vaginal lubrication.

Estrogen deficiency can greatly linked to various other health problems such as:

• Vaginal dryness


• Hot flashes


• Lack of sex drive


• Joint pain


• Back pain


• Mood changes like depression or irritability


• Night sweats


• Thinning of the bone that can lead to osteoporosis

Role of progesterone: Major function of progesterone hormone is to get ready for the possible pregnancy. Also, progesterone helps to protect the womb lining.

Deficiency of progesterone can increase the risk of cancer of the uterine lining, which is called as endometrial cancer.

So, progesterone can be used in combination with estrogen.

Herbs To Ease Menopause Symptoms!

Some women feel that menopause can bring them relief from monthly menstrual periods, freedom from worrying about unplanned pregnancy, and a great excitement about entering into a new phase of life.

While, some other women feel that menopause can cause various emotional and physical disturbances.

So, for which category you belongs to or you are in somewhere between them?

Whatever it is, all of us need to suffer from certain menopause symptoms, such as depression, insomnia, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, sore breasts, stiff joints, and bloating.

In order to ease these symptoms, traditional Chinese medicine offered a variety of treatments such as herbs. Some herbs are also scientifically proved, such as black cohosh, vitex, etc.

Here are the herbs for menopause symptoms:

1. Black cohosh

Studies showed that black cohosh is effective in reducing the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is a great cause of hot flashes. There are two anti-rheumatic agents in this herb. This herb works effectively in relieving muscular pain and cramping.

2. Vitex

Vitext herb has hormone regulating properties. This herb can not only relieve hot flashes but also helps in treating vaginal dryness and depression. This herb acts on pituitary and hypothalamus glands and regulates the levels of progesterone hormone. This herb won’t cause any side effects and also it won’t react with other medications.

3. Dong quai

This is a well-known herb in Chinese medicine for its blood purifying properties. This herb has tonic and regulatory effects on female reproductive system.

Studies showed that dong quai works effectively as anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and pain reliever. It lowers your blood pressure and soothes menopausal discomforts.

This herb can also be called as “female ginseng” because of its ability to re-nourish and revitalize your body by correcting hormonal imbalance. Dong quai when used in conjunction with other herbs that tonify your spleen can work greatly in relieving dizziness, hot flashes, stomachaches, blurred vision, and constipation.

4. Dandelion

It works great for liver. Hormonal imbalances during menopause can put stress on your liver. Dandelion root can greatly helps to prevent it.

5. Chamaelirium luteum

This acts as estrogen regulator. It directly works on your uterus and ovaries. It works greatly for the specific treatment of ovarian cysts.

6. Gingko biloba

It improves circulation, brain function and oxygen supply to all the cells in your body. It works greatly for treating depression, fatigue and memory problems.

7. Licorice

It works as powerful adrenal stimulant and is a wonderful estrogenic herb. But, care must be taken while using the herb. This herb can not be used too often as it can increase blood pressure and deplete potassium.

8. Liferoot

It acts a uterine tonic and contains great amounts of estrogens. This herb helps in establishing vascular and emotional stability and avoids hot flashes. Also it can help in treating painful, irregular and excessive menstrual bleeding.

9. Red clover

It contains a plant estrogen named as coumestrol that can regulate your ovaries. It has good alkaline properties and restores your body functions. It works greatly in treating ovarian cysts.

10. Raspberry

It acts as an astringent. This nutritive estrogenic herb helps in strengthening your uterine muscles and relieves intestinal and uterine spasms. Also, it helps in treating uterine and vaginal prolapse.

11. Saw palmetto

It has astringent and diuretic properties that help in treating urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and fluid retention.

12. Shepherd's purse

This herb has good androgenic properties. It helps in normalizing the progesterone levels. If you are entering into menopause and having excessive and irregular bleeding or spotting, this herb can help in regulating and increasing the length of the menstrual cycle.

13. True unicorn root

This herb can strengthen your genital organs and it relieves indigestion and acts as sedative.

14. Wild yam

This is a powerful estrogenic herb being in use by various women around the world. It has good anti-inflammatory properties and relieves menopausal arthritis.

15. St. Johns Wort

It acts as sedative and works for anxiety states and also helpful in combating menopausal depression.

What Causes Early Menopause?

Early menopause is also known as premature menopause or perimenopause.

Normally, menopause starts between the ages of 45-55 years. But, early menopause can start in the 30s or in early 40s and it happens in women who have at least one ovary.

Usually, early menopause is due to premature ovarian failure, in which ovaries do not function in a normal way. Ovaries stop their functioning years before that they are supposed to.

If you have early menopause, you don’t get periods successively for twelve months before reaching 45 years of age.

Various factors can trigger early menopause. One reason for early menopause is your ovaries no longer have eggs to release. The second reason is your ovaries do not react to your body’s hormonal communication. Sometimes, early menopause may be due to lifestyle choices, such as:

• Poor nutrition


• Heavy smoking


• Heavy drinking


• Chronic stress to your body due to excessive athletic training


• Birth control pills


• Sometimes genetics


• High stress levels


• Obesity


• Cultural attitudes


• Poor quality sleep


• Synthetic hormone replacement therapy


• Exposure to environmental toxins
  

Also, there are some factors that are outside of a woman’s control, which can trigger early menopause. For instance, autoimmune diseases can affect menopause to occur early. Serious viral infections like mumps can greatly damage the eggs.

Sometimes, menopause can be associated with less primary follicles that are able to grow and ovulate. So, women with less primary follicles and damaged eggs are unable to develop an ovulatory egg thus they are prone to early menopause.

Women who had radiation therapy or chemotherapy have lost large number of their eggs. So, with fewer eggs, menopause can strike the woman’s life at an early age.

Women who born with fewer eggs can also experience early menopause.

Damage to ovaries or removal of ovaries can make women to experience early menopause. This is a most rapid form of menopause. For these women, hormone replacement therapy is suggested because their bodies have not had a chance to get used to hormonal changes.

Prior to the stoppage of menstrual cycle, you enter into perimenopause, which is called as transitional cycle. This phase can exist for two to six years.

Some studies showed that never having had a child may make you to experience early menopause.

Most of the times women tend to get menopause around the same age as their mothers and sisters, although the link between family history and age at menopause is still inconclusive.