Women's Natural Hormonal Treatments - TNT Nutrition Center

Perimenopause, Menopause, HRT, HT, Natural Hormone Replacement

Menopause is the word we use to describe the time in a woman's life when menstruation consistently stops for a period of one year; the ten to fifteen years prior to menopause are called perimenopause. Surgically induced menopause is produced suddenly when the ovaries are removed during hysterectomy surgery, causing immediate hormonal imbalance.

Learn the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, and what you can do naturally to assist your health and well being during this natural phase of life.

Symptoms and Signs of Peri-Menopause

* Hot flashes, night sweats, coldness
* Irregular periods that can be heavy, light, shorter or longer cycles
* Difficulty sleeping either getting to sleep or staying asleep
* Mood changes, anxiety, depression, irritability
* Heart palpitations
* Dry skin and/or hair loss
* Loss of or decreased sexual desire
* Vaginal dryness
* Incontinence

Many disturbing fluctuations during perimenopause are because of imbalances in your blood sugar. To balance blood sugar, be sure to eat good quality lean protein (wild-caught fish, organic hormone free poultry, organic dairy), good fats (olive oil, flaxseed oil, avocado) and low-glycemic carbs at all meals (steamed veggies, fresh raw veggies, and sprouted grain breads.

Breakfast should be a good protein source such as organic free range eggs, no-sugar plain yogurt and fruit smoothie, or a slice of whole grain or sprouted grain toast with a smear of organic nut butter or drizzle of flaxseed oil.

Midday meal and supper should include at lean protein from wild-caught fish, organic poultry, beef or lamb, tofu or tempeh. Cook these meats in extra virgin olive oil. Also include salad at these two meals using organic field greens, olive oil or flax seed oil and lemon dressing, lots of steamed veggies using all the colors of the rainbow through your week for balanced nutrition. Use organic sources.

Snacks that add to a healthful balance include: nuts or seeds such as organic raw almonds, raw sunflower seeds, raisins, dried (unsulphered) fruits, fresh fruits and carrot sticks dipped in humus.

Dessert should avoid refined sugars and include fresh fruit or a frozen fruit sorbet.

Symptoms and Signs of Menopause

* absence of menstruation for one year
* hot flashes
* night sweats
* mood swings
* anxiety
* palpitations
* depression
* insomnia
* vaginal dryness
* urinary changes

Menopause can cause some very uncomfortable symptoms for some women. The treatment of choice has been hormone replacement therapy (HRT) but new studies have shown that this treatment may have more risk than benefit. The medical community is quickly updating its understanding of menopause. Following the quick halt to the HRT portion of the Women's Health Initiative, due to findings that Hormone Replacement Therapy's risks outweighed its benefits, headlines now read "Menopause is not a disease, but a normal part of life."

Herbs, Vitamins and Supplements for Menopause - Natural Estrogen

Hormone "replacement" therapy (HRT) has become simply hormone "therapy" (HT) in recognition of the fact that replacing estrogen is not natural and brings dangerous side-effects, rather than the fountain of youth once touted. Natural products can be a good choice for menopausal women who do not want to risk HRT: Biotech, Future Biotics, Hylands, Life Flo, Natra Bio, Natrol's, Nature's Herbs, Nutrition NOw, Rainbow Light.

Vitamin E: Start with 800 I.U. daily. Supplements containing soy isoflavones (50-100 mg*) or black cohosh also have shown good effect.

Bioflavonoids: 1,000 mg of hesperidin daily. Similar to vitamin E, bioflavonoids may work by having an estragenic effect.

Natural progesterone skin cream helps a large percentage of perimenopausal women. Soy foods like soy milk and tofu can also provide some help, as do some herbs — black cohosh, dong quai or chaste berry.

L-arginine: Take 1,000 mg 1-2 times daily in combination with B-5 and choline once daily to promote better blood flow to the pelvic area. See information on vaginal dryness here.

Valerian root:Caution: can dry out tissues - not recommended for women with vaginal dryness. Taken about half an hour before bed, it has a mild sedative effect.

Passionflower: Maintains blood levels of serotonin, the brain chemical that promotes healthy sleep.

5-HTP: (5-hydroxytryptophan) an amino acid and precursor to serotonin. Might help you sleep.

Chamomile: Reduces anxiety.

Aromatherapy with lavender: Lavender increases the alpha brain waves associated with relaxation. Add lavender oil to a bedtime bath.

Melatonin: The hormone that regulates the body's natural day-night rhythms. Use a controlled release formula to stay asleep all night.

When Should I Call My Doctor?

Many women experience problems during the transitional years of peri-menopause and then menopause. If you feel that your symptoms are consistent enough or causing emotional or physical problems, please see your medical practitioner for evaluation and treatment.

Natural Supplements for PMS

Natural Sexual Stimulant

Natural Vaginal Lubricant