Menopause 101Menopause is the transitional time in a woman's life cycle. It is a stage where the menses stop but other physiological changes may occur. By definition when you go for 12 full months without having a menstrual cycle you are in menopause. Perimenopause is leading up to that point. The undesirable symptoms (to say the least) like hot flashes, mood swings and sleep deprivation are a result of hormonal imbalance (changing levels of estrogen and progesterone). When a woman is having regular menstrual cycles then generally speaking her progesterone and estrogen hormones are in balance. Both hormones are produced by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus and adrenal glands produce GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) and the pituitary gland produces FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone), which stimulate the rise of estrogen and progesterone during menstruation within the ovaries. Irregular periods cause an imbalance in hormone production. One of the first signs that menopause is approaching is that your periods will change, either becoming lighter, heavier or even stopping all together. Estrogen dominance occurs when there are more estrogen hormones circulating in the body than any other hormone and when the estrogen is unopposed (not balanced). Some of the causes of estrogen dominance are:
Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is the most common means for treating menopause and menopausal symptoms, but unfortunately, it is not the most effective mode of treatment. Synthetic estrogen hormones remain in the body longer than natural estrogen hormones and can cause more damage. A commonly used estrogen supplement and contraceptive is synthetic ethinyl estradiol (one of the harmful estrogens) and can increase the risk of breast cancer more than its natural counterpart. After a woman goes through menopause her levels of progesterone hormones typically fall to zero, while her levels of estrogen hormones only decrease 40-60%, and testosterone hormone levels decrease even less. In fact, progesterone is the first hormone to start to diminish leaving women of all ages? estrogen dominant. It seems obvious that the first form of hormone replacement therapy should be that of natural progesterone, which has been shown to build bone, enhance mood, normalize blood sugar, protect against fibrocystic breasts, restore sex drive, use fat for energy, restore proper cell oxygen levels, and more. Stress and diet can also play a role in hormonal imbalance and the onset of early menopause. Most women start to notice signs or perimenopause during their 40?s and although the range that women go through menopause is anywhere from 30 to 60 years of age, the average age that women go through menopause is 51. In addition, not every woman?s experience is the same. Some women may have more symptoms than others, depending on their lifestyle and health choices. Here are some of our best natural remedies:
RESOURCES:Kokoro Women's Natural Progesterone Cream - Kokoro? Women's Balance Creme has been critically acclaimed as one of the finest natural progesterone creams on the market. Helps restore hormonal balance. Complete Menopause Treatment Program - Native Remedies has put together a trio of effective, natural remedies proven to reduce or eliminate symptoms of Menopause and PMS. Each ingredient, on its own, has been shown to be highly effective. This program is backed by their 100% 60-day money back guarantee!
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