Saturday, October 07, 2006
Menopause is Not the End
The definition for menopause is, quite simply, the cessation (stopping) of a woman's menstrual periods. This definition makes people think that it is a bad thing, but in reality, menopause is really a new beginning. During menopause, the body stops producing two female hormones. The first is oestrogen, which is a hormone that makes the lining of the womb and vagina thicker in the earlier phase of the menstrual cycle. This one of the natural ways a woman's body gets ready for pregnancy. The second is progesterone, which is a hormone that changes the structure of the lining of the uterus. This is change is necessary for the uterus to be ready to hold a fertilized egg. These hormones are meant for a young woman's body. Some women try to take supplements to replace these hormones during menopause; but this is not the answer.
During this period in a woman's life, she needs a variety of natural herbs that will help stimulate her body through this change. During menopause, a woman's endocrine system, (the body's system of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream) needs these natural herbs to be able to properly fulfill its purpose. Unfortunately, normal dietary means usually will not properly supply these nutrients during this transition; so many women take herbal supplements.
The most common symptom that of the beginning of menopause is hot flashes. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of warmth in the area of the face, neck, and upper region of the body body. During a hot flash the body begins to sweat to release, this burst of warmth. Certain substances induce hot flashes and should be not be taken in often. Such substances include: drinks with caffeine, acidic foods, tobacco, white sugar, alcoholic beverages, and saturated fats. After menopause is over, these substances can be taken in again; although these substances are not good for you anyhow.
Other symptoms of menopause can include: disturbances of sleep caused by irritation, mild depression caused by hormonal changes, joint pain, osteoporosis (loss of bone mass), headaches, or urinary incontinence (involuntary loss of urine). A physical change also occurs in the vagina. The vaginal walls can become thinner, less flexible, and dryer. Unfortunately, this can cause irritation during intercourse; this can be treated with common lubrication. It is a myth that menopause decreases sexual desire. On the contrary many women feel liberated after menopause and their libido (sexual desire) increases due to the fact that pregnancy is no longer an issue.
Another common myth of menopause is drastic mood changes. Such mood changes from anger to depression for no apparent reason are very uncommon. Many studies have been conducted that prove menopausal women do not experience any more depression, anxiety, nervousness, stress, or anger than in women who still have menstruation. Actually, the biggest cause of depression in menopausal women is worrying about menopause! Do not let menopause get you down; it is a new beginning of a woman's life and should be cherished.
During this period in a woman's life, she needs a variety of natural herbs that will help stimulate her body through this change. During menopause, a woman's endocrine system, (the body's system of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream) needs these natural herbs to be able to properly fulfill its purpose. Unfortunately, normal dietary means usually will not properly supply these nutrients during this transition; so many women take herbal supplements.
The most common symptom that of the beginning of menopause is hot flashes. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of warmth in the area of the face, neck, and upper region of the body body. During a hot flash the body begins to sweat to release, this burst of warmth. Certain substances induce hot flashes and should be not be taken in often. Such substances include: drinks with caffeine, acidic foods, tobacco, white sugar, alcoholic beverages, and saturated fats. After menopause is over, these substances can be taken in again; although these substances are not good for you anyhow.
Other symptoms of menopause can include: disturbances of sleep caused by irritation, mild depression caused by hormonal changes, joint pain, osteoporosis (loss of bone mass), headaches, or urinary incontinence (involuntary loss of urine). A physical change also occurs in the vagina. The vaginal walls can become thinner, less flexible, and dryer. Unfortunately, this can cause irritation during intercourse; this can be treated with common lubrication. It is a myth that menopause decreases sexual desire. On the contrary many women feel liberated after menopause and their libido (sexual desire) increases due to the fact that pregnancy is no longer an issue.
Another common myth of menopause is drastic mood changes. Such mood changes from anger to depression for no apparent reason are very uncommon. Many studies have been conducted that prove menopausal women do not experience any more depression, anxiety, nervousness, stress, or anger than in women who still have menstruation. Actually, the biggest cause of depression in menopausal women is worrying about menopause! Do not let menopause get you down; it is a new beginning of a woman's life and should be cherished.
