Menopause, the ending of a woman's reproductive years, is often accompanied by uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms that are caused by decreasing levels of estrogen and progesterone. The most common symptoms include irregular menstruation, hot flashes, heart palpitations, mood swings, night sweats, depression, and vaginal dryness. Heart disease and osteoporosis are also linked to lower estrogen levels. Although the ovaries stop producing hormones after menopause, the endocrine glands, including the adrenal glands, take over the production of estrogen as well as other hormones. Exercise can relieve many of the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Regular aerobic exercise helps decrease the risk of heart disease and provides an outlet for emotional tension. Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or lifting tight weights, helps maintain bone density. Learning to manage emotional stresses through yoga, meditation, or relaxation exercises can help smooth the mood swings of menopause and reduce stress on the adrenal glands. Natural therapies are often helpful in relieving the symptoms that accompany menopausal changes and in preventing the degenerative diseases that can occur during the postmenopausal years. Chiropractic Care Nutrition and Supplements Herbal Remedies Homeopathic Remedies Essential Oils Chiropractic Care  coming soon BACK TO MENU Nutrition and Supplements A low-fat, high-fiber, primarily vegetarian diet will help the body adjust more easily to changing hormonal levels. Sugar and refined carbohydrates contribute to mood swings, and caffeine and alcohol can bring about hot flashes. Eating foods that contain phytoestrogens, Such as tofu and other soy products, yarns, carrots, apples, and potatoes, provides small amounts of estrogenic substances that can help prevent hot flashes and other symptoms of estrogen depletion. Foods rich in calcium, such as sesame seeds, almonds, low-fat yogurt, and dark leafy greens help prevent osteoporosis. The following supplements have been found helpful for women during the menopausal years: vitamin C with mixed bioflavonoids, 2-5 grams daily: helps control hot flashes, also strengthens capillaries and reduces the heavy menstrual bleeding that often accompanies menopause calcium and magnesium, 1,000 mg of calcium with 500 mg of magnesium: for bone strength, also as a nerve relaxant evening primrose oil, three to six capsules daily, or borage or black currant oil, one to two capsules daily: as a source of essential fatty acids, to help relieve the dry skin, hair, and vaginal tissues that often occur with menopause vitamin B6, 50 mg three times daily: to relieve water retention; take with a high-potency vitamin B complex vitamin E, 400 IU daily: to help prevent hot flashes; can also be applied as vitamin E oil directly to vaginal tissues to counteract dryness BACK TO MENU Herbal Remedies Herbal remedies can ease the transition through menopause by helping balance the hormones and by stimulating natural hormone production. Try any of the following herbs to gain some relief from menopausal symptoms: chasteberry, also known as vitex, 1/2 teaspoon of tincture three to four times a day: stimulates the production of progesterone and helps balance the hormones dong quai (also known as dang-gui), black cohosh, or alfalfa, 1/2 teaspoon of tincture or two capsules three times a day: to stimulate estrogen production motherwort, 1/2 teaspoon of tincture or two capsules three times a day: to relieve heart palpitations; combine with sage to alleviate hot flashes Siberian ginseng, 1/2 teaspoon of tincture or two capsules two times a day: to help strengthen the adrenal glands The following herbs may help relieve the tension and anxiety that often accompany menopause: wild oats or skullcap, 1/2 teaspoon of tincture three to four times a day valerian, 1/2-1 teaspoon of tincture three times a day: especially for extreme anxiety, or difficulty sleeping Apply salves of the following herbs to vaginal tissue to help relieve dryness and thinning: calendula comfrey BACK TO MENU Homeopathic Remedies Try one of the following homeopathic remedies, depending on the specific symptoms: Lachesis: for mental irritation and hot flashes that are worse in the morning Pulsatilla: for frequent mood changes and hot flashes at night Sepia: for emotional exhaustion accompanied by tiredness, irritability, and chills BACK TO MENU Essential Oils Methods for using essential oils to help relieve menopausal symptoms include baths, massage, and vaporization. Try one or a combination of the following oils: geranium: antidepressant, adrenal stimulant rose: antidepressant, sedative, aphrodisiac PAGE TOP Powered by ProfessionalPlanets.com™ Copyright 1999 © ProfessionalPlanets.com™ All rights reserved. Terms of Use