August 01 - 2010 All About Women Health - Menopause

How to Stop Premature Menopause Symptoms
By Sarah Romanski

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So you just came home from a long day at work. All you want to do is hit the sack and get a good night's rest. Twenty minutes into a deep sleep, you wake up suddenly in a hot sweat and perspiration. Your clothes are drenched to the point that you have to change them to get comfortable again. These feelings came onto you abruptly and you are not sure what could be bringing on these hot flashes. Well, if you're in your 40s or even in your 30s, it's quite possible you could be experiencing premature menopause symptoms.

First, let me tell you why you are experiencing these symptoms and I can tell you how to stop these annoying flashes and other symptoms as well. Premature menopause symptoms are caused by two things: physical discomfort and the imbalance in our estrogen levels. Below are some other symptoms associated with premature or perimenopausal symptoms:

- Mood swings
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Increase in fatigue
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
- Irregular periods
- Urine leakage

There are natural supplements available today that will take care and alleviate these symptoms. And using natural supplements is much healthier in comparison to prescription medicine. I have tried prescription medicine for my pains they brought on very harsh and dangerous side effects. And even though every woman is different, I know many that have experienced the same harsh effects as well. So my advice is to try a natural supplement and if that doesn't work, talk to your doctor about medication.

So if you're looking for a natural and healthier route to stop these annoying premature menopause symptoms, visit http://perimenopausetreatment.org and get a FREE trial of this herbal supplement that changed my life. Try it out and thank me later.

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July 25 - 2010 All About Women Health - Menopause

Recommended Reading
Menopause A To Z -The Definitive Guide.
Explore The Latest Cutting Edge Information
About Modern Menopause Symptoms & Treatments.

Discover How to Stop Weight Gain During Menopause
By Sarah Romanski

Are you experiencing weight gain during menopause? I know exactly how you feel. Not only do you have to suffer through these troubling times with hot flashes, bloating, mood swings, but now you are facing a woman's worst nightmare...gaining weight. However, there is good news for you ladies out there. Read along as I let you in on some ways to stop gaining weight.

The number one way to stop gaining weight during menopause is by exercising. Yes, I know it's probably something you don't feel like doing, but all you need to do is put aside about 30 minutes a day to do some resistance exercises. Resistance exercise helps to increase bone density and build and replace muscle mass. You also can do some aerobics as well. Try to mix your exercises and get a versatility so you don't get bored with the same routine.

Another way to combat weight gain during menopause is by eating a healthy diet. I know what you're thinking and no, that does not mean you cannot treat yourself to good foods. You just need to make sure you include some ingredients such as protein, carbohydrates, and even fat. Not all fat is bad for you. There is such a thing as healthy fats and these include natural peanut butter, natural unsalted nuts, avocadoes and cold pressed olive oil.

Good carbohydrates include vegetables, fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products such as whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice and oatmeal.

These are just a few tips to help you with weight gain during menopause.

There is one major tip that you must read that will help alleviate increasing weight and other menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, anxiety, and etc.

Visit http://perimenopausetreatment.org and get a FREE trial of the herbal supplement that stopped my weight gain, hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. Stop suffering and go there now!

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July 18 - 2010 All About Women Health - Menopause

Early Menopause and Lupus

By John Gibb

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Early menopause occurs most often in women who are 30 to 40 years of age. It may occur in women younger than that with underlying causes. It very important that if you are suffering the signs of early menopause that you consult a doctor to rule out anything else that may be happening or a consequence of other health conditions. This is especially important if you have lupus and are experiencing signs of early menopause.

Lupus Symptoms

There are a few types of lupus including Discoid Lupus and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Discoid Lupus most often affects the skin. It will present as a red rash that could have raised edges. It commonly occurs on the face and scalp. The rash is not itchy but scarring on the scalp can cause irreversible hair loss. Up to approximately 10% of those who have Discoid Lupus will develop Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

The most common complaints of those who suffer with systemic lupus erythematosus include fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle pain, arthritis and mouth/ nose ulcerations.

A facial rash (butterfly rash), photosensitivity and inflammation of the lining that surrounds the heart-pleuritis and the heart-pericarditis are also symptoms of lupus. Problems with circulation to the fingers and toes when it is really cold are also called Raynaud's phenomenon. Inflammation of the brain, liver, and kidneys also occur in SLE. There may be a decrease in white blood cells and clotting factors. This increases the risk of infections and bleeding.

More than 50% of those with SLE will develop the flat red butterfly rash. Most SLE sufferers will develop a type of arthritis that is very similar to rheumatoid arthritis. The small joints of the hands, the wrists, and feet may swell, become painful, stiff and sometimes deformed. Inflammation of the blood vessels especially those that supply oxygen to tissues can cause nerve injury, injury to the skin, or injury to an internal organ.

These are some of the major and most common symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus. Within each symptom is a set of sub-symptoms that result from the main symptoms. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can be very treatable. It may also cause death depending on which body organs are affected.

The diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus is determined if a patient has four or more of eleven criteria. They are: malar-butterfly rash, discoid rash with patchy redness, photosensitivity (sensitivity to light), mucus membrane ulcers, arthritis, pleuritis and pericaridits-inflammations of the linings of the heart lungs along with pain when breathing, kidney abnormalities including an abnormal quantity of urine protein or clusters of cellular elements (casts), brain irritation, blood count abnormalities, immunological disorders-abnormal results of such tests as Anti-DNA, or anti-Sm, testing positive for antinuclear antibody.

Other tests could include a Sedimentation Rate, blood chemistry and evaluation of body fluids, as well as tissue biopsies. SLE can also cause one to enter early menopause

Treatments of systemic lupus erythematosus include get more rest during the active phases of the disease. Inadequate sleep is key in the progression of fatigue in SLE patients. A doctor must focus on poor sleep and the effects of depression, insufficient exercise and patient's personal care coping abilities on their over-all health. Drugs that are used to relieve symptoms of SLE include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that help muscle, joint and other body tissue pain.

Corticosteroids are stronger in lessening inflammation and restoring the ability to function when SLE is active and they are helpful when internal organs are involved. They can be delivered in a number of forms but they have some serious side effects in long-term use at high doses. Thinning skin and bones, weight gain, infections, diabetes, facial puffiness, cataracts and even death (necrosis) of large joints are also possible. There is a wide variety of types of drugs used to treat mild to severe cases of SLE.

Symptoms of Early Menopause

Lupus and early menopause have some common symptoms. Sleep problems, heart palpitations, headaches and hot flashes that can occur in lupus and the patient not are menopausal. Irregular periods and bleeding are classic signs of beginning menopause. If you are a woman with lupus menstruation can continue but as has been mentioned become irregular and cease altogether catapulting you into early menopause. Other symptoms of it include appetite changes, weight gain, body aches, and mood swings all of which can also occur in lupus.

Early menopause in lupus can occur as a result of the disease itself. It can also be a result of the medications used to treat lupus. It can also be a result of heredity as opposed the disease or treatments of the disease.

Treatment of these symptoms can be HRT- hormone replacement therapy, anti-depressants, and anti-inflammatories. These treatments can have some very serious side effects such as increased risk for heart attack and some cancers. Most women seek to avoid these side effects and turn to natural treatments such as herbal supplementation.

Herbal supplements may also include vitamins such as B-complex and C vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and zinc. In order to get the highest quality supplement there should be no fillers or preservatives. The ingredients will have had the molecular path tested at the molecular level and their interactions evaluated as well. Only standardized herbal extracts are used and they are made to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. This all helps to guarantee top quality and consistent dosing from capsule to capsule.

Conclusion

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can attack the skin discoid lupus erythematosus and systemic lupus erythematosus that affects the joints and internal organs. It is a connective tissue disease. Either the disease itself or the medications that are used to treat lupus can put a woman into early menopause. A doctor's examination will help to determine the best course of treatment including the possible benefits of herbal supplementation.

John Gibb is a nutrition enthusiast with over ten years of nutrition education and has now become a freelance writer. Currently, he focuses on information articles focused on women's health and fitness. Read more at http://www.the-menopause-source.com

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July 11 - 2010 All About Women Health - Menopause

Signs of Menopause

By Emma Wanjiku


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Menopause is the official stage at which menses halt paving way to a transition in women where fertility and reproductive ability fades away. This physiological change is a very natural process that will affect females in different capacities and degrees. It is the process that marks the beginning of the end of menstrual cycles and it is a big change in the lives of women. Early signs of this transition will affect women who are in their late 40s and early 50s. These are the early clues that will indicate the onset.

Early signs

Depression - This will be characterised by fluctuating moods and swings of the same. It is a sign seen to be as a result of hormonal imbalance. Some hormones will boost energy while others will do the opposite. During this transition, experts have observed the hormonal imbalance as a major feature that will hint early menopause.

Hot flashes - These will be some of the key signs to observe. Experts say that adrenal glands tend to receive signals and help in releasing extra energy that may not be necessary in the body. Another reason cited for this is the imbalance of hormones that lead to increased metabolism. These flashes are known to be very uncomfortable.

Chronic fatigue - This is very common and the reasons could be related to depression that drains the body and leaves women weak. It is also thought that inadequate nutrition brought about by adapted diets to keep fit during this time by women who want to retain their youth. This fatigue will come along with general aches and pains and will vary from women to woman in severity.

Insomnia - Disturbed sleep patterns are caused by night sweats and a general feel of worry that will affect those in transition. Many often worry about this new stage that often leaves many feeling old and dreading the challenge of middle age.

Other early signs of menopause that are observed include

- water retention
- reduced virginal lubrication
- Changes in blood sugar
- Infection by yeast
- Headaches
- General disinterest in life
- Changes in monthly cycle
- Anxiety

Emma Wanjiku is an experienced writer and publisher who focuses on issues affecting you. Her research is based on aspects and topics of life that matter. She is a trained journalist. For more tips and information, access her sites at http://www.emmalifetips.com

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July 04 - 2010 All About Women Health - Menopause

The Forms of Menopause

By Michael Russell

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Why all these sudden changes in your mood? Why have you become so irritable and often wake up in the middle of the night feeling hot and uncomfortable? These and many more other questions might be playing in your mind and maybe even those around you. What's behind all these changes in you? You might be even feeling fatigued and easily get tired. Women between the ages 42 and 56 go through a normal phase in their lives we all come to know as menopause. Menopause is a normal physiologic change that every woman undergoes in her life. Menopause means a lot of major changes in a woman's life. Every woman faces these changes differently. This is not an illness or a disease that should be dreaded. Some women welcome menopause with open arms. They embrace menopause as a new life; a new found independence. They look at menopause as a freeing time of their lives where the arduous period of childbearing is over. The absence of menstrual periods brings them more independence to do the things they always want to do without the hassles of monthly menstruation. Other women, on the other hand, view menopause as the declining phase of their self worth. They look at their incapacity to produce a child as a negative impact to their importance as a woman and as a mother.

Menopause is referred to as the slow decline and the eventual cessation of menstruation, including the physiologic mechanism that goes along with it. Menopause comes as a complicated phase in a woman's life, accompanied with various physiological and psychosocial changes. The various changes that a woman experiences during menopause are caused by the declining ovarian function.

There are three forms of menopause. These are physiologic menopause, pathologic menopause and artificial menopause. Physiologic menopause occurs when the functions of the ovary normally decline because of aging. Physiologic menopause usually starts to occur in women between the ages 40 and 50. As a result of this normal change, a woman will have irregular or infrequent ovulation with decreased menstrual function. Eventually, menstruation will cease. Menstruation is usually observed to cease between the ages 45 and 55.

Pathologic menopause, or premature menopause, on the other hand is referred to as the sudden termination of menstruation not due to aging and which occurs before a woman reaches 40. Studies show that about 5% of all women in the United States experience premature menopause without known or apparent reason. However, premature menopause may be caused by some diseases. These diseases may include severe infections in the reproductive tract. Tumors in the reproductive tract may also cause pathologic menopause. Tumors in the reproductive tract may seriously harm the ovary and weaken and damage its normal function. Aside from diseases and tumors, such factors like malnutrition, extreme emotional stress, radiation therapy or too much exposure to radiation and debilitation can also cause pathologic or premature menopause. Furthermore, impairment of the ovarian blood supply can also cause premature menopause. Such condition is usually created when a woman undergoes surgical procedure, which involves the ovary.

Finally, artificial menopause occurs when there is the cessation of the ovarian function. This form of menopause often occurs following radiation therapy or surgical procedures. Whatever form of menopause a woman experiences, it is important that she be able to pass through this phase with the least complications possible and with the help and understanding of the people around her.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Menopause

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All About Woman Health - Menopause

Weight Gain With Menopause - Women Need to Stop Blaming Themselves, Its All About Hormones

By Richard Lipman M.D.

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Menopause A To Z -The Definitive Guide.
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When a woman's menstrual periods have stopped for a year or when her blood shows high levels of LH and FSH hormones (LH and FSH are hormones called gonadotrophins that are made by the pituitary gland in the middle of the brain) she is said to be in the menopause. Usually this occurs between 45- 55, but there is a lot of variation. Often women follow patterns of older female family members. Menopause is associated with many symptoms and problems, for most women the most significant t is unintentional weight gain. I will discuss menopause in brief, and then the hormonal reasons for the weight gain and what you can do about it.

Ovulation and Irregular Menses:
Prior to menopause, a woman's FSH and LH levels rise and fall each month as eggs are matured and released by her ovaries. The normal aging process effects the ovaries just like every other organ in the body. It's the normal aging process of the ovaries that is the root of the whole problem. As the ovaries decline in function eggs are not released every month and periods begin to be irregular. This period right before menopause is called the Peri-imenopause which may last for years. Women begin to experience hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, mood changes and weight gain. Gradually the ovaries no longer respond to gonadotropohins and ovulations stops.

Declining Hormones: Estrogens, Androgens, Progesterone and Weight Gain:
Estrogen, the female hormone made primarily in the ovaries, begins to decline as ovarian function decreases. This causes skipped periods and failure to ovulate and eventually full menopause. Estrogens are responsible for fat distribution in females: the "pear shape" where most of the fat on the buttocks and thighs rather than the "apple shape" where most of the fat is around the abdomen. Increasing fat distribution around the belly, itself causing serious medical problems, begins in perimenapause well ahead of the last menstruation. Estradiol (an estrogen) is responsible for the normal cycle of breaking down fat molecules. With low estradiol levels, fat cells become engorged with more and more fat-the result is weight gain. Along with the fall in estrogen are falls in progesterone, another cause of menopausal symptoms and-weight gain.

Women's Body to the Rescue (or I Won't Give Up the Fight!)
Most women's body refuses to give into the aging process (or at least for awhile) and all of the hormones made in different glands in the body rush to preserve that status quo.

The pituitary gland attempts to reverse these processes by making more and more FH and LSH in attempts to get the ovaries functioning again. This causes more and more symptoms and weight gain. The symptoms of hot flashes, anxiety, depression, fatigue and night sweats can be explained by the erratic fluctuations in hormones that occur in these years. Anxiety, sleep problems and the hormones themselves cause-weight gain.

Fat Cells throughout the body have the ability to make estrogens and are stimulated to get large so they can make more estrogens (they are poor producers of estrogens) -the result is weight gain.

Male Androgen hormones: Women and men both have estrogens and androgens- each are held in check by normal body processes. During menopause this whole balance breaks down as estrogens fall, and the effects of androgens increase. What effects? Growth of dark hairs on arms, and face, thinning of hair and most important fat deposition around the abdomen and resulting weight gain.

Testosterone: Again a male hormone, present in females in small quantities. In this case, testosterone made in the ovaries decreases as does estrogens. Since testosterone helps create muscle mass (think of the weight lifters taking these medications illegally) there is fall in muscle mass and a fall in metabolism. (Muscles are more metabolically active than fat cells.) The result a slowing of metabolism and weight gain.

Insulin Resistance: The failure of insulin (hormone produced in the pancreas which regulates blood sugar, principal causes of diabetes) is also associated with menopause. This causes the body to turn as many calories as it can into fat. Eating high carb, high glycemic indeed foods just makes the process easier for the body. The result is weight gain.

All of these hormones, acting together are responsible for the expected and "normal" weight gain and change in body shape so common in menopause. About 93% of menopausal women gain weight between the ages of 35 and 55. This can be as little as 10 lb to as much as 75 lbs or even more.

1. Giving Up Control: It's very hard for anyone, female or male to accept that the fact that there are changes going on in their bodies over which they have little control.
2. Weight gain in menopause is natural: The first step to reversing the weight gain associated with menopause is to understand how it happens from a hormonal point of view.
3. Stop driving yourself crazy, beating yourself up and feeling like a failure. This is the second step.
Making some sensible changes: Changing your diet, physical activity, the times of eating,Estrogen replacement is among the many changes you can make. More in another article.

Richard Lipman M.D, a board certified internist and endocrinologist has been treating weight and metabolic problems for 25 years in his Miami office. His recent book, The 100 Calorie Secret, describes how thousands of his patients lost weight and kept it off. Whether you read his website, buy his book, or download your free copy of Dr Lipman's Quick Weight Loss Guide for the Family, don't let yourself, child or teen continue to gain weight.

Learn more weight loss and tips from a doctor who actually takes care of metabolic and obesity problems. Download Your Free Guide to Quick Weight Loss Quick Weight Loss Guide.

Recommended Reading
Menopause A To Z -The Definitive Guide.
Explore The Latest Cutting Edge Information
About Modern Menopause Symptoms & Treatments.

All About Woman Health - Menopause

Weight Gain With Menopause - Women Need to Stop Blaming Themselves, Its All About Hormones
By Richard Lipman M.D.

Recommended Reading
Menopause A To Z -The Definitive Guide.
Explore The Latest Cutting Edge Information
About Modern Menopause Symptoms & Treatments.

When a woman's menstrual periods have stopped for a year or when her blood shows high levels of LH and FSH hormones (LH and FSH are hormones called gonadotrophins that are made by the pituitary gland in the middle of the brain) she is said to be in the menopause. Usually this occurs between 45- 55, but there is a lot of variation. Often women follow patterns of older female family members. Menopause is associated with many symptoms and problems, for most women the most significant t is unintentional weight gain. I will discuss menopause in brief, and then the hormonal reasons for the weight gain and what you can do about it.
Ovulation and Irregular Menses: Prior to menopause, a woman's FSH and LH levels rise and fall each month as eggs are matured and released by her ovaries. The normal aging process effects the ovaries just like every other organ in the body. It's the normal aging process of the ovaries that is the root of the whole problem. As the ovaries decline in function eggs are not released every month and periods begin to be irregular. This period right before menopause is called the Peri-imenopause which may last for years. Women begin to experience hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, mood changes and weight gain. Gradually the ovaries no longer respond to gonadotropohins and ovulations stops.
Declining Hormones: Estrogens, Androgens, Progesterone and Weight Gain: Estrogen, the female hormone made primarily in the ovaries, begins to decline as ovarian function decreases. This causes skipped periods and failure to ovulate and eventually full menopause. Estrogens are responsible for fat distribution in females: the "pear shape" where most of the fat on the buttocks and thighs rather than the "apple shape" where most of the fat is around the abdomen. Increasing fat distribution around the belly, itself causing serious medical problems, begins in perimenapause well ahead of the last menstruation. Estradiol (an estrogen) is responsible for the normal cycle of breaking down fat molecules. With low estradiol levels, fat cells become engorged with more and more fat-the result is weight gain. Along with the fall in estrogen are falls in progesterone, another cause of menopausal symptoms and-weight gain.
Women's Body to the Rescue (or I Won't Give Up the Fight!) Most women's body refuses to give into the aging process (or at least for awhile) and all of the hormones made in different glands in the body rush to preserve that status quo.
The pituitary gland attempts to reverse these processes by making more and more FH and LSH in attempts to get the ovaries functioning again. This causes more and more symptoms and weight gain. The symptoms of hot flashes, anxiety, depression, fatigue and night sweats can be explained by the erratic fluctuations in hormones that occur in these years. Anxiety, sleep problems and the hormones themselves cause-weight gain.
Fat Cells throughout the body have the ability to make estrogens and are stimulated to get large so they can make more estrogens (they are poor producers of estrogens) -the result is weight gain.
Male Androgen hormones: Women and men both have estrogens and androgens- each are held in check by normal body processes. During menopause this whole balance breaks down as estrogens fall, and the effects of androgens increase. What effects? Growth of dark hairs on arms, and face, thinning of hair and most important fat deposition around the abdomen and resulting weight gain.
Testosterone: Again a male hormone, present in females in small quantities. In this case, testosterone made in the ovaries decreases as does estrogens. Since testosterone helps create muscle mass (think of the weight lifters taking these medications illegally) there is fall in muscle mass and a fall in metabolism. (Muscles are more metabolically active than fat cells.) The result a slowing of metabolism and weight gain.
Insulin Resistance: The failure of insulin (hormone produced in the pancreas which regulates blood sugar, principal causes of diabetes) is also associated with menopause. This causes the body to turn as many calories as it can into fat. Eating high carb, high glycemic indeed foods just makes the process easier for the body. The result is weight gain.
All of these hormones, acting together are responsible for the expected and "normal" weight gain and change in body shape so common in menopause. About 93% of menopausal women gain weight between the ages of 35 and 55. This can be as little as 10 lb to as much as 75 lbs or even more.
1. Giving Up Control: It's very hard for anyone, female or male to accept that the fact that there are changes going on in their bodies over which they have little control. 2. Weight gain in menopause is natural: The first step to reversing the weight gain associated with menopause is to understand how it happens from a hormonal point of view. 3. Stop driving yourself crazy, beating yourself up and feeling like a failure. This is the second step. Making some sensible changes: Changing your diet, physical activity, the times of eating,Estrogen replacement is among the many changes you can make. More in another article.
Richard Lipman M.D, a board certified internist and endocrinologist has been treating weight and metabolic problems for 25 years in his Miami office. His recent book, The 100 Calorie Secret, describes how thousands of his patients lost weight and kept it off. Whether you read his website, buy his book, or download your free copy of Dr Lipman's Quick Weight Loss Guide for the Family, don't let yourself, child or teen continue to gain weight.
Learn more weight loss and tips from a doctor who actually takes care of metabolic and obesity problems. Download Your Free Guide to Quick Weight Loss Quick Weight Loss Guide

Recommended Reading
Menopause A To Z -The Definitive Guide.
Explore The Latest Cutting Edge Information
About Modern Menopause Symptoms & Treatments.