Menopause and Perimenopause (Premenopause)
Menopause is when a woman’s body naturally stops menstruating. Menopause is generally confirmed when a woman has gone one year without a period. Perimenopause can begin anywhere from 2 to 8 years before actual Menopause. Perimenopause is when a woman’s hormones begin to fluctuate, less Progesterone and Estrogen are produced, and she experiences menstrual irregularities and other changes within her body.
Once Menopause occurs, it often takes a woman’s body sometimes a few more years to regulate itself before adjusting to the change. Eventually the ovaries will stop producing a monthly egg and secrete a smaller supply of Estrogen. At the same time there is a decline in the production of the hormone Progesterone, which each month prior to Menopause has been building up the lining of the uterus in preparation for a fertilized egg. These dramatic changes are felt both physically and emotionally.
Being in good health and having a positive attitude will make the Menopausal transition easier. It is important to note that Menopause marks only the end of fertility; it is certainly not the end of life. Many women actually reflect and view Menopause as the best phase of their life. Reading as much as possible about Menopause will help you understand what is going on with your body and what to expect.
Certain factors will contribute to, and worsen the symptoms associated with Perimenopause and Menopause. One of these factors is an imbalance in the endocrine system usually caused by weakened glands. Your glands produce hormones. The endocrine system behaves like a symphony and when one instrument (gland) is out of tune (weakened) it affects the entire orchestra (system). The health of the adrenals and thyroid are key players in balancing women’s hormones. If either of the two glands is not functioning efficiently, then the other gland will be affected. This will lead to a hormone imbalance (see Health Concerns, Adrenal Stress and Thyroid).
The Liver also plays a key role in the delicate balance of hormone levels. Many people have an overtaxed Liver, full of toxins. As all of these toxins are filtered and broken down, the liver becomes overburdened and less able to effectively control hormone levels. Women actually become congested with their own hormones. The Liver breaks down hormones once they have done their job in the body, but if the Liver is so overburdened that it cannot efficiently break down these hormones, they accumulate in the body and contribute to the hormonal imbalance.
Estrogen Dominance is a condition where a woman can have deficient, normal or excessive levels of Estrogen, but have little or no Progesterone to balance its effects in the body. Even a woman with low Estrogen levels can have Estrogen Dominance symptoms if she doesn’t have an adequate level of Progesterone. Estrogen Dominance is often caused by excess Xenohormones in the body (for more information about Xenohormones, see Health Concerns, Liver). Following a healthy diet, engaging in a regular exercise program, taking herbs and vitamins that support the endocrine system, and cleansing/rebuilding the liver are all ways to alleviate the symptoms associated with Perimenopause and Menopause.
A suggested protocol for relieving menopausal symptoms would begin with cleansing and rebuilding the liver. This would then be supplemented by supporting the body as a whole with a good multi-vitamin with minerals. Additionally, the use of herbs for menopause,specific herbs to restore balance within the body and support the entire endocrine system would have beneficial results.
To help ease the symptoms associated with Perimenopause and Menopause, the following holistic health supplements would be helpful:
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)- found in flaxseed and fish oils, in addition to being vital to good health, serve many functions: they help produce and regulate hormones, they assist in absorbing the fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K), they nourish the skin, nerves and mucous membranes, help reduce food cravings and assist in making us feel full without overeating, stabilize blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and help reverse estrogen dominance by escorting excess estrogen from the body.
Fiber- crucial to good colon health and relieving constipation has also been shown to reverse estrogen dominance, help fight cancer, assist in weight loss, and stabilize blood sugar levels.
Magnesium- possibly more important than calcium, it helps with calcium absorption, acts as a muscle relaxant, produces a sense of calmness, reduces mood swings and irritability, promotes a peaceful nights sleep, and reduces food cravings.
B6 and B-Complex Vitamins –helps relieve perimenopause symptoms such as; anxiety, irritability, mood swings, nervous tension, water retention and bloating, and depression. Helps elevate Progesterone levels, and helps improve memory. The B vitamins are generally more effective when taken together as a complex.
Vitamin C- best when taken with Bioflavonoids (such as Hesperidin), helps to boost the immune system, reduce hot flashes, and aid the adrenal glands.
Vitamin E- used to alleviate breast tenderness, prevent heart disease, prevent vaginal dryness, prevent varicose veins and itchy skin, and reduce hot flashes.
Zinc-helps to boost the immune system, helps increase Progesterone levels.
5 HTP (5 HydroxyTryptophan)- precursor to Serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain that regulates mood, pain, sleep and appetite. 5 HTP will increase Serotonin levels, helping to ease depression, provide energy, promote restful sleep and control carbohydrate cravings.
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