Menopause is the natural stage of a woman’s life when the menstrual cycle permanently ends. Menopause marks the end of the childbearing years and is often called “the change of life”.  Specifically, Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. By age 55, virtually all women have experienced complete Menopause.

What Causes Menopause?

When a baby girl is born, her ovaries already contain all the eggs that she will produce in her lifetime. Her ovaries will also produce estrogen and progesterone, being the two hormones which regulate menstruation and ovulation. These two hormones also cause Menopause to occur.  Production of estrogen in the ovaries slows down during Perimenopause. By the time we experience Menopause, estrogen production has decreased by 60-80% and ovulation no longer occurs. Ovulation triggers the production of progesterone; as ovulation ceases, progesterone levels become nil. 

Premature Menopause

When Menopause occurs after the age of 40 it is considered natural and is the normal part of aging. But some women experience Menopause earlier. Genetics play a significant role in determining when a woman starts Menopause. Cigarette smoking will cause Menopause to start early while the heavier the smoker, the higher the risk of early Menopause.

Surgical procedures such as hysterectomy or damage to the ovaries from chemotherapy or radiation can cause Menopause to occur before 40.  When Menopause occurs before the age of 40, regardless of cause, it is called Premature Menopause.

Perimenopause vs. PMS

Perimenopause begins several years before menopause when the ovaries start to produce less estrogen creating a hormone imbalance. Symptoms of  Perimenopause are often mistaken for those of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Both PMS and Perimenopausal symptoms are a result of an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. If your menstrual cycle has changed (if your periods are lasting longer or shorter than they used too, or if they become irregular) then there is a good chance you are experiencing Perimenopause. Your physician can recommend a blood test called Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) to determine your hormone level. The levels of FSH can verify if you are in Perimenopause.  FSH levels increase as estrogen levels decrease.

Menopause Symptoms

The fluctuations in your hormone levels cause Menopause symptoms. Some women have very mild symptoms while others have symptoms that are severe enough to disrupt their daily lives. Menopause is a natural part of growing older and you don’t have to be tested or treated unless the symptoms are disturbing you. Common symptoms include:

–         Irregular periods;

–         Hot flashes;

–         Trouble sleeping;

–         Night sweats;

–         Emotional changes;

–         Headaches;

–         Fuzzy thinking;

–         Vaginal dryness.

Western women generally experience far more symptoms of Menopause than do Japanese women. The Lancet, which is a British medical journal, reported that Japanese women consume far more phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) than Western women. These phytoestrogens, when consumed, act like estrogens produced by the body. They are found in foods such as soybeans, tofu, miso, flaxeeds, pomegranates and dates.

For those women who are suffering from minor symptoms, lifestyle changes may be all that is needed. Moderate, regular exercise may reduce mood swings while yoga or other forms of stress release may also help. Increase consumption of phytoestrogens in your diet. Avoid foods that aggravate symptoms such as coffee, spicy foods, refined foods and sugary treats.

If lifestyle changes are not sufficient to suppress your symptoms you may need to add an herbal supplement that will help regulate hormonal balance during Menopause while reducing hot flashes, mild mood swings and occasional sleepiness.  There are a number of teas, tinctures or capsule formulations that help with these symptoms.

When these are still not enough to deal with your symptoms, then the way to go is bioidentical hormones. You will need to get a prescription from your doctor and make sure he prescribes bioidentical hormones. These have the same chemical composition as your hormones, therefore, they are much safer to use. Many physicians are reluctant to prescribe bioidentical hormones because they have been using HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) for years.  HRT has many serious side effects.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive, systemic, autoimmune disease that causes joint destruction and functional disability. This means that it is a long term disease that gets worse with time. For a person with rheumatoid arthritis the immune system does not function properly so this disease not only affects the joints but may affect any system in the body such as the blood vessels and lungs. So far, no one has discovered a cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Most arthritis treatments are designed to relieve symptoms but not to eliminate the disease. The purpose of the following tips is to provide arthritis help with suggestions to relieve your symptoms.

Keep active and maintain movement in your joints as much as possible. Even a small movement is better than no movement. This will keep your joints functioning better for a longer period of time.  Exercise is a must to strengthen your muscles, protect your joints and keep you mobile while helping you to stay upbeat. Try to exercise when you first wake up in the morning to help ease morning stiffness. Then exercise again just before going to bed to prevent stiffness from developing. Exercise works best when inflammation has calmed down and you are in the least amount of pain.

For rheumatoid arthritis help there are a few types of exercises that are recommended. The simplest and easiest exercises are called range of motion exercises. These exercises help maintain good movement by putting your joints through their full range of movement.  Isometrics help strengthen muscles as does weight bearing exercises such as walking. These should be done under the supervision of a therapist or physician to prevent further injury. Stretching helps make the muscles more flexible. Swimming and exercises in a heated pool provide good arthritis help for people with RA. Don’t overdo it. If, after 24 hours, your pain has increased considerably cut back on the frequency and amount of exercise you’re doing. On the other hand if an exercise provides you with relief continue doing it for arthritis help.

• Maintain an ideal weight because being overweight puts extra stress on your joints. If you are carrying extra weight then losing weight will help increase joint function.
• Try using a water bed. The slight motions made by a water bed while you are lying down can help reduce morning stiffness. Also, a heated water bed may warm the joints and relieve joint pain. If a water bed is not feasible then try a sleeping bag because it very effectively traps heat which helps reduce morning aches and pains.
• Learn to live with your arthritis by protecting your joints. Replace doorknobs and round faucets with long handles which require a less stressful grip to operate. Use automatic appliances to do the work for you such as can openers.
• Whenever possible use your arm instead of your hand to carry out an activity such as pushing a heavy door open.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from your family members or friends.