Posts Tagged ‘hormone replacement therapy’

27
Mar

Hot Flashes Relief – Chill Out

   Posted by: Fernanda    in Menopause

Hot flashes are considered to be the hallmark of Menopause. They are the most common Perimenopausal symptoms in our culture, occurring in about 70 to 85 percent of all western perimenopausal women. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, often beginning with a sudden sensation of warmth that radiates over the face, scalp and chest which can then become intense heat. The hot flash is usually followed by a flush consisting of redness, perspiration, increased heart rate and/or nausea and then finally by a feeling of being chilled.  Hot flashes relief is most welcome after such a session.

Hot flashes are triggered by the erratic changes in the levels of estrogen and   progesterone during Perimenopause. Both estrogen and progesterone have a direct effect on the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for controlling appetite, sleep cycles, sex hormones and body temperature.  The changing levels of estrogen and progesterone trigger a brief but sudden downward adjustment in the body’s internal temperature setting. The body manifests this release of excess heat as a hot flash which often starts just before a menstrual period and becomes most frequent and severe once the periods actually stop. Natural hot flashes relief occurs with time, usually by disappearing a year or two after menopause.

We don’t fully understand the exact mechanism that triggers hot flashes.   Fluctuating hormones, lifestyle and medications all influence their intensity and frequency. The incidence is less common in non-western countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Mexico. In Japan, 10% or less of menopausal women experience hot flashes due to their high-fibre, low-fat and high dietary intake of soy products. 

The medical profession often approaches menopause as an illness to be treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) instead of a natural process in which diet and lifestyle changes may reduce symptoms.

For hot flashes relief consume foods that are high in phytoestrogens containing soy such as  tofu, tempeh, miso, soy milk and whole soybeans which are plant hormones with weak estrogen like effects.  Other foods specifically indicated for hot flashes relief include flaxseed and high-lignin flaxseed oil, fennel, celery and parsley.  Both flaxseed and flaxseed oil are rich in lignins which help normalize estrogen levels.  Fennel, celery, parsley and all legumes are excellent sources of phytoestrogens.  Conversely, eating a high-fat, low-fibre diet increases symptoms. Foods high in sugars, refined carbohydrates, caffeine containing beverages, spicy foods, and alcohol all trigger hot flashes.

Exercise at least 30 minutes per day. You can walk or jog or take an aerobics class.  Exercise increases the release of opiates.  While exercising is essential, it is also beneficial to avoid exercise within three hours of going to bed as this will help prevent night sweats.

Take 400-800 IU of Vitamin E daily which significantly reduces the occurrence and frequency of hot flashes. Also Vitamin E strengthens the immune system and protects the heart.

Black cohosh (20-60 mg three times daily) can provide effective relief for symptoms of menopause headache, heart palpitations and anxiety.  Hot flashes relief occurs within 8 weeks of starting therapy.

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2
Dec

Menopause Therapy – Estrogen Gone AWOL

   Posted by: Fernanda    in Menopause

Menopause is more than just hormonal changes. Understanding your body’s changes during this phase is very important. By making the proper lifestyle changes you can ease your transition, as well as safeguard your health, to what can be the best years of your life. Most women will live 25 to 30 years, after menopause. This translates to about one third of your life. By paying close attention to Menopause therapy you will enjoy what could be the most productive and satisfying years of your life.

In our bodies, estrogen is made from cholesterol primarily in the ovaries. A small amount is also produced in the adrenal glands or it may be converted from testosterone. Estrogens are predominantly female hormones that are important for maintaining the health of your reproductive organs, breasts, skin and bones. During menopause, when your ovaries no longer produce estrogens, the lower levels of estrogens in your body can lead to symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia and mood swings.

More importantly, estrogen protects our bones and cardiovascular system while helping to control blood glucose levels. For some women the symptoms associated with menopause are intolerable and Menopause therapy must be considered. Consider the lifestyle changes discussed in the following articles:

– Weight loss during menopause;
– Vitamins for menopause

If you’ve tried the suggestions in these articles and they have proved to be insufficient to overcome your symptoms then the next step in menopause therapy is to consider hormone replacement therapy.

I recommend the use of bioidentical hormones. Bioidentical hormones, being estrogens, progesterones and testosterone, are substances that have the same chemical structure as the hormones in our bodies. They are made from botanical plants such as soy and yams. Our bodies cannot convert the plant hormones into human hormones; therefore, these plant hormones are pharmaceutically processed to match our own hormones.
Much confusion exists for both women and health professionals over the latest buzzwords “Bioidentical or synthetic” hormones. What is the difference?

Synthetic hormones indicate hormones created in the laboratory that do not chemically match the hormones made by our bodies whereas bioidentical hormones match our hormones precisely. Both bioidentical and synthetic hormones are created in pharmaceutical laboratories using chemical means. Also both come from natural sources ( yams, soy…), and then are manipulated in the laboratory to create either identical or synthetic hormones.

In relation to menopause therapy, the effects from bioidentical and synthetic hormones are very different. Since bioidentical hormones have a molecular structure identical to our own, their effects are more consistent with our own hormones. Women respond quicker at finding relief from hot flashes, insomnia and vaginal dryness. Also, bioidentical hormones are not mass produced, as they are compounded in pharmacies, and can be tailored to your specific needs.

If you are interested in using bioidentical hormones you must first see your doctor and if he thinks you need hormones he will have to write a prescription. Bioidentical hormones are available at any compounding pharmacy. The pharmacist individualizes your Menopause therapy at the request of your physician and you. Usually, these hormones are compounded into creams to be applied on the skin (transdermal) or vaginally ( transmucomal). They can also be made into lozenges. Be aware that the lozenge form will require a higher dose of hormones since they will pass through the liver to be metabolized which can lead to unwanted side effects.

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