Menopause - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Menopause:
- What is menopause?
- When does menopause usually begin?
- What are the symptoms of menopause?
- How long do the symptoms of menopause last?
- What is surgical menopause?
Frequently Asked Questions about Perimenopause:
Frequently Asked Questions about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):
Frequently Asked Questions about Natural Alternatives:
Menopause is a natural and important part of every woman's life. It is the end of menstrual cycle and the end of the childbearing abiliity. A woman is considered to have reached menopause once she has gone one full year without any menstruation (bleeding or spotting).
During menopause, the ovaries gradually produce lower and lower levels of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. After menopause, the estrogen level drops to about one-tenth the level before menopause, and the progesterone levels are very low as well.
When does menopause usually begin?
The average age of menopause is about 50.5 years. Early (or premature) and late menopause occur when menstruation ends by the age of 40 and 55, respectively.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Besides the absence of menstruation (bleeding or spotting), the symptoms of menopause are:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Sleeplessness (difficulty in falling and/or staying asleep)
- Irritability
- Increased anxiety
- Heart palpitations
- Mood swing
- Headaches and migraines
- Memory loss
- Depression and mental fatigue
- Decrease in sex drive or libido
- Muscle and joint aches
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Incontinence
- Decreased skin elasticity
How long do the symptoms of menopause last?
In most women, the symptoms of menopause last between 6 months to 2 years. In a minority of women, hot flashes can last for the rest of their life.
Surgical menopause is a menopause that happens as the result of a hysterectomy
(removal of the uterus or womb) and bilateral oophorectomy (removal
of both ovaries).
The symptoms of a surgical menopause are usually more severe than those
of a natural one. The younger the woman is, the more problems and symptoms
she will likely experience.
Perimenopause is the time period before menopause occurs. The average age of women when perimenopause occurs is 48 years, although it is not uncommon to have symptoms starting as early as the late 30s.
What are the symptoms of perimenopause?
The symptoms of perimenopause are:
- Irregular periods
- Sleeplessness
- Mood swings
- Decreased energy
- Occasional hot flashes
- Heart palpitations
- Difficulty concentrating
- Poor memory
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
To treat the discomfort of menopause, many women undergo Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), where drugs designed to artificially boost the hormone levels are prescribed.
These drugs include synthetic hormones, equine hormones (hormones derived from the urine of pregnant mares), or a combination of both.
Is Hormone Replacement Therapy safe?
Recently, studies have strongly suggested that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) actually increase the risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, heart disease, strokes and blood clots.
Particularly striking is a study that links HRT to increased risk of ovarian cancer. In this long-term and large-scale study of over 44,000 postmenopausal women, scientists found that women who took estrogen for 10 to 19 years were twice as likely to develop ovarian cancer as compared to those who did not take any. Women who took estrogen for 20 years or longer had three times the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
A woman should thoroughly consider the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy, as well as other alternatives for treating menopausal symptoms.
Are there natural alternatives for menopausal relief?
Yes! Nature's medicine cabinet is stocked full of herbs and botanicals that can alleviate the symptoms of menopause without the side effects associated with HRT. These include:
Tribulus
terrestris
The herb tribulus is one of the best natural alternatives to relieve the symptoms of menopause. Studies have shown that tribulus can completely or nearly completely alleviate all symptoms of menopause, with a stunning success rate of 98%. This herb can also improve bone turnover activity, thus helping menopausal women maintain optimal bone health. Lastly, tribulus is also the only herb shown to work for both natural and surgical menopause.
- Black Cohosh
Black cohosh has been used by Native Americans for decades to naturally treat hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. A large open study showed that black cohosh was effective for 80% of women, with results felt within 4 weeks.
- Dong Quai
Dong quai is a popular Chinese folk remedy and is commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes.
- Licorice
The herbal properties of licorice has been known to herbalists for thousands of years. Licorice is thought to have estrogen-like activity, which can help alleviate the symptoms of menopause.
- Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo's ability to improve blood circulation, especially its microcirculation, is thought to be the underlying factor for its benefits in treating menopausal symptoms. Ginkgo has been shown to improve blood flow to the hands and feet, as well as improve mental health and memory.
- Chasteberry
Berries of the native Mediterranean chaste plant is another common herb for menopause. Scientific studies suggested that chasteberry can alter LH and FSH hormone secretions in the pituitary, and may help alleviate the symptoms of menopause.
Prevedia is a natural supplement containing highly purified extracts of tribulus terrestris and black cohosh for relief from menopausal symptoms, as well as the mineral calcium for healthy bones.
Scientific studies have strongly supported Prevedia's ability to provide
relief from hot flashes, night sweats, sleeplessness, irritability,
tension, and all other symptoms of menopause. Unlike Hormone Replacement
Therapy, Prevedia's all natural active ingredients have no side effects
or contraindications.
Furthermore, Prevedia can help women maintain healhty bones by providing
calcium for and improving bone turnover activity in menopausal women.
Learn more about Prevedia and its natural ingredients: FAQ
- What is Prevedia?
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