Friday, July 30, 2010

July 31 - 2010 All About _Woman _Health Articles -Peri-Menopause

The Perimenopause Diet - Eating Healthy in Mid-Life Crisis
By Liberty Simpson Platinum Quality Author

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Question: For peri menopausal women, why diet? The answer: To keep off the fat, of course!

But unbeknownst to the one who answered, the perimenopause diet may be the solution to the signs and symptoms of perimenopause. A lot of factors affect weight gain. It could be that you are using birth control pills or HRT (hormone replacement therapy), you don't exercise much, genetics (sure, sure, blame it on your 250-lb grandma), and stress. But chances are, you become what you eat.

Hence, the onslaught of chronic dieting.

Since you are in perimenopause, you should know by now that if that worked for you then, age and due to hormonal imbalance, it may be impossible for that to work on you now. Studies show that chronic dieting may lengthen the duration of perimenopause symptoms. If you are currently on a low-fat, but high-carbohydrate diet, then this would definitely play a role in mid-life weight gain.

So why do we need to have a healthy diet aside from reducing weight gain? You will be able to manage and relieve most of the perimenopause symptoms based on your food intake. Also, the risk of post menopause diseases such as breast and colon cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes and even heart disease will be greatly reduced.

  • Have whole grains in your diet. Brown rice, corn, pasta, crackers and other whole grain foods contain antioxidants, B vitamins, calcium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin E, phytochemicals and lignan (a type of phytoestrogen). Beware of wheat as some women experience worsened PMS symptoms and endometriosis (commonly found in women with infertility problems.)
  • Phytoestrogens have the ability to mimic real estrogen. Also known as the weak estrogen, these can be found in various fruits, nuts, vegetables, legumes and seeds. They reduce episodes of hot flashes, breast cancer risk, and heart disease and are known to be helpful to bone density.
  • Widely believed to be helpful, soy/isoflavone supplements actually stimulate the growth of normal breast cells. But in the absence of progesterone, it could be a risk for developing breast cancer. Before taking more that 100 to 160 mg of any type of isoflavone (as recommended), consult an expert for further information. A half cup serving of soy milk, tempeh and tofu gives out about 35 to 50 mg of soy isoflavones. Processed soy foods are poor sources of these.
  • Flaxseed lengthens the menstrual cycle. In doing so, it increases the estrogen-progesterone ratio and alleviates hot flashes. This is also rich in antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, phytoestrogens, and stabilizes cholesterol levels.
  • Cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts contain the phytochemical indole which can stimulate progesterone production.
  • Omega 3 fatty acids help in bone density loss, heart disease and aids in treatment of depression and short-term memory loss.
  • Green tea has antioxidants and phytochemicals. 3 to 6 cups of green tea daily has reportedly contributed to weight loss.

The best part about having a healthy diet is not just obvious physical weight loss. The focus should be on your total well-being, and everything will just follow naturally. Improve your diet, improve your health, live a longer, stress-free life.

Staying fit and active is possible even when hormonal imbalance threatens your body's equilibrium. Find out how you can combat perimenopause using natural remedies by clicking on these links. Start feeling and LOOKING better today.

Recommended Reading
Menopause A To Z -The Definitive Guide.
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About Modern Menopause Symptoms & Treatments.

Friday, July 23, 2010

July 24 - 2010 All About _Woman _Health Articles -Peri-Menopause

Perimenopause Bleeding 101
By Penny Adams Platinum Quality Author

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Perimenopause is like a thief in the night. It creeps up silently without you knowing it's there. Before you know it, it takes away your most prized possession: Your normalcy.

I asked some of my friends what they thought about it but they were unanimous in shrugging me off. They didn't want to talk, saying it's too early to be talking about "it". One even said that she would rather be ignorant than be informed. Pressing further though, most of them admitted that now that they're in their late 30s, their periods are beginning to show signs of irregularity.

Contrary to popular belief, it is common to have 1 or 2 irregular cycles in a year. If you have more than that though, then know what the possible causes are. It maybe just stress after all. But if after a friendly visit to the doctor and they find nothing wrong with you, chances are, you're entering early menopause already.

The monthly period is actually the earliest sign of the dreaded stage. Perimenopause bleeding varies. It could be from short to long cycles, ranging from a very light to a very heavy flow.

How do menses work? For the first 10 to 12 days of the normal menstrual cycle, only estrogen is produced. In ovulation (a mature egg is released from the ovary and ready for fertilization via the fallopian tube), the body produces progesterone. If pregnancy does not occur, the body will stop making both estrogen and progesterone. At this time, menstruation will take place. By doing this, we have what we call hormone balance.

Women in their late 30s or early 40s still produce estrogen. Progesterone however is a different story as the body makes less of it. If you missed ovulation, it means there was no progesterone production. This is where hormone imbalance comes in.

What's worse is, since there is now a lot of estrogen that your body doesn't need, there is now estrogen dominance. This is definitely not good as most of the symptoms of perimenopause come from this hormone imbalance. Hair loss, mood swings, memory loss, low libido, uterine fibroids and weight gain are just some of the signs of perimenopausal hormonal imbalance.

So now that we know how our periods perform, the next thing we need to know is when our biological mothers had their menarche (first menstrual period). Why? Because most likely than not, the first time they had it was also at the age that you had it. If this is the case, then you will have the perimenopausal signs at the same age that they had it too. This is just to better prepare you for your turn at the wheel.

Irregular bleeding should be of no concern except for the following:

- Bleeding lasting for more that 2 weeks.
- Any type of bleeding after no bleeding for 6 months (unless you're pregnant - so make sure that you aren't).
- A period that requires a change of pads every hour.
- If you are high risk (diabetic, obese, high risk for uterine cancer, or with high blood pressure), it is best to consult with your doctor.

Before any treatment can be done, you need to take some tests to rule out. Hysteroscopy is the most popular choice for doctors as they will be able to check your uterus directly and see if there are "aliens" within. A vaginal probe ultrasound is also a good screening exam. The traditional endometrial biopsy may eliminate cancer as a suspect but will be helpless in diagnosing polyps or fibroids (muscular tumors that grow in the uterus).

Though surgery is one way to treat abnormal bleeding, it's not the only one available at your disposal. Before deciding on hysterectomy, fibroid or polyps removal, consider taking progesterone if the bleeding is just caused by the missing ovulation.

In any action you take, remember one thing: You decide on what to do with your body. The doctors will just be your guide. No one can force you to have surgery if you don't want to. What's important is that you know what you're going through so that you can eventually make the smart choice.

Perimenopause bleeding is a major sign that you are nearing the change. Know if you are getting into early menopause by clicking on these links now.


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Menopause A To Z -The Definitive Guide.
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Friday, July 16, 2010

July 17 - 2010 All About _Woman _Health Articles -Peri-Menopause

Perimenopause and Depression

By Gail Edgell Platinum Quality Author

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Menopause A To Z -The Definitive Guide.
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About Modern Menopause Symptoms & Treatments.

Reaching menopause is often a trying time for many of us. Not only are our bodies undergoing a number of physical changes, menopause can affect our metal state too. It is a common misconception that severe depression is normal in menopausal women, while it is a common component of menopausal symptoms; depression is a serious condition that should be treated immediately. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, the following information will help you in determining the proper course of treatment for you.

· Feeling Sad
· Crying More Than Usual
· Feeling Pessimistic
· Lack of Desire for Social Situations

Why Do I Feel This Way?

Depression in menopausal women is often mistreated as a Prozac or Zoloft deficiency. In most cases, treating depression as a chemical deficiency will merely hide the symptoms, making it feel as if your problems are solved, while the root cause of your depression goes untreated. While there are a number of conditions for which depression is a symptom most are treated with anti-depressants, a common practice which could be avoided. The following are known causes of depression in menopausal women:

· Low Thyroid
· Low Adrenals
· Low Blood Sugar
· Mineral Deficiency

So What SHOULD I Do?

It is far too common today for doctors to treat depression with any number of available anti- depressant drugs, while this treatment course is fitting for some women, menopausal women should look at more natural solutions.

1. Changing your diet - For women with depression resulting from a blood sugar imbalance, changing your diet can resolve your depression. By eating three healthy meals a day and supplementing your diet with healthy snacks, you can proactively moderate your blood sugar levels and attack your depression head-on.

2. Get Tested - Have your physician do some basic lab tests to determine if there is an underlying problem which is causing your depression. For some menopausal women a simple lab test can determine if you have gluten sensitivity. Women with this condition can solve their depression by simply avoiding foods rich in gluten.

3. Exercise - Exercise can help treat depression by elevating the body's mood elevating compounds.

4. Stress Management - Stress has been shown to worsen depression. By identifying specific stressors and setting priorities to let unnecessary tasks wait, stress can be eliminated.

I Feel Better Already

While depression can make menopause an unbearable period in your life, it doesn't have to. With an increased emphasis on natural treatments for depression, you can help brighten your outlook by following the simple steps above. Keep in mind, that you don't have to go through this alone, many women share in your plight, and talking to empathic women can help you to turn menopause from a dreadful experience into a spiritual transformative period in your life.

Menopausal Support and Relief is something every woman needs; if not for herself, for her friends or daughters. Get the inside scoop and answers to your questions. If you would like more information on Perimenopause and Menopausal Depression go to http://360menopause.com/articles/perimenopause-depression.php

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Menopause A To Z -The Definitive Guide.
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Friday, July 9, 2010

July 09 - 2010 All About _Woman _Health Articles -Peri-Menopause

Irritability and How Peri-Menopause Brings the First Signs of Change
By Cathy Taylor Platinum Quality Author


Recommended Reading
Menopause A To Z -The Definitive Guide.
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Many women in the stages of peri-menopause and menopause feel depressed and
irritable. Some researchers believe that the decrease in estrogen triggers changes in the brain, causing depression. Others think that supplementary symptoms you are having, such as sleep problems, hot flashes, night sweats and fatigue are the causes of these feelings.

Alternatively, it could be a blend of hormonal changes and symptoms. However, these symptoms can also be caused due to reasons unrelated to menopause, though menopause is the main cause of these symptoms in a woman. Mood changes and irritability may also be more common in women who have had difficulty with PMS.

Menopause and Irritability: Symptoms

The other factors that influence mood swings and irritability in menopausal women are difficulty with memory and attention span. Some women report difficulties with concentrating or remembering specific words. These women may stutter and stammer over a certain word, even though the word is on the tip of their tongue. Certain uneasiness resides at the back of the mind, causing thoughts to wander and curtails concentration.

A woman with attention-deficit disorder may first realize this and go for treatment when she reaches menopause. Declining estrogen levels have aggravated her ability to concentrate. Insomnia, better known as sleeplessness, is a common complaint from women in pre-menopause or menopause. Irritability during menopause may increase due to night sweats and disrupted sleep patterns.

This is a relative condition because impaired sleep can cause touchiness and depression and in turn, irritability and depression can impair sleep. Reduced sleep leads to tiredness and irritability during the day.

Menopause and Irritability: Depression

Feeling depressed during or before menopause and feeling negative about menopause and getting older, increases the stress, and can result in more severe menopause symptoms. If you start smoking and are not being physically active, unhappy in your relationship, or unemployed, or feel the biological clock ticking away - making you regretful that you cannot have children anymore- any of these situations could quite naturally lead to irritability when confronted with menopause. Timely and proper treatment can stem the problem, which could get very serious if left untreated.

Menopause and Irritability: How to Get Relief

There are countless ways to alleviate emotional symptoms related to menopause and irritability. Sometimes, talking to friends and family, or doing relaxation exercises eases the problem. However, if symptoms really disrupt your life, talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy or, if you are still menstruating, low-dose birth control pills are an option as are a newer alternative form of therapy called bio-identical hormones. Blues that linger and cause fatigue, sleep problems, trouble concentrating and lack of interest in sex may be a sign of a more serious type of depression.

Menopause and Irritability: Talk to Your Near and Dear Ones

First, speak to a professional about any emotional problems. Discussing your problems with anyone, a doctor, therapist, or friend, can often bring much needed relief. At this critical juncture in a woman's life, supportive family and friends are even more necessary.

In some cases, your doctor might prescribe medication. Hormone Replacement Therapy - usually given to treat hot flashes and protect bones against osteoporosis, may work to relieve symptoms, but don't forget to also explore bio-identical alternatives. Once the hot flashes and night sweats, go away, both sleep and moods are likely to be significantly improved.

To learn exactly how to eliminate menopause symptoms visit http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com

To learn more about menopause irritability and everything you need to know about other menopause symptoms, go to http://www.everythingmenopause.com/articles/irritability.htm


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

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