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Natural Solutions to Menopause

Menopause is a "hot" topic today: Just ask any female baby-boomer! Experts say more women will have gone through menopause between 1993 and 2003 than all of the women in recorded history. In her internationally-syndicated comic strip "For Better or Worse," Canadian writer/artist Lynn Johnston takes a humorous approach to menopause. "Ellie," the mother of three, is often depicted flailing bedcovers and nightgowns in an effort to subdue her night sweats. But, as any woman who has sweated the night away knows, there's very little humor to be had at 3 a.m. Dr. Christiana understands this and is here to help. Dr. Christiana encourages patients to resist drug-industry campaigns and media hype that depict menopause as a disease. Menopause is a natural, normal stage of life that does not require medication. Women who adopt healthy lifestyles may sail through menopause with little or no symptoms - and avoid potentially hazardous drugs. Read on to learn how. Defining Menopause Although many menopausal women swear otherwise, the only true symptoms of menopause are the cessation of menses, vaginal dryness and hot flashes/night sweats, according to multiple studies (Maturitas 1986;8:217-28). Other symptoms associated with menopause are similarly common in non-menopausal women and older men: heart palpitations, mood swings, irritability, itching, "crawling" skin and loss of libido. The entire menopausal time frame, from pre-menopause through perimenopause, may take 10 years or more for a woman to complete. You may be one of the lucky 10 to 15 percent of women who experience no symptoms - or you may be one of the unfortunate 10 to 15 percent plagued with severe symptoms. Chances are you will fall somewhere in between. Chiropractic Care Regular chiropractic visits can avert menopausal symptoms, say experts. According to the Committee on Research of the International Chiropractor's Association, The Kale Network and Kale Corporate Chiropractic, 73.4 percent of women with menopausal symptoms significantly improve with chiropractic care. Dr. Christiana takes a multifaceted approach to keeping menopausal patients symptom-free. Spinal health is the foundation of this unique approach. For instance, regular chiropractic check-ups keep the spine free of a common condition called vertebral subluxation, which has been linked with menopausal symptoms. Doctors of chiropractic correct vertebral subluxations with gentle and effective maneuvers called chiropractic adjustments. In addition to keeping patients' spines free of vertebral subluxations, Dr. Christiana may recommend dietary supplementation for menopausal patients. Several of these recommendations are outlined below. A Soy Story Soy products contain hormone-like plant estrogens called phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens have been found to reduce hot flashes and protect against heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis. This may explain why women in cultures with soy-rich diets suffer less menopausal discomfort than do Western women. Ipriflavone, a component of soy, has been shown to remineralize bone in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. To get the most out of your tofu, take a daily vitamin E supplement. Vitamin E has been shown to multiply the heart-healthy effects of soy. One of the best approaches to menopause survival is eating a diet rich in whole foods. Be sure to include alfalfa sprouts, fennel and sea vegetables - along with foods high in calcium such as dairy, salmon with bones, greens and sesame seeds. These power foods protect against osteoporosis, heart disease and menopausal symptoms. When it comes to warding off hot flashes, be careful not to add fuel to the fire. Avoid drinking coffee and alcohol, smoking and spicy foods (J. Neuromusculoskeletal System 1996;4:67 - 72). Hurray for Herbs! Another way to make peace with your body during menopause is to round up some of the herbs proven to quell menopausal symptoms. The most highly celebrated of these is black cohosh extract (Cimicifuga racemosa). Sold under the name Remifemin@, it not only reduces hot flashes but also aids in combating depression, anxiety, vaginal atrophy and a host of other symptoms. In a large-scale study of 629 women, black cohosh extract significantly reduced physical and psychological symptoms in more than 80 percent of the women in six to eight weeks of treatment (Gynecology 1 1982: 14-16). In another study, Cimicifuga was shown to be even more effective than the prescription medications Valium@ and Premarin@ in relieving depression and anxiety (Med Welt 1984;36:871-874). Stock Up On Supplements Many vitamin supplements alleviate hot flashes, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, boron, calcium, magnesium, chromium, bioflavinoids, gamma oryzanol and hesperidin methyl chalcone. For mood swings, try B vitamins, vitamin E, vitamin K,zinc, bioflavinoids, royal jelly or lipotrophic factors. In addition to creating a roller coaster of emotions and body temperatures, dwindling supplies of estrogen can also have a negative affect on a woman's urinary tract and genital area. Without sufficient estrogen, the skin tissue in sensitive areas may thin substantially. Several supplements work to keep these tissues in full vigor, including vitamin E (orally or in suppository form), acidophilus and soy. Additional Homeopathies The Homeopathic medicines Sepia and Lachesis dissipate all the symptoms of menopause. They also help to handle mood swings. And, speaking of mood swings: For emotional upset (weepiness and peevishness) enlist the help of Pulsatilla. Want to reduce irritability? Try Nux vomica. When it comes to physical symptoms of menopause, turn to Natrum muriaticum for vaginal dryness. And, last but not least, Kreosotum for vaginitis. Talk to Your Chiropractor First Before starting any supplementation program, check with your chiropractor. Although the therapies discussed in this article are safe for most women, some may produce serious side effects in rare cases. If you or someone you love is suffering from menopausal-related symptoms, take heart. Chiropractic care may be the all-natural solution you've been searching for. Before turning to potentially dangerous drugs, give chiropractic a try. Don't put off taking charge of your wellbeing - schedule an appointment for a chiropractic check-up today. Optimal Health UniversityTM is a professional service of PreventiCare Publishing@. The information and recommendations appearing on these pages are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for consultation with a health-care provider. Optimal Health UniversityTM may be photocopied (NOT reprinted) exactly as it is published, noncommercially by current subscribers ONLY to share with patients or potential patients. Optimal Health University may NOT be reprinted in any print or electronic publication including newsletters, newspapers, magazines or Web sites. Any other reproductions are subject to PreventiCare Publishing@ approval. Copyright, 2001. PreventiCare Publishing@. 1-650-853-1993. Did you Know. . . Licorice isn't just good-tasting candy! An extract of licorice root, glycyrrhiza acid (GA), stimulates the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, supports the adrenals and protects the liver. Numerous studies indicate that GA is a safe, effective estrogen replacement therapy except for patients with high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, do not consume licorice unless a health-care provider closely monitors you. The Chinese have learned the value of Dong Quai extract, with its muscle-relaxant, analgesic and antiinflammatory effects. Scientists believe it promotes progesteron synthesis in the body. During menopause, excess production of the hormone prolactin interferes with estrogen's effects and may promote estrogen-dependent cancers. Fortunately, prolactin is suppressed by Vitex agnus castus extract. (Arzneim Forsch/Drug Res 1993;43:7). The extract was also shown to promote progesterone synthesis, further alleviating menopausal symptoms. Another all-natural way to support adrenal fur\l::tioll an.d beef up the. proguction of estrog n is by ingesting Siberian ginseng (E/eutherococcussentlcosus) and Ginseng (Panaxginseng). Dandelion (Taraxacum officina/iS), Burdock (ArctiLfm /appa) and Oregon Grape root (Mahonia aqtjlfo/ia) all support liver function, which lessens PN\S symptoms and fibroid tumor growth. Consider another herb, Motherwort (Leonarus cardiaqa) for heart palpitations, hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

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