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Balancing the Female Hormones
for Menopause
by Jane Smolnik, Certified Intuitive Healer, Herbalist and
Iridologist
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Note: This information is not intended to treat, cure, prevent
or diagnose any disease or ailment. The FDA has not evaluated or approved
these statements. Please seek proper diagnosis and treatment whenever necessary. Feel free to print out this paper.
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Menopause is a normal, natural
event. There is a reduction of ovarian estrogen and a cessation of ovary
function. The average age is 50-51, although between 40-50 is normal. Both fat
and the adrenal glands play an important role, they help your body maintain a
little estrogen. You may have a 10 lb. weight gain to help protect against Heart
disease and osteoporosis. There are three type of estrogen: E1 - Estrone, E2- Estradiol,
E3 - Estriol (which is the weakest and the safest estrogen) Animal meats contain
natural hormones (estrodiol) which are not usable by women.
Women who have a diet rich in animal products (meats and
dairy), tend to have higher incidence of menopausal problems, as well as higher
rate of breast cancer! Asian women, whose diets are rich in soy and seafood,
have virtually no menopause symptoms, hot flashes, or breast cancer! Tofu and
soy products have estriol which is a safer, more usable form of estrogen for
women, and a high source of protein!
Keeping the hormones in balance throughout a woman's earlier
years will greatly ease the transition through Menopause. Pre-menstrual problems
usually indicate imbalances. Pay attention and Rebalance!
Menopausal Changes and Possible Problems:
Over an average of 2 years you may experience
any of these conditions: Hot Flashes, Mood changes (even rage), Sleep
disturbances, Palpitations, Nausea, Memory loss, decrease in glucose tolerance
(Hypoglycemia), Vaginal dryness (thinning), Urinary tract infections, decreased
sex drive, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease,
osteoporosis, skin dryness, decrease in circulation, abnormal hair growth or
loss, sore breasts or joints, insomnia. If you stay active and healthy,
keeping your hormones balanced with proper diet and herbs, you may have little
or no symptoms when going through menopause!
Increased Risk Factors for Osteoporosis:
Starting your periods late, had amenorrhea (no periods),
excessively thin for more than a year. More often pregnant decreases risk, and
no pregnancy increases risk. Pill use reduces risk of osteoporosis and ovarian
cancer, (taking 1200 mg. calcium during pregnancy and lactation also help). If
ovaries were removed before 40, or even 50, it increases the risk of
osteoporosis, especially if no estrogen was taken. Lots of cavities is a sign of
calcium loss. Lots of stress fractures, Scoliosis, medications used,
tetracycline use, antacid use, habits such as smoking, coffee, alcohol, sugar,
lack of exercise. Having ovaries, thyroid, or stomach removed, long
hospitalizations, or a family history. Half of women over age 45 are at risk!
(20 million in the USA) 10% over 50 have bone fractures of hips and spine. Other
risks include being caucasian, slender,
small frame, and fair skinned.
Complete history, physical exam, and lab work can be done. Lab
work may include FSH (follicle stimulating hormones), Estradiol, Cholesterol,
HDL (Good chol.), LDL (bad chol.), Triglycerides. Papsmears, Maturation index,
x-rays, and Bone density can also be checked.
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Woman
of Wisdom – Helps
to keep the hormones and emotions balanced, strengthen the
reproductive system, relieve pain, and increase libido.
Can use for pre-menstrual and menopausal symptoms,
and infertility where hormonal imbalance may be a factor.
Contains Black Cohosh, Wild Yam, Vitex, False Unicorn, and
Damiana with flower essences of Uva Ursi, Lady's Mantle.
Chamomile, and Hemlock for emotional balance.
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Anxiety-Calm
– This
excellent nervine tonic helps to relax anxiety, tension,
stress, insomnia, restlessness and inflammation of the
nerves. Contains
Skullcap,
Valerian, Ginkgo, Chamomile, and Passion Flower with flower
essences of Valerian, Chamomile, Venutian Flower #8, and
Hobblebush for emotional balance.
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Mood
Lifter –
Helps to renew zest for life and relieve mild
depression, while relaxing tension and anxiety and
increasing energy.
Contains St. Johnswort, Passion Flower, Skullcap, and Siberian Ginseng
with flower essences of Borage, Cucumber and Zinnia for emotional balance.
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Prevention of
Osteoporosis:
Regular exercise! Weight bearing exercise
makes the bones denser, stronger and less likely to leach calcium! Walk, jog,
swim, weight train, play tennis, do aerobics, or dance for at least 30 minutes,
3-4x a week!
Diet - Lowfat (10-15% fats), low to
moderate proteins, whole grains, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and beans. Eat Vitamin
and Calcium-rich foods and herbs: Comfrey, Raspberry and Dandelion leaves,
Nettles, Oatstraw, Horsetail, Chickweed, Amaranth, Watercress, Mustard greens, all
Seaweeds, dried fruits (esp. apricots), nuts and seeds (esp. sesame
seeds, tahini, almonds). High Iron Foods: Yellow Dock, Nettles,
Dandelion, Alfalfa, Horsetail, Parsley, Blackstrap Molasses, Apricots, wheat
germ.
Avoid red-meats and high-fat dairy products! Instead use lots
of soy (very high in Estriol - the safest and most preventive estrogen!) Soy
should be the main source of protein in diet, and fish that swim (not
shellfish).
Avoid smoking
(lowers estrogen levels as much as half), Use Kelp, not salt (causes you to
excrete calcium), Sugar interferes with mineral absorption. Coffee alters
ovulation cycle, causes you to excrete calcium (even decaf). No alcohol, even
low to moderate consumption will increase risk of Breast Cancer and interferes
with ovulation cycle. Avoid high fat diet, all white flour and processed foods.
Use Proper Stress management!
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Calcium and Vit. D intake recommended as follows: |
| Age |
Calcium |
Vitamin D |
| 20-35 |
800
mg. |
200
units |
| 35-50 |
1000mg |
200
units |
| 50-65 |
1500mg. |
400
units |
| 65 + |
1200mg (if on
ERT)
1500mg.(if no ERT) |
400-800 units |
Sunlight for 10-15 minutes twice per week provides adequate
Vit. D for a 40 year old woman!
Ratios of Calcium / Magnesium: RDA = 2.5 to 1. Use Calcium
Citrate, NOT Carbonate! Include Manganese.
For Vaginal dryness
- Use Vit. E
suppositories (or oil) in vagina, or estrogenic herbs in cream base.
Psychological changes - B-Complex,
Vitamin C, Hops, Valerian, Chamomile,
Skullcap, Passion Flower (all are nervine
tonics to ease tension, anxiety, stress, insomnia). Join a good support group,
get counseling, and use stress management and relaxation techniques. Do Yoga,
Tai Chi, Breathing exercises, Meditation..
For decreased glucose tolerance - Vitamin B, Vitamin C, B-Complex, Cholin, Biotin. Use bitter and digestive herbs like
Burdock,
Goldenseal,
Yellow Dock, Oregon Grape Root, Sage, Ginger, Cloves.
Hot Flashes -
Vitamin E - 800 I.U. day.
Natural Progesterone Cream. Sage tea. Also Motherwort, Rosemary,
False Unicorn,
Black Cohosh, Raspberry Leaf, Peppermint, Thyme,
Ginseng,
Vitex,
Wild Yam,
Burdock.
Cardiovascular -
Use Garlic, Onions,
Hawthorne Berries,
Gingko, Motherwort. Check diet, exercise. Hydrotherapy (using
cold water rinse after shower or bath) helps improve digestion and circulation
which relieves the heart. 1 Tablespoon of Flax Seed Oil daily is excellent for
the heart, also Co-enzyme Q10.
High Blood Pressure -
Check diet!
Use Hawthorne Berries, eat lots of Garlic.
Yarrow extract lowers BP.
Nausea -
Drink Ginger Tea with
honey, use Wild Yam, and/or herbal Menopause formula.
Memory -
Use Gingko,
Gota Kola,
Rosemary (or Mental Magic tea), and Menopause formula.
Stress Management -
Do relaxation
techniques, deep breathing exercises, support groups, massage, Bath soaks,
Exercise, walking, counseling. Herbs -use Valerian,
Skullcap, or Motherwort for
anxiety and tension.
Estrogenic Herbs
(Help the body
produce estrogen)- Black Cohosh,
Dong Quai,
Vitex, Angelica,
Burdock.
Progesterone Herbs -
Wild Yam (often
used as cream), Licorice, Sarsparilla.
Phytoestrogens (Plant estrogens) -
Red Clover, Soybeans, alfalfa, garlic, oats, carrots, fennel, licorice root,
hops, barley, corn, apple, rice, dates, parsley, cherry, pomegranate, yeast,
sage, potato, wheat germ.
Good Menopause Herbs:
Dong Quai,
Vitex,
Black Cohosh,
Wild
Yam, Burdock, Motherwort,
Valerian.
The BEST Alternatives to Estrogen Replacement Therapy
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Good Menopause Herbs:
Dong Quai,
Vitex,
Black Cohosh,
Wild
Yam, Burdock, Motherwort,
Valerian.
1. Improve Diet, Use Stress Management, and Get Plenty of
Exercise!
(Very
important!)
2. Use Nutritional Supplements (good quality, plant-source
vitamins and minerals) and soy products.
3. Use Botanical Medicine (Use Herbal Extracts, Teas, Natural
Progesterone Cream)
4. Natural "Tri-Estrogen & Progesterone"
preparations such as: Dr. Christophers Change-Ease formula, "Ostaderm"
-Balanced Estrogen & Progesterone, "Spectra 305", Opti-PMS, Fem-H,
PMS Herbal, Osta B3, Natural Progesterone Cream, or the "Woman of
Wisdom" tonic from Crystal Garden Herbs.
If all of these treatments don't
work, then try Estrogen Patch (better than taking oral synthetic Estrogen
drugs!)
If absolutely necessary, then take
synthetic estrogen with progesterone (unless you don't have your ovaries).
Recommended Reading:
Wise Woman Ways - The Menopausal Years-
by Susun S. Weed, Ash Tree Publishing.
Herbal Healing for Women - by
Rosemary Gladstar, Fireside Publishing.
Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom -by
Dr. Christine Northrup
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