MENOPAUSE (Hot Flashes)

In many parts of the world, most women do not experience the symptoms associated with menopause in the United States.

Social and cultural factors contribute greatly to how women react to menopause. In the United States, sixty-five to eighty percent of menopausal women experience hot flashes to some degree.

Women with atrophic vaginitis (vaginal drying and irritation due to lack of estrogen) should avoid substances that tend to dry the mucous membranes, including antihistamines, alcohol, caffeine, and diuretics.

Rather than use estrogens to artificially counteract the symptoms of menopause, the natural approach focuses on improving physiology through diet, exercise, nutritional supplementation, and the use of botanical medicines.

Several nutrients have been shown to be effective in relieving hot flashes and atrophic vaginitis in clinical studies, including vitamin E, hesperidin in combination with vitamin C, and gamma-oryzanol.

Extracts of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) are a widely used and thoroughly studied natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy in menopause.

Japanese researchers report excellent results in using GAMMA ORYZANOL, extracted from rice bran and rice germ, in alleviating climacteric (menopausal) symptoms. (See: Menopause Abstract References)

Pre-Disposing Factors:

a. Hormonal imbalance (adrenal, ovarian, thyroid, anterior pituitary).

b. Iodine deficiency.

c. Excess refined carbohydrate, alcohol or caffeine in the diet.

d. Obesity and/or lack of exercise.

e. Excess hydrogenated fats and oils in the diet.

f. Food allergy/sensitivity.

General Recommendations

Many natural measures can help alleviate the most common symptoms of menopause. In most cases, hormone replacement therapy is not necessary. However, in women at high risk for osteoporosis and women who have already experienced significant bone loss, hormone replacement therapy may be appropriate. For the immediate treatment of atrophic vaginitis, topical vitamin E preparations should be considered. If a woman is smoking, she should begin a smoking cessation program.

Dietary Suggestions:

a. Sip 3 ounces (about 1 mouthful) of filtered or distilled water every 30 minutes while you are awake and drink more if you are sweating (no well water or water containing fluoride or chlorine).

b. Eliminate all refined carbohydrates, processed foods, alcohol and caffeine containing foods such as cola, coffee, chocolate and tea.

c. Eliminate all hydrogenated fats and oils. Use only fish oils, coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil as your source od dietary oils.

d. Increase raw foods and quality proteins especially fish and sea vegetables.

e. If food sensitivity is suspect, eliminate dairy products and gluten containing grains during the initial evaluation.

ALSO:

Increase the amount of phytoestrogens in the diet by consuming more foods, fennel, celery, parsley, high-lignan flaxseed oil, nuts, and seeds. Also include more fish and their oils.

Check thyroid and metabolic rate status by taking your axillary temperature as noted in the Health Problems section at the end of HYPOTHYROIDISM. This is most important because the more your metabolic rate is below normal most often the symptoms of menopause are worse.

Nutritional Supplementation

Primary Nutrients:
1. EQUI-FEM – 2 tablets, 3 times daily after meals.

2. BIO-C PLUS 1000 – 1 tablet, 3 times daily after meals.

3. M S M POWDER - 1/2 teaspoonful 2 to 4 times daily depending on the severity of symptoms. NOTE: Try to take MSM with your Vitamin C.

4. BIOMEGA-3 – 4 - 5 capsules, twice daily after meals for 1 month, then 4 - 5 capsules once daily thereafter M - F of the week.
5. BIOMEGA-3 – 4 capsules, once daily after a meal.

6. BLACKCURRANT SEED OIL – 4 capsules, once daily after a meal.

Specific Nutrients: When symptoms or condition begins to subside, gradually, as needed, wean yourself from the Specific Nutrients & stay on the Primary Nutrients. If any symptoms re-occur resume Specific Nutrients.
7. E-MULSION 200 – 2 capsules, once daily after a meal.

8. GINKO BILOBA – 1 tablet, 3 times daily after meals.

9. CYTOZYME PT/HPT – 2 tablets, twice daily between meals (3 hours after or 1 hour before a meal) for one month then discontinue.

11. ST. JOHN'S PLUS - 2 capsules, twice daily morning and evening.

NOTE:

ALSO check the HRT (hormone replacement treatment) section found in FEMALE HORMONES.

It is important to check your axillary temps and determine whether or not you should be prescribed Armour’s desiccated thyroid. If so, then follow the thyroid dosage instructions as shown in Common Health Problems under ARMOUR’S DESICCATED THYROID section.

ADDENDUM

Links:

Menopause Online