According to the website Menopause A to Z, during menopause a woman's body begins to change as her ovaries become less and less functional and her hormonal levels decrease. This decrease in hormones eventually causes a woman's period to permanently stop. As women age they may have irregular menstrual cycles, but they are not considered post menopause until cycles cease for a full calendar year. Menopause A to Z states that post-menopausal women go through a number of emotions during the transitional period between pre-menopause and post menopause such as anger, depression and frustration. Some women will sail right through post menopause with few or no problems while other women struggle with serious emotional and health issues that affect their everyday functioning. A healthy diet, a positive attitude and a good exercise routine along with a variety of vitamins and supplements can help ease some of the discomforts associated with post menopause.
Black Cohosh
According to Menopause A to Z, black cohosh is probably one of the more controversial and popular types of post menopause supplements. Black cohosh is derived from Cimicifuga racemosa, also known as black snake root. This powerful herb works as a relaxant and "normalizer" for the female reproductive system. In addition, black cohosh works as a natural form of estrogen to ease the muscular and osteoarthritis pains often associated with post menopause. According to the website Women to Women, black cohosh has been used for generations by women around the world to treat various hormonal imbalances. Black cohosh balances estrogen by mimicking some of the hormone's functions.
Soy
According to Women to Women, soy beans belong to the legume family, whose members include peas, beans and peanuts as well as clovers and alders. Soy beans are especially rich in nutrients called isoflavones. Isoflavones attach to estrogen receptors to downgrade the effects of excess estrogen in the body when levels are too high or to exert a weakly pro-estrogenic effect when levels are too low. Menopause A to Z states that soy consists of the hormones genistein and daidzein, which function like estrogen within a woman's body. Soy hormones attach to the woman's estrogen receptors, which then block out the ability for some carcinogenic substances to enter into the organs. Carcinogens are substances that cause cell changes within the body eventually leading to various cancers and tumors.
Pomegranate
The website Life Scripts states that pomegranate is a fruit-bearing shrub native to the Middle East found in places likes Iran to the Himalayas in India. Pomegranate is quickly gaining popularity for its alleged health benefits. Pomegranate contains estrone. Estrone is a naturally occurring form of estrogen, which is widely used today as an alternative to artificial hormone replacement treatment during menopause. According to the website Amazing Pomegranate Health Benefits, post-menopausal women can benefit from pomegranate juice. Women who drink pomegranate juice for menopause and bone loss daily reduce the symptoms of menopause and lessen the risk of developing heart disease and cancer. In addition, pomegranate juice may reduce the severity of hot flashes and help fight the appearance of wrinkles.
Dong Quai
Dong quai may help to improve the symptoms of post menopause. The website Power Surge states that dong quai contains phytoestrogens (plant estrogens). Phytoestrogens have been shown to be helpful in relieving hot flashes. Dong quai helps to support the body's use of available estrogen. This powerful herb is available as a tincture that can be added to a little warm or cold water. The website Herbal Menopause states that dong quai is used almost exclusively to help balance hormones and for menopause. Dong quai can help correct hot flashes, dizziness, blurred vision, cramps, sleeplessness, nerve debility (panic attacks, general nervousness), anemia and osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.
Vitamin E
According to Power Surge, vitamin E is a natural treatment for post menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and heart palpitations. Vitamin E is fat soluble and must be taken with food to be properly absorbed. Power Surge states vitamin E can control flushing in more than 50 percent of women suffering from hot flashes. This vitamin acts as an estrogen substitute, thereby regulating hot flashes.
Chaste Berry (Vitex)
According to Herbal Powers, during post-menopause, women experience declining estrogen and progesterone levels. Declining hormone levels can cause hot flashes, sweating, vaginal dryness and even mild depression in some women. Chaste berry works to stabilize these hormone levels and can be beneficial in controlling post-menopause symptoms.
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