Menopause Health Article

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies for menopausal symptoms have been clinically successful. For best results, the patient should consult a homeopathic physician. However, the following remedies can be tried to alleviate specific groups of symptoms:

• lachesis: hot flashes, irritability, talkativeness, tightness around abdomen, dizziness, fainting
• sepia: bleeding between periods, chilliness, tearfulness, withdrawal from loved ones, sinking feeling in stomach
• pulsatilla: tearfulness, thirstless, feels better with others, avoids heat, hot flashes, varicose veins, hemorrhoids
• sulfur: philosophical personality, feeling hot, itching and burning of vagina and rectum
• lycopodium: low self esteem, bloated after eating, infrequent menstruation, low blood sugar, weak digestion, belching
• Argentum nitricum: gas, indigestion, craving for sweets and chocolate, panic attacks, fear of crossing bridges
• Magnesium phosphoricum: severe cramping
• transitional formula: hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, skin-crawling sensation
• women's formula: perimenopause, PMS, irregular cycles, infertility, absent or excessive bleeding, menopausal discomfort
• vital formula: anxiety, headaches, palpitations, PMS, mood swings

Yoga

Many women find that yoga can ease menopausal symptoms. Yoga focuses on helping women unite the mind, body, and spirit to create balance. Because yoga has been shown to balance the endocrine system, some experts believe it may affect hormone-related problems. Studies have found that yoga can reduce stress, improve mood, boost a sluggish metabolism, and slow the heart rate. Specific yoga positions deal with particular problems, such as hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal and urinary problems, and other pains.

Exercise

Exercise helps ease hot flashes by lowering the amount of circulating FSH and LH and by raising endorphin levels (which drop during a hot flash). Even exercising 20 minutes three times a week can significantly reduce hot flashes. Weight bearing exercises help to prevent osteoporosis.

Elimination

Regular, daily bowel movements to eliminate waste products from the body can be crucial in maintaining balance through menopause. The bowels are where circulating hormones are gathered and eliminated, keeping the body from recycling them and causing an imbalance.

Acupuncture

This ancient Asian art involves placing very thin needles into different meridian points on the body to stimulate the system and unblock energy. It usually is painless and has been used for many menopausal symptoms, including insomnia, hot flashes, and irregular periods.