Archive for the ‘Menopause’ Category

What is Menorrhagia?

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

Menorrhagia is the technical medical term for heavy menstrual bleeding. Menorrhagia can occur for many reasons, but in the absence of any true pathology menorrhagia is usually due to an anovulatory cycle, or a cycle in which no egg is released. Women in perimenopause are more likely to experience hormonal changes that lead to anovulatory cycles and heavy menstrual bleeding.

Signs and symptoms may include:

  • Periods that last longer than 7 days
  • Menstrual flow that contains large blood clots
  • Menstrual periods that interfere with your ability to live your life
  • Menstrual flow that requires double protection (i.e. wearing a tampon and a pad)
  • Bleeding that soaks through one menstrual pad per hour (or more) for several hours
  • Signs and symptoms of anemia (fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath with exertion)

Many women experience the occasional heavy period, but if every period is excessively heavy or lasts longer than a week anemia may occur, sometimes necessitating a blood transfusion. Many women do not seek help for menorrhagia, believing that it is normal. If menorrhagia interferes with quality of life or leads to anemia, treatment should be sought.

PreMenora is an all-natural twice-daily botanical formulation designed to relieve the symptoms of perimenopause, including menorrhagia.

Source: Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding)

Menopause Increases the Risk of Heart Disease

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Menopause, for long, has been associated with hormone shifts, mood swings, and hot flashes. However, various studies indicateparajumpers onlinethat a woman faces increased risk of developing heart disease during natural menopause, which occurs after 50 years of age.

Women, who are less than 50, maintain high levels of estrogen- a female hormone in their blood. This hormone is believed to protect their heart. However, the levels of estrogen drop significantly when a woman goes through menopause, which in turn, raises the risk of developing heart disease. Other than menopause, increased weight also elevates the risk of developing cardiac disease. A woman going through menopause may find it difficult to control weight due to change in hormone levels. Excessive weight gain may cause various health problems including high blood pressure, diabetes, and increased cholesterol level.

It is very difficult to detect a heart disease in women as they are hardly aware of the symptoms of heart disease, which often vary from those of men. Women can reduce the risk of developing heart disease by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Avoid smoking, eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and exercise at least three times a week to keep yourparajumpers outlet eight under control. Besides, it is important to pay regular visits to your health care provider and get your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels checked.

Is Irritability a Natural Outcome of Menopause?

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

Many women report feeling irritated more easily and more often during perimenopause and menopause. In fact, it is so common that it has become the brunt of many jokes. However, feeling irritable all the time is not funny to the women experiencing this symptom and may often lead to its evil twin, depression.

There are differing schools of thought about what causes irritability in perimenopause and menopause. Hormone fluctuations are thought to play a large role in irritability, much the same as they do during the time before menstruation begins for some women (as in pre-menstrual syndrome). Others believe that concomitant changes in the body during menopause that result in unwanted symptoms (i.e. hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances) are to blame for a women’s moodiness.

There may be other reasons as well. Perimenopause marks a drastic change in a woman’s body and may lead to lower self-esteem and body issues. Perimenopause may be seen as synonymous with aging. Women who have not accomplished all that they have hoped for may feel as if time is running out, and women who had hoped to have children (or more children) may be faced with the likelihood that they may not accomplish their goal. All of these factors, combined with physical changes, may lead to irritation and feelings of depression for some women.

Women who experience these symptoms should know that they are not alone. Although some women sail through perimenopause and menopause with nary a scrape, others experience all the symptoms in the book (and some that they didn’t know about). The most important thing to remember about menopause is that it doesn’t last forever, and negative feelings will eventually fade away. If feelings of irritability or depression linger and affect a woman’s life negatively, help should be sought.

PreMenora is a twice-daily all natural botanical formulation designed to ease the symptoms of perimenopause.

Blocked Arteries Not Always Found on Angiograms

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Angiograms are the definitive test for people who may have had a heart attack, or who suffer from chest pain. A normal angiogram virtually rules out the possibility of a heart attack. However, a new study finds that this invasive and expensive test yields far fewer positive results than previously thought.

Researchers studied almost 399,000 patients seen in 663 hospitals over a four-year period. What they found was surprising: only 38% of those undergoing angiograms were found to have blocked arteries. Those patients who had had non-invasive tests prior to angiogram with a positive finding (such as an abnormal stress test) were moderately more likely to have blockage of their arteries discovered on angiogram. Researchers noted that risk factors for finding blockage on angiogram were the same risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including:

  • Being male
  • Being of older age
  • Being diabetic
  • Having elevated cholesterol levels

Given that angiograms are both expensive and invasive, it would seem that more stringent criteria is needed to determine who requires an angiogram and who does not. It may be that the culture of practicing defensive medicine is responsible for the number of angiograms done on people with normal findings. It is important to keep in mind that angiograms themselves are not without risk, including the risk of bleeding, and should be reserved for those who truly need it.

Source: Obstructive Disease Not Found on Most Angiograms

Fatigue and Menopause

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Fatigue can be one of the more disturbing aspects of perimenopause, affecting women to a significant degree and impacting all areas of life, including physical, emotional, and social aspects. Many women describe the fatigue of menopause as “crushing” and find it difficult to cope with daily life. Fatigue can also worsen other symptoms of perimenopause, or the perception of these symptoms.

Fatigue in perimenopause is thought to be a result of decreasing levels of sex hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, which may cause sleep disturbances. Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep may occur, and hot flashes that strike in the night (night sweats) may add to the problem.

There are some things that may help, including:

  • Keeping your room at a comfortable temperature- staying cool during sleep may help you avoid night sweats. Try using a fan or keeping the window open, as well as avoiding sheets that may increase sweating, such as silk sheets.
  • Stick to a routine- keeping to a regular routine may help you get a better sleep. Go to bed at the same time every night. Try a relaxing activity before sleeping, such as reading or meditating.
  • Avoid stimulants close to bedtime- avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, or exercising right before bed, as these activities may stimulate you, making it more difficult to fall asleep.
  • Nap during the day- a short nap during the day may recharge your batteries and leave you feeling refreshed. Avoid sleeping long periods of time during the day, as this may make it more difficult to fall asleep at night.

PreMenora and PreMenora+ are all-natural botanical supplements formulated to decrease unpleasant symptoms of perimenopause, including fatigue.

How to Cope With Vaginal Dryness

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

As we age and enter perimenopause, falling estrogen levels result in thinning of vaginal tissue, causing  familiar symptoms for some women: burning, itching and dryness. Vaginal dryness can be particularly problematic for women in terms of intimacy. Women may notice that, as they enter into perimenopause, their level of moisture during intercourse may dramatically decrease. Some women experience discomfort during vaginal penetration, a reduction in pleasure and even a small amount of bleeding during or after intercourse.

Vaginal dryness need not signal an end to intimacy. There are products available to ease the discomfort of vaginal dryness. Using a water-based lubricant will replace moisture temporarily and increase comfort. Vaginal moisturizers applied regularly can keep the vaginal tissues moist and supple. There are many brands available, and several may need to be tried before finding the right one. Should neither of these remedies ease the symptoms, a visit to the doctor may be in order to rule out any other problems that may be causing the symptoms, such as a urinary tract infection.

Some women prefer to use natural supplements to ease the symptoms of perimenopause, including vaginal dryness. PreMenora is an all-natural twice daily formulation of 10 different ingredients created specifically to target the symptoms of perimenopause. To learn more about how PreMenora and PreMenora+ can relieve menopausal symptoms, visit http://premenora.predisease.com/.

Coping with Hot Flashes

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

One minute you are comfortably cool, the next you are sweaty, hot and miserable. Sound familiar? Hot flashes are one of the most common and unpleasant of perimenopause symptoms. What can be done to cope with them? Here are a few suggestions:

  • Wear appropriate clothing- wearing clothes that keep you cool and that easily absorb moisture can help you feel more comfortable when a flash hits. Cotton is your friend: avoid wearing clothes that you may overheat in, such as nylon or polyesters. Adopt the “layered look” so that you can shed unwanted clothing and still be fully dressed!
  • Cool down with water- Staying well-hydrated is important, but water can have different uses here. Try applying cool compresses to your skin when you become overheated. Using key areas, such as the back of the neck, wrists, forehead and even the groin may provide some relief. Running cold water over your wrists or rinsing your face in cool water may stop a flash in its tracks.
  • Don’t smoke- thin women who smoke are more likely to have more frequent and intense hot flashes, according to some studies. Quitting smoking may decrease the frequency of hot flashes.
  • Avoid triggers- triggers may be different for each woman; the key is in determining what your specific triggers are. Common triggers are alcohol, spicy foods, hot tubs, caffeine and stress.
  • Manage your stress- stress may trigger hot flashes, so finding ways to cope with stressful situations may help you to cope more effectively with hot flashes. Controlled breathing, meditation, massage, exercise…all are ways to help you feel calmer and more in control of your body.
  • Remind yourself that menopause won’t last forever- although it may feel like forever, even the symptoms of menopause must come to an end. They will not last forever, thankfully, so remind yourself that “this, too, shall pass”.

PreMenora is a twice-daily natural botanical formula designed to relieve many of the symptoms of perimenopause, such as hot flashes.

Are Biphosphonates Safe?

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

Fosamax (alendronate sodium) is one drug in a class of drugs known as biphosponates. Biphosphonates are medications prescribed to prevent or treat osteoporosis. More and more, physicians are also prescribing biphosphonates to patients who have osteopenia, the precursor to osteoporosis.

There is new information coming to light that suggests that women taking biphosphonates for longer than five years may be at increased risk for bone fracture. This may seem odd, considering that Fosamax and others in this drug class are supposed to make bones stronger, but there have been several reports of women on long-term therapy experiencing fractures with little provocation.

Merck, the company that makes Fosamax, has included a warning on the drug information material stating that bone fractures are a possible effect of the drug, but there are no prescribing instructions as to how long women should take Fosamax. As a result of these reports of bone fractures, many physicians are recommending that their patients only stay on the drug for a maximum of five years.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and are more susceptible to fracture. Fractures commonly occur in the wrist, spine, and hip. Older women are at the highest risk for osteoporosis. Smoking, menopause, a sedentary lifestyle and small size (being thin) can also contribute to the development of the condition. Prevention is aimed at ensuring a diet that is rich in calcium and vitamin D and weight-bearing exercise. Avoiding smoking and excessive use of alcohol can also help in prevention of the disease.

PreMenora+ is a formulation of all-natural botanicals to help reduce the symptoms of perimenopause. In addition, PreMenora+ also contains oyster shell calcium and vitamin D, both of which can help to prevent osteoporosis.

Source: Osteoporosis

Fosamax: Is Long Term Use of Bone Strengthening Drug Linked to Fractures?

Hormone Replacement Therapy Linked to Lung Cancer

Friday, March 12th, 2010

New research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has discovered that women who take HRT (hormone replacement therapy) may be at higher risk of developing lung cancer.

The large study, which included 36,588 women taking HRT containing both estrogen and progesterone, found that post-menopausal women taking HRT had a 50% higher risk of lung cancer. Women who took only estrogen without progesterone (unopposed estrogen) did not appear to be at higher risk of developing lung cancer.

The length of time a woman took HRT was related to their risk of developing lung cancer, as well as the later stage at which the disease was diagnosed. Other factors known to contribute to the development of lung cancer were considered, such as age and smoking status.

New recommendations for HRT state that women should take HRT for the shortest time possible, but there may be many women who have taken HRT for long periods of time, before the studies were done which pointed to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease with long-term HRT therapy. These women may be at higher risk for lung cancer and this begs the question: could HRT therapy be part of the reason that lung cancer rates have been increasing in women?

PreMenora is an all-natural botanical formulation that is taken twice daily to ease the symptoms of menopause.

Source: Hormone therapy linked to lung cancer risk

Natural Menopause Treatment- Janice’s Story

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Janice is 48 years old, and for the past year she has been feeling persistently tired and has had difficulty sleeping at times. Her periods have become less regular and are often heavier than they used to be. She often feels irritable and “not herself” and states she sometimes feels depressed. Over the past year, she has experienced some difficulty with frequent urinary tract infections and complains that relations with her husband are less enjoyable for her due to vaginal dryness. Intercourse is sometimes painful; as a consequence, she rarely feels like being intimate with her husband. She says that her libido is “almost non-existent”.

If you find that you are experiencing many or all of Janice’s symptoms, you are likely in perimenopause, the period of time which can last months or years and precedes menopause, when ovulation ceases to occur monthly. These symptoms can be attributed to fluctuations in hormone levels, and are commonly experienced by many women.

PreMenora is a botanical formula made up of 10 different natural ingredients that help to ease the transition to menopause. Every woman is different, and PreMenora is designed to alleviate symptoms of perimenopause without the serious risks associated with pharmaceutical hormone replacement therapies, such as breast cancer and heart disease. If you are interested in learning more about Premenora, visit http://premenora.predisease.com/product_information.php.