You may have heard about the effects of soy on menopause, but did you know that drinking soy milk may help you replace some of your lacking estrogen hormone naturally? Of course, you shouldn’t drink soy milk thinking that it will “cure” you of your menopausal symptoms. However, if you are interested in alleviating your symptoms naturally then you may want to try it. Soy isoflavones are found in soy milk and this is a estrogen like substance that natural occurs in plants. Soy foods include soy milk, tempeh, tofu, and others.

You may have tried soy products in the past and not cared for them. That’s okay because not everyone will like soy. However, you might want to try it again. There are many new soy products that are actually really good. Chocolate soy milk could be a treat or you might like blending vanilla soy milk in a smoothie.

Before you begin eating soy products to help you with your menopausal symptoms you probably want to know how much you need to feel a decrease in your hot flashes. Generally, if you consume between 40 to 50 mg of soy isoflavones on a daily basis you will experience a decrease in hot flashes. That translates to one to four servings per day.

For example, 1 cup of soy milk has 40 mg of isoflavones as well as 4 ounces of tofu, 4 ounces of tempeh, or a half up of miso. One half cup of roasted soy nuts contains 20 mg of isoflavones and ½ cup of soy protein has 35 mg.

If your menopausal symptoms and hot flashes don’t seem to be relieved by supplementing with soy then you may want to talk with your doctor regarding your other options. There are many natural methods for treating menopausal symptoms without having to take a prescription drug.

No sooner than you get over the symptoms of menopause and start feeling better about the changes you are going through you may be hit by an even bigger hurdle. One of the most common symptoms women experience after menopause is a loss of libido. They just lose interest in having sex and it happens to anywhere from 20 to 45% of women. Luckily, just because you lose interest in sex as a result of menopause does not mean that you have to be disinterested forever. There are a variety of ways to improve your libido and you can certainly have fun trying.

Years ago society could not believe that “old” women would even want to have sex after menopause because there was no point since they could no longer become pregnant. What would “Old” women want with sex, anyway? Well, despite not being fertile anymore women who are menopausal or post menopausal still have sexual urges and it’s okay to satisfy them! Society is gradually changing its views, which is lucky for women everywhere.

It might be difficult to be “in the mood” for menopausal women because they may be experiencing hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, depression, and other symptoms. No wonder many women aren’t interested in sex, they are too busy dealing with all of their other symptoms!

The problem with sex during menopause is usually attributed to lower levels of progesterone, estrogen and even testosterone. All of these hormones are important for you to become sexually excited so when hormone levels are off it might be more difficult.

Vaginal dryness is another reason why some women don’t want to have sex. That’ s because it hurts and just isn’t comfortable. There are quite a few different supplements and drugs that may help with vaginal dryness and itching.

Fatigue is also a problem because many menopausal women can’t sleep well. Women who are tired or fatigued may find it difficult to show interest in their love life. There are some suggestions to help women deal with fatigue including exercising and keeping a regular schedule with an early bedtime.

Menopause is a natural process that usually occurs gradually in women. Over time the ovaries produce lower levels of progesterone and estrogen, the female hormones. As a result, menstrual periods begin to taper off. Many women begin experiencing irregular periods around 40 years old and this is part of the perimenopausal period. Menopause usually begins during the early 50s however some women may go through menopause earlier as a result of surgical removal of the ovaries, cancer therapy, or ovarian failure.

There are several signs that menopause is approaching. Each woman will have different symptoms and they will vary in severity depending on her lifestyle and genes. Sometimes, the changes in hormones will cause symptoms that last only a few months while other women may even experience symptoms that last for many years. You may or may not experience severe menopausal symptoms, but if you do talk with your doctor.

If you experience a change in your periods and they become lighter than normal or irregular then this may be a sign. For other women, the opposite occurs and they experience heavier periods that last for many days. Some women experience a lot of spotting or what seems like non-stop bleeding. What will happen for you depends on many factors.

Another common symptom is hot flashes. Women may suddenly feel very hot in their upper body or all over. These hot flashes can be uncomfortable.

Some women report that they have vaginal dryness, burning, itching, painful intercourse, and infections.

After menopause some women may enjoy sex more because they don’t need to worry about pregnancy and can just relax and have fun. Other women may feel more self conscious and find sex painful as a result of vaginal dryness.

Sleep problems could be a sign that you are nearing menopause. If you are waking up too early or can’t fall asleep then maybe menopause is the culprit. Some women even find that they have hot flashes that keep them from sleeping.

Mood changes are also a sign of menopause. Estrogen levels may affect your mood when shifts occur due to hormonal changes, being tired, stress, and the like.

If you are dealing with some tough symptoms of menopause then you may want to consider supplementing with a variety of different supplements that may offer some relief. Remember, not all supplements will work for everyone and you should always talk with your doctor before you start taking any supplements. Below is an overview of several different supplements that may work for you.

Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil can improve your immune system, lower cholesterol, and even help with fatigue and depression. If you find yourself exhausted consider supplementing with flaxseed oil.

Marine Phytoplankton

Some women find marine phytoplankton helps with depression, mood swings, and improves memory. It’s not uncommon for women to be moody, irritable and have memory problems during menopause. Marine phytoplankton offers a natural way to fight these symptoms.

Evening Primrose Oil

Many women experience headaches, water retention, irritation, and cramping during perimenopause. If this is happening to you then consider supplementing with evening primrose oil.

Vitamin B6

Anxiety may be reduced by supplementing with vitamin B6 because it increases progesterone and serotonin.

Coral Calcium

Coral calcium helps restore the body’s balance by reducing levels of acidity.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is also a wonderful way to alleviate symptoms of menopause. Many women find vitamin E to be a mild form of hormone replacement therapy that is natural.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps fight off disease and strengthen the immune system. This can ward off infections, disease, and other illnesses.

Zinc

Zinc is a healthy supplement for menopausal women. That’s because it can strengthen bones, boost the immune system, decrease levels of estrogen while increasing progesterone levels, and reducing the risk of developing osteoporosis.

Always talk with your doctor before you begin supplementing with one or more of these supplements. If you are taking other prescription drugs make sure your doctor recommends what supplements are safe to take and those that are not.

You have likely heard of menopause before, but perhaps you weren’t aware that there are four different stages of menopause. Many people refer to menopause during all four of these stages, but they are all actually different and women should be aware of the different phases and of what happens.

The four stages are:

1. Premenopause
2. Perimenopause
3. Menopause
4. Postmenopause

Premenopause is the period when a woman is fertile. This is during her reproductive years and represents the period from the first period to the last. Premenopause is not just for the years right before menopause or for premature menopause, but rather for the entire period of reproductive years.

Perimenopasue refers to the years that immediately precede menopause. Many women begin experiencing menopausal symptoms during perimenopause as a result of hormonal changes. Women usually experience the onset of perimenopause between the ages of 45 and 60. Perimenopause can last anywhere from two to six years.

Menopause is the period of time when a woman has her final period. This means that the woman has experience 12 consecutive months without a period. When menstruation and fertility are permanently over this means the woman is menopausal.

Postmenopause represents the time in a woman’s life when her last period has ended for good. There are health issues that may result from postmenopause and the resulting changes in hormone production of progesterone and estrogen. Heart disease and osteoporosis are the most serious health concerns women should pay attention to during the postmenopausal years.

It’s important to know the different stages of menopause and also know what to expect. Generally, women begin ovulating less and producing fewer hormones by their late 30s and early 40s. As a result, it’s important for women to know what to expect so they can take control of their fertility as well as realize the symptoms they are experiencing as those related to one of the stages of menopause.

Menopause occurs in all women who live long enough to reach this stage of life. Sometimes, women will need to undergo a hysterectomy and those who do will experience a “surgical menopause” or menopause as a result of a hysterectomy. During a hysterectomy one or both ovaries are taken out and this includes the fallopian tubes and uterus. Women undergo menopause quite abruptly as a result and symptoms can be severe and settle in quickly. It might be surprising, but women who undergo a surgical menopause usually experience symptoms that are much more difficult to handle than the symptoms women who start menopause naturally experience. The night sweats, hot flashes, depression risks, and the like, are longer lasting and stronger. Women who undergo menopause as a result of a hysterectomy are also more likely to develop heart disease or osteoporosis. So far, doctors and researchers are unsure of exactly what causes these severe symptoms as a result of surgical menopause.

Interestingly, if a single ovary is removed the woman will start menopause naturally. However, if the ovaries are left and the uterus removed then the menopausal symptoms associated with the change of life will begin earlier and the menstrual cycle will cease. If both ovaries are removed then she is immediately post menopausal and the symptoms can be quite severe. If you have already undergone menopause and then require a hysterectomy there will be no onset of symptoms since you have already gone through the change and there won’t be any change in hormones. Women who have a hysterectomy will wake up from the anesthesia in the throes of menopause and their bodies will no longer produce progesterone or estrogen. In essence, the woman will awake to her body dealing with estrogen withdrawal. The symptoms are intense and the doctor treating her should be aware that she needs estrogen immediately. Otherwise, the woman will awake to anxiety, depression, irritability, hot flashes, heart palpitations, crying, fatigue, memory lapses, headache, and much more. Usually, women will be started on HRT in the hospital to help them deal with their symptoms. Later, they may try natural remedies or other methods to treat their symptoms.

If you are facing menopause you may be wondering about using Vagifem to treat your symptoms. There are side effects associated with Vagifem because it is a medication. In many cases, the risks of taking Vagifem are small and the symptoms are mild. The most common symptoms include back pain, abdominal pain, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, vaginal yeast infection, and vaginal itching. The benefit of Vagifem is that it is designed to only work where it is placed in the vagina and it does not appear to significantly impact any other tissues or organs in the body. If you are taking Vagifem and experience side effects be sure to tell your doctor.

Vagifem’s active ingredients include estradiol, which is an estrogen. This estrogen is produced naturally by the body before menopause takes place. This treatment is a vaginal local estrogen therapy and it treats atrophic vaginitis. The other organs of the body do not absorb the estrogen secretions, only the vagina, so the side effects are minimal. Many other hormone therapies affect the entire body, but Vagifem is different since it is localized.

Using Vagifem is relatively easy since the applicators are disposable and come preloaded with the medicine. Inserting the applicator is similar to inserting a tampon and all that is required is to click a button to deliver the Vagifem tablet to the vaginal area. The tablet will work locally to relieve any pain or discomfort that is associated with atrophic vaginitis. Vagifem tablets are used once for two weeks initially and then twice per week depending on your doctor’s direction. You should notice an improvement in your symptoms within the first two weeks.

If you have irritation, soreness, or dryness in your vagina due to menopause you may benefit from Vagifem. Atrophic vaginitis can be uncomfortable and make intercourse painful so be sure to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and how Vagifem can help.

Some women use red clover to treat their menopause symptoms, but there are some side effects that you should be aware of. Of course, one of the side effects is that red clover relieves mood swings and hot flashes and that is why many women choose to use it during menopause. If you are considering hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, then you may want to try red clover. It may help women avoid estrogen loss, which can cause many of the menopausal symptoms women want to avoid. Women who take red clover will receive many of the same benefits as HRT, but without the high price tag. There are other benefits of red clover as well including lowering blood pressure, treating arthritis, PMS treatment, and others.

Of course, all that glimmers isn’t gold and while red clover may help with menopausal symptoms it can also cause some side effects that aren’t that great. For example, red clover may stimulate strokes and/or cancer. Neither of these side effects are things that most women want to go through. The phytoestrogens in the red clover may stimulate breast cancer and uterine cancer cells and allow them to grow faster than they would otherwise. There are also contraindications for taking red clover. For example, you cannot take birth control pills in addition to red clover. Women who are allergic to aspirin should also avoid this supplement because it could cause some ugly side effects. Red clover may also decrease fertility. If you are interested in taking red clover but are worried about the side effects make sure you only take it for a short period of time and in a low dosage.

If you were considering taking HRT then you may find that you get similar results with red clover, but at a cheaper price. It is important not to write off the risk of stroke and/or cancer while using this or HRT. Make sure you are aware of the risks before you make a decision.

Found in cruciferous vegetables, DIM is a phytonutrient that occurs naturally. DIM has been around for more than a decade, but the connection between estrogen metabolism and plant derived ingredients is still being understood. It appears that DIM may balance estrogen in women as well as men. This means that there is potential for using DIM to treat uterine fibroid tumors, estrogen dominance issues, fibrocystic breasts, and more. DIMPRO is a product that uses DIM in addition to a patented formula that enhances absorption for the best possible outcome.

There are many benefits of using DIM in menopausal women because it may help improve overall health. This includes protecting against heart disease and cancer, promoting an estrogen metabolism that is healthy and balanced, protecting against estrogen dominant conditions, supporting prostate function in men, promoting healthy bones and skin, promoting fat loss, and more.

DIM works because of the phytochemicals it contains. DIM Is found in cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and more. The hormone metabolism is regulated when theses vegetables are consumed. Of course, to achieve the benefits of DIM an individual would need to eat up to three pounds of broccoli on a daily basis to have any shift in their hormonal balance. This is difficult so supplementing with DIM makes more sense to most people. If you prefer to eat three pounds of broccoli on a daily basis then that is your choice.

When a woman has an estrogen metabolism that is too slow then this could result in too much estradiol in the body. Both men and women with too much estradiol in their bodies will run into problems. This can cause weight gain for women, breast pain, and moodiness. Men will suffer from a loss of libido, weight gain, male patterned baldness, prostate enlargement, and more.

DIM works to help balance hormones naturally and this is beneficial for both men and women. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms outlined here consider talking with your doctor about DIM and how it might be able to help you.

The side effects of black cohosh during menopause can be more intense than the actual symptoms of menopause in some women! Black cohosh, also known as actaea racemosa, may have side effects despite the fact that it is natural. If you are considering taking black cohosh for your menopausal symptoms be sure you are up to speed on the potential side effects. For example, you might have an upset stomach, dizziness, breast tenderness, headaches, weight gain, as well as other. Usually, the side effects from taking black cohosh are not serious, but they can be quite bothersome. If they are more bothersome or equally bothersome to the side effects you are experiencing from menopause it might be worth trying a different supplement altogether.

Of course, black cohosh may cause some other side effect that are more serious and these should be discussed with your doctor. For example, if when taking black cohosh you begin to have stomach pain in your upper right abdominal area then this could be a sign of liver damage. You should not write this off but talk to your doctor about it. Also, you will need to talk with your doctor if you experience high liver enzymes, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. Additionally, if you have spotting or vaginal bleeding that is unexplained you will want to discuss this with your doctor.

It is not common, but some women may be allergic to black cohosh. Signs of an allergic reaction include itching, hives, rash, difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the throat, and others. Keep in mind as well that although black cohosh is natural it is not regulated in the same way as prescription drugs. As a result it could be contaminated with heavy metals, other herbs, or even some types of medications. Because of this you will only want to buy black cohosh from reputable manufacturers. When in doubt ask you pharmacist for a recommendation.