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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: MENOPAUSAL PROBLEMS
Description: Menopause is the point at which a woman stops ovulating and menstruation ceases, indicating the end of fertility. This process can last a decade or longer. The average woman has her last period between the ages of 48 and 52, but menopausal changes often begin much earlier. Women often notice changes in their cycles when they are in their early forties or even before then. Periods may be shorter or longer, lighter or heavier; and they may be closer together or farther apart. During this time, which is known as perimenopause, hormone levels begin to shift in preparation for menopause, and the ovaries gradually slow their production of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is important to remember that menopause is not a disease. It is a natural process in a woman’s life.
Symptoms: Some women go through menopause with few or no noticeable symptoms. However, many women experience hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, depression, poor libido, vaginal dryness, discomfort during sexual intercourse, dryness and aging of the skin, and insomnia. These symptoms can range from mild to acute. Over the long term, the diminished supply of estrogen increases the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and bladder and vaginal atrophy. The hormonal changes also disrupt the acid/alkaline balance of the vagina, which can lead to increased susceptibility to yeast and bacterial infections.
Incidence: With the increases in longevity and population, more women all over the world will go through menopause than at any other time in history.
Causes: The symptoms of menopause are largely due to estrogen and progesterone deficiency.
Treatments: Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is currently very often prescribed to relieve the symptoms of menopause. The goal of HRT is to restore a woman’s hormonal balance, mainly her estrogen level, to something closer to her premenopausal state. However, some of its possible side effects are highly controversial. These include stroke, gallbladder disease, liver tumors and enlargement, fluid retention, weight gain, headaches, endometrial cancer and fibroids. Every woman should give careful consideration to the risks as well as the potential benefits of ERT.
Many researchers believe that several other controllable factors are available that can reduce menopausal discomfort. These include proper diet, nutritional supplements, avoiding stress, and regular exercise.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Lecithin granules or Capsules |
1 tbsp. 3 times daily, before meals. 1200 mg. 3 times daily before meals. |
Important as an emulsifier for vitamin E, which reduces hot flashes and related symptoms. |
|
Primrose Oil |
As directed on label. Take with meals. |
Acts as a sedative and diuretic. Good for hot flashes. Important for production of estrogen. |
|
Vitamin B complex plus extra pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) |
As directed on label. 100 mg. 3 times daily.
50 mg. 3 times daily. |
For improved circulation and cellular function. A powerful anti-stress vitamin needed for adrenal function. Minimizes water retention and eases symptoms. |
|
Vitamin E |
Start with 400 IU daily and slowly increase until hot flashes are relieved, up to 1600 IU daily. |
Reduces hot flashes and many other symptoms. |
|
Calcium And Magnesium |
2000 mg. daily.
1000 mg. daily |
To relieve nervousness and irritability, and protect against bone loss. |
|
Zinc |
50 mg. daily. Do not exceed a total of 100 mg. daily from all supplements |
Aids in protecting against bone loss and reducing symptoms. |
|
Multivitamin and mineral complex with Potassium And Selenium |
As directed on label. Take with meals. 99 mg. daily.
200 mcg. daily. |
All nutrients are needed for normal hormone production and function. To replace potassium lost through perspiration during hot flashes. An important trace mineral linked to normal hormonal balance. |
|
Vitamin C |
3000-10,000 mg. daily |
For hot flashes. |
Herbs:
 | Damiana enhances sexual desire and pleasure.
| Anise, black cohosh, alfalfa, fennel, licorice, raspberry, sage, and wild
yam root are natural estrogen promoters. Caution: Do not use licorice
on a daily basis for more than seven days in a row, and avoid it completely if
you have high blood pressure. Do not use sage if you suffer from any type of
seizure disorder.
| Gotu kola and dong quai relieve hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and
depression.
| Siberian ginseng aids in relieving depression and in the production of
estrogen. Caution: Do not use this herb if you have hypoglycemia, high
blood pressure, or a heart disorder. St. John’s Wort also aids in relieving
any depression that may occur.
| Chamomile and valerian root help to calm the body and promote restful sleep.
Caution: Do not use chamomile on an ongoing basis, and avoid it
completely if you are allergic to ragweed.
| A paste made from aloe vera gel and slippery elm powder, mixed to the
consistency of toothpaste and inserted into the vagina at night, can relieve
vaginal dryness. | |
Recommendations:
| Avoid animal and dairy products. Limit your consumption to small amounts of
low-fat yogurt or buttermilk. Dairy products and meat promote hot flashes and
contribute to a loss of calcium from the bones.
| Avoid alcohol, caffeine, sugar, spicy foods and hot soups and drinks. They
can trigger hot flashes, aggravate urinary incontinence, and make mood swings
worse.
| Eat a low-fat, high-fiber, vegetarian-based diet with whole grains, legumes,
raw seeds and nuts, fruits and vegetables making up the core of the diet.
| Get regular exercise.
| Avoid stress as much as possible.
| Substitute garlic and onion powder for salt when cooking. Salt increases
urinary excretion of calcium.
| Drink 8 glasses or more of quality water each day to help prevent drying of
the skin and mucous membranes.
| For itching in the vaginal area, use vitamin E cream with no fragrance
added, or open a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil.
| If sexual intercourse is painful, try using vitamin E oil or aloe vera gel
to lubricate the vagina. | |
Considerations:
| It may be more important to replace progesterone than estrogen. Natural
progesterone cream is a good way to do this.
| Japanese women generally experience far fewer symptoms of menopause than do
Western women. Researchers believe the reason for this is their traditional
diet. In addition to providing more vegetable protein and less animal protein
than a Western diet, it’s also low in fat and high in soy products such as
tofu. These foods are rich in plant compounds known as phytoestrogens, which
act like the estrogens produced in the body. While the phytoestrogen content
of soy foods varies considerably from brand to brand, one or two servings of
tofu, soybeans or soy milk a day added to the diet should be equivalent to the
usual intake of the Asian population. Other foods containing phytoestrogens
(plant estrogens) are miso, flaxseeds, pomegranates, and dates.
| Smoking is associated with early menopause.
| Frequent sexual intercourse can help relieve vaginal dryness.
| Many physicians prescribe hormone replace therapy (HRT) to control symptoms
of menopause. Although hormone therapy appears to be effective, it has
possible serious risks, which should be carefully considered.
| Hypothyroidism is common in menopausal women. Many symptoms ascribed to
menopause may be due to improper thyroid function. | |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No.59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
921-15 |
Lecithin 1200 mg. softgels |
1 softgel 3 times daily, before meals |
$4.50/100 |
|
990-12 |
Evening Primrose Oil 1000 mg. softgels |
As directed on label |
$13.95/60 |
|
890-15 |
B Complex 100 mg. Tabs. |
As directed on label |
$8.95/100 |
|
888-12 |
B5 Pantothenic Acid 500 mg. |
1 tablet daily. |
$6.50/60 |
|
836-15 |
B6 50 mg. Tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$3.35/100 |
|
234-15 |
E 400 IU (D-Alpha Tocopheryl) |
Start with 1 softgel daily and slowly increase the dosage until hot flashes are relieved, up to 3 softgels daily. |
$8.95/100 |
|
499-15 |
Calcium citrate 1000mg. tablets |
2 tablets daily |
$5.95/100 |
|
232-15 |
Magnesium 200 mg. Caps. |
2 to 4 capsules daily; take with calcium tablets |
$4.95/100 |
|
982-15 |
One a Day Maximum |
1 tablet daily |
$6.95/100 |
|
236-15 |
Selenium 200 mcg. tabs. |
1 tablet daily |
$5.95/100 |
|
970-12 |
Vitamin C 1000 mg. w/Rose Hips Tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$5.75/60 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd EditionBy James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Prevention’s Healing with Vitamins, by the Editors of
Prevention Magazine Health Books
Alternative Medicine, The Definitive GuideCompiled by Burton Goldberg
Alternative Medicine Guide to Women’s Health 2,
By Burton Goldberg and the Editors of Alternative Medicine
