Menopause-the
end of menstruation, is caused by a decline in the production of two
hormones, estrogen and
progesterone, by the ovaries.
Both estrogen and progesterone are known for their role
in sexuality and reproduction, but both perform a wide range of other
critical tasks in the body. At menopause the body's overall estrogen
levels decline about 80 percent, and although the ovaries are no longer
making estrogen, some estrogen is still being produced by the adrenal
glands and fat tissue. Production of progesterone is virtually nil,
and many women feel the loss of these hormones acutely.
Estrogen Replacement
Therapy
ERT-replaces
the hormone estrogen that is no longer made in the ovaries at menopause.
Estrogen
is used alone, it is called "unopposed" estrogen
therapy. This type of estrogen is usually given to women who have had
their uterus removed (hysterectomy). If you have your uterus, but decide
to take estrogen
without the protection of the form of progesterone (the female hormone
that helps keep the uterus lining healthy), you will need regular
ultrasounds or uterine biopsies. When
ERT
is taken in the form of oral tablets, skin patches, or injections, it
circulates through the body and reduces or stops completely the short-term
changes of menopause such as hot flashes, disturbed sleep, and vaginal
dryness. Vaginal ERT products
help with vaginal dryness, more severe vaginal changes, and bladder
effects. Since very little vaginal estrogen enters the systemic
circulation, it may or may not help with hot flashes or the prevention of
osteoporosis or heart disease.
Estrogen
should not be used in women with known or suspected pregnancy, breast
cancer, or estrogen - dependent neoplasia; undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding;
active thrombophlebits; or thromboembolic disorders. Estrogens have been
reported to increase the risk of serious side effects including
thromboembolic disorders, cardiovascular disease and endometrial carcinoma
in postmenopausal women.
Hormone Replacement
Therapy is not suitable for all women. Women should talk to their
healthcare professional before starting HRT.
Progesterone
Replacement Therapy
Progesterone,
which is produced in both the ovaries and the adrenal glands ,
essential for bone formation, sex drive, and is a natural
tranquilizer that helps women cope with stress.
Progesterone
also helps provide protection to the uterus by keeping the
endometrium from thickening. With some women and some
dosing schedules, the endometrial lining sheds from the uterus
through the vagina. Some women find this HRT-induced bleeding to be
an unacceptable nuisance, although with modern dosage regimens, the
bleeding often dwindles or stops completely over time.
Combined Hormone
Therapy
This replaces both
estrogen and
progesterone. Estrogen and
progesterone work in hundreds of areas in
your body, including the brain, bones, breasts, blood vessels,
reproductive organs, urinary organs, skin, mucous membranes and the
endocrine system. While estrogen helps lighten many menopausal
discomforts, it also causes growth of the lining of the uterus. This
thickening of the uterine lining is a risk factor for cancer. Taking
a form of progesterone helps prevent uterine cancer by protecting
the uterine wall from the tissue build- up that can occur when
estrogen is taken alone. HRT also helps
keep bones strong and your heart healthy. A combination of
estrogen
and progesterone replacement is the most widely used therapy for
women who have their uterus. There are two forms of
HRT:
- "Natural"
hormones are medications that are chemically identical to what
the body produces.
- "Synthetic"
hormones are medications that are similar but not identical to
the hormones naturally produced in the body.
Testosterone
Replacement Therapy
This replaces the hormone
testosterone
that can also decrease at menopause. Replacing testosterone offers
some relief from menopausal hot flashes in women who do not
respond well to estrogen. Testosterone can also provide some
women with a greater energy level, a higher sex drive and an
improved sense of well-being.
Hormone Replacement
Therapy is not for everyone. Although the benefits of hormone
replacement are well-known, it has some drawbacks. These
include possible increased risk of breast cancer, possible increase
of risk of gall-bladder disease, weight gain, breast tenderness,
uterine bleeding, and fluid retention. HRT is safe when estrogen and
progesterone are taken together, there are many women who may be
good candidates for HRT but still prefer to use natural solutions to
natural problems.
Alternatives? You might want to
look into
natural sources of hormones, supplements, herbs, diet, and lifestyle
changes.
Natural
Progesterone
Natural Progesterone -
Body creams containing
Mexican yam root are a natural, nontoxic, progesterone. These
over-the-counter progesterone creams can relieve mild menopausal
symptoms for many women. Progesterone creams may, like estrogen,
protect against osteoporosis.
Also I recommend
T.
J. Clark Natural HRT Advanced Formula
T. J. Clark's all natural HRT
(Hormone Replacement Therapy) is a safe, effective way to help maintain a
healthy body and mind. The ingredients in T. J. Clark Natural HRT
have been effective in safely stabilizing levels of the female hormone
estrogen, and modulating immune responses in women. T. J. Clark's all
natural HRT is formulated in a patented liquid solution for maximum
bioavailability!
DHEA
DHEA
- is
natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands, the skin and the
brain and is the most abundant hormone in the body. Current studies
show that DHEA is proving to be a
powerful weapon against cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis
and Alzheimer's Disease, and in the treatment of lupus and
osteoporosis DHEA provides
highly effective relief from menopause distress symptoms, may also
increase the body's ability to cope with stress, increase mobility,
decrease pain, and provide higher sleep
quality.
Melatonin
Melatonin -
a natural hormone produced in the pineal gland (a tiny gland in the
brain) has recently been touted for its ability to slow down the
aging process, but it also appears to be a potent immune enhancer.
One of the major benefits of
Melatonin
is that it may help to prevent the loss of immune-cell memory. It has been found to be a safe and effective sleep aid with no known
side effects. Many age-related ailments such as hypertension
and heart disease may be do at least in part to declining levels of Melatonin,
people with low Melatonin levels may
be at a higher risk for certain types of cancer. Melatonin
should only be taken at nighttime, usually about thirty
minutes prior to going to bed. If you are traveling on a long trip
you may want to take a low dosage -3 mg tablet prior to getting on
your flight and a 1.5 mg pill prior to going to bed. If
you commonly sleep during the night, Melatonin
should not normally be taken during the day - and vice versa
- because Melatonin plays a role in setting the body's daily clock.
And another important quality of
Melatonin
for many
people is that is has no morning-after hangover effect like sleeping pills. You
should normally wake up well refreshed and full of energy.
Sweet dreams!
|