1. What is the menopause?
2. How long does the menopause last?
3. Do men have a menopause?
4. What are the symptoms of menopause?
5. Treatments and natural remedies for menopause symptoms?

What is the menopause?

All women experience the menopause (sometimes termed the change of life) as it is a perfectly normal part of the female ageing process. The menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive period meaning that she can no longer become pregnant. Before the menopause a woman’s body goes through a series of slow and gradual changes resulting from the ovaries producing less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This pre-menopause state is called the peri-menopause.

How long does menopause last?

Women generally experience the menopause around the age of 52 but it can occur anytime from age 42 and 56. If a woman has not had a period (menstruated) for a full year, she can say her menopause has begun.

Do men have a menopause?

Technically men do not experience a menopause in that there appears to be no age in which a man ceases to be able to reproduce. This is evidenced by many men who have become fathers in their eighties! However men do experience menopause-like symptoms when middle-aged which results from a drop in testosterone levels. The symptoms can include moodiness, weight gain, loss of libido, loss of body and muscle mass and so on.

Medical professionals call this collection of symptoms the ‘andropause’. Women (rather unsympathetically) call it a mid-life crisis!

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Symptoms of menopause range from woman to woman. Here is a list of menopause symptoms some women describe as being associated with their menopause.

• Irregular periods (shorter, longer, lighter or heavier)
• Hot flushes or night sweats
• Insomnia
• Lack of energy, feeling tired
• Vaginal dryness
• Change in mood (mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, feeling gloomy, Morbid thoughts, tearfulness
• Loss of hairs for months or years afterwards
• Weight gain
• Loss of bone and muscle mass
• Palpitations
• Sore and tender breasts
• Lack of sex-drive
• Brain fog – feeling confused, unable to concentrate, forgetfulness
• Loss of bladder control
• Skin irritation
• Headaches
• Light-headed. Poor balance
• Painful Wind
• Feeling sick
• Bloated stomach
• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Tinnitus
• Osteoporosis (after several years)

Treatments for menopause symptoms

 HRT – Hormone replacement therapy

Given the wide variety of symptoms women experience leading up to and after the menopause it would be nice if there was one cure-all remedy that could alleviate all symptoms and return the woman’s body to pre-menopause function.

One such treatment which works with varying success and side effects (favoured by some women not so much by others) is HRT which is only available on prescription.

HRT mainly consists of estrogen and can be administered via tablet, patch, gel or an implant.

Foods believed to be natural sources of Estrogen

• Soybeans
• Green beans,
• Garlic,
• Sesame seeds,
• Sunflower seeds
• Wheat
• Oats
• Cucumbers
• Corn
• Apples
• Cabbage
• Olives
• Peas
• Papaya
• Olive oil

These foods are all important sources of natural estrogens. They are also good sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Herbal remedies for menopause symptoms

ProEstron is a herbal supplement which has been formulated to create emotional and hormonal balance during the menopause. – http://www.virilityhealth.com/proestron-60-caps.php

ProEstron may provide relief for the following symptoms of menopause:

• Hot flashes (hot flushes)
• Night Sweats
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Insomnia

Meanwhile there are various herbal remedies for individual symptoms experienced during the menopause. These include:

Vaginal dryness – restore grip and vaginal lubrication - Lady Secret Serum

Loss of libido – Arginmax for women

Excess hair – Kalo Hair Inhibitors

If you want to sail though your menopause, exercise, eat healthily and maintain a positive mental attitude. Look forward with less dread and fear and embrace this new phase of womanhood.