• Buy Beneficial Dietary Supplements and Products
• General Menopause / Perimenopause Information
• Possible Causes of Menopause / Perimenopause
• Possible Symptoms of Menopause / Perimenopause
• Possible Lifestyle Changes for Menopause / Perimenopause
• Beneficial Dietary Supplements

General Menopause / Perimenopause Information
Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her menstruation cycle stops. The cessation of the menstrual cycle marks the end of a woman’s childbearing years. Menopause is a natural occurrence in a woman’s life, just like puberty, and should not be considered an illness or disease. The menopausal period affects each woman differently; some start early, some start and stop, but most experience the change around the age of fifty. The transition into menopause is called perimenopause. This change can last anywhere between a few months to four years. It has been shown that the bodily changes associated with menopause are related to a wide variety of illnesses affecting women, including osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Possible Causes of Menopause / Perimenopause
Menopause is brought on by the natural decrease in the body’s production of estrogen and progesterone, commonly thought of as the sex or reproduction hormones. A woman is born with a finite number of eggs stored in the ovaries. These eggs are released on a regular cycle during her childbearing years. Her hormone levels begin to drop in her late 30s, and the remaining eggs in the ovaries are less likely to be fertilized. Eventually the menstrual cycle stops completely and the woman is no longer able to become pregnant. A woman is considered post-menopausal when she hasn’t experienced a period for one year. Although hormone levels continue drop during the post-menopausal period, these hormones do not disappear completely.

Possible Symptoms of Menopause / Perimenopause
Every woman experiences menopause differently. Some go through the experience with little to no symptoms, while others suffer for years with physical and emotional changes. Some common symptoms of menopause include irregular menstruation, hot flashes, decreased fertility, vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood swings, adult acne, wrinkles and hair growth.

Possible Lifestyle Changes for Menopause / Perimenopause
Eat a healthy diet made up of 50% raw foods. Limit dairy and meat products because they promote hot flashes. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, sugar, spicy foods, and hot foods and drinks. Get regular, moderate exercise and avoid stressful situations. Drink two quarts of water daily. Use a vaginal lubricant during sex to enhance pleasure. Smokers should quit smoking.

Beneficial Dietary Supplements
There is a growing interest in the natural approach to minimizing the effects of menopause. Many women are concerned about the side effects of conventional medicine and are finding herbal solutions meet their needs remarkably well.

Menopausal Herb Formulas have shown to be effective for many women and these formulas contain important herbs that work as natural estrogen promoters.

DHEA improves memory and sex drive, and it reduces stress. NOTE: DHEA is converted to estrogen and testosterone in the body.

Beta glucan boosts bone marrow production and stimulates the immune system.

Essential Fatty Acids found in Primrose oil is good for hot flashes and estrogen production.

Lecithin emulsifies vitamin E and helps reduce hot flashes and related symptoms.

Vitamin B Complex improves circulation and offers many other health benefits.

Vitamin E reduces hot flashes and many other symptoms.

Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc Complex supports bones and relieves nervousness and irritability.

Damiana enhances sexual desire and pleasure.

Chamomile and Valerian Root calm the body and promotes sleep.

Gotu Kola and Dong Quai relieve hot flashes, vaginal dryness and depression.

St. John's Wort relieves depression.

REFERENCES: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition, Phyllis Balch, CNC; James F. Balch, M.D.