July-August
2008
Menopause
Hot Flashes
"A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water." Nancy Reagan
While meditating upon the question "How can I cure my hot flashes?" an answer came:
"Time and space and attention to detail." Stress exacerbates my symptoms. When I'm rushing around trying to fix everything and everyone around me, my energies become scattered and unfocused, causing an imbalance in my life force. Probably this is a normal state for many women in our culture, but it is not a healthy one.
Codependence kills. Let there be time for laughter and nothing. Let me allow myself to rest in quietude and serenity, experiencing the flow of my own energies not intermixed with others, especially those who are not present with me.
Slow down and do less. Resist multi-tasking. Allow quiet.
See the article below for some natural remedies for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.
Namaste,
Sue Redding
"Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity."
"Home computers are the perfect thing for women who don't feel that men provide them with enough frustration!"
"You cannot hope to bring out the best in others until you are fully present for them."
"Your daily affairs are the sacred ceremonies you perform within the temple of your life."
- from Inneractions by Stephen C Paul and Gary Max Collins
"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."
e.e. cummings
Natural Remedies For Menopause Symptoms
By Katherine Steinberg
If you're suffering from hot flashes, sleep disturbances or vaginal dryness but don't want to dip your toe into the dicey waters of hormone replacement therapy, we have some natural cures that may help. Read on to find out the ten best natural cures.*
*Even though these are natural aids, you should always consult your doctor to make sure nothing conflicts with your current medication.
Exercise
"Exercise is absolutely critical," says Susan Moores MSRD, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Exercise can be a powerful sleep aid, combating the sleep disturbances many women complain about.
It has been shown to improve the whole gamut of menopause symptoms from hot flashes to mood swings. She says not to just focus on aerobic exercise, but also try strength training and relaxation techniques, such as yoga.
Soy
Soy is the first natural ingredient that strikes most women when talking about menopause symptoms, says Moores. The reason soy can help reduce symptoms, such as hot flashes, is because of the high level of phytoestrogens, or plant-based estrogens. But soy supplements have become controversial. Some experts believe it can increase your breast cancer risk. "Soy is complicated," says Dr. Marcie Richardson, Director of the Harvard Vanguard Menopause Consultation Service and a member of the North American Menopause Society. Perimenopause might be the time to use soy, because the phtyoestrogens can have a modulating effect. But this hasn't really been proven, she says.
[Note: Recent studies also indicate a possible link between soy and increased risk of dementia. SR]
Flaxseed
"Flaxseed falls in the same camp as soy for the phytoestrogens," says Moores. One study by the Mayo Clinic found the incidence of hot flashes was reduced as much as 50 percent by consuming flaxseed. It is also thought to be very promising because, along with phytoestrogens, it also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can aid in mood stabilization. According to A.D.A.M., an online health content provider, when compared to hormone replacement therapy, 40 grams of flaxseed was reported to be equally as effective in reducing hot flashes, vaginal dryness and mood disturbances.
Black Cohosh
Two German studies have shown black cohosh to be effective in reducing hot flashes, according to A.D.A.M. One study in particular showed 80 percent of women saw a decrease in hot flashes while using black cohosh. However, no long-term studies have been done and there have been reports of side effects including upset stomach and low blood pressure, caution the experts at Harvard Medical School.
Natural Progesterone
This over-the-counter cure uses progesterone or progesterone-like compounds as the active ingredient. "Natural progesterone is a hormone and it works," says Dr. Richardson. "Skin creams that contain extracts of Mexican wild yams have been widely promoted for natural menopause relief for years," says Harvard Medical School. However, because of variation among products and the individual nature of skin's responsiveness, this method is not recommended by the North American Menopause Society, says Harvard. There's no safety data on this hormone, Dr. Richardson cautions.
Red Clover
Red clover is often used to reduce vaginal dryness and decrease hot flashes. The effectiveness of red clover is thought to be due to a plant-chemical, isoflavones, which has an estrogen-like effect in the body. However, according to Harvard Medical School, research results have been disappointing. Two studies published in the journal 'Menopause' found that women fared no better with red clover than a placebo for both hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fish isn't just delicious; it contains a valuable ingredient that may help stabilize your mood swings too -- omega-3 fatty acids. There have been some good studies to attest that omega-3 can help improve mood, says Dr. Richardson. There's also growing research that omega-3 fatty acids help fight heart disease. The best way to add this key ingredient to your diet is by eating fatty fish like salmon, tuna and trout.
Acupuncture
You wouldn't necessarily think that sticking needles in your body would be a helpful way to cure menopause symptoms, but when combined with other treatments, it can be helpful. Some controlled studies have shown some effectiveness in some women for hot flashes, says Dr. Richardson. According to A.D.A.M., "both the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health recognize that acupuncture can be a helpful part of a treatment plan" for many illnesses, including menopausal symptoms.
Vitamin E
There has been a study, which showed a slight effect in decreasing hot flashes for women using vitamin E, says Dr. Richardson. Along with reducing hot flashes vitamin E may carry with it extra benefits, such as fending off macular degeneration, lowering blood pressure, and slowing the aging of cells and tissues according to A.D.A.M.
Cutting down on alcohol
Who hasn't felt the negative effects of drinking too much alcohol, such as trouble sleeping or feeling flushed? This goes double for women during menopause. The thing about alcohol is: women metabolize it worse than men and we metabolize it worse as we age, says Dr. Richardson. According to Harvard Medical School, alcohol can act as a trigger for hot flashes. And if that wasn't enough to ward you off the bottle, studies show that consuming alcohol regularly ups your risk for other conditions like breast cancer and stroke.
[See the original article for some links to more information.]
www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/menopause/symptom-relief-natural
Metric Humor:
Where can you buy 36 inches?
At a yard sale.
What do you get when you cross 1000 milligrams with a cookie?
A gramcracker.
Why did the bottle want to be near the front of the shelf?
Because it was a liter, not a follower.
