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In this issue:
Menopause is the term used for when a woman enters the stage of her life when she stops menstruating. Menopause is also known as “the change” or “the change of life” and although some women sail through this stage with very little change, many women experience physical and emotional changes, which are very challenging.
There is no definite time when a woman may stop menstruating for good, but this usually occurs around the age of 50, but may naturally occur when a woman is in her 40’s or in her late 50’s.
Male menopause, also known as Andropause, is a contentious term, sometimes thought to be incorrect, as menopause actually refers to the cessation of menses or periods and men cannot have a period. This term is meant to describe the state of life in an older man, where the levels of testosterone drop and many symptoms shown in menopause may also be present, such as depression, excessive sweating, irritability and hot flushes.
Aging causes normal physiologic menopause, where the ovaries stop producing eggs, the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone decrease and monthly periods end.
It is the decrease in the levels of hormones, particularly estrogen that is the cause of many of the symptoms associated with the menopause.
Premature menopause, or the early gradual or abrupt cessation of menstruation, may occur before the age of 40, and the cause of this can sometimes not be identified. This is known as idiopathic menopause, but most cases of early menopause are usually caused by damage to the ovaries, or disease, which targets or influences the health of the ovaries. A hysterectomy and other surgery to the reproductive system will also cause premature menopause. Exposure to high levels of radiation may damage the ovaries, and extreme emotional stress, debilitation and malnutrition are also known causes of early menopause.
Periods become less frequent or regular and finally cease.
A fall in the levels of estrogen stops ovulation and may cause the following symptoms:
- Hot flushes
- Fatigue
- Heart palpitations
- Night sweats
- Irritability
- Vaginal dryness
- Depression
- Headaches
- Weight gain
- Insomnia
- Pain in the joints
- Poor concentration or memory
- Poor bladder control
- Urinary tract infections
Other symptoms, which are also long-term and may be life threatening are:
- High blood pressure, which may lead to a heart attack or stroke
- Osteoporosis, which may lead to an increased risk of bone fractures
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
This is usually the replacement of estrogen, which can be administered via tablets, patches, creams, pessaries (a vaginal suppository) and other intra uterine devices.
Concern has risen that long term HRT may increase the risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer. There is also evidence that this therapy may be linked to an increase in heart attacks, strokes and thrombosis.
Due to these concerns HRT is usually only prescribed where the symptoms of menopause radically affect a woman’s quality of life.
Estrogen may be prescribed together with synthetic progesterone (progesterone is a hormone that prepares the uterus for the fertilized ovum and maintains pregnancy). This is usually prescribed for women who have not had a hysterectomy, as this is thought to reduce the risk of cancer of the uterus from developing.
Sequential combined HRT is the term used when progesterone is taken after estrogen. This may cause vaginal bleeding that resembles a period, but is not a period.
Continuous Combined HRT is the term used when estrogen and progesterone are taken at the same time. This does not cause vaginal bleeding.
A doctor will usually assess the need to continue HRT very year. While using HRT, a woman should have her breasts and cervix examined regularly, due to the possible increased risk of cancer.
Side Effects of HRT
Besides the possible increased risk of developing cancer or cardiovascular diseases, nausea, hair loss, weight gain and depression have been reported as common side effects of HRT.
Bisphosphonates 
These are various types of drugs, which prevent the bone from reabsorbing bone tissue, and are seen to be very effective when used to prevent osteoporosis, which could lead to an increased risk of hip, spine and other bone fractures.
Bisphosphonates can be taken daily, weekly or monthly in capsule or tablet form, or may be administered via injections that are normally given every quarter.
Supplements containing calcium and vitamin D are also usually prescribed; as they are thought to help the bones make new bone tissue.
Other Treatment Options
Nutrition and Lifestyle
Following a balanced diet that keeps the ingestion of animal fats to the absolute minimum and which includes a variety of fresh green and dark green vegetables, fruits, nuts and fish is reported to help alleviate or help prevent the symptoms of menopause. Regular moderate exercise is also thought to help alleviate or help prevent symptoms.
Nutritional Supplements
Although your medical practitioner will advice you to rather get all your nutrition through natural food sources – through a balanced healthy diet, our modern lifestyles tend to limit our diet and some supplementation may be necessary. Most commonly, a doctor may recommend a calcium supplement, which contains vitamin D, as this helps increase calcium absorption. A magnesium supplement may also be recommended, as this is thought to minimize cramps and to help you sleep at night.
The following vitamins are thought to be of help during menopause and may help prevent symptoms:
Vitamin E (for hot flushes, Vitamin E may be depleted when using HRT)
Food sources: nuts, oils, vegetables, sunflower seeds, whole grains, spinach, oils, seeds, wheat oils, asparagus, avocado, beef, seafood, apples, carrots, celery.
Vitamin B Complex (to help keep a normal balance of vitamins in the body – thought necessary to help promote a correct balance of calcium in the body)
Food sources: Present in many food sources, but various B vitamins are abundant in liver and yeast.
Plant Estrogens or Phyto Estrogens (natural plant substances, similar to the hormone estrogen)
Food Sources: Found in many plants, but are abundantly present in linseeds, Soya (Soy) proteins and clover extracts.
Calcium and Vitamin D. To help the bones build.
Food sources: Milk, milk products, beans, nuts, molasses and fruit contain good amounts of calcium. Fish and seafood, as well as green leafy vegetables supply good amounts of calcium.
For an excellent calcium supplement you can look at Zest for Life Oysta-Cal at www.AnyVitamins.com/oystacal.htm
Magnesium (also necessary for building bones and is said to help you sleep - a deficiency is said to cause cramps)
Food sources: Magnesium is found in dairy products, fish, meat and seafood, as well as in legumes, apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, whole grain cereals, nuts, dark green vegetables, and cocoa, while hard water and mineral water may also supply it in fair quantities.
Alternative Therapies
Although we believe that a registered medical practitioner should treat any medical condition and that no treatment should be undertaken without your doctor’s approval, the following supportive therapies may be found to be of benefit:
Herbalism
Certain herbal treatments are suggested for relieving symptoms of menopause. These are:
Black Cohosh Root
The German Commission E approved the use of black cohosh root for premenstrual discomfort and dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) or climacteric (menopausal) neuro-vegetative ailments.
Occasional gastric discomfort is reported as a side effect when using Black cohosh root medicinally.
Dong quai or Chinese Angelica, Milk Thistle, Red Clover, American Ginseng and Chaste Tree Berry have also been reported as being effective in relieving hot flushes and sleep disturbances in menopause.
Aromatherapy
Some studies done on the aroma-therapeutic effects of Chaste tree berry or leaf suggest that the essential oil may be beneficial when used in aromatherapy to relieve common symptoms of menopause.
Other essential oils, such as Clary Sage, Lavender, Cypress, Geranium and Petitgrain are also widely reported to be beneficial, although no clinical studies proving their effects on menopausal symptoms have been discovered.
For more information on these oils, please visit www.essentialoils.co.za.
Some women find other alternative treatments to be of benefit as well, such as:
- Acupuncture
- Reflexology
- Homeopathy
- Acupressure
- Osteopathy
Summary
Menopause is usually a normal change of life, which is natural and common to all women. When entering this change of life, a woman commonly has to face many challenges, which can be overcome with a positive attitude and through help and support from friends, family, professionals and support groups. Constant research is being done to develop and understand various treatment options for the symptoms presented during this time of life.
Many alternative therapies abound, and it is best to rather consult a professional about these, and to consider advice from a trusted friend or friends who are experiencing menopause as well and know what the challenges are.
A healthy balanced diet, limiting the consumption of animal fats, moderate exercise and a healthy lifestyle are reported to alleviate symptoms experienced during menopause.
Other articles of interest
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