When Menopause Hormone Levels Stabilize, Symptoms May Abate
by Patsy Hamilton
Menopause hormone levels may be the cause of symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. Menopause hormone replacement therapy attitudes among doctors, researchers and experts vary. Most agree that if a woman chooses this type of therapy, she should use the lowest dosage possible for the shortest period of time. Long-term use of hormone replacement is believed to carry more health risks than benefits.
As menopause hormone levels stabilize, most women find that many symptoms abate on their own. Vaginal dryness is still a problem for many women, but estrogen creams and other preparations can this symptom. Red clover and soy isoflavones have shown promising results in laboratory research, both for vaginal dryness and symptoms relating to the skin. These plant components have an estrogen-like effect on a woman�s body and may help increase the levels of estrogen in the blood stream. Once the ovaries shut down, estrogen is produced in small amounts by the adrenals and the body can convert cholesterol and some hormones to estrogen. Low levels of estrogen are also believed to cause hot flashes and night sweats, but no one is sure.
Menopause hormone replacement therapy attitudes have changed since the release of data from the Women�s Health Initiative which indicates that this type of therapy increases a woman�s risk of developing blood clots and stroke. For many years it was the treatment of choice for all menopausal symptoms, but mild symptoms are now often treated with lifestyle changes, dietary changes or herbal supplements.
Using bio-identical hormones to stabilize menopause hormone levels is believed to be safer by some, but no long-term research has been conducted concerning their use. Bio-identical hormones are designed to be molecularly identical to a woman�s own hormones. The hope is that the body will not react adversely to this type of therapy. It is more expensive than traditional hormone replacement and is not available from all doctors.
Many studies have shown that black cohosh effectively relieves hot flashes and night sweats. Laboratory research indicates that this plant poses no health risks to women. Long-term studies have not been conducted among women who use this herb, but it has a long history of use in traditional medicine. Native American healers used it for many purposes, including correcting hormonal imbalances.
Until recently, menopause hormone replacement therapy attitudes among doctors, researchers and other experts were positive. It was believed that estrogen replacement could lower a woman�s risk of developing osteoporosis and heart disease. Other drugs have now been approved for women with bone density issues and it is suggested that women should increase their intake of calcium, vitamin D and magnesium.
Many other symptoms may be associated with fluctuating menopause hormone levels. Mood swings and trouble sleeping can be relieved by learning stress management techniques and, of course, there is no health risk associated with this type of treatment plan.
To learn more about natural products that can relieve menopausal symptoms, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.
Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she writes informational articles for the Menopause and PMS Guide. Visit us at http://www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com.
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