Blaine561's Social and Health Commentary

For many people, the uncomfortable dog days of summer last for a few short months, but for menopausal women with symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, it can feel like summer all year long.

Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s aging process when her ovaries stop producing estrogens. It can occur naturally or may be induced by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. Since estrogens are largely responsible for developing and maintaining the female reproductive system, reduced levels can cause uncomfortable symptoms called vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats).

“I knew one day I would go through ‘the change,’ but I didn’t think the symptoms would be so dramatic. I never knew when a hot flash was going to hit me. I had hot flashes all day at work and night sweats woke me up several times during the night. I knew I needed help and I talked to my doctor about my options,” said Janet Sussman, real estate agent and mother of three from New Albany, Ohio.

Although the majority of women experience “natural” or spontaneous menopause, some women may experience “induced” menopause due to medical interventions such as hysterectomy, chemotherapy or radiation. A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and sometimes cervix. If both ovaries are removed along with the uterus (bilateral oophorectomy surgery), a woman will experience menopause, regardless of her age.

Menopause caused by hysterectomy can cause the same symptoms as natural menopause, including night sweats and hot flashes. It is believed that the faster a woman goes through the transition from regular menstrual periods to no periods, the more significant her hot flashes will be. Some women experience severe hot flashes that interfere with their ability to function.

Now there is good news for the 52 million women approaching menopause. A new FDA-approved oral estrogen therapy called ENJUVIA™ (synthetic conjugated estrogens, B) is now available for the treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms. It is synthesized from plants and uses a unique delivery system that allows for the slow release of estrogens into the bloodstream over several hours.

The FDA and professional organizations including the North American Menopause Society recommend using hormone therapies at the lowest dose, for the shortest time period, if the benefits outweigh the risks, which include myocardial infarction, stroke, invasive breast cancer, pulmonary emboli and deep vein thrombosis.

David Portman, M.D., founder of the Columbus Center for Women’s Health Research, explains, “Given that millions of women will be entering menopause every year and with one-third of those women experiencing a hysterectomy by age 60, there is a stronger need than ever for advanced technology to provide effective relief from vasomotor symptoms at lower doses.”

Important Information:

Important health information you should know when taking estrogens like ENJUVIA:

Estrogens increase the risk for cancer of the uterus (womb). If you experience persistent or recurring vaginal bleeding while taking estrogens, let your doctor know right away, as this could be a warning sign for cancer. Your doctor should check for the cause of any unusual vaginal bleeding after menopause.

Estrogens (alone or in combination with progestins) should not be used to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes or dementia.

Estrogens (alone or in combination with progestins) may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, breast cancer and blood clots. Estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia. Because of these risks, estrogens should be used at the lowest dose possible for the shortest time possible. You and your doctor should talk regularly to determine whether you still need treatment with ENJUVIA.

What are the common side effects with ENJUVIA?

You may experience headache, breast pain, irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting, stomach/ abdominal cramps and bloating, nausea and vomiting, or hair loss.

Who should not use ENJUVIA?

Do not use ENJUVIA if you:

• may be pregnant

• have unusual vaginal bleeding

• have a history of certain cancers, blood clots or liver problems

• have had a stroke or heart attack in the past year

• are allergic to ENJUVIA or any of its ingredients.

Women who are currently undergoing the natural changes associated with menopause often have a variety of uncomfortable or frustrating symptoms that accompany the change. Although there are many pharmaceuticals available either over the counter or with a prescription, some quick and simple cures are the natural remedies that women have been using for thousands of years. These natural products are able to treat the symptoms of menopause without potentially harmful side effects or drug interactions.

Many women are experiencing problems due to the diminishing estrogen level in their system due to menopause. This level can be artificially replaces using estrogen replacement therapy, but it may have more serious consequences. Studies have shown that some women who participate in estrogen replacement therapies are at a greater risk of breast and uterine cancers than women who did not participate in the programs. Instead of adding hormones to your body, allow it to change naturally and work to control each symptom. Not all women experience each symptom of menopause, so you should only concentrate on the symptoms that are currently affecting your life and body.

By far, the easiest way to treat your menopause symptoms naturally is to change your diet. Eating a healthy, well balanced diet will not only increase you general sense of health and well being, but also help your body naturally adjust to the changes associated with menopause. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables and be sure to steer clear of foods high in fat, which can potentially cause your body to have more issues when it comes to estrogen regulation.

Instead of replacing lost estrogen, women in menopause should consider using an all natural product that works to mimic the effects of estrogen on the body. One such product in phytoestrogens, commonly used in Japan by women affected by menopause. These plant products are naturally found in foods, especially the soy bean. In addition to adding soy based food to your diet, including tofu and soy substitutes like soy milk and cheese, consider taking a supplement of phytoestrogen. The plant estrogen is not nearly as potent as the hormone produced in the human body, so the increased probability of breast cancer is nil.

Regular exercise will also aid a woman’s body through this naturally changing stage of menopause. Just like eating a healthy and well balanced diet, ensuring your body receives the proper amount of exercise will not only affect your overall sense of health, it will also work to ensure your body is at its healthiest during menopause. Consider joining a gym or joining up with a fellow gal pal in menopause in order to ensure you are sticking to your exercise plan on a regular basis.

Supplements and vitamins are also excellent for curing the problems of menopause. Vitamin C is great for individuals who want to strengthen their immune system and prevent general illnesses and other health related problems. This vitamin is perfect for women who are experiencing hot flashes in association with their menopause, as it expands blood vessels and is packed with bioflavinoids, which work to stop hot flashes in their tracks.

Vitamin E is also another vitamin for women who are looking to combat the problem of incontinency, commonly associated with menopause. This vitamin works by building collagen in order to provide the skin with the utmost elasticity. Menopause often decreases the collagen found in skin, so that the skin—and even the bladder—begins to lose its elasticity, therefore causing incontinence. Vitamin E also helps combat stretch marks and wrinkles, so many women take it in order to keep their skin

looking its best.

Since menopause can zap a woman’s energy, it is critical all women in this stage of their life take a supplement rich in Vitamin B. This tiny vitamin works to combat stress and provides your body with a boost of energy. Although it is available in pill format, some women choose to seek an injection from their doctor on a regular basis because the symptoms of menopause have proven too tiring to continue basic tasks.

Treating the symptoms of menopause naturally is an excellent way to avoid pharmaceuticals and still achieve the same results. For women suffering from the common side effects of menopause, these natural alternatives are excellent ways to ensure the change that is affecting their body does not affect their life.

Since it was discovered that the risks of hormone therapy outweighed the benefits, scientists have been searching for a safe, natural way to alleviate the symptoms of menopause.

Participants are currently being recruited for a follow-up clinical trial of a treatment known as MF101 developed by Bionovo, Inc. In its initial clinical trial, MF101 provided women in the study with preliminary evidence of relief from such symptoms as hot flashes and night sweats, without the risks associated with hormone therapy.

The treatment being tested clinically targets only one of the two known estrogen receptors-the estrogen receptor beta. Laboratory data has shown that MF101 does not cause the proliferation of breast or uterine cancer cells the way hormone therapy can, making the drug a safer alternative to currently available hormone therapies.

In 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Estrogen Plus Progestin Trial, with over 16,000 women participants, was stopped early when it was found that the standard dose of combination hormone therapy increased the risk of breast cancer, stroke, heart attacks, blood clots and dementia.

“Given the void that exists for a safe and effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, our aim is to discover and develop novel drugs such as MF101 that can abate many of the symptoms that have historically been treated with hormones,” said Dr. Mary Tagliaferri. Tagliaferri is co-author of “The New Menopause Book: The Experts Help You Make Informed Decisions on HRT, Natural Hormone Therapy, Herbal Therapies, Traditional Chinese Medicine And More” (Avery, 2006) and Chief Medical Officer of Bionovo, which is developing the drug.

The clinical trials will take place under the directorship of renowned researcher Dr. Deborah Grady at four leading academic medical centers.

Bionovo expects this Phase 2 trial to be completed by the second quarter of 2007.

“If this new drug proves to be effective, we will be providing health care practitioners with a treatment they can comfortably recommend to women experiencing menopause,” said Dr. Tagliaferri.

Menopause is related to women who are advanced in age. This is the time in their life when the menstruation cycle stops. Many people also refer to menopause as the change of life. The ovaries stop producing estrogen, which is the female hormone, marking the end of childbearing years.

Because there is a lack of estrogen the body reacts by shutting down the reproductive organs, which is the reason why women who have been through menopause can no longer have children. Menopause can also be triggered earlier if a woman has a complete hysterectomy; once again this is due to the lack of estrogen produced by the woman’s reproductive organs.

As the body adapts to this new change it will react with certain symptoms some of the very well known symptoms are hot flushes and heart palpitations. There are also psychological symptoms that may appear such as depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings and lack of concentration. There may also be increased light and irregular menstrual periods during this transition period.

These symptoms are considered to be normal, and may range in severity. Some women hardly even know they are experiencing menopause and notice very few of the above symptoms, while others have severe reactions.

Menopausal symptoms generally last between 6-12 months in most women, although some women may experience all or some of these symptoms for as long as 5 years. In these extreme cases there may be medical approaches taken to ease the symptoms. One common approach is hormone replacement therapy.

There are some risks and benefits to having hormone replacement therapy; one of the benefits is a reduced risk of the onset of osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of getting osteoporosis.

Some of the risks involved with hormone replacement therapy are an increased chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

These risks and benefits are discussed thoroughly with a doctor before hormone replacement therapy is started. It is up to each woman to choose what approach will be taken toward her menopausal symptoms, once the risks and benefits have been discussed.

Onset of menopause is likely to begin at around the age of 50 years, if the woman has had a serious illness or suffered from cancer requiring chemotherapy, it is likely there will be an earlier onset of menopause, in some cases if the woman is under 40 it is considered to be premature menopause.

Menopause is considered to be a natural part of a woman’s ageing process and these symptoms are considered to be normal. If a woman has any concerns during this time of her life it is best to seek the help of a medical professional, who will be able to offer advice and ways to reduce the severity of symptoms.

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Menopause is a normal biological change in the life of a woman. Menopause is the long, slow process of the reproductive system. For most women this process begins silently around the age of 40 when menstrual cycles start to be less regular.

A woman can prepare herself for the onset of menopause and the symptoms associated with it. Life can be as healthy, independent and fulfilling as any of the younger stages of a woman by proper diets, exercise and habits. Here are a few tips:

1. Every woman must have a healthy diet, rich in fresh fruits, vegetable, whole grains and low in saturated fats and fatty acids. They should avoid dairy and animal products, commercial baked goods and hard margarines. They should reduce their salt intake also.

A healthy diet improves a woman’s sense of well-being. It also reduces the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis (porous bones) and some cancers. A diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetable, whole grains, calcium and vitamin D can help you cope with menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It helps fight against heart disease and osteoporosis, which are the negative long-term effects of early menopause. You should take enough calcium to keep your bones strong and prevent osteoporosis.

2. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart diseases and osteoporosis. It also provides a feeling of emotional well being. Half an hour of brisk walking, swimming, cycling or dancing at least three times a week will help maintain joint flexibility and muscle strength. Regular physical activity and exercise also provides a good night’s sleep. Also avoid alcohol, caffeine, large meals and working right before bedtime so that you may get a sound sleep.

3. A woman’s sexuality is very complex. It involves physical, social, and emotional responses. Good lubrication, a caring and sensitive partner and new positions can help to alleviate pain during sex. Emotional satisfaction also reduces the risk of early menopause.

Whether you are in your 40′s and just beginning your journey into menopause or are already there, a healthy diet and exercise will relieve menopausal symptoms. Other alternatives are hormone replacement therapy programs which should be discussed with your physician.

While menopause is a normal change in life that all women experience, the symptoms can be extremely bothersome. Some women are bombarded with these uncomfortable symptoms, and search out ways to help control them. Here we will discuss menopause and how to help control its symptoms.

Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes are also known as night sweats, but do not always occur at night. It is when your body becomes suddenly hot, so hot, that it radiates into the face and neck area. Very often the person suffering with the hot flash will sweat so profusely that the sweat will saturate her clothing. A hot flash is usually always followed by a chill, or cooling down period. To help control hot flashes effectively, a woman can add soy products or more fiber to her diet.

Vaginal dryness is another uncomfortable symptom of menopause. Research studies have shown that adding vitamin E supplements to their daily routines, many women have lessened, and even eliminated vaginal dryness all together. Vitamin E suppositories are available for menopausal women – these are inserted into the vagina. Vitamin E is also proven effective in aiding in the reduction, or even elimination, of hot flashes, as well.

There are numerous natural remedies to help in controlling many of the symptoms of menopause. Due to lack of hormones being produced in their bodies, many women will experience bouts of moodiness, and sometimes even depression. St. John’s Wart, which can be purchased at many health food stores, can often help with this. By adding a St. John’s Wart supplement to their daily routine, many women have reported being less irritable, less depressed, and even energized. Other supplements that can help with moodiness include kava kava and valerian.

Black cohosh is a very popular herb women use to help cut down on the symptoms of menopause. Black cohosh can help with hot flashes, cramps, and heavy menstrual bleeding. Research studies have also shown that black cohosh may even help prevent osteoporosis. Most research studies recommend you take black cohosh extract, and it may take two to four weeks before noticed results occur.

Like black cohosh, chasterberry (or vitex agnus castus) can help alleviate symptoms of menopause including hot flashes and vaginal dryness. In addition to these symptoms of menopause, chasterberry may also help with breast tenderness. Women have reported it taking up to four weeks to achieve noticeable results.

While the symptoms of menopause can be uncomfortable, bothersome, and irritating, there is hope. In addition to traditional hormone replacement therapy, many options are available to help lessen, or even eliminate the symptoms of menopause.

Urinary infections, also known as infections of the urinary tract, are one of the most common bacterial infections in women. The urinary tract is more susceptible to infections during menopause due to reduction in hormonal support. This tract, being a system for the removal of the body’s fluid wastes, is more vulnerable to multiplication of bacteria, leading to infection. Though not very serious, the urinary infections are painful. The symptoms disappear quickly after treatment with antibiotics.

Most women would experience infections of the urinary tract, at least once in their lifetimes, though many would have them repeatedly.

Menopause and Urinary Infections – Their Causes

Factors leading to increased risks of urinary infections in women are pregnancy, urinary infections as a child, diabetes and menopause. The bacteria, around the rectum or the vagina, which enter the urinary tract cause urinary infections in women. The female anatomy is prone to urinary infections as the very act, and sexual intercourse massages the bacteria into the urethra.

A weak bladder could be the cause of urinary infections. The bladder stretches to hold urine and relaxes when it is emptied of urine. When, at times, you wait a long time to empty your bladder, the bladder is overstretched and the bladder muscle becomes weak. In this state, it does not completely empty the bladder and retains some urine, which increases the risk of infection.

When you have urinary infections, you have a strong urge to urinate. The act of urination is followed by sharp pain and a burning sensation in the urethra. Some times, even when the urge is great, very little urine is released. This frequent urge to urinate is one of the symptoms of urinary infections. It is advisable to have proper diagnosis done, since during menopause similar symptoms could cause vaginal or vulva-related infections.

Ways to Prevent Urinary Infections during Menopause

The usual treatment is a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics need to be taken as prescribed and continued until the full treatment is complete. There are certain ways that you can prevent urinary infections from occurring:

· First and foremost is to practice good personal hygiene.

· After bowel movement and urination, wash the area around the rectum and the vagina thoroughly and ensure it is dried properly.

· Washing before and after sexual intercourse is a way of preventing urinary infections. Some doctors recommend urinating before and after a sexual intercourse to flush out bacteria.

· Drink plenty of water to ensure flushing out of bacteria from the urinary tract. Do not accumulate urine in the bladder, and empty it out at the earliest to reduce the risk of infections.

· Cotton panties, or panties with a cotton crotch, is recommended as cotton allows moisture to evaporate. Moist environment is a breeding ground for bacteria.

· Sexually active women can change sexual positions to cause less friction on the urethra. Women who tend to have frequent urinary infections are advised to take antibiotics after sexual intercourse.

Some women will say that menopause is a natural experience and quite enjoyable. Most women will not agree. The symptoms of menopause can be confusing and difficult for both women and everyone around them. Diet and exercise can help women ease them into the next stage of their life and it really does make a difference.

Many women go through menopause without even knowing or understanding what is going on with their bodies. The number of eggs in women’s ovaries decreases and estrogen and progesterone levels waver and then decline. Periods will be irregular for a while (different with all women) and then stop altogether. Because of the drastic hormone changes, women’s bodies go through various side effects.

Menopause side effects aren’t your everyday headaches and cramps, but instead women could suffer some serious health effects. Weight is usually redistributed and will go straight to the stomach. This is why an exercise program is encouraged. There is also an increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. Consuming extra calcium can help prevent osteoporosis. Cholesterol levels also rise in many women.

Symptoms of menopause that most women can expect to experience, whether mild or severe, include hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, mood swings, frequent urination, vaginal dryness, and even depression in some cases. There are conventional medications that can be taken to boost your estrogen levels and help minimize symptoms. One of the best ways to enjoy a healthy, happy menopause lifestyle is by eating a nutritious and healthy diet.

During menopause it is important that you keep in close contact with your doctor and schedule regular check up appointments. You will need regular physical examinations and regular Pap smears as a precaution. After menopause, be prepared to have a mammogram every year or two after the age of 40, and then annually after 50. Try and schedule a screening for colon cancer about every three to five years and a cholesterol check every three years as well. While most of these check-ups and screenings are only preventative and precautionary, it is still a good idea to have them done so as to ensure your health. Because women have a tendency to be plagued with osteoporosis and bone deterioration, some doctors will suggest an ultrasound of the pelvic area to measure bone density.

All women will have a list of questions to ask both before the menopause process starts, during the transition, and afterwards. It is important that women stay well informed about the changes going on in their bodies. One of the easiest ways to do this is stay in close contact with your doctor, and if you have embarrassing questions, ask him anyway, he’s probably been asked the same thing before.

Ever heard of hot flushes and mood swings? These are among the common symptoms of this medical condition commonly associated with women called menopause.

Menopause is actually a process which results to the stoppage of a woman’s monthly period. Menopause, which is characterized by hormonal changes, begins between the ages of 40 and 50.

A woman who is undergoing the process of menopause experiences lots of hormonal changes which are manifested through various symptoms like hot flushes, irritability, erratic menstrual cycle and other symptoms. Women who are in the process of getting menopause may also experience insomnia, loss of sexual urge, forgetfulness, headaches, osteoporosis and even gain in weight.

The whole cycle of menopause merely prepares a woman for that time when she stops ovulating because her ovaries have stopped producing eggs for the process of ovulation. During this process, a woman’s estrogen decreases while her progesterone is produced in minimal levels. The lack of progesterone results to a thinner uterus lining and a stoppage of the monthly menstrual cycle.

The symptoms of menopause can be quite unnerving for women particularly the changing moods and the hot flushes. However, there are ways to lessen the impact of these symptoms like estrogen replacement therapy for hot flushes. Most women however decline its use due to the risk of cyclical bleeding and getting cancer.

Menopause is not really something new because it naturally occurs in a woman’s life. However, menopause is not experienced by women alone because there is also male menopause called andropause

Women who refuse to use synthetic hormone replacement can take other options depending on the specific symptoms they are experiencing. What is important is they live a healthy lifestyle by eating the right kind of food, getting regular exercise, and refraining from bad habits like smoking and drinking.

There are menopausal women who opt for alternative or herbal medicines. However, it is safe to consult their doctors first before using these herbal medicines to make sure these are not harmful to them.

Most of the women who dread menopause are usually women who lack the basic information of what menopause is. Menopause is part of a woman‘s reproductive make up and no one can avoid it. Being in this stage does not mean they can no longer live the way they used to do. There are just changes that women have to live with and confront. Instead of dreading that day when menopause sets in, women should get to know more about menopause, its symptoms and how they can live healthier and more active lives after menopause.

Women who are experiencing irregular periods, night sweats and all the other lovely symptoms that go along with menopause may feel they’re doing a crazy dance called the menopause hormone bounce. Their moods may bounce up and down like a rubber ball due to the menopause hormone changes.

While some fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone hormone levels does occur during menopause and makes a woman feel as if they’re bouncing, menopause hormone levels are truly decreasing. In the early or perimenopause stage as it’s often called, the changes may be slight, then level off. This is likely to be followed by another drop in hormone levels. It’s this dropping and leveling off, then dropping and leveling off that causes a woman to feel as if she’s undergoing menopause hormone bouncing.

When seen this way, the ups and downs of menopause hormone levels is more understandable and explains why women often feel as if they’re at the mercy of their hormones. They are. The constant decreasing and adjusting involved in menopause hormones is not something that can be controlled without the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT smoothes out the menopause hormone levels and keeps many of the more unpleasant menopause symptoms and conditions from wrecking havoc with a woman’s life.

HRT is not for everyone, though. Only women who are experiencing extreme menopause hormone problems should opt for HRT treatment. Even then, HRT isn’t recommended for long-term use. HRT is, however, necessary for women who have an induced menopause hormone condition due to surgery. Though HRT may be somewhat controversial, it is still one of the most reliable and effective treatments for menopause hormone problems and should be considered by any woman who is going through a dramatic menopause.

Women who have milder menopause hormone conditions may be helped by herbal remedies for menopause. Many herbs such as black cohosh, St. John’s Wort and valerian have been found to offer relief for many menopause hormone problems. Before taking anything, a woman should see her doctor and have a good physical examination and make sure that any medicines or herbs are safe for her particular menopause hormone symptoms. Never take a label’s word for it that it’s safe. Get your doctor’s advice first because the last thing you want to do is add to your menopause woes!