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What You Need to Know About Menopause

Menopause is a natural cycle all women will experience some time in their lives. It occurs when the ovaries stop producing estrogen, causing a woman's reproductive system to gradually stop functioning. Menopause can last anywhere from six months to five years and can start as early as the age of thirty, although it typically begins after a woman turns fifty.

The Three Stages of Menopause
There are three stages of menopause:

• Stage one menopause is called perimenopause. This stage can begin as early as several years before your last menstrual cycle. This is the time when you will start noticing changes in your menstrual cycle.
  
  
• Stage two menopause is actually called menopause. A woman is considered to be menopausal when she has not had a menstrual cycle in one full year.
  
  
• Stage three menopause is called postmenopause. During this time, many of the symptoms of menopause cease or become less severe.

Symptoms of Menopause
Here's a list of some of the early symptoms of menopause:

• changes in your menstrual cycle
• decreased sex drive
• hot flashes, which usually last for only a short period of time
• memory problems
• mood swings
• trouble sleeping
• urinary and bladder problems.

Serious Menopause Health Problems
There are four major health issues you should be aware of during menopause:

• Osteoporosis occurs when you lose the calcium in your bones. It can be caused by a decrease in estrogen. Osteoporosis can make your bones weak and susceptible to fractures. All women going through menopause should have a bone density test to see if they are at risk for osteoporosis.
  
  
• As women age, their risk of heart disease increases. The loss of estrogen associated with menopause may be one factor that contributes to this increase.
  
  
• While researchers haven't found a link between menopause and Alzheimer's, a women's chances of developing the disease doubles every five years beyond the age of 65.
  
  
• Postmenopausal women are at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. Women can use estrogen-replacement therapy to decrease their cancer risks.

You should discuss all of these health problems associated with menopause with your doctor.

Menopause Natural Remedies
There are several natural remedies that women can use to help ease the symptoms of menopause. These menopause natural remedies are particularly helpful for women who cannot use hormone-replacement therapy.

To treat your menopause symptoms the natural way, try the following:

• Black Cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa) is used to treat hot flashes.
  
  
• Melatonin, 5-HTP and Tryptophan treat insomnia.
  
  
• Kava (Piper methysticum), Valerian root (valeriana officinalis), St. John’s Wort (hypericm perforatum) and Passion Flower (passiflora incarnate) can help treat moodiness, nervousness, anxiety and depression.
  
  
• Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia), Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) and Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) help with vaginal and bladder infections.
  
  
• Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is used to treat fatigue.
  
  
• Ginko Biloba and Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) are both used to improve memory.

Many women find relief through these natural remedies for menopause. The best thing to do is to discuss your symptoms with your doctor to see which options are available to you.