Menopausal Options - The "Change"

As women age their bodies go through changes. These are changes, not a disease. A popular view of menopause is that it is something to be cured. Menopause is viewed differently by many different cultures. Other cultures view women who have gone through menopause as "wise women" or as elders. It is an honor to cross over into a new stage in life.

These changes that happen in a woman's body are often hushed in our society. It is uncomfortable to talk about. This is slowly changing. Menopause is diagnosed when a woman goes twelve months without a menstruation cycle. She may be in peri-menopause years before this occurs though. A woman's ovaries start fluctuating the production of hormones when she starts going through the "change". This fluctuating of hormones causes the many signs and symptoms of menopause.

The signs of menopause are more than just the hot flashes and mood swings that are often referred. They can be many or few. Each woman experiences different symptoms. Symptoms can include; trouble sleeping, loss of libido, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, disturbing memory lapses, headache changes, depressions, acne, weight gain, changes in body order and various other symptoms. The signs and symptoms of menopause can vary and be confused with other diseases. It is best for a woman to consult her health care professional. They can then determine if she is menopausal. Once it is determined that a woman is menopausal steps can be taken to relieve the effects of hormone fluctuations.

There are over the counter treatments and herbs that can be used for menopause. They do not stop menopause, rather make the changes in a woman's body easier for her to manage. Much research has been done on Black Cohosh, Actaea racemosa or Cimicifuga racemosa. It has been used by Native Americans for gynecological problems. It is used extensively in Europe for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggest only short term use of six months to treat symptoms.

A popular option for menopause is HRT, Hormone Replacement Therapy. While on HRT a woman takes doses of estrogen and progesterone. This helps to level out hormone levels. Balancing the hormone levels lessons the signs of menopause. There is conflicting research as to side effects of HRT. Hormone replacement therapy has been shown to help prevent osteoporosis, heart disease and some forms of female cancer. Other studies have shown that there is a link between HRT and breast cancer as well as blood clots and heart disease.

Another option is bio-identical hormone replacement. This treatment is also very controversial. With bio-identical hormone replacement a woman takes hormones that are same molecular structure as a woman's own hormones. It is argued that these natural hormones are easier for the body to metabolize. It is also made at a compound pharmacy tailored to a woman's specific hormonal needs.

A woman going through this change in her life has to consider her options. There are many out there. A woman needs to consult with her health care physician. Test can be run to determine if she is actually in menopause of if there are other things to be considered. Working with your health care provider is important. Asking questions about anything she has concerns about is helpful. A woman and her doctor should work together to find the best options for the individual.