Menopause: Not for the Faint of Heart #2

This is the second in a series of articles on menopause titled: Menopause: Not for the Faint of Heart. My first article was about my transition through the change.

All women going through menopause have different symptoms and a few lucky women have none at all. This article is about natural remedies you can try to alleviate some of the symptoms you may experience. I'm not a doctor, so please make sure to consult your health practitioner before starting any OTC herbs or vitamins.

Some ways to start fighting the symptoms associated with menopause are: 1. Buy a journal and document your feelings. 2. Pamper yourself by getting a massage, facial or pedicure. 3. Designate a room in your home where you can spend some alone time and do something you enjoy (examples are: reading, crafting or doing your nails). 4. Exercise.

Anxiety and insomnia are two of the menopausal symptoms that can go on for years. A lot of doctors want to treat these symptoms with antidepressants and sleep aids. Many of these types of drugs can be addictive, so going the natural route first is best. Some herbs that may help are: Liferoot, black cohash, dong quai, motherwart, valerian root and chamomile (if you are allergic to ragweed-avoid chamomile). Most of these herbs work by helping you to relax.

Weeping, irritability and emotional uproar are the PMS-like symptoms that I experienced to the 10th degree. Most of the women transitioning through menopause that I talk to experience these symptoms to some degree. The first thing that can help is getting enough sleep. Make sure you take the supplements calcium w/magnesium and vitamin D. These supplements not only help these menopausal symptoms, they also help your bones stay strong and fight osteoporosis. Some herbs that you can try are: vitex berry, valerian root, dong quai, black cohash, and liferoot. These herbs help to soothe, balance and calm nerves and fight hysteria.

Many women suffer mental fatigue and depression during menopause. Some herbs I can recommend that can combat mental fatigue and depression are: Siberian ginseng, St. John's Wart, garden sage, ginger and dandelion root. All of these herbs have a stimulating effect. Of course, if you have severe depression or suicidal thoughts contact your doctor immediately.

Heart palpitations are a common menopausal symptom. The first time it happens is the worst, because you think you're going to faint and die. For many women the heart palpitations are a precursor to a hot flash. The best way to combat a heart palpitation is to breathe deeply for 2-5 minutes. Inhale slow and deep, hold your breath for 3 seconds and exhale very slowly. In your mind think: I'm not dying--it's ONLY a palpitation. That has always worked for me. Some things that help prevent these episodes are: Eating grapes, taking vitamin E and magnesium supplements and the herbs: black haw root bark, rose flower and valerian root.

Last, but certainly not least are hot flashes, night sweats and the associated sleep disturbances that affect almost 1/2 the women going through menopause. Some things that can trigger hot flashes are: Spicy foods, hot drinks, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, tobacco and hot weather. A hot flash can last a few seconds to 15 minutes or more. A friend told me that when she gets a hot flash, she feels that she's lost all control because there's no way to stop it. It's affecting her work, her sleep and her life.

Hot flashes/night sweats deplete the levels of vitamin B, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium in your system, so it's best to eat foods that are high in these nutrients and take supplements as an extra measure. Some herbs that can help are: chickweed, elder and violet which when taken regularly help to cool the body's system. Herbs that can help with extreme sweating associated with hot flashes are: lachesis, valeriana, sanguinaria and belladonna.

Other things that can help are wearing cotton underwear and shirts and layering your clothing for easy removal, especially during the cold winter months. A friend told me that she combines a 50/50 mix of water and rubbing alcohol and keeps it in a jar by her bed with a washcloth. If she's awaken by a hot flash she lightly soaks the washcloth and applies it to her face, neck and chest for an instant cool down.

For more information on natural remedies for menopause I recommend the book: The Wisdom of Menopause by: Christiane Northrup, MD and the website: www.project-aware.org.