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Showing posts with label menopause. Show all posts
Showing posts with label menopause. Show all posts

Friday, January 29, 2016

Is Hormone Therapy Treatment Safe for Menopause?


The question of whether hormone therapy treatment is safe or not for menopause didn’t seem to be a bother for many women, until researchers in the Women’s Health Initiative in 2002 associated this treatment with increased risks of diseases like heart attack, stroke and breast cancer, among others. Out of fear, the announcement saw millions of women do away with their hormones, drastically affecting its prescription and consumption. 2 years later, Women’s Health Institute would further establish that women making use of estrogen alone were not at high risk of developing heart attacks and breast cancer, save for blood clots and strokes.

To help in answering whether it’s still safe or not to use, we will briefly review what HRT is, and then the benefits and the risk factors.

Understanding HRT

When a woman gets to menopause (widely ranging from 30s to 50s), her body reduces the production of female hormones, known as estrogen and progesterone. With this development, her ovaries can no longer produce eggs, her monthly periods stop, and she can no longer become expectant. This change in the female life comes with a lot of short term and long term symptoms, including moodiness, irritability, sleep disturbance, hot flushes, sweating, vaginal pains and dryness, among others.

Administration of HRT

To relieve menopause symptoms, doctors prescribe HRT, which works by replacing either or both the depleted estrogen and progesterone. HRT is taken in various forms: in form of tablets, as implants (appropriate places as guided by the doctor), or by rubbing it into the skin as a gel or spray. Creams or vaginal rings can be administered for women dealing with vaginal dryness.

Types of Hormone Therapies

There are two major types of hormones therapies. Estrogen Therapy is where estrogen is taken alone, and is usually taken in low doses on a daily basis, for the purposes of relieving symptoms of menopause and for the prevention of osteoporosis, and is largely recommended for women who have undergone hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). The second one is generally referred to as a combination therapy, because ideally it is a combination of doses from estrogen and progesterone. Others may call it Estrogen Progesterone or Progestin Hormone Therapy.

The Do's and Don’ts of Hormone Therapy Treatment

Hormone therapy remains the most efficient and successful menopause treatments for hot flashes and vaginal dryness.  Vaginal estrogen should be the preferred treatment for women whose only issue is uncomfortable sexual intercourse because of vaginal dryness. Estrogen pills, cream, gel or spray remain the most reliable treatment for both night sweats and hot flashes, in addition to symptoms like itching and painful intercourse. You should therefore not suffer in silence with “internal global warming”, given the effectiveness of
HRT in fighting hot flashes.

It should be noted that unless advised otherwise by your doctor, HRT is a lot safer for women in their late 40s and early 50s. Younger women experiencing the early stages of menopause and undergoing hormone therapy have very low risks of contracting cancers, strokes and blood clots, compared to their counterparts in their 60s and 70s. Other benefits of taking HRT include reduced loss of teeth, decreased chances of suffering bone breakage and developing osteoporosis, and average improvement for pains in the joints. For peri-menopausal or menopausal women, use of hormones may be very safe for the control of irregular bleeding. Further, WHI agrees that hormones can significantly reduce the chances of women suffering from colon cancer and osteoporosis.

It’s imperative to point out that you cannot be safe using hormone replacement therapy in the prevention of chronic diseases, especially because there are increased risks of cancer and cardiovascular risks for women in postmenopausal stage. More particularly, for some older women the risks include gall bladder disease, blood clots, strokes and heart attack, breast cancer, and cancer of the uterine lining for women with a uterus. Even so, these risks are subject to many other factors like family history, the state of health for individual women, and the amount of estrogen or progesterone dosage, and whether the hormones are combined or not.

Hormones should only be introduced to older women (those who have not had periods for more than 10 years) in this category for very particular functioning, and under close supervision to avert more crises. It should however be noted that there are many women (young and old) who get breast cancer even when they are not on hormone therapy.

Every woman considering use of hormones should remember hormones are not a permanent medication, just like all other medications. Close consultations with a gynecologist or family doctor would help assess individual health situation and related risk factors for the development of a personalized formula.

A major disadvantage of the Women’s Health Initiative findings of 2002 is that majority of the women in the study were older women in their mid-60s. Those below the age of 60 were no more than 10%, who indeed had fewer risks and more benefits from hormone therapies.

References:

https://www.glozine.com/lifestyle/health/supplements-to-ease-menopause.html

http://www.enkivillage.com/is-hormone-therapy-safe-for-menopause-treatments.html


Carolina Monroe Written by: Carolina
Way To Be Healthy Updated at: 5:17 AM

Friday, January 15, 2016

Progesteril Users Get Their Questions Answers

1. It is good and advisable to take soy for menopause hot flashes? How much it is recommended? It is harmful to the body? We must rest seasonally or you can take then?

Soy is great. Chinese women have taken it since time immemorial and interestingly they do not have a word for hot flashes. We take soy, because it has a high percentage of protein, has phytoestrogens, decreases the amount of calcium lost, which also comes in handy for osteoporosis. In addition, it is also good for memory and mood. What I advise you is to find a product that besides giving you the soy ingredients it has something to deal with other symptoms of menopause. A good example of such a product is progesteril. Progesteril menopause cream is all natural and judging from the many progesteril reviews, the product is also affordable.

2. Is there a relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and premature menopause?

Yes there is a direct relationship. It is very common, most women have little thyroid failure within the physiological resolves with the hormonal adjustment. In cases of early menopause you will not be forced to supplement with hormone replacement therapy.


3. Are there are differences in relation to serious side effects, from HRT administered both orally and by other means? What is the maximum time that you would recommend to take them?

It is best to take the estrogen in patch form, together with progesterone. Progesterone is always oral. To take care of the symptoms of menopause it will be three years with the therapy, if it is an early menopause or if you can have your ovaries removed, the time varies, depending on age and other factors.

4. If menopause is a normal stage of the physiology of women would it not be better to not take any medication?

I agree. The first thing is to get used to the stage and adjust your exercise and diet. But sometimes it is not enough, so we need help with supplements, some Chinese herbs, homeopathy ... And in other cases, administered therapies. Delivery is also natural and some women require cesarean sections. Blessed be the cesarean. Each case is different. If you do not need drugs, perfect.

5. How can you recognize a first stage of early menopause? What are the symptoms? Can it be early menopause related to endometriosis?

It is not related to endometriosis. If you have not had your periods for one year, you might be experiencing menopause. The gynaecologist is the one to tell you.

6. I am Mary and I am 53 years and I experience many hot flashes. How long does it take to disappear completely? What I can do to overcome them? .Thanks
Theoretically it will take two years for them to disappear. Take care of your diet and exercise, to see how it goes.

7. What causes late or early menopauses?

There are many factors. One is genetics. Another is, according to the Chinese, if there has been a significant energy loss and the context of women, have had many children, prolonged lactation, stress etc... Another important one is thyroid failure, which sometimes is familiar.

8. Good afternoon, what preventive measures - in general can be taken duringmenopause

It is a change that youcannot escape, but that does not mean it must be bad. You will emerge stronger. You have resources to cope with change, such as diet, exercise, introspection techniques, non-conventional medicine and, above all, practice the joy of living, meet and participate in peer groups that share the same experience and enjoy. You have already raised children, now you have to enjoy, travel, sign up for courses you had outstanding ... now is the time. With these resources faces this time, knowing that the discomforts are not forever, but only last a season.

9. If menopause occurs abnormally soon, are there methods to delay it?

If menopause has arrived and it is premature, you may need to do hormone replacement therapy, there is no other way out. If you do not take hrt, osteoporosis can occur very soon. And keep moving on with normal life, without thinking all day about your menopause.

Parting shot
During and after menopause, everything changes. And it is in the hand of every woman to always look for better life. Menopause is a new stage of fullness with much energy as any other stage of life. It is true that we have many undesired symptoms but that doesn't make us lesser women. We should embrace it and live with it like it doesn't mean anything.

Carolina Monroe Written by: Carolina
Way To Be Healthy Updated at: 11:30 PM

Friday, August 16, 2013

Menopausal Weight Gain - Symptoms, Causes and Expert Opinion

Weight gain is a common problem among women undergoing menopause. In fact, 90% of menopausal women report a certain amount of weight gain. In most cases, this increase in weight is difficult to fully prevent since it is caused by factors beyond our control. However, when the right corrective measures are not taken, a simple case of weight gain can progress to become obesity. This is evident in 30% of women aged between 50 and 59 who are obese.

Menopausal weight gain
Symptoms of menopausal weight gain

How do you know that you are gaining weight during menopause? There are several signs and symptoms that you should be on the lookout for. They include;

  1. A difficulty in controlling your weight. You will observe that despite your efforts in dieting and exercising, your weight is still on the rise. This is a sign that other biological factors as a result of menopause are at play.
  2. The body shape changes. Your thighs, buttocks and belly gain more fat and may even sag.
  3. Steady weight gain. Over a certain period of time, the body continuously gains weight at a steady rate.
  4. Increase in the amount of body fat. The percentage of fat that is in your body rises thus contributing to the increased weight.
  5. Lower metabolism. You feel lethargic and tired as a result of reduced body metabolism. The reduced metabolism also means that calories are not burned as much as before and body weight increases.
Causes of menopausal weight gain

Causes of weight gain can be divided into two main categories. These two categories are hormonal causes and other causes such as aging and lifestyle.

Hormonal causes

  1. Lower estrogen levels. Studies have shown that a decrease in the amount of estrogen in the body tends to reduce physical activity, lower metabolic rate and increase food consumption. Estrogen hormone therapy is a weight control method that is sometimes used to combat the effects of reduced estrogen.
  2. Decreased progesterone levels which lead to higher water retention in the body.
  3. Increased androgen hormone levels. As the amount of the hormone androgen increases during menopause, more fat accumulates around the belly and hips.
  4. A drop in the level of testosterone which reduces the amount of lean muscle thus lowering metabolic rate in the body. This leads to weight gain.
Basically, wild occurrences of various hormonal situations lead to an imbalance. The effect of this is that the amount of body fat in the body increases.

Other causes
  • Inactivity. As one grows older, he or she engages in less physical activity. Less fat is burned in the body leading to its accumulation.
  • Lower metabolic rate. Aging also results in a slowed down metabolism which means that the rate at which calories are burned goes down.
  • Lifestyle. Various lifestyle factors can also lead to major weight gain in older women. These factors include stress and depression, bad dietary habits, drinking alcohol in excess and use if various medications.
What experts say
Health experts have for many years been looking for a solution to the rampant weight gain during menopause. Various treatment options such as surgery, therapies and drugs have been recommended. However, it is always advisable to start with techniques that are considered safe in that they have no serious side effects. For example, one can start with a major lifestyle change; quit drinking alcohol, reduce consumption of sugary and other high calorie foods and exercise more often. In many cases, a change in lifestyle is enough to reverse the effects of menopause and become healthier.

Carolina Monroe Written by: Carolina
Way To Be Healthy Updated at: 10:38 PM

Monday, July 29, 2013

5 Things Never To Say To A Menopausal Woman

Hormones are wondrous things. They control our sexual desires, our body temperature, our moods. And when a woman is in menopause, they control pretty everything else too, right down to the chin hairs that sprout on her face seemingly overnight. Women in menopause can be testier, easier to bring to tears or anger and more forgetful than ever before in their lives. Here are five things that you should probably never say to them:

Menopause
1. "What does a hot flash feel like?"
Since the mere mention of a hot flash frequently serves as a trigger for one to occur, we suggest you refrain from asking this question. But for those who insist on knowing, the expression "sweating like a pig" probably best describes it -- although we know of no research to suggest that pigs actually sweat as much as a menopausal woman does. A hot flash is a sudden surge in skin temperature that causes rivers of perspiration to gush down your forehead, breasts and back. Clothing sticks to the body and effort must be made to refrain from disrobing completely in public or demanding that the butcher allow you to stand in his meat freezer with the other carcasses who are dead or wish they were dead. A hot flash can and is most likely to strike at the most inopportune moments, including but not limited to: when your mate feels romantic and thinks touching you might be fun; when your 30-something boss stops by your desk for a friendly chat; in the middle of the night, just after you showered and changed the sheets from the previous hot flash, which occurred 30 minutes earlier.

2. "Isn't there something you can take for that?"
Really? You think? Damn, why didn't I think of that! Suggesting to a menopausal woman that she simply hasn't fully explored every possible hot flash remedy is an invitation for mayhem to be inflicted on your head. Almost 75 percent of American women suffer from hot flashes and night sweats during menopause, according to MenopauseChitChat.com. Every possible remedy has been discussed and tried in order of escalating seriousness.

Hormone replacement therapy, of course, remains the big gun when it comes to shooting down hot flashes, and trust us, nobody turns to hormones lightly. Aside from the fact that whenever you do decide to go off them, your symptoms will return, hormone replacement therapy has been marred with controversy. The NIH cautions that "[hormone replacement therapy] can increase your risk of breast cancer, heart disease and stroke." We'd add that millions of women take them because they work. Within weeks, sometimes just days, night sweats and hot flashes all but evaporate.

3. "You aren't old enough to be in menopause."
If this is meant to be a compliment, it is one rooted in ignorance. While the average age of the onset of menopause is 51, it can start much sooner than that for some women. Certain medical treatments push women in to early menopause as well. And while perhaps what you were trying to say is "You don't look like you are 51, which I know to be the average age of menopause," that just isn't going to be what is heard. Try instead, "You look really nice in blue (or whatever color she is wearing at the moment)."

4. "Can you turn down the air conditioning?"
No, she cannot, will not, shall not. It is akin to asking her to self-mutilate. You, on the other hand, may add another sweater, scarf and gloves to your summer office outfit. A menopausal woman only has so many layers she can take off without pushing the office dress code to the limit.

5. "Did you remember to...?"
Take this one to the bank: No, she did not remember it -- whatever it was. Days of the week, names, why she walked into the kitchen -- none of it. Weekends always have a distinctive feel to them. But Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays do not. Do not expect a menopausal woman to remember any meeting that is scheduled for mid-week; it just won't happen. Asked to wear a name tag at a meeting? It was probably the idea of a menopausal woman. In fact, if you wanted to be really helpful, you would wear a name tag pretty much every time you walked up to her -- that or accept being addressed as "Hon" all the time.

Documentation of memory loss as a symptoms of menopause is fairly new. A study published in the journal Menopause said that women who had the most -- and the most intense -- hot flashes also experienced the most severe memory issues.

Article Source - www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/23/menopausal-women-what-not-to-say_n_3599584.html

Carolina Monroe Written by: Carolina
Way To Be Healthy Updated at: 9:55 PM

Sunday, June 30, 2013

FDA Approves Non-Hormonal Drug For Hot Flashes During Menopause

The Unites States Food and Drugs Administration has approved the first non-hormonal drug to treat hot flashes associated with menopause.

The U.S. Food and Drugs Administration has approved the first non-hormonal drug to treat hot flashes associated with menopause. The drug, Brisdelle (paroxetine), contains the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine mesylate and can be used to treat moderate to severe hot flashes experience by women during menopause.

Hot flashes during menopause are known to affect 75 percent of women worldwide. According to a FDA press release, though this condition is not fatal it can carry on for five or more years in some women causing a lot of discomfort and disrupted sleep.

"There are a significant number of women who suffer from hot flashes associated with menopause and who cannot or do not want to use hormonal treatments," said Hylton V. Joffe, M.D., M.M.Sc., director of the Division of Bone, Reproductive and Urologic Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Today's approval provides women with the first FDA-approved, non-hormonal therapeutic option to help ease the hot flashes that are so common in menopause.

The drug safety was tested through two experiments on 1,175 postmenopausal women with moderate to severe hot flashes. The first experiment lasted for 12 weeks and the other for 24 weeks. Researchers found that Brisdelle was more effective than placebo in reducing hot flashes though it had a few side effects including headache, fatigue and nausea/vomiting.

The drug contains 7.5 mg of paroxetine, comparatively lesser than in other medications like Paxil and Pexeva, which are prescribed for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The FDA states that the recommended dose for Brisdelle is once daily, preferably at bed time.

All medications prescribed for treating depression come with a boxed warning about an increased risk of suicide in children and young adults and since Brisdelle contains the same content as Paxil and Pexeva, it comes with a similar warning along with an additional caution about possible reduction in the effectiveness of tamoxifen if both medications are used together, an increased risk of bleeding and a risk of developing serotonin syndrome.
Article Source - http://www.hngn.com/articles/6570/20130629/fda-approves-non-hormonal-drug-hot-flashes-during-menopause.htm

Carolina Monroe Written by: Carolina
Way To Be Healthy Updated at: 10:11 PM

Monday, June 24, 2013

Hot Flashes Common Before Menopause

Most women expect hot flashes as a part of the "change of life", but more than half start sweating before menopause has actually begun, according to a survey.

The study and others "indicate that women start having hot flashes and night sweats, the primary symptoms of the menopause transition, before they have their final menstrual period, contrary to the perception of many clinicians", according to Ellen Gold, of the University of California, Davis School of Medicine.

Previous studies put the number of women with hot flashes at 15 or 20%, but those specifically asked about hot flashes in the past two weeks, which may be a better measure of early onset menopause symptoms than the current study, which asked, "Have you ever had a hot flash?", said Gold, who was not involved in the study.

The findings, published in the journal Menopause, shouldn't be a concern for women, but it may change how researchers look at hot flashes, according to lead author Dr Susan Reed who studies women's mid-life health at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Oestrogen mimic

Usually associated with menopause, hot flashes and night sweats occur when hormone changes cause blood vessels near the surface of the skin to open rapidly. Women with regular menstrual cycles should have enough oestrogen to stave off hot flashes, but they may have to re-evaluate that idea, Reed told Reuters Health by email.

Reed and her co-authors sent questionnaires to 18500 women between 45 and 56. About half responded. Of the 1500 who still had regular cycles and weren't taking medications such as antibiotics or hormone replacement, 55% reported having experienced a hot flash or night sweat at some point in their lives.

More than half of white, black and Native American women reported the symptoms, compared to 30% or fewer of Asian and Hispanic women. The study was funded by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., which is developing S-Equol, a compound that may mimic oestrogen and could be a potential treatment for menopausal symptoms. Many women have hot flashes but don't find that they disrupt daily life, said Ellen Freeman, of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia.

Women who experienced hot flashes

"Note that only 22% were 'bothered', so more than half of the women who had experienced a hot flash weren't troubled by it," Freeman told Reuters Health by email. Though it wasn't their primary aim, the researchers also looked at how much soy the women reported eating. Soybeans contain weak oestrogen-like compounds, which are not as strong as oestrogen but have been linked to reduced fertility and early puberty in women.

Among white women, those with menopausal symptoms seemed more likely to eat soy regularly, while white women without symptoms were more likely to never have eaten soy. There was no relationship with soy in the other ethnic groups. Though a recent study found that eating soy doesn't alleviate hot flashes, "given the design of the study, it is possible that those women with hot flashes had increased soy intake to try to manage their hot flashes -- we don't know which came first", Reed's co-author Katherine Newton told Reuters Health.

Article Source - http://www.health24.com/Medical/Menopause/News/Hot-flashes-common-before-menopause-20130624

Carolina Monroe Written by: Carolina
Way To Be Healthy Updated at: 10:11 PM

Monday, June 17, 2013

Men to blame for the menopause?

Hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings - menopause and its side effects can all be blamed on men, experts suggest.

Evolutionary geneticists from Canada's McMaster University say men's tendency to choose younger mates meant fertility became pointless for older women.

In PLOS Computational Biology, they say this eventually led to the menopause.

But a UK expert said that was the "wrong way round" and men chose younger women because older women were less fertile.

'Preferential mating'

Researchers have long been puzzled as to why it appears that human are the only species where females cannot reproduce throughout their lives.

Previous theories had proposed a "grandmother effect". This suggests that women lose their fertility at an age where they might not live to see a child grow, and instead are available to care for younger women's children.

The menopause was therefore seen as the block to older women from continuing to reproduce.

But this latest theory suggests things work the other way around, and that it is the lack of reproduction that has given rise to menopause.

Using computer modelling, the team from McMaster's concluded "preferential mating" was the evolutionary answer - men of all ages choosing younger women as partners.

That meant there was "no purpose" in older women continuing to be fertile.

Prof Rama Singh, an evolutionary geneticist who led the study, said men choosing younger mates were "stacking the odds" against continued fertility.

He told the BBC: "There is evidence in human history; there was always a preference for younger women."

Prof Singh stressed they were looking at human development many thousands of years ago - rather than current social patterns,

'Evolved response'

In the UK, the average age for women to go through the menopause is now 52 even though the average woman goes on to live for another 30 years.

Prof Singh said this extended longevity - plus later childbirth - could potentially alter the timing of the menopause, over a significant period of time.

"The social system is changing. There are women who are starting families later, because of education or a career."

He suggested this trend would mean those women would have a later menopause, and those genes would be passed on to their daughters "with the possibility of menopausal age being delayed".

However Dr Maxwell Burton-Chellew, an evolutionary biologist in the department of zoology at the University of Oxford, challenged the theory.

"The authors argue that the menopause exists in humans because males have a strong preference for younger females.

"However, this is probably the wrong way round - the human male preference for younger females is likely to be because older females are less fertile.

"I think it makes more sense to see the human male preference for younger females largely as an evolved response to the menopause, and to assume that ancestral males would have been wise to mate with any females that could produce offspring."

He added: "Evolutionarily-speaking, older females faced an interesting 'choice': have a child that may not reach adulthood before your own death, or stop reproducing and instead focus on helping your younger relatives reproduce."

Article Source - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22886668

Carolina Monroe Written by: Carolina
Way To Be Healthy Updated at: 6:22 AM

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

How Does Cancer Impact Reproductive Health In Women?

Suffering from cancer is one of the toughest ordeals for any person; however to be unable to rear a child after cancer can be even tougher for a woman. Women who have suffered from cancer are at a juncture of life where although they have survived their disease, they are unable to reproduce. The thoughts of not being able to be a parent are harrowing; however the right knowledge will help you overcome the problem. There exist many misconceptions surrounding the issue, which will be discussed further in the article.

Cancer Impact On Women

Getting Pregnant

After you have finished your cancer treatment, most oncologists suggest waiting 2 to 4 years before planning parenthood. This is because majority of recurrence occurs within this time frame; therefore it is to ensure that you are healthy enough to support yourself as well as the growing fetus. However, every person’s medical situation is different, thus your healthcare provider will be able to guide you properly.

As a woman, treatment via chemotherapy and radiation, may cause your eggs to be genetically damaged, it is thus advisable to wait until those eggs leave your body and are replaced by better ones.

Menopause

There is a misconception that women who reach their menopause cannot conceive; in reality even if you have hit your menopause, you have the ability to get pregnant. You may not be able to get pregnant the natural way, but you can use the frozen eggs, frozen tissues or embryos. While in menopause, you may require hormonal injections in order to prepare your body for the pregnancy. If your uterus is healthy, you should not face any difficulties.

Miscarriage

There is an increased risk of miscarriage in those women who have received radiation to their pelvic region. Miscarriage, low birth weight and preterm delivery are some of the common problems faced by women who have received radiation to their uterus. A specialist will evaluate your uterus and guide you regarding which is the right time to conceive.

Complications are also common if you have had fertility sparing gynecological surgeries. For example, those who have had a radical trachelectomy, continuous monitoring is required during the course of pregnancy and the delivery too is usually a cesarean-section birth. Also, if your cervix was removed, you have higher chances of miscarriage and preterm delivery. You must be in consultation with your oncologist in order to assess the risks. You can also consult a high risk obstetrician before trying to get pregnant.

Health Risks

Radiation and chemotherapy can cure you of cancer, but also cause long-term health risks. Some of these risks may cause damage to your heart or lungs which in turn make it difficult to carry a pregnancy. It is therefore important that you consult your oncologist for the long-term risks associated with your treatment plan. For example, many patients during pregnancy are recommended regular echocardiograms in order to ensure that their heart functions normally during the pregnancy term.

Children at Risk

Most cancer survivors worry whether their children too will be susceptible to cancer. But it is an unwarranted worry as research shows that a parent with cancer does not cause the child to be susceptible. The child is at the same risk as that of the general population. However the risk may increase if the cancer is genetically linked; but a small percentage of cancer are known to be genetically linked. Thus the risks are not higher, as is the preconceived notion amongst cancer survivors.

As a woman cancer survivor, you will have to assess the various risks especially that of recurrence and decide as there are chances that you may not be around after your child is bought into the world. Although it may be highly emotional, it is necessary to weigh all the options and address the problems before conceiving a child as the child’s future depends upon your present decisions.Get relevant information to help patients combat the deadly disease.

Carolina Monroe Written by: Carolina
Way To Be Healthy Updated at: 9:24 PM

Saturday, January 19, 2013

3 Alternative Treatments for Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are common to women who are undergoing the menopausal stage. It is a condition wherein you will feel intense warmth or hot feeling all over your face down to your neck and chest. Some women find this unbearable and too uncomfortable which can make them fret. Its episodes may occur from as little as few times in a week to more frequent like several times in a day.


Some of its common symptoms include a feeling of strong heat or warmth spreading on face all throughout the upper body. It is also characterized by flushed appearance and red skin. Rapid heartbeat, perspiration and chilled feeling are also included in its symptoms.

There are many treatments being offered today for this kind of menopause symptom. However, most women who are experiencing it often opt to choose alternative treatments or natural remedy as it is more effective and safe. Included in these are the following:

1. Black Cohosh – This is one of the most popular alternative treatments that are being used today by most women. Aside from menopausal symptoms, Black Cohosh is also being used to treat various medical disorders such as malaise, malaria and rheumatism. It is also called “macrotys” by a group of alternative doctors.

2. Plant Estrogen's – It is believed that the reason why women who live in Asian countries are less likely to suffer from hot flashes is because they are getting more estrogen compound through soy products and plants.

3. Ginseng – Though there is no concrete evidence that proves ginseng to reduce episodes of hot flashes, many women are still using it as they are claiming it to work wonder on their hot sweats. Ginseng is also known to treat mood swings and insomnia.

Other options:
You can also find relief from hot flashes through the following ways:

* If you are a smoker, you might want to quit if you want to relieve yourself from night sweats as it can worsen your hot flash episodes.
* Alcohol must also be avoided.
* Learn a rhythmic breathing exercise that will help you calm and relax your mind during episodes of hot flashes.
* Short-term, low-dose estrogen can also be used as treatment.

Aside from these alternative treatments, you may also opt to visit your doctor to ask for his advice on the best treatment that will work for you. Remember, you can always trust your doctor’s advice on things like this.

There are tons of ways you can choose from in order to free yourself from discomfort brought by excessive night sweats. But you certainly need to understand clearly yourself or your body to see the best remedy that can definitely help you treat your hot flash episodes.

Carolina Monroe Written by: Carolina
Way To Be Healthy Updated at: 2:04 AM
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