Natural hormone replacment question

RE: Natural hormone replacment question

Hi Amy, I hope this helps.

Tell your friend I too had the concerns she is facing. I had Ductal Carcinoma Insitu. When I noticed I was perimenopausal, I started researching on the internet. I've heard primrose oil capsules help, eating soy based products and some of the things below. Personally, I started using a bioidentical progesterone cream and felt much better. I've just started using an estrogen patch at the lowest dose as well.

This is my decision for me -- I understand there are risks involved. However, I could not live with the symptoms of my progressive menopause (also early from a hysterectomy). I had not only the uncomfortable hot flashes, but the headaches were unbearable, I could not function.

An exerpt on HRT:
If you desire, you can use natural herbs as well. These might include black cohosh, wild yams, lignans, chasteberry, Don Quai, red clover tops, fenugreek seeds, saw palmetto seeds, and others.

These herbs contain phyto-chemicals that can help support your hormone levels and hormone-producing glands. In fact, because these herbs contain do not containtrue estrogens, they are actually thought to be protective againstbreast cancer.

From: Susan Gregoire, RN, MN, ARNP, + Functional Medicine Menopause Counselor

Natural Solutions Other Than Bioidentical Hormones
Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy can replace the hormones your body loses - the estrogens, progesterone, and other hormones - with hormones bioidentical in nature to those you lose.

Most individuals experience an almost immediate benefit with bioidentical hormones. Within several days you will begin to sleep better, and the hot flashes will go away. Weight regulation and lost sex drive will also begin returning to normal.

Bioidentical Hormones vs. Synthetics
Bioidentical hormones exactly mimic the structure and function of the hormones inside your body. Bioidentical hormones come from plant sources, and help women rebalance hormone levels in their bodies in a natural way.
Synthetic hormone drugs, on the other hand, do not mimic your body's natural hormones. They mainly turn off menopause's symptoms rather than rebalancing hormone levels.

Recent studies have shown synthetic hormones - specifically estrogen in combination with progesterone - significantly increase the risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. Additionally, synthetics, a one-size-fits-all pill, are often prescribed in combination with sleeping pills and antidepressants, which can slow your metabolism and can cause weight gain.

Get a Hormone Analysis. The hormone analysis lab results will give you precise measurements of the following types of hormones:
• Estrogens: There are three types of estrogen hormones — estradiol, estrone, and estriol. Estradiol is about 80 times more potent than estriol in its effect on the body.
• Progesterone: This female sex hormone helps balance estrogen levels and works as a natural diuretic to counter water retention.
• Testosterone: This hormone has an influence on energy, well-being, and sex drive.
• Adrenal hormones (cortisol and DHEA/dehydroepiandroesterone): These hormones, called "androgen hormones," help your body deal with stress, but continued high levels of stress can deplete these hormones. When depleted, your adrenal glands will "steal" from your reproductive hormones, making menopause symptoms worse.
• Thyroid hormones: These hormones affect your energy level and metabolism.

What Causes Menopause Symptoms?
Losing chemical substances that were once natural and common throughout your body, which regulated and assisted with daily body functioning, throws your body out of alignment. The hormonal shifts, imbalances, and fluctuations in menopause may cause all the following:

• Weight gain
• Night Sweats
• Insomnia
• Thinning hair
• Brit


 

RE: Natural hormone replacment question

Very effective herbal source of phytoestrogens for management of symptoms of menopause including sleeplessness, hot flashes, depression, irritability, and headaches. A comprehensive formula of traditional herbs that have been time tested ror effectiveness in managing symptoms related to hormonal changes in women.

Two tablets contain:

• Wild Mexican Yam ( Dioscorea Villosa ) 280 mg
• Black Cohosh root ( Cimicifugo rocemosa ) 252 mg
• Squaw Vine leaf ( Mitchella repens ) 252 mg
• Raspberry leaf ( Rubus Villosus ) 252 mg
• Licorice root ( Glycyrrhiza glabra ) 252 mg
• Siberian Ginseng ( Eleutherococcus senticosis ) 168 mg
• Dong Quai ( Chinese Angelico ) 112 mg
• Chasteberry ( Agnus castus ) 56 mg
• False Unicorn ( Helonias opulus ) 28 mg
• Contact Us To Place Orders, Speak With Customer Service Or Receive Quotes For The Lowest World-Wide Shipping Rates:

Toll-Free (USA/Canada): 1-800-878-6520
Customer Service: (415) 749-3990
Fax: (415) 351-1348

[link= http://www.ehot.com/smartbasics/menoherbs.html ]http://www.ehot.com/smartbasics/menoherbs.html[/link]this is a website I found -- maybe the UK has something like it too or it mentions worldwide shipping. Worth a try, eh?

RE: Natural hormone replacment question

Gosh...heaps of info...thanks so much AW...I will print it all off & pass it onto my friend
Thanks hun[sm=angel-smiley-027.gif]

Love
Amy
xxxx

RE: Natural hormone replacment question

It is my pleasure, you and she are more than welcome. As women,aren't we all "sisters in spirit"?;)-- I am glad if any of this info helps.

RE: Natural hormone replacment question

[link= http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,,1753013,00.html ]http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,,1753013,00.html[/link]
Check out this link- they were banging on about seaweed as a hormone replacement in the Guardian today.
Sharonx

RE: Natural hormone replacment question

That stuff sounds like we ought to be eating it for general purposes! I'm going to try some. Thanks Sharon!

RE: Natural hormone replacment question

I was reading msn.com and found this too:
[link= http://health.msn.com/centers/menopause/?GT1=7989 ]http://health.msn.com/centers/menopause/?GT1=7989[/link]

Meditative breathing exercises for perimenopausal symptoms

By Healthwise

During perimenopause and postmenopause, hot flashes can make your body and your life feel out of control. Studies have shown that using slow, controlled breathing (paced respiration) or a "relaxation response" exercise is an effective way to manage hot flashes. These techniques can also help curb such emotional symptoms as agitation, anxiety, and depression.[link= http://health.msn.com/encyclopedia/healthtopics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100109738 ]67[/link], [link= http://health.msn.com/encyclopedia/healthtopics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100109738 ]89[/link], [link= http://health.msn.com/encyclopedia/healthtopics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100109738 ]1011[/link]
Meditative breathing exercises are cost-free and have no known side effects. They are a good first-choice treatment for hot flashes and emotional symptoms and can safely be combined with another type of treatment, if you need further relief.
Paced respiration
With regular paced respiration, women reportedly achieve a noticeable drop in the number of hot flashes they have, as well as a lower average skin temperature (used to measure hot flashes).[link= http://health.msn.com/encyclopedia/healthtopics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100109738 ]1213[/link]
Paced respiration takes practice. Try to do paced respiration twice daily, for 15 minutes at a time. Also, when you first feel a hot flash coming on, stop what you are doing, find a quiet place, and practice paced respiration until you are feeling comfortable again.

• Sit in a comfortable, quiet place.
• As you breathe, keep your rib cage still. You will be lowering and raising your diaphragm to fill and empty your lungs.
• Inhale for 5 seconds, pushing your stomach muscles out.
• Exhale for 5 seconds, pulling your stomach muscles in and up.
• Repeat this cycle of breathing until you feel calm and relaxed or your time is up.

To reduce stress, you can also use paced respiration for 1 to 2 minutes in the middle of a busy day.
Relaxation response exercise
After several weeks of daily relaxation response exercise, women reportedly achieve a noticeable drop in hot flash intensity, as well as decreased tension, anxiety, and depression.[link= http://health.msn.com/encyclopedia/healthtopics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100109738 ]1617[/link] For 10 to 20 minutes each day, take time to produce a relaxation response in your body and mind.

• Sit in a comfortable, quiet place. Close your eyes.
• Relax all of your muscles, starting with your feet and moving up to your face. Stay loose and relaxed.
• Focus on your breathing. Breathe through your nose at a natural rate.
• Inhale. Exhale. At the end of your exhale, quietly say to yourself, "One."
• Repeat this cycle of breathing until your time is up.

While breathing, do not worry about achieving complete relaxation. It will happen naturally over time. When thoughts intrude, try to ignore them by focusing again on your cycle of breathing.
Instead of using a timer, occasionally check your clock or watch. When you are done, open your eyes, gradually focus them, and sit quietly for a few minutes before standing.
References

Citations

1. Irvin JH, et al. (1996). The effects of relaxation response training on menopausal symptoms. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, 17(4): 202–207.
2. Freedman R, et al. (1995). Biochemical and thermoregulatory effects of behavioral treatment for menopausal hot flashes. Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society, 2(4): 211–218.
3. Fitzpatrick LA (2003). Altern