Bette Denlinger
No, ladies, we don't need to give up men temporarily, or feel less feminine as we lose our childbearing capability, or even experience the associated discomforts of the menopausal change.
Men now have Viagra to keep them ready for action at the drop of a pill once the aging process has slowed down their amorous activities. Women on the other hand may find themselves less than receptive to these Viagra powered Romeos as the hormonal balances fluctuate during menopause.
During this period of hormonal adjustment occurring somewhere between ages 45 and 55 some women experience "hot flashes", erratic menstruation, and emotional instability. We women are slaves to our hormone levels, and menopause is, pardon the pun, always a "hot" topic!!
Some women sail through the process with hardly a symptom or discomfort and glory in the new found freedom from the lunar cycle, while others blame everything that doesn't function properly on the "change", feel a loss of feminine allure, and become extremely depressed.
The Moon, ruler of the feminine cycles, is known as the goddess of women and their emotional ups and downs. Is it any wonder that as hormone levels adjust, while our bodies prepare to cease child bearing ability, that our moods and emotional responses swing in wild new patterns?
As we experience the altered hormone levels some ladies feel an additional source of estrogen should be added to relieve the "hot flashes" and rush to a physician for a prescription. They usually receive a hormone made from mare urine called Premarin. While these hormone replacements have been shown to be effective in retarding osteoporosis they are also a proven leading contributor to cancer in women. Anyone with a history of pre-cancerous conditions must avoid them.
For the astrologers out there, remember that at age 45, by Solar Arc, all the planets are in semi-square to their natal placements. At this point the "strain" of living becomes apparent....vision may deteriorate, hairs may turn gray, skin may wrinkle more easily, and other imperfections of the body and overall health may become more apparent. We are also at the ¾ mark of our second Saturn cycle, with our second Saturn return looming ahead at about age 55. Most importantly, we are also at the ¾ point in our secondary progressed lunar cycle; both of these indicate a period of time when we finish up the previous cycle to prepare for the next.
Since we are dealing with Lunar and Saturnine cycles it is obvious that we must pay attention to the diet and the mineral levels. Remember, calcium is a natural sedative, useful during this emotionally trying time, as well as required to maintain bone density which declines with age This does not mean we must start drinking gallons of milk for extra calcium!! Calcium alone can disturb the mineral ratios which maintain our overall health. However, good balanced vitamin-mineral supplements designed for women are desirable. As far as diet, soy products contain estrogen-like substances that may account for the low incidence of menopausal symptoms found in Japanese women during a recent study.
(Let's not leave the fellows out of this. Men, too, have their own challenges during "middle age", and Panax ginseng seems to help the circulatory system, fights fatigue, and aids general well being. Too much of a good thing can be toxic, however, so use with care. Many women also find ginseng to be very helpful for hot flashes, especially in combination with vitamin E.)
Wild yam actually was used to produce birth control pills at one point in time and contains natural hormones which appear to aid in reducing menopausal symptoms. This African plant is available as a both a cream and in capsule form, and for skin conditions may be useful in the cream form ( although much less expensive preparations are just as effective!!) However, to help relieve the loss of estrogen and progesterone, and rebalance the system, the capsules, ingested, may be most useful!!
Dong Quai is an ancient Chinese remedy for women's "ailments" ranging from pre-menstrual syndrome and healthy pregnancies to menopausal complaints. This is considered effective in both capsule and as a tea. In addition to soothing menopausal symptoms, it is considered a safe herb, but contains some photo-reactive substances so overexposure of the body to sunlight should be avoided while taking this herb.
Licorice has been well studied and is known to exhibit many pharmacological actions including boosting estrogenic activity. There are some sodium retention properties in licorice known to cause high blood pressure although a cautious diet high in potassium, low in sodium will allow ingestion of licorice without concern.
Another herb widely used for menopausal discomforts, including hot flashes, and supported by scientific study, is Black Cohosh now available in a commercial product called Remifemin.
I would also suggest you use St John's Wort for the "blues" associated with menopause. This mild tranquilizer does not produce the drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation and impaired urination associated with other anti-depressants!! However, it increases light sensitivity, so if you work outside be aware of this in regards to exposure to the sun, and don't use it over a long period of time.
David Hoffman, a well known herbalist, (his books tell you how to grow and preserve the herbs, too) recommends a tea made of 2 parts wild yam, 2 parts chasteberry, then 1 part each of Golden Seal, Black Cohosh, Oats, and St John's Wort. This is supposed to relieve hot flashes if drunk 3 times daily for the few months the worst symptoms of the "change" occur.
Dr. Mindell suggests either one Ginseng or Dong Quai capsule 3X daily. He says try one herb for 2 weeks and if it doesn't help, try the other.
Dr. Weil prescribes a formula of tinctures of Dong Quai, chaste tree (also known as Vitex), and Damiana. Take two of each of these every day at noon, or one dropperful of each tincture mixed in warm water once a day at noon. Keep taking them until you don't experience any hot flashes, then begin to reduce the dose and try to stop altogether.
I often see Goldenseal recommended for menopausal women. Goldenseal can create high blood pressure and high doses occasionally interfere with B vitamin metabolism. Use it sparingly.
Try any or all of these suggestions before rushing out for a prescription for hormone replacement. Your blood renews itself every 10 days. A 10 day trial of each herb or herbal preparation, until you find one that relieves your symptoms, gives it a fair test. Herbs unlike medicines work at a more leisurely pace, so don't expect instant gratification with one cup of herbal tea.
Ladies, if you're going to go through nature's "change", then make it the "pause" that refreshes!!
Your attitude is all important in how well you weather this major life alteration. Perhaps instead of seeing it as an ending we could look upon it as a new beginning. Most of us secretly regretted losing our childhood as we became teenagers. Yet in public we were proud of our new womanliness. Like puberty, once one wades through the indignities of the metamorphosis, you have a whole new vista to look forward to!! Can you see it? This new world looms ahead sans calendars, feminine hygiene products, and monthly mood swings!! Say goodbye to celestial Luna as the goddess in your daily life and hello to new sources of creativity, new freedoms, new energies.
Let us start celebrating this rite of passage instead of complaining and groaning. We are not losing our femininity...we have proved to be experts at this "woman" thing, and our reward is graduation to a level no longer chained to monthly cycles or the risk of pregnancy.
Yes, there IS Life after Men-Oh-Pause. A great life. Let that "OH" be one of enthusiasm!!
Sources:
Edward Edelson, The ABC's of Prescription Drugs
This article will be appearing in the Sowell Review this summer. Sowell is an Old English word for 'soul.' The tag line reads "A self-discovery guide for new thought and spiritual living." Why not support an ambitious effort by subscribing to this bi-monthly magazine?
Copyrights Reserved by Bette Denlinger 1998. This article may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission from the author.
All Copyrights Reserved 1998
So, how can we safely relieve the discomforts of menopause?
Several herbs have proved valuable in relieving the discomforts associated with "the change of life".
What The Experts Say
Celebrate!
Earl Mindell, Earl Mindell's Herb Bible
David Hoffman, The New Holistic Herbal
Andrew Weil, MD, Spontaneous Healing
James Longstreet, Web Site
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