What
ever happened to the days when women "came of age" and simply
stopped menstruating... when menopause was recognized as a
natural part of life - a Right of Passage - and not
as a disease needing a cure? Why is it that the medical profession
views menopause as something needing to be "fixed," even when
nothing's broken?
For
well over 40 years now, women have been given estrogen, in
its various forms, to prevent miscarriage, as a morning-after
pill, to alleviate symptoms associated with menopause, to
suppress milk in new mothers, to prevent osteoporosis, and
to keep them sexually active and "forever young."
Gynecologist
Robert Wilson must have thought that estrogen replacement
was the Sexual Holy Grail for women back in the 60s when he
wrote his hugely successful (albeit sexist) book, Feminine
Forever (published in 1966). He had women believing that
they decended into a "vapid cow-like" state and
estrogen would be their salvation... their ticket to being
a younger-looking wife and mother.
Estrogen
replacement therapy may be necessary for some women, in some
circumstances. However, most women do not need estrogens.
Other women may need estrogens for a few months while their
bodies adjust to lower (as long as women have their ovaries,
they will continue to create some estrogen) estrogen levels.
Hormone
replacement therapy has been shown to relieve hot flashes,
vaginal changes and osteoporosis, though not without risks.
In addition to the increased risk of cancer of the uterus
(unless you've had a total hysterectomy) and breast cancer,
there are side effects associated with HRT, such as nausea/vomiting,
breast tenderness, depression, enlargement of benign tumors
of the uterus, retention of excess fluid, and spotty darkening
of the skin.
Last
week, a large federally funded study (published
in The JAMA) provided definitive proof that estrogen and
progestin are not age-defying wonder drugs as we were lead
to believe. This study came as a
shock to the Medical System.
Another,
and lesser known issue, is how
the estrogen drug, Premarin, is created. Made from pregnant
mare's urine, the cruelty involved in its production would
be reason enough to refuse using it.
Why
take these risks if there's a more natural way to go through
this "Menopausal Initiation?" The side effects are far worse
than the symptoms HRT is meant to alleviate. So
NOW what do we do?
Interestingly
enough, many women in other cultures do not have the side
effects of menopause that are common to American women, due
to lifestyle and eating habits. Studies of Japanese women
with traditional Japanese diets (which are high in estrogenic
substances) show a much higher level of plant estrogens in
their bodies than those found in Western women. Mayan women
in Yucatan, Mexico, report no symptoms at menopause other
than menstrual cycle irregularity.
For
more information on what you should be taking, you can order
the Health Report, "Are
Hormones Making You Fat?" by Dr.
Larrian Gillespie.
Alternative
Therapies 
The
goal of any menopausal health program should be twofold:
eliminate the bothersome symptoms, and to prevent the
degenerative ailments.
Some
health practitioners report that plant-derived synthetic
hormones work as well as Premarin and more closely resemble
human hormones than those made from mare's urine. Others,
including many womens' health activists and practitioners
of alternative medicine, suggest a more natural approach
such as:
Black
(not Blue) Cohosh -
Black Cohosh is fairly well studied in
Germany, where it is used to treat hot flashes.
Wild
Yam has grown in popularity. Read
the labels before you purchase.
Unfortunately, misleading labeling and marketing practices
has infiltrated the Natural Foods Industry, creating a great
deal of confusion for women attempting to make educated
purchases of wild yam and progesterone products. The inaccurate
marketing of Wild Yam extract as a precursor to progesterone
(it is chemically impossible for the body to convert the
diosgenin of Wild yam into progesterone) are two common
labeling confusions.
Soy
products may also provide some relief. But before you
start stocking up on Soy products, be sure you really understand
the consequences to your health. There is such a thing as
too much soy. Read The
Soy Report, by Dr. Larrian Gillespie.
Don
quai contains phytoestrogens , or plant estrogens. Phytoestrogens
have been shown to be helpful in relieving hot flashes.
Precautions: May cause sensitivity
to the sun.
Herbologists
also recommend ginseng, gotu kola and motherwort
to help with palpitations that accompany hot flashes. Ayurveda
recommends treating for a pitta imbalance. Homepathy
uses Sepia, Lachesis, and Pulsatilla.
Vaginal
creams that release low doses of estrogen can alleviate
some discomfort.
Anxiety
- Skullcap eases anxiety associated with menopause. Also,
passion flower and valerian root are recommended for their
extraordinary calming properties, along with chamomile,
catnip, and peppermint teas.
Depression
- It's been reported that herbs such as oat straw, ginger,
cayenne pepper, dandelion root, blessed thistle, and Siberian
ginseng improve vitality, partly due to the high levels
of essential nutrients. And, of course, the herbs of choice
for depression, St. John's Wort and Kava.
NOTE:
Medicinal herbs are "medicine" and may have an
adverse reaction with any prescription drugs you may be
taking. Consult with your health care provider in regards
to medicinal herbs. Don't assume that "Natural"
means "safe."
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