Estrogen side effects definitely exist, and one should understand the difference between natural estrogen and synthetic estrogen. The most commonly prescribed synthetic estrogen is Premarin, currently manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. According to the manufacturer, the most frequent estrogen side effects for Premarin are — vaginitis due to yeast or other causes, vaginal bleeding, painful menstruation and leg cramps. Wyeth also makes a Premarin vaginal cream — its most commonly reported side effects include vaginal discomfort or pain, breast pain, vaginitis and itching.

The synthetic estrogen prescription drugs are not the same as natural estrogens occurring in the body. Since substances occurring naturally cannot be patented, drug companies alter the molecular structure and create a new substance that is patentable. However, the body treats synthetic drugs differently than natural substances, usually in the form of unwanted estrogen side effects.

The three main estrogens occurring in the body are estradiol, estrone and estriol. Natural estrogens are identical to those occurring in the human body and are easily available in the form of estriol creams and tablets.

According to Harvard-trained family physician Dr. John R. Lee in his book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, the estrogens tend to increase cell division in tissue that is hormone-sensitive such as breast and uterine tissue. Estradiol is about a thousand times stronger in its effect on breast tissue than is estriol. He references studies from the 1970’s that showed that overexposure to estradiol increases the risk of breast cancer.

Besides estrogen side effects from synthetic estrogens, unhealthy excess estrogen is regularly obtained from other sources. Birth control pills, household chemicals and pesticides, certain foods that have been sprayed or given chemicals and many construction materials used in homes are all sources of estrogen which leads to estrogen side effects in the female body. Doctors call this hormone imbalance condition of excess estrogen in the body “estrogen dominance”. What are these estrogen side effects or symptoms of estrogen dominance? The symptoms include low sex drive, bloating and weight gain, headaches before the menstrual period, mood swings, irregular periods and excessive menstrual bleeding.

In the normal menstrual cycle and a healthy woman, estrogen is the dominant hormone that is produced for the first 10-12 days following the previous menstrual flow. At ovulation the female body begins producing progesterone, which happens for the next 12 days or so. If there is no pregnancy, progesterone and estrogen levels will drop at around day 28, allowing menstruation to begin. However, if there is no ovulation, progesterone will not be produced by the body that month. This event is called an annovulatory cycle, and it is a typical occurance today for women in their 30’s and 40’s - no ovulation, no progesterone. This leaves the woman with a deficiency of progesterone, an excess of estrogen and resulting estrogen side effects. And if a hysterectomy has happened, surgical menopause means the woman no longer produces progesterone, resulting in hormone imbalance.

If estrogen side effects from synthetic estrogen are a problem, consider using the safer natural estrogen form which is estriol. Read more about estrogen side effects, natural estrogen supplementation and physician-recommended natural treatments for dealing with hormone imbalance.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Find reliable sources of safemenopausesolutions.com/estrogen.html natural estrogen and learn more about safer forms of estrogen. Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of safemenopausesolutions.com safemenopausesolutions.com a website of natural health articles.

Related posts

• Your Eight Hormones and Weight Loss (0)
• Yeast Infections - Causes, Symptoms, and Home Remedies (0)
• Yeast Infection Remedy - Easy and Effective Herbal Treatments (0)
• Women and Weight Gain (0)
• Woman’s Issues: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) (0)

Tags: menopause

As we enter mid-life, changes abound . But for women, it’s not only hot flashes and mood swings that can dominate. Indeed many gals discover that the most disconcerting change of all can be the change in they experience in their sex drive.

In short - it can all but disappear.

For some, replenishing those dwindling hormones -with Mother Nature or Father Pharmaceutical - can be a big help.

But what if hormones aren’t on your agenda? Not to worry - there are still things you can do!

Indeed, oftentimes small changes in areas of your life you might not even connect with sex - like nutrition, exercise, or even sleep - can make a huge difference in your ability to not only enjoy sex, but actually look forward to intimate encounters.

Here are five things from my book ” Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause” that you can try right now to get your libido off and running!

# 1: Take a Nap

Although this probably doesn’t sound either sexy or romantic, experts say that fatigue is the number one killer of great romance, not to mention terrific sex. Because night sweats and hot flashes may be keeping you awake at night, don’t be ashamed to steal away for a cozy nap any time you get the chance. If you arrange for a rendezvous’ with your partner upon waking, you may be surprised to discover how attuned you have become to what may have been “hidden” sexual desires.

# 2 : Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables

In addition to whatever ” aphrodisiac” foods you may have heard of, at mid-life doctors say one of the best sex boosters is a healthy diet. Studies show that when the basic requirements for good nutrition are met, hormones function better. And that means you are less likely to feel the “bumps” in your perimenopause road as easily or as often. Also try eating six small meals a day rather than three large ones. This can help keep blood sugar stable which not only increases your energy level, but also can improve your mood and your desires.

# 3 : Quit smoking

You know it’s bad for your heart and lungs - but did you know smoking can also put a damper on your sex life? In studies conducted on perimenopausal and menopausal women, doctors found that smoking as little as one pack a day had a greater ability to decrease sexual function than the hormonal changes of menopause! Smoking is also linked to a decrease in estrogen, which can impact sexual response and vaginal sensitivity. The good news: Just months after you stub that last butt, you’ll see an appreciable change in your health - including a upswing in your desire for sex!

# 4: Take Time To Relax
Whether it’s curling up with a great book, planting petunias in your garden, or taking a pottery class, take time to relax and watch the benefits flow in the bedroom! Indeed, studies show that stress can be the number one thief of sexual satisfaction, and, some experts say it can put a real damper on desire. The link involves an entire cascade of hormonal activity that is set in motion by your response to stress. Once it starts, it can impact a variety of physiological functions, not the least of which is mood - and desire. And, even if you have the desire to make love, being under stress can inhibit both your ability to become aroused and to reach orgasm. So, take a few deep breaths and learn to relax - and you might be surprised at how much better you feel about making love.

5: Buy New Shoes . . .
…or get a new hairdo, change your color, go for a make-over, get a facial, even lose a few pounds. Anything you can do to feel better about yourself IS going to make you feel better about relating to your partner, not just in the bedroom, but in ALL the rooms of your life! Certainly there are important physiological reasons why sex may not be on the top of your list during this time of your life. Sometimes, however, how we feel about ourselves, and even how we view the idea of aging itself, can greatly influence how we feel about having sex and even influence what we think about our own sexuality. Doing whatever you can to enhance your self image - in your own eyes- often translates into feeling better about your partner, your relationship, and ultimately your sexuality and your sensuality

Colette Bouchez is the author of Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause- Health, Beauty and Lifestyle Advice for the Best Years of Your Life and the director of YourMenopause.com/ YourMenopause.com.

Related posts

• Smoking Fetish Of Women (0)
• Varicose Veins - Facts, Causes & Remedies (0)
• Understanding the Menopause - Helpful Tips (0)
• Supplements For Menopause (0)
• Stop Smoking the Natural Way (0)

Tags: diet, Hair, Heart, menopause, quit smoking, sleep, smoking

Early menopause signs, symptoms and complaints vary from one woman to the next, as does the age at which a woman begins to experience them. Menopause symtoms can be frustrating or challenging, but a positive attitude helps.

According to a survey conducted in September of 2006 by Johns Hopkins the menopause symtoms that significantly affect a woman’s assessment of her quality of life are mood changes and feeling tense. The women who participated in the study were asked about hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sore joints, bladder control problems and headache, but, interestingly, the majority of the women did not feel that these symptoms affected their quality of life.

Mood changes that are commonly reported as early menopause signs, symptoms and complaints include increased feelings of frustration, irritability and sadness. Some women even experience mild depression for the first time in their lives. Women who have had problems with depression or anxiety in the past are even more susceptible to becoming depressed once again.

Doctors, scientists and researchers are not sure what causes depression during menopause. It could be related to changing hormonal levels. Women have a higher risk than men of experiencing a major depressive period at some point in their life. Most experts believe this is all related to the, sometimes drastically changing hormonal levels that accompany pregnancy, childbirth, monthly cycles and menopause. Symtoms of depression should always be discussed with your health care professional.

Many different therapies can reduce tension and stress. Most of them, you can do on your own, without prescription medication or hormone replacement therapy. Stress management techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, deep muscle relaxation and yoga can all relieve tension. As can regular exercise of any type. If you are not accustomed to regular exercise, it is always advisable to check with your doctor, particularly if you are overweight or have other health issues. In general, most women can safely begin an exercise regimen of 20 minutes, every other day, gradually increasing to 30 minutes every day.

Aerobic exercise is probably the best natural stress reliever. And, studies have shown that women who are under a great deal of unrelieved stress have more severe early menopause signs, symptoms and complaints. Chronic stress can, over time, lead to depression. Regular exercise can relieve depressed feelings and possible prevent the necessity of further treatment.

Some women begin to have early menopause signs, symptoms and complaints in their late thirties. Changes in menstrual periods and more severe premenstrual symptoms may be related to menopause. If a woman stops menstruating before the age of 40, it is considered premature menopause. Sometimes this happens naturally and may be a result of genetics. In other cases it is caused by treatment for a medical condition, such as removal of the ovaries due to cancer. Women who experience an unnatural premature menopause typically have more severe menopause symtoms and medication is often necessary.

To learn more about menopause-and-pms-guide.com early menopause signs, symptoms and ways to improve or relieve your symptoms, please visit the menopause-and-pms-guide.com Menopause and PMS guide.

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she writes health related informational articles for the Menopause and PMS guide. Please visit menopause-and-pms-guide.com www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com to learn more about menopause and premenstrual syndrome.

Related posts

• Menopause and Anxiety – How to Bring Natural Relief (0)
• The 15 Most Powerful Healing Herbs in Your Kitchen (0)
• Pregnancy Insomnia (0)
• Menopause: Why There’s Never Been a Better Time to Build a Strong Foundation (0)
• Menopause Treatment Alternatives Vary Depending On Symptoms (0)

Tags: anxiety, exercises, menopause, quality of life

Nearly every menopause supplement features several key ingredients, which are designed to help soothe the discomfort of menopause. Most commonly found in any menopause supplement is that of isoflavones, which is either from soy or red clover. During menopause, women are faced with a variety of changes. Hence the term, ‘change of life.’ In an effort to make these changes less troublesome, a number of manufacturers have come up with a menopause supplement that attempts to ease some of that discomfort.

Organic Woman’s Bread offers a generous amount of soy isoflavones, which equals nearly 80 mg, and also contains fiber and flax seeds. Flax & Soy Granola, offered by Zoe Foods, contains ingredients that are believed to help minimize the hot flashes that occur during menopause. Flax and Soy Bars, which are common snack items, are available for those with the munchies.

Many people take a menopause supplement without giving any thought to safety or how their system will react to it’s consumption. The unfortunate truth is that certain types of medication and/or a menopause supplement, both over the counter and prescription, may present serious risks to some individuals if used in excessive amounts or if not taken in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Prior to purchasing or using any type of menopause supplement, make sure to read the outside packaging for any warning or cautionary notices. In addition, pay close attention to the instructions and guidelines for usage, which must be followed responsibly. When selecting a menopause supplement, it is important to note most will not cause side effects if used properly. Supplements are designed to help individuals meet their nutritional and/or replacement needs.

If you are purchasing an over the counter acne medicine, never use a product that has been opened or appears to have been tampered with. It is best to purchase a product that is factory sealed and, if your product of choice is not sealed, consider ordering it online where it is kept out of high traffic areas prior to being shipped. This is simply a good idea so that everyone passing through any given store doesn’t have the opportunity to open or use the product before you buy it.

Aside from an actual menopause supplement, some women find relief in aromatherapy, herbs, dietary supplements, etc.

The information in this article is to be used for informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice. Anyone with questions regarding the use of a menopause supplement should consult their physician for further information.

Melissa Ream is the content editor at Symptoms of Menopause Now. She has collected the best and most current information on the symptomsofmenopausenow.com symptoms of menopause available on the internet.

Related posts

• What Really Causes Acne (0)
• The Truth Behind The Most Popular Teenage Acne Myths (0)
• The Connection Between Acne And Hormones (0)
• Oily Skin Care Can Treat Acne-prone, Shiny, Oily Skin (0)
• Menopause Relief (0)

Tags: acne, diet, menopause