Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, but because men have higher rates of heart disease it has long been assumed that estrogen is what creates that difference. Heart disease is more prevalent in post-menopausal women than pre-menopausal women, so this has also helped fuel the myth that estrogen has something to do with heart problems. Actually it is probably just due to the fact that post-menopausal women are older.

There has been a clear relationship established between amounts of natural estrogen and breast cancer, osteoporosis and endometrial cancer. The longer you have natural estrogen in you because of early menstruation, drinking alcohol, or certain medications the greater the risk of breast cancer and the lower risk of osteoporosis. However, no clear relationship has been established between natural estrogen and heart disease.

So what does put a woman at risk for heart disease? A family history of heart disease. Levels of lipids, the most common one is known as cholesterol, are also a factor. High levels of an amino acid called Homocysteine have also been shown to increase risk. (Good news is that can be lowered with vitamin B and folic acid.) High levels of C Reactive Protein produced during periods of inflammation increases heart disease risk and this protein is also increased by estrogen. Other factors that increase the risk for heart disease include personality type, diabetes, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure and having blood that clots easily.

In terms of Estrogen therapy and heart disease, this means that even though studies have shown that HRT reduces the risk of heart disease in women, the studies have been more observational in nature. Because the studies are observational they really have not yet answered the question if the issue is that estrogen lowers the instance of heart disease or if the instance of heart disease is lower because women who are healthy tend to be on estrogen in the first place. None of the studies done so far have been random controlled blind studies. All the women were of higher social and economic status, highly educated, thinner, non-smokers and also were more likely to have had a hysterectomy. They were more likely to have insurance coverage, therefore more likely to go to a doctor regularly and have had preventive healthcare, lowering their risk of heart disease anyway.

All in all, the evidence showing that HRT can lower the risk of heart disease is circumstantial and considering the recent studies showing links to Breast Cancer and HRT, it would seem that whatever unproven benefit of HRT does not outweigh the risk of taking it. And the American Heart Association recommends the same thing - women with heart disease should not be given HRT to prevent further occurrence and women already on HRT that have heart disease should only continue to take it if the have an additional reason to take it besides heart disease.

There are additional ways to prevent heart disease besides HRT than you can do, like lifestyle changes and drugs that can lower your cholesterol and blood pressure so if the only reason you are considering HRT is for heart disease, it’s probably best to pursue those other options first.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to menopause-treatments-guide.com/ Menopause

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Hair loss solutions for women are out there. When most people think of hair loss, then think of men. Female balding occurs in women more often then we would like. The good news is this: it’s easier to find a solution for women then for men as womens’ conditions are usually temporary and can be improved.

The causes of hair loss in women:

There are a few reasons why women face female balding. It’s important you identify the reason of your hair loss before beginning any treatment.

Some common reasons for female hair loss are:

- Androgenetic alopecia: This is the hereditary form of baldness which usually affects 50% of men and some women after the age of 40.

- Hormonal changes: Hair thinning occurs sometimes in women after menopause when they experience hormonal changes.

- Pregnancy: During pregnancy hair loss may occur because the body’s metabolism is stressed with the pregnancy, while feeding the baby at the same time and trying to balance the mother’s body. Sometimes during pregnancy women are faced with other deficiencies such as calcium for the same reason. Pregnancy during hair loss will pass the month after the baby is born.

- Stress: This is a very popular cause of hair loss in women and men. It can be delayed as much as three months after you were faced with a stressful period. Physical and emotional stress always take a toll on your body and often show physical signs in your hair, nails, teeth and skin glow.

- Diets: Some women undertake crash diets in order to achieve a desired look. Nutrition greatly effects your hair growth.

Individuals who undergo a crash diet can experience a variety of undesirable results such as a loss of the natural glow in their skin, their nails can become very britle and they can notice signs of thinning in their hair as well.

On a positive note, aside from hereditary baldness, all of the above conditions can be treated. Hereditary baldness, however, can only be treated through hair transplant and/or wigs.

Treatments for hair thinning or hair loss

- Hair tonic: There are many products available on the market today with some applicable in the shower and some you leave in your hair after a shower. They are very beneficial should you follow the full treatment religiously.

- Hair mask: The mask acts similar to the tonic but hair masks must be washed out. A mask conditions and nourishes your hair from the root to the tip of the hair folicle. Use hair masks before every shower or as indicated on the package.

- Drugs: If you’d rather not bother with hair applications, specific drugs are available in the pharmacy that target both hair and nails. They too are very effective if a proper treatment if observed. Taking care of your diet as well as balancing your stress levels is the key to great hair and lively health. Eat healthy and exercise to improve your body’s nutrition and general well being.

For more tips on preventing hair loss, visit stopfemalehairloss.com stopfemalehairloss.com to discover new stopfemalehairloss.com/Baldness-Formula-Actually-Works-Says-New-Research.html hair loss solutions to help you regrow a healthy head of hair.

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It has recently been found that hormone replacement therapy is linked to increased health problems in menopausal and post menopausal women. Yes, it’s true that the hormone replacement therapy does lessen and in some cases, eliminate the symptoms of menopause—but at what risk? There are other, alternative ways to increase your health, lower the symptoms of menopause and not add risks to your health, which are mainly achieved through diet.

Nuts and the fat in nuts have been linked to reducing heart attacks and lowering cholesterol.

Essential fatty acids, especially Omega 3’s are essential to a healthy heart. You can find Omega 3 in fish, such as salmon, trout, herring and sardines, seeds, beans, nuts and whole grains. You can also introduce EFA alpha-linolenic acid into your daily regime to lower your risk of fatal heart attack.

Seaweed is also beneficial to a menopausal woman—seaweeds help to regulate triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesterols as well as stabilizing blood pressure, lengthening the life of the heart and promoting healthy and steady heart beat.

Carotenes, which are plentiful in broccoli, cut down a menopausal woman’s risk of stroke by 40 per cent. Eating broccoli once a week will halve your risk of heart disease.

Limit or eliminate carbohydrates, such as refined sugar and flour to reduce your cholesterol levels.

Garlic is your best friend—women who eat several cloves of fresh, raw garlic reduce their blood pressure, cholesterol and phospholipids can increase their immune system, even out blood sugar levels, reduce clotting and the chance of stokes and strengthen the heart’s action and health overall. No—you don’t have to eat fresh garlic, you can use powdered garlic or scentless garlic pills to increase the garlic intake in your diet.

Hawthorn berry tincture is a typical herbal heart tonic—it’s broadly effective and perfect for all women, menopausal or not. Hawthorn helps your heart to strengthen, relieve stress on the heart and throughout the cardiovascular system.

Motherwort is another herbal supplement perfect for menopausal women and a great heart tonic.

Every woman is going to love this—eat chocolate. Chocolate is loaded with phytochemicals which are healthy for your heart. So freely indulge in chocolate to keep down your blood pressure, curb oxidation of your blood vessel walls and keep them relaxed. Chocolate also helps to limit the oxidation of LDL—protecting the lipids in your blood from free-radical damage. Chocolate is more powerful than Vitamin C.

Also add a cup/glass of green tea and/or red wine to your daily diet to help prevent strokes.

Eat meat—and don’t be afraid, but make sure you are getting beans and whole grains in your diet as well to ensure that you are processing everything completely by increasing your vitamin B levels.

Increase fruits, vegetables and grains in your diet when you are menopausal and decrease the amount of high-fat foods, like meat.

Don’t forget about milk, cheese and other sources of calcium to keep your bones strong. Menopausal women are at high risk of osteoporosis and calcium will help protect your bones. You will still need to take a calcium supplement, but getting some original calcium from dairy products is still highly recommended. You will want to find a calcium supplement that is coupled with magnesium and vitamin D to promote best bone health.

Your diet should lack in caffeine and fat as much as possible. It is more important to eat small meals often than large meals less often. Your body will accommodate the nutrients better if you give them in smaller doses and you will also curb weight gain while promoting a healthy heart.

While diet is important if you are menopausal, so is exercise. You must get up and move at least once a day to protect your heart and bones. It doesn’t have to be much, but get your blood moving and your heart pumping with some light exercise. Don’t overdo yourself, stay within your boundaries—but find someway to move throughout the day.

naturesmenopauserelief.com naturesmenopauserelief.com

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Andropause correlates directly with depression – a major player in the notorious mid-life crisis period men face in their late 40´s to late 50´s. There are a wide variety of symptoms and conditions hormone-wrecked men experience during this mid-life transition – everything from the mental (i.e. irritability) to the physical (loss of libido, lack of energy, and weight gain.) Depression, left untreated, can be a disabling condition.

Andropause depression is due to dropping levels of testosterone. Low testosterone levels cause many depressive symptoms – among them, a general indifference to events surrounding you, the inability to concentrate, extreme irritability, and memory loss. We might stress over things that might otherwise be worry-free in a normal situation and brood over certain matters. Our memory might go down the drain and we begin to see our lives in a negative light.

Energy levels plummet and enthusiasm for the activities we used to enjoy become flat-lined. Insomnia and restlessness is also a common symptom. Normal everyday things might become a burden to us, and the simplest shout of a child can make us excessively irritable. Psychologists use a variety of battery tests to figure out whether you suffer from depression. Besides handing you test sheets to work with, they also place you under observation – noticing your behavior, tendencies, and habits while talking to them.

Men tend to be rebellious creatures by nature. We love shrugging off our faults and being poised in the midst of emotional trouble. We take on the role as masculine creatures – lion kings of the jungle that reign over the sprawling landscape we call life. Men can be in full denial when it comes to questions about their sexual ability and prowess. Refusing to understand that we aren’t who we once were with our sexual performance as a result of Andropause is in our blood.
Fellas, it is time to become aware and acquainted with the severity of your depression.

Off the bat, there are facts and figures supporting depression as a major problem. For one, 80% of all suicides in the United States are carried out by men. The majority of people with this condition never seek the advice and counsel of therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Probably the most shocking fact of all is the male suicide rate is highest during the Andropause years. You read correctly – highest during the years we’re specifically talking about.

How do we deal with these devastating changes to our lives? How can we manage stress to reduce the chances of clinical depression? For one, we must follow a daily exercise regimen. That coupled with a caffeine-free diet will boost our immune systems to fight disease. It will also slow down the aging process. Aim to maintain that explosive 30-inch, vertical leap well into your 60s! Another is doing the activities we love. Don’t stray from playing your pick-up basketball games with buddies or building those go-carts from scratch as a hobby. Stick to them and enjoy the satisfaction of doing so. Distract yourself from your current condition without ignoring it completely.

Maintain a social network of friends and family that will cheer you up when you need it most. Something as simple as having your young child shove a hand drawing of a red school bus in your face can provide for laughs and smiles. The most important piece of advice is to accept your condition and make accommodations. For example, low testosterone levels can easily be supplemented with testosterone cream. It’s bound to happen to all of us, and you either have the choice of making the best of it or letting it overwhelm you. Awareness is critical, and an optimistic attitude, followed with physical activity and a solid nutritional plan, is the best means of fighting Andropause, anti-aging, and the demon known as depression.

Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 26 years experience. She can be reached at Creative Communications: mailto:creativecommunications@cox.net creativecommunications@cox.net or by visiting everythingmenopause.com everythingmenopause.com and howtoconquermenopause.com howtoconquermenopause.com and everythingandropause.com everythingandropause.com

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