Biomimetic Hormones | Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

Stress in today’s world is a modern fact of life.  Stress will affect our hormone levels and leave us in an imbalanced state which is very harmful to our health.  It also affects the rate at which we age.  Aging will proceed at a more rapid pace on the individual who suffers from chronic stress.  After the age of 35, most women will suffer from decreased progesterone levels which will also affect estrogen, DHEA and testosterone levels.  The whole hormonal system ends up out of balance causing all kinds of menopause symptoms and major health problems.

Menopause is different for each woman.  About 25% of women will go through menopause without any symptoms.  Another 25% will experience mild menopause symptoms that can be dealt with by exercising, eating right and taking some herbal supplements.  However, 25% of all women will suffer from extreme menopause symptoms and these are the women who are suffering from chronic stress.  Diet, exercising is not enough to help these women.  Women in the third world do not experience the negative symptoms of menopause.  The reason for this is the lack of stress.  Modern life in western countries is very stressful, our diets are poor and lack the nutrition we need and we often don’t get enough of the right kind of exercise.

Men do not get menopause, but they will enter the male menopause which is called andropause as early as their early 40s.  They will also suffer from hormonal imbalance and suffer many of the same symptoms as women.  Men who lead stressful lives will also experience the same health risks as women.

Stress will produce an increase in the cortisol levels in the body.  Cortisol is a very dangerous hormone to have in excess.  High cortisol will lead to interrupted sleep which affects your entire life.

Eliminate your stress by stress management and life changes.  Exercising is a wonderful opportunity for this, whether it is biking, yoga, tai chi, weight lifting, running or swimming.  If you don’t eliminate the chronic stress in your life – you will eventually experience adrenal fatigue in which the adrenal glands fail to produce enough cortisol. Again, you will be facing serious health problems such as stroke and heart attack.

The consequences of stress include the following:  disturbed sleep patterns, weight gain, decreased libido, imbalanced hormones, premature aging, adrenal fatigue, stroke, heart attack and even death.  Now is the time to manage your stress levels to live a healthy life as you age.

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Let’s take a look at the problem of low estrogen and hormonal imbalance.  This would be indicated by two things:  Firstly, you are experiencing the symptoms of low estrogen and hormonal imbalance which include hot flashes, night sweats, dry vagina, urinary urgency, memory loss, brain fog and perhaps feelings of depression and irritability.  With these symptoms you should first visit your bioidentical doctor to get your hormones tested.  When the results arrive, he will then write an individualized prescription for bioidentical hormones.

There are also some natural supplements that you can take that will help solve the worst of your symptoms.  These natural herbal supplements for menopause will help deal with low estrogen and menopause symptoms.  Phytoestrogenic herbs such as Angelica, Black Cohosh, Red Clover Extract, licorice or sage can be used to boost healthy estrogen levels.  Choose one of the following.  You can purchase these at the health store.

Angelica:

Angelica has been used for hundreds of years to combat the symptoms of menopause and a lack of menstruation (amenorrhea), and PMS.  Angelica has anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties and can also help with painful menstruation.  It is also beneficial in that it counteracts menopause symptoms such as hot flashes.  Usually, a naturopath will recommend that you 400 mg. one to three times per day without food.

Black Cohosh:

Black Cohosh is another traditional herb for the treatment of menopause symptoms such as vaginal dryness, night sweats, hot flashes, urinary problems, etc.  Taken without food, take a 40 mg tablet, two times a day is the usual recommended dose.  However, always check with your doctor or naturopath for the exact dose for yourself.

Red Clover Extract:

Red clover extract contains isoflavones which are natural estrogens found in plants.  It may help with menopause symptoms – there is conflicting research on red clover extract.  Some reports say that it helps with such problems as bone loss, improves blood pressure, increases good cholesterol, thereby reducing heart disease risk.  The best product for red clover extract is Promensil which has been researched the most.  Take 80 mg. per day and see if it helps first with your hot flashes.

Licorice:

Licorice is an herb which contines phytoestrogens and can help with stress and burnout.  Only take it before 3:00 in the afternoon because it is a stimulant.  Recommended dose is 300 – 900 mg. per day, but check with your naturopath for the dosage that is right for you.

Sage:

Sage will assist with hot flashes and night sweats if these are your main issues. This will help restore estrogen balance. Take without food, 400 mg per day.

The above are the best herbal supplements for menopause if you are not taking bioidentical hormones.  As always, we highly recommend that you visit a naturopath or a doctor experienced in supplementing with herbal supplements to explain your symptoms so they can assist you.

Make sure also that a healthy diet, exercise, smoking cessation, reduction in alcohol intake and stress reduction are included in your daily life.  Neither bioidentical hormones or natural supplements are going to work very well if you don’t live a healthy life style.

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