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ACKNOWLEGEMENT
CERTAIN IMAGES ARE COURTESY OF the US CDC AND USDA.
photo by James Gathany CDC
Researchers finds that even moderate exercise can help
relieve the problems of menopause in some women,
including anxiety, insomnia and night sweats. However,
there is no proof exercise is a cure. [1] Probably, exercise
promotes an overall sense of well-being that helps women
handle troublesome symptoms better.
About Menopause
Menopause (also called the "change of life") is a normal
part of a woman's aging. It is the time when her ability to
have children comes to an end. In American women, the
transition into menopause usually begins around age 47,
with the final menstrual period usually around age 51.
However, some women experience it earlier. Menopause
occurs over a period of time because the levels of a
hormone called estrogen, which is produced by the
ovaries, begin to decline slowly. A woman is said to have
completed natural menopause when she has not had a
period for 12 months in a row. Menopause will occur
immediately if a woman has her uterus and/or both
ovaries removed surgically (an operation to remove the
uterus is called a hysterectomy). This is because at least
one ovary and the uterus are needed for a woman to have
menstrual periods. Menopause also begins right away if a
woman's ovaries are damaged by cancer treatment with
radiation therapy or certain anticancer drugs.
Common symptoms during the menopausal
transition
Some symptoms that women experience are related to
menopause and decreased activity of the ovaries. Others
are related to aging in general. The scientific evidence that
certain symptoms are linked to menopause is strongest
for the following symptoms:
Hot flashes, night sweats, or perspiring excessively (these
are also called vasomotor symptoms, because they involve
expansion of the blood vessels)
Sleep difficulties
Vaginal dryness (painful intercourse and sexual problems)
It is not certain whether the following symptoms are due
to menopause or aging, or a combination of them:
Changes in mood, such as depression, anxiety, and/or
irritability
Problems in thinking or in remembering things
Urinary incontinence (that is, loss of ability to control
urination)
Painful joints or muscles, such as tiredness and stiff joints
Conventional treatments for
menopausal symptoms
For many decades, estrogen has been the main treatment
in conventional medicine for menopausal symptoms.1 For
a long time this treatment was called hormone
replacement therapy (HRT), but the preferred term now is
menopausal hormone therapy (MHT).
MHT has some other beneficial effects as well. For
example, it helps to protect against osteoporosis, an
age-related disease in which the bones become brittle and
can break more easily.
Botanicals
Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga
racemosa). This herb has received more scientific
attention for its possible effects on menopausal
symptoms than have other botanicals. Studies of its
effectiveness in reducing hot flashes have had mixed
results. Recent research suggests that black cohosh does
not act like estrogen, as once was thought. Black cohosh
has had a good safety record over a number of years.
Some concerns have been raised about whether it may
cause liver problems, but an association has not been
proven.
Red clover (Trifolium pratense). Five controlled studies
found no consistent or conclusive evidence that red clover
leaf extract reduces hot flashes. Clinical studies in women
report few side effects, and no serious health problems
have been discussed in the literature. However, animal
studies have raised concerns that red clover might have
harmful effects on hormone-sensitive tissue (for example,
in the breast and uterus).
Dong quai (Angelica sinensis). Only one randomized
clinical study of dong quai has been done. The researchers
did not find it to be useful in reducing hot flashes.
Ginseng (Panax ginseng or Panax quinquefolius).
Ginseng may help with some menopausal symptoms, such
as mood symptoms and sleep disturbances, and with
one's overall sense of well-being. However, it has not
been found helpful for hot flashes.
Kava (Piper methysticum). Kava may decrease anxiety,
but there is no evidence that it decreases hot flashes. It is
important to note that kava has been associated with liver
disease.
Soy. The scientific literature includes both positive and
negative results for soy extracts on hot flashes. When
taken as a food or dietary supplement for short periods of
time, soy appears to have few if any serious side effects.
However, long-term use of soy extracts has been
associated with thickening of the lining of the uterus.
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a naturally occurring
substance that is changed in the body to the hormones
estrogen and testosterone. It is also manufactured and
sold as a dietary supplement. The only randomized clinical
trial of DHEA that has been done so far found no benefit
for hot flashes. The NIH SoS conference panel added that
a few small, nonrandomized studies have suggested that
DHEA might possibly have some benefit for hot flashes
and decreased sexual arousal, but this has not been
confirmed. The side effects, risks, and benefits of using
DHEA for longer than a few months have not been well
studied.
Because levels of natural DHEA in the body decline with
age, some people believe that taking DHEA as a
supplement can help treat or prevent conditions related to
aging. However, there is no good scientific evidence to
support this popular notion.
REFERENCE Exercise suggested for menopause symptoms Associated
Press Jun 8,2006. Do CAM Therapies Help Menopausal Symptoms?
NCCAM Online Publication May 12 2006.
relieve the problems of menopause in some women,
including anxiety, insomnia and night sweats. However,
there is no proof exercise is a cure. [1] Probably, exercise
promotes an overall sense of well-being that helps women
handle troublesome symptoms better.
About Menopause
Menopause (also called the "change of life") is a normal
part of a woman's aging. It is the time when her ability to
have children comes to an end. In American women, the
transition into menopause usually begins around age 47,
with the final menstrual period usually around age 51.
However, some women experience it earlier. Menopause
occurs over a period of time because the levels of a
hormone called estrogen, which is produced by the
ovaries, begin to decline slowly. A woman is said to have
completed natural menopause when she has not had a
period for 12 months in a row. Menopause will occur
immediately if a woman has her uterus and/or both
ovaries removed surgically (an operation to remove the
uterus is called a hysterectomy). This is because at least
one ovary and the uterus are needed for a woman to have
menstrual periods. Menopause also begins right away if a
woman's ovaries are damaged by cancer treatment with
radiation therapy or certain anticancer drugs.
Common symptoms during the menopausal
transition
Some symptoms that women experience are related to
menopause and decreased activity of the ovaries. Others
are related to aging in general. The scientific evidence that
certain symptoms are linked to menopause is strongest
for the following symptoms:
Hot flashes, night sweats, or perspiring excessively (these
are also called vasomotor symptoms, because they involve
expansion of the blood vessels)
Sleep difficulties
Vaginal dryness (painful intercourse and sexual problems)
It is not certain whether the following symptoms are due
to menopause or aging, or a combination of them:
Changes in mood, such as depression, anxiety, and/or
irritability
Problems in thinking or in remembering things
Urinary incontinence (that is, loss of ability to control
urination)
Painful joints or muscles, such as tiredness and stiff joints
Conventional treatments for
menopausal symptoms
For many decades, estrogen has been the main treatment
in conventional medicine for menopausal symptoms.1 For
a long time this treatment was called hormone
replacement therapy (HRT), but the preferred term now is
menopausal hormone therapy (MHT).
MHT has some other beneficial effects as well. For
example, it helps to protect against osteoporosis, an
age-related disease in which the bones become brittle and
can break more easily.
Botanicals
Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga
racemosa). This herb has received more scientific
attention for its possible effects on menopausal
symptoms than have other botanicals. Studies of its
effectiveness in reducing hot flashes have had mixed
results. Recent research suggests that black cohosh does
not act like estrogen, as once was thought. Black cohosh
has had a good safety record over a number of years.
Some concerns have been raised about whether it may
cause liver problems, but an association has not been
proven.
Red clover (Trifolium pratense). Five controlled studies
found no consistent or conclusive evidence that red clover
leaf extract reduces hot flashes. Clinical studies in women
report few side effects, and no serious health problems
have been discussed in the literature. However, animal
studies have raised concerns that red clover might have
harmful effects on hormone-sensitive tissue (for example,
in the breast and uterus).
Dong quai (Angelica sinensis). Only one randomized
clinical study of dong quai has been done. The researchers
did not find it to be useful in reducing hot flashes.
Ginseng (Panax ginseng or Panax quinquefolius).
Ginseng may help with some menopausal symptoms, such
as mood symptoms and sleep disturbances, and with
one's overall sense of well-being. However, it has not
been found helpful for hot flashes.
Kava (Piper methysticum). Kava may decrease anxiety,
but there is no evidence that it decreases hot flashes. It is
important to note that kava has been associated with liver
disease.
Soy. The scientific literature includes both positive and
negative results for soy extracts on hot flashes. When
taken as a food or dietary supplement for short periods of
time, soy appears to have few if any serious side effects.
However, long-term use of soy extracts has been
associated with thickening of the lining of the uterus.
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a naturally occurring
substance that is changed in the body to the hormones
estrogen and testosterone. It is also manufactured and
sold as a dietary supplement. The only randomized clinical
trial of DHEA that has been done so far found no benefit
for hot flashes. The NIH SoS conference panel added that
a few small, nonrandomized studies have suggested that
DHEA might possibly have some benefit for hot flashes
and decreased sexual arousal, but this has not been
confirmed. The side effects, risks, and benefits of using
DHEA for longer than a few months have not been well
studied.
Because levels of natural DHEA in the body decline with
age, some people believe that taking DHEA as a
supplement can help treat or prevent conditions related to
aging. However, there is no good scientific evidence to
support this popular notion.
REFERENCE Exercise suggested for menopause symptoms Associated
Press Jun 8,2006. Do CAM Therapies Help Menopausal Symptoms?
NCCAM Online Publication May 12 2006.
Exercise may relieve
menopause symptoms
menopause symptoms
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