Jennifer

SO I woke up this AM quite early, but the internet and TV were down.  So I thought I would type out this info.  After all, I did write about PMS yesterday, so it is only fair to share this. We all can’t be PMSing….. :) 

Peri-Menopause is the time prior to the last menstral cylce and this is the time where the body is sending out uneven bursts of estrogen, but steadily downward. The hormonal changes do not just occur in the ovaries though. Also afftected are the liver, the adrenal glands, the pancreas, the thymus and the hypothalamus. When the estrogen is not kept in check by the progesterone (matters become worse when one is over weight because the fat cells are creating even more estrogen), these gaps and intense fluctuations create peri-menopausal symptoms including: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, tender breasts, moodiness, depression, heart palpatations and low libido. THE KEY TO A BETTER THEN AVERAGE EXPERIENCE DURING THIS TIME is to take care of oneself. All these symptoms can be reduced IF the adrenals are supported, hormones are kept in check, one is getting really good nutrition, exercising and encorporating relaxing type exercises into one’s life.

Ways to help with the transition:

1. Optimal Nutrition !!! Plenty of whole foods, EFAs. It is hard to imagine that what we do now for our choices in intakes is really going to affect our health. It seems that the now is all we can think about, but good health later, starts NOW. This ought to help me stick to developing my new nutrtional lifestyle. Ha.

2. Support adrenals with a good multivitamin and if concerned, research the optimal vitamin and mineral requirements. I will not write about herbs because I do not want to feel responsible for the impropper use or abuse of herbs (they must be taken seriously and treated like other meds). That said, (lmao) I will say that one that is really helpful for supporting the adrenals is Siberian Ginseng and I like the tea. Ginseng is said to be an adaptogen which means it helps us to resist the negative effects of all stress including physical, chemical and psychological. It also helps to regenerate the adrenals and apparently (cool) replace depleted chi.

3. Speak to doctors, pharmacists, and other educators (research yourself) on ways to raise progesterone. Not all progesterone is usable by the body so it is best to get the kind that is.

4. Take care of bones with diet, exercise (weight bearing ones especially), stop smoking and prepare emotionally for the change

MENOPAUSE

How lucky I feel to be able to learn all this now. I really feel for so many ladies who have struggled and then some just do not. How lucky are they!

This is not a time where one is trying to get back to the wonder years. I gather women just want to feel alive and fulfilled. A woman does not need or want I am sure those hormones that kept them furtile. But enough estrogen and progesterone is needed to maintain bones, prevent atherosclerosis, keep hair, skin and mucus membranes health, and maintain (get back?) a healthy sex life.