Common Symptoms

Irregular periods: They may become shorter or longer, heavier or lighter and irregular.

Hot flushes: This is when a sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of the body causes the face and neck to appear flushed.

Night Sweats: These are severe hot flushes, which can leave a woman drenched in sweat.

Insomnia: Research shows that 30-65 per cent of menopausal experience insomnia. Causes may include night sweats or anxiety.

Vaginal and bladder changes: When oestrogen diminishes, vaginal tissues may lose lubrication and elasticity, making intercourse uncomfortable or painful. Low oestrogen levels may also increase vulnerability to urinary infections.

Lack of libido: Loss of sexual desire or an erratic sex drive can also occur. However, the menopause should not mean the end of an active sex life and difficulties can be overcome.

Don't Forget to Exercise

Regular exercise will help strengthen bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. In one study, half of menopausal women who followed a resistance-training programme for eight weeks said they had fewer hot flushes and headaches, were less stressed and had a higher sex drive.

Healthy Eating

In her book Healthy Eating For The Menopause (Kyle Cathie, £12.99), top women’s nutritionist, Dr Marilyn Glenville and colleague of Herbalist Jill Davies, recommend the following tips:

There are three stages of menopause:

These are perimenopause (sometimes referred to as pre-menopause), menopause, and postmenopause. Medically speaking, menopause is defined as the last menstrual period, or the cessation of menstrual bleeding. The transition to menopause is known as perimenopause and may last as long as 8 to 15 years. Postmenopause is considered to start approximately one year after menopause has occurred. The chart below demonstrates menopausal symptoms and hormonal-influenced conditions time line through these three stages.

Contrary to common belief, most women's oestrogen levels remain relatively stable during perimenopause or even may increase slightly. On the other hand, progesterone levels begin to fall in perimenopause. The result is a condition called oestrogen dominance. This is the most significant issue for perimenopausal women causing a myriad of uncomfortable symptoms (see chart) commonly known as PMS, only ten times more severe. Maintaining adequate progesterone is important for building up the uterine lining during menstruation, as well as for proper blood clotting, blood sugar regulation, healthy bone formation and fat metabolism.

Hot flushes are the most common symptom of menopause transition, and changes in the blood's hormone levels are the main cause of naturally occurring menopause. When a woman has not experienced a period for one year, this means that the ovaries are not producing eggs and have greatly slowed down production of the hormone oestrogen. Progesterone is no longer secreted and the uterus lining does not develop. Since there is no endometrial lining to shed, there are no more periods. Experts believe that this slow-down in oestrogen production may trigger the body's temperature control system to malfunction, setting off a hot flush even though temperature adjustment isn't necessary or needed.

During postmenopause there is a slow, gradual decline in the sex hormone levels, eventually to be maintained at a very low and stable level. If the adrenal glands are healthy, they will take over a low rate of oestrogen and progesterone production. If the adrenals are exhausted, this exacerbates a different set of changes in the body, which tend to be more long-term.

The adrenal glands are supposed to secrete a certain quota of hormones throughout the day but tired and exhausted adrenals will not do so if under-par themselves. Vaginal dryness and incontinence are two of the most distressing symptoms of this problem but the risk of heart disease, blood sugar disturbances and osteoporosis are of course to be realised.

Anything that keeps the hormones functioning for longer and therefore assists preventing other diseases and conditions is worthwhile. Apart from the more obvious complications that the menopause can incur, some other lesser known ones can be assisted e.g. aiding the prevention of colorectal cancer, improving cognitive function and short-term memory, decreasing risk of tooth loss, cataract formation, and even macular degeneration (the most common cause of blindness over age 80). Remember also that oestrogen tends to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood. It also improves blood flow in the coronary arteries.

Perhaps the most important factor for hormone herb support during and after the menopause for many women is femininity. The menopause can cause a reduction in breast size and increase drooping, an increase in facial hair and a deeper voice can be upsetting. Thinning skin and mucous membranes alters visual appearance, whereas vaginal dryness makes sexual intercourse painful, thereby adding to the feeling of overall changes and challenges. Add to this such psychological symptoms as mood swings, irritability and trouble concentrating and it's easy to see why women are not thrilled by the changes caused by falling hormone levels during the menopause.

Many plants have medicinal properties that reduce menopausal symptoms. In Germany, 70% of physicians prescribe herbal remedies, which are covered by insurance.

Soy foods contain isoflavonoids (like black cohosh), such as genistein and diadzein (these are weak oestrogens) which may lessen the risk of oestoporosis and heart disease. Protease inhibitors in soy foods may reduce the risk of cancer. Soy food is also known to lower cholesterol levels by 10% to 20% if between 30 and 40 micro-grams is consumed daily. It is vital to cut out coffee, most alcohol and cut down on wheat and processed sugars and increase whole grains, fruit and vegetables.
The most important factor in reducing the menopausal risks of heart disease and oestoporosis is exercise. Walking, swimming and other activities can cut cardiovascular disease; resistance training such as light weights helps build muscle, Which makes bones stronger. However, plant oestrogens also mimic the effects of naturally produced oestrogen and will increase the activity of bone dissolving ones.

Never Mix Prescribed Drugs and Herbs without your GP or Herbal Practitioners Seeing You. Do Not Use Herbal Products if you are Pregnant or Breastfeeding.