I received several e-mails requesting information about hormone supplements. I find it important to expound on the subject because, unfortunately, many people have the idea that menopause is a disease and the beginning of the end of a woman’s life. In many modern cultures, this midlife change is so embarrassing that a woman fears to express her feelings. She either quietly suffers physical, mental and emotional pains and discomfort due to hormonal changes in her body, or looks for relief in synthetic hormones which are widely available and extensively prescribed and advertised. Indeed, a woman, at this point, is not only ready to start a richer phase of her life, free of nagging guilt, obligations and restrictions, but she is also richer in experience and wisdom much coveted by the unseasoned young.
The biological changes are powerful messages sent to a woman; they are intended to draw her attention to care for her body, health, wellbeing and, especially, her mind. This period of rediscovery and renewal allows her to grow gracefully and with dignity and focus her energy on her own needs, self-esteem and hopes, which were put unselfishly aside for a long time. Unfortunately, modern medicine, technology, doctors and scientists and the drug industry not only refuse to accept menopause as a normal process in a woman’s life, but they also go as far as diagnosing the condition as a disease that should be supplemented with man-made hormones. They claim that insufficient hormones cause her to age, her skin to wrinkle, and her body to shrivel up and become undesirable. Hence, they prescribe synthetic hormones as the “elixir” to eternal youth without even considering such simple approaches as lifestyle changes.
Due to the controversy around hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a woman more than ever before needs to be fully informed about hormone supplements and their risk to her health. She should also know about alternative ways to help her go through menopause. Thereby, the decision to take HRT should be entirely hers without the influence of either the medical profession or the aggressive marketing of the pharmaceutical industry.
Menopause is a normal occurrence in a woman’s life. Around the age of 50 years, a woman’s ovaries decrease the production of the female sex hormone estrogen, which causes menstruation to gradually stop. Menopause marks the end of her reproductive years. Fortunately, when the ovaries cease to release the hormone, the adrenal glands start providing small amounts of estrogen to keep her body healthy. The fluctuation of hormones start before the last period, causing symptoms that range from weight gain, mood swings, hot flashes, headaches, bloating, insomnia, heavy periods and dry skin. Healthy women can pass through it smoothly, almost free of symptoms. For both groups of women, doctors rush to prescribe HRT to relieve the symptoms, stabilize hormones and supposedly prevent heart attack and osteoporosis (bone loss). Unfortunately, many of these claims are untrue. Large studies showed an association between HRT and blood clots, heart attacks and endometrial, and breast and ovarian cancer.
Because of the discouraging results of many studies, women began looking for natural ways to overcome menopausal symptoms. Plants are a good source of phytonutrients, which have medicinal effects on the body. Soybeans and linseeds have phytoestrogens (plant hormones) that relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of breast and hormone-related cancers by controlling high levels of estrogen. Phytoestrogens produce isoflavones and lignans, which lower high estrogen in the body by binding to it and inhibiting its action. They also contain antioxidants, which stop free radicals from damaging cells, preventing tissue-aging and abnormal cell growth. Because the Japanese eat soybeans regularly, women in Japan suffer fewer symptoms of menopause and are at less risk of hormone-related cancers. Wild Mexican yam is known to relieve some menopausal symptoms. Creams are made of the plant. Carrot and beetroot combined balance body hormones, too.
Symptoms of menopause, in Chinese traditional medicine, are helped by the dietary supplements of wheat germ and its oil, mung beans and their sprouts, string beans, seaweed, millet, black bean, tofu, kidney beans, barley and black sesame seeds. It is suggested to restrict alcohol, cigarettes, coffee and poor-quality meat, to reap the good effects of this diet.
To relieve the discomfort of menopause, women are advised to take supplements of vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and E along with the minerals calcium, magnesium and others. Low estrogen levels decrease calcium assimilation, requiring calcium, magnesium and vitamin D from sunlight or their supplements, which are necessary to build bone mass and minimize bone loss. Vitamin E is essential to activate estrogen production; it is available in wheat germ and its oil. Whole wheat also acts like a sedative. If dietary supplements are insufficient, larger doses (300 IU) of the vitamin can be taken. Vitamin C is a cofactor of vitamin E and is also important for skin health and collagen production. It is found in most fresh fruit and vegetables.
Sage can be used as herbal therapy during menopause to reduce hot flashes, irritability and other symptoms. Saffron, though toxic in large doses, can soothe menopausal distress. Royal jelly, food of the queen bee, energizes the female hormonal system. It is said to be rejuvenating and helps extend life span.
Lifestyle is an area where changes should take place, but with discipline, awareness and patience. In addition to developing good eating habits, regular exercise should be introduced gradually. Stress should be reduced through relaxation techniques. Yoga and some therapeutic exercises help relieve menopausal symptoms.
However, should you opt to start hormone therapy; you should research its long-and-short-term effects, and its benefits and disadvantages. Ask yourself these questions. Do HRT benefits outweigh its risks? Can I be helped without hormone therapy?
Finally, to live a healthy, productive and creative life after menopause, women should summon courage to accept the changes of midlife and turn them to advantages. They should remember that the same biological clock that ticks for females ticks for their male counterparts as well. We should stop living in denial of these biological changes, make adjustment to accommodate our body and give it priority. Make the best of the wisdom that enriches our lives and the lives of those around us.
(Mariam Alireza is a holistic science specialist. Send comments to [email protected].)