COULD THIS BE PERI-MENOPAUSE?

Often women in their late thirties to early fifties find that they are experiencing PMS as they approach the peri-menopausal stage in their lives.

The levels can range from mild, moderate or severe.

Some of the causes can derive from too much estrogen in the system and not enough progesterone causing estrogen dominance, excess body fat, too much stress, which results in excess amounts of the hormones cortisol, insulin, and norepinephrine, which can lead to the exhaustion of the adrenals. Not ovulating on time or skipping altogether. Eating a diet loaded with refined foods, while being deficient in good nutrients and high quality fats (EFA’s) and poor liver health, since it is the livers job to break down hormones like estrogen, adrenaline, insulin and aldosterone.

Symptoms can vary and are listed as below.

• Decreased sex drive
• Irregular and/or abnormal periods
• Mood swings (irritability and depression)
• Weight gain (abdomen and hip area)
• Bloating and water retention
• Breast swelling and tenderness
• Headaches and menstrual migraines
• Cold hands and feet
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Heart palpitations

While most woman going through peri-menopause believe they are suffering from a lack of estrogen, quite often it is the opposite. They are dealing with too much estrogen in the system. Estrogen levels normally will not fall dramatically until after the very last period occurs and you have made the transition into menopause. Meanwhile the progesterone levels are too low causing the imbalance and symptoms.

High estrogen levels can over stimulate the brain and the body triggering many of the negative symptoms listed above, while progesterone has a calming and soothing effect on the system, therefore you can see the need for the two hormones needing to be properly balanced.

Your next question may be, “How can this be achieved?”, Right? First of all, find out what your hormonal levels are. Balance them in the most natural way that you can, avoiding synthetic bio-chemical estrogen and progesterone replacements such as Estrace, Estrone, Premarin, Prempro and Provera at all cost. Synthetic progesterone’s are known to cause constriction of blood vessels among many other side effects, while bio-identical progesterone actually helps to prevent headaches and hot flashes caused by constriction. TIP: Using small doses (1/4 teasp.) of a natural cream every 15 minutes at the onset of a hormonal migraine can often stop it progression.

Avoid trigger foods such as refined carbohydrates, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, peanuts, aspartame, wheat, sugar, corn, and dairy. Try an elimination diet for two weeks with each food to find out which ones are triggers for you. Decrease stress by learning to say “No”. Keep body fat under 28 percent. Get moderate exercise, walking is wonderful, but remember to get the heart rate up during part of your walk. Eat a good balanced diet including soy foods. Add prayer, meditation, relaxation such as massage and adequate rest to your daily agenda. Look into natural herbal supplements, vitamins and minerals that can also greatly alleviate your symptoms. For instance, a liquid Cal/Mag/Vit. D can help you get a restful nights sleep. You can find these supplements through Nutrition Works in Rockford and The Bread of Life Store in Belvidere. They are very helpful and knowledgeable. If you need further information and guidance contact your natural healthcare practitioner. You shouldn’t have to struggle through peri-menopause, there are healthy and reliable alternatives. Discover freedom from suffering by DISCOVERING WELLNESS.