Menopausal Problems
The menopause or a woman’s change of life is a
perfectly normal event which occurs in the mid or late forties. It signifies
the end of the female reproductive period of life which commenced at adolescence
in the early teens. There are several misconceptions about menopause. Many
women at this time feel that they are growing old and that they are well past
their full physical vigour. Other women feel that the menopause brings a cessation
of sexual pleasure. These apprehensions are far from true. Menopause may be
considered an end to women’s fertility but certainly not to her virility. It
does not decrease a woman’s physical capacity or sexual vigour or enjoyment.
Symptoms
During the menopause, the entire chain of endocrine
glands is disturbed, particularly the gonads, thyroid and pituitary. In a
really healthy woman, the menopausal change takes place without any unpleasant
symptoms. The only sign that the "change" is taking place is the
cessation of menstrual flow. There are, however, many women who do not enjoy
good health due to dietetic errors and a faulty style of living. In these
cases, the menopausal change often leads to all kinds of distressing physical,
emotional and nervous symptoms and manifestations.
Hot flashes, night sweats, nervous tension, menstrual
disturbances, insomnia, diminished interest in sex, irritability and depression
are the typical symptoms of menopause. Other symptoms are chilly feelings,
fatigue, palpitation, dizziness, headaches and numbness. Not every woman will
get these severe reactions. The severity or otherwise of the symptoms depend on
a variety of factors such as general health, previous surgery and radiation.
Menopause and its problems are usually over when menstruation stops.
Causes
The annoying symptoms associated with menopause arise
from the fact that the ovaries are no longer producing their normal amount of
estrogen, the dominant female hormone. Anything which interferes with the
normal functioning of the ovaries may also bring about these symptoms. The same
strange feelings may occur if the ovaries are removed by surgery because of
disease. This can also result from heavy X-ray therapy or the use of radiation.
A lack of normal hormone balance may also result in a severe backache. This is
caused by thinning of the bones arising from the low level of estrogen in the
bloodstream. Unless properly treated, this may eventually lead to a collapse of
one or more of the vertebrae.
Treatment
Although menopause cannot be avoided, it can be
postponed for as long as 10 to 15 years and it can be made a smooth affair when
it comes, with a proper nutritional programme, special supplements and the
right mental attitude. When a woman is affected by the menopausal change to any
marked extent, it is a sure sign that her body is in a toxic condition and in
need of a thorough cleansing. For this purpose, she should undergo a course of
natural health building treatment.
Diet is of utmost importance in such a scheme of
treatment. In fact the problems at menopause are often much more severe than
that at puberty largely because the diet has been deficient for many years
prior to its onset, in many nutrients such as protein, calcium, magnesium,
vitamins D, E and pantothenic acid. The diet should be made up from three basic
food groups, namely (i) seeds, nuts and grains (ii) vegetables and (iii)
fruits. The emphasis should be on vitamin E-rich raw and sprouted seeds and
nuts, unpasteurised high quality milk and home-made cottage cheese and an
abundance of raw, organically grown fruits and vegetables. Plenty of freshly
made juices of fruits and vegetables in season should also be included in this
diet.
All processed, refined and denatured foods, such as
white sugar, white flour and all articles made with them, should be completely
eliminated. Take special supplements such as vitamins C, B6 and pantothenic
acid, which have a specific property of stimulating the body’s own production
of estrogen or enhancing the effect of the existing estrogen. During menopause,
the lack of ovarian hormones can result in a severe calcium deficiency. For this
reason, a larger than usual intake of calcium may help greatly. Vitamins D and
F are also essential for assimilation of calcium. Any woman having difficulty
at this time should supplement her daily diet with 1,000 units of natural
vitamin D, 5000 milligrams of magnesium and two grams of calcium daily, which
can be supplied by one quart of milk.
During the menopause, the need for vitamin E soars 10
to 50 times over that previously required. Hot flashes, night sweats and other
symptoms of menopause often disappear when 50 to 100 units of vitamin E are
taken daily. The symptoms recur quickly
if the vitamin is discontinued. Of late, it has become popular to take estrogen
to prevent or postpone menopausal symptoms.
Although hormone therapy is apparently successful and
will, in many cases, help the patient to feel and act younger, it cannot be
recommended in all cases because of its carcinogenic effect.
If, however, estrogen therapy is undertaken, it
should never be administered at the same time as vitamin E therapy. Ingestion
of estrogen and vitamin E should be separated by several hours. Beet juice has
been found very useful in menopausal disorders. It should be taken in small quantities
of 60 to 90 ml at a time thrice a day. It has proved much more permanently
helpful than the degenerative effects of drugs or synthetic hormones. Carrot
seeds have also been found valuable in menopausal tension. A teaspoonful of the
seeds should be boiled in a glassful of cow’s milk for about 10 minutes and
taken daily as a medicine in this condition.
Plenty of outdoor exercise, such as walking, jogging,
swimming, horse-riding or cycling, is imperative to postpone menopause. Other
helpful measures in this direction are avoiding mental and emotional stress and
worries, especially worry about growing old, sufficient sleep and relaxation
and following all general rules of maintaining a high level of health. The
healthier a woman is, the fewer menopausal symptoms she will experience.
The menopause can be made a pleasant affair by
building bodily health and a sane mental outlook. From puberty to menopause, a
woman has been somewhat of a slave to her female glands. At specified intervals
she was inconvenienced by her menstrual periods. She bore children, enduring
the pain and discomfort of pregnancy. Menopause relieves her of this bondage to
her femininity. She can now experience some of the happiest days of a woman’s
life. A whole new life is given to her, if she is wise enough to prepare for it
and accept it as such.
Source: www.healthlibrary.com through www.scribd.com
No comments:
Post a Comment