Content Starts Here

Managing the Menopause

Expert Rebecca Burn Dip RNT, MBANT and Healthy Direct Nutritionist explains what the menopause is, what HRT involves and how to manage the menopause naturally.

The Menopause

The term 'menopause' technically refers to the ending of monthly periods, but in general use it embraces a wide range of symptoms that accompany this change. A woman is born with a certain number of egg cells, and this number decreases with age until, at the age of around 45-55, few are left. The ovaries are controlled by hormones, and as a woman ages, the ovaries become less and less responsive to these hormones and produce less oestrogen. Over time, oestrogen levels decrease, menopausal symptoms begin, and it is consistently low levels of oestrogen that cause a woman's periods to stop. This transitional period usually lasts two or three years.

HRT

HRT is not always the most effective or safest menopause solution, as many women will testify. HRT has been linked with all kinds of adverse effects, most worryingly the reported increased risk of heart disease and breast cancer. Not only this, HRT is associated with other various unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, weight gain, fluid retention and headaches. These factors along with the general confusion and conflicting health stories regarding HRT are enough for many women to question this route

Contraindications for HRT
HRT is not suitable for anyone with a history of:

Breast Cancer
Liver disease
Thrombosis

Caution should be exercised if history of / currently suffering from:

Hypertension
Benign breast disease
Fibroids
Migraine
Endometriosis

Top Ways to Manage the Menopause Naturally:

Hot flushes: These can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Red Clover is a popular supplement believed to reduce both the frequency and severity of hot flushes due to its rich phytoestrogen content. Phytoestrogens can have a mild oestrogenic affect which at the time of menopause help to balance declining hormone levels and reduce symptoms.

Dry skin and vaginal dryness: If you suffer from dry skin and hair, aching joints, breast pain and difficulty losing weight, you could be lacking in Essential Fatty Acids. Supplement with evening primrose oil and fish oils to make sure you are getting both omega 3 and 6. Plus essential fats can help to relieve symptoms of vaginal dryness.

Reducing risk of osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is usually a symptom of advancing age, but it can also be a consequence of the menopause. Oestrogen protects the bones by keeping calcium in the bones and thereby maintaining bone density. During and after the menopause, when oestrogen levels are reduced, bone density decreases at a more rapid rate.

Try supplementing with calcium, magnesium and vitamin D, which are all important nutrients for maintaining strong healthy bones. Healthy Direct's Osteoforce is a great all in one bone health supplement.

Keeping a healthy heart: Menopausal women are more at risk of cardiovascular problems - oestrogen works to protect women when they're younger. Blood pressure can also become high as moods fluctuate and create more stresses. Make sure you have your blood cholesterol and blood pressure checked regularly to determine risk of cardiovascular disease.

With menopausal symptoms affecting approximately 70% of women in the UK and the debate about the safety of HRT continuing, Healthy Direct, (www.healthydirect.com) the vitamin and supplement provider, has developed M-Pause, a unique combination of 100% natural herbs, vitamins and plant extracts to help ease common menopausal symptoms.

Designed as a one-stop product for women looking for a natural alternative, M-Pause combines key ingredients that are proven to relieve some of the more unpleasant side affects of the menopause such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and headaches.

More about Rebecca Burn

Rebecca Burn is a qualified nutritionist, a member of BANT (The British Association of Nutritional Therapists) and works for the leading mail order supplement company Healthy Direct. At Healthy Direct Rebecca works closely with customer care to answer customer queries, and is also involved in writing for the catalogue, running in-house training and as part of the technical team providing research for product development.

Rebecca also runs a small private clinic in Winchester and she has a wealth of knowledge and experience of helping individuals cope with various health complaints.