Natural Support for Menopause and Peri-Menopausal

More than one-third of women in the United States are experiencing or have been through menopause. A gradual process, natural menopause occurs in most women by ages 50 to 51. Some women may begin to notice the beginning stages of hormonal changes as early as age 35 to 40, a period known as late premenopausal. From premenopausal and beyond, women may be challenged with managing a barrage of symptoms, both physiological and psychological, as well as the increased risk of age-related disease, particularly heart disease and osteoporosis. Many women are seeking natural support for hormone related symptoms and associated risk factors, particularly because of the well-known risks associated with hormone replacement therapy. Natural treatment strategies should focus on both symptom relief and disease prevention, and may include nutritional supplements, herbs, and healthy dietary and lifestyle choices.

As a woman’s reproductive years come to an end, she begins to experience the first signs of menopause. Menopause is the proper term used after menstruation has ceased for one year, after which women are considered postmenopausal, natural menopause occurs in most women by age 50 to 51. Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause, which usually begins several years before, often between the ages of 40 and 51. During this time, the body is adjusting to erratic hormone levels, which become evident by the start of irregular menstrual bleeding (shortened or lengthened cycles and diminished menstrual flow) and hot flushes. Between the ages of 35 to 40, as hormonal changes begin to occur, some women experience noticeable menstrual cycle changes and, if at all, occasional hot flushes. Other physical and emotional symptoms may start to be apparent during this period known as late premenopausal.

More than one-third of women in the United States—over 39 million—are experiencing or have been through menopause, many of whom have endured symptoms of hormonal changes. Changing hormone levels often cause vasomotor symptoms as experienced by hot flushes or night sweats, which are the most predominant symptoms estimated to occur in 6% to 63% of premenopausal women; 28% to 65% of perimenopausal women; and 93% of women in their first two postmenopausal years. Although the pattern and intensity of symptoms may vary greatly, many women also experience irregular bleeding; decreased vaginal lubrication; or thinning vaginal mucosa. Other symptoms may include mood swings, sleep disturbances, depression, cold hands /feet, weight gain, headaches, urinary problems and incontinence, vaginal irritation, and painful intercourse.

As menopause approaches, ovarian function gradually declines. While the ovaries continue to secrete estrogen, progesterone, and androgen, hormonal changes gradually. During the last year of perimenopause, estrogen levels decrease very rapidly. The decline in ovarian estrogen and progesterone production and rising follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels prompts the onset of menopause. Once a woman reaches menopause, the adrenal glands and fat cells become the primary sources of estrogen production.

The adrenal glands not only support androgen/estrogen metabolism, they also support the body’s ability to cope with, or adapt to, stress. While it is normal for women to be under constant stress in today’s society, chronic stress may contribute to some degree of adrenal fatigue—possibly predisposing a woman to health problems long before she even reaches menopause. Indeed, excessive or prolonged activation of the stress hormones increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, peptic ulcers, and asthma.

There are three main types of estrogen found in significant levels in human plasma. Estradiol is the principle estrogen secreted in the body and is metabolized primarily in the liver. If liver function is diminished, the activity of more potent estrogen metabolites may be increased. It is therefore vital for women to maintain healthy liver function, particularly from premenopause and beyond. Certain phytonutrients combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle can support liver health and normal estrogen metabolism.

Depending on the health of the woman, the changes in hormone levels that occur during menopause may not only cause undesirable symptoms, they may also contribute to disease risk and functional abnormalities. This is especially the case in women who are already at an increased risk because of genetics, illness, or poor dietary and lifestyle choices.

Among most prevalent diseases associated with postmenopausal women are osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Both of these diseases are strongly linked to hormonal levels, as well as to dietary and lifestyle habits. Some of the common risk factors associated with
Osteoporosis and Cardiovascular disease:

Osteoporosis • Reduced estrogen/progesterone as a result of menopause • Decreased androgen as a result of aging • Lack of exercise • Smoking • Heavy alcohol or caffeine consumption • Reduced muscle mass • Heredity • Asian or European descent • Use of certain drugs, including corticosteroids and anticonvulsants • Inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake

Cardiovascular Disease • Reduced estrogen as a result of menopause • Smoking • High blood pressure • Elevated levels of plasma/serum cholesterol • High LDL levels • Low HDL levels • Elevated plasma triglycerides • Diabetes • Obesity • Truncal obesity (“apple-shape”) • Stress • Lack of exercise

The ovarian steroids estrogen, androgen, and progesterone play an important role in the regulation of bone remodeling (resorption/formation). Thus, as hormone levels decline, the body’s ability to keep up with the natural process of bone remodeling also declines, contributing to brittle bones and an increased risk of fractures. Previous research suggested that estrogen protected women from heart disease, presumably by promoting a favorable plasma lipid profile and healthy blood circulation. Furthermore, the reduced estrogen levels in postmenopausal women cause a relatively higher concentration of circulating testosterone. Elevated testosterone levels are known to increase LDL levels and decrease HDL levels.

While increasing estrogen levels during menopause—such as with hormone replacement therapy (HRT)—may seem like the logical solution to preventing these debilitating diseases, the effect of HRT on cardiovascular disease has recently been a subject of great controversy. The recent Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicated that HRT does not provide effective prevention of cardiovascular disease and placed some women at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The Heart and Estrogen/ Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) also showed that HRT did not reduce the risk of CVD. These findings were confirmed in a scientific review conducted for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and reported in 2002, wherein researchers identified increased risk of coronary disease, stroke, and thromboembolic events with 5 or more years of HRT use. These findings led the Task Force to recommend against using HRT for the prevention of chronic conditions and emphasize the need to redirect attention to other methods of cardiovascular disease risk reduction in postmenopausal women. In January 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration outlined new labeling requirements for all HRT preparations, emphasizing that HRT increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

In addition to contributing to the onset of cardiovascular disease, HRT has been implicated as a possible cause of estrogen-related cancers (i.e., breast, ovarian, endometrial) and gallbladder disease. Fortunately, there are several natural alternatives to maintaining a healthy hormonal balance and overall health throughout the transitional years. Nutritional support for women during premenopause and throughout the postmenopausal years should include natural ways to support hormone balance and the adrenal glands adaptogenic response, as well as ways to help reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. Along with a healthy diet and lifestyle, these goals can be accomplished through various nutritional and herbal supplements.

Nutritional support for hormonal balance and overall health: Soy Isoflavones, Supplemental DHEA, Calcium and Other Bone-Supporting Nutrients, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Bioflavonoids, Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), Black Cohosh, Chasteberry, Ginseng, Licorice, and Holy Basil, Dandelion and Stinging Nettle, Valerian, Motherwort, and Lemon Balm.

The following lifestyle choices are known to play a significant role in reducing the overall risk to menopausal discomfort and age-related disease.

• Exercise reduces hot flushes, promotes healthy bone density, and improves mood.
• A low fat diet that is rich in fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids helps to lower the risk to heart disease and cancer.
• Quitting smoking is important for several reasons. Research has shown that women who smoke experience menopause earlier than women who don’t. Smoking also increases the risks of heart disease and osteoporosis.
• Excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption have been shown to negatively affect bone health.
• Elevated stress levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and a reduced immune response.

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Black Cohosh Plus is a unique herbal formula designed to support women during the menopausal phase of life.

• Features black cohosh, an herb traditionally used by women during menopause that is especially popular today in Europe for relief of menopausal symptoms such as:
  

  hot flushes/night sweats short menstrual cycles occasional irritability

  mild mood swings occasional sleep disturbances

• Provides lemon balm and motherwort, herbs traditionally used to ease tension and support relaxation.

Recommendations: One tablet twice daily or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
Form: 60 Tablet Bottle

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Estrium is a low-allergy-potential, powdered medical food that provides a combination of macro- and micronutrients specially selected for their ability to promote optimal hormone balance. It features fortified rice protein, natural phytoestrogens, antioxidants, and fiber, along with all essential vitamins and minerals and a variety of well-researched ingredients that support healthy estrogen metabolism and healthy hormone cycles.

Women who are experiencing the following symptoms related to their hormone cycles may benefit by using Estrium:

Abdominal discomfort Back, joint, and muscle pain Breast tenderness Feeling bloated Feeling sad or blue

Occasional irritability Joint stiffness Temporary weight gain Water retention/swelling

• Nutritionally supports estrogen metabolism, with added effectiveness when combined with a specially designed dietary program as outlined in the Estrium Patient Guide.
• Features high-quality rice protein concentrate fortified with the limiting amino acids threonine and lysine, resulting in a complete, high quality, and easily digestible vegetable protein.
• Provides non-soy phytoestrogens from kudzu and flax, which modify the effects of circulating estrogens.
• Supplies flaxseed hull- equal to approximately one tablespoon of whole flaxseed.
• Can be enjoyed as a meal option and mixes easily with water or juice.
• Delicious Tropical Mango flavor.
• New streamlined dietary plan.

Blend or shake about 2 level scoops (46 grams) of Estrium into 8 ounces of water, juice, or soy, almond, rice, or organic cow’s milk twice daily, or as directed by your chiropractor.

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Estrovera is a natural option demonstrated in clinical studies to significantly reduce menopausal hot flashes compared to placebo. These results are comparable to hormone therapies.

• Clinically shown to dramatically reduce the number of daily menopausal hot flashes
• Clinically demonstrated to relieve a wide range of other menopausal symptoms including:

Sleep Disturbances Poor mood, irritability, and anxiety Physical and emotional exhaustion

Heart complaints (e.g., racing) Joint and muscle complaints Urinary tract symptoms Vaginal dryness and sexual problems

Recommendations: One tablet daily with breakfast with a glass of water.
Form: 30 Tablet Bottle

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Selestro is an easy-to-use formula that features clinically effective levels of both soy isoflavones and black cohosh—two highly valued plant ingredients with a long history of safe use and current use in modern gynecological practice.

• Relieves menopausal symptoms such as:

  Hot flushes/night sweats Occasional sleep disturbances occasional irritability

  Occasional irritability Short menstrual cycles Mild mood swings

• Provides natural selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) in the form of a full spectrum of soy isoflavones—including a 1.2:1 to 2:1 daidzin to genistin ratio.
• May increase the ratio of 2-hydroxyestrone ("good" estrogen) over 16α-hydroxyestrone, which research suggests may correlate positively with breast health.
• The formula may support healthy blood lipid levels through its influence on estrogen receptors and its antioxidant properties.
• Soy and black cohosh phytonutrients support bone health by modulating estrogen and calcium metabolism.
• Provides the species of black cohosh (Actaea racemosa*) shown to be safe and effective in clinical studies.

Recommendations: One tablet one to two times daily or as directed by your Chiropractor.