Cathy Taylor asked:


Do women going through menopause have lowered levels of progesterone?

Recent research tells us that women do suffer from decreased levels of progesterone and also experience other symptoms such as unexplained weight gain (particularly in the stomach area), depression, fatigue, hair loss, memory loss, mood swings, migraines and loss of libido. A natural cream can balance estrogens without side effects.

Progesterone and estrogen are the two main hormones made by women’s ovaries when they are menstruating. Smaller amounts of these hormones are also secreted by the adrenal glands. It’s necessary for the survival of the fertilized ovum, its embryo as well as the fetus during gestation.

Progesterone’s primary functions include: acting as a precursor to estrogen and testosterone; it maintains uterine lining and aids in gestation; protects against fibrocystic breasts, endometrial and breast cancer; acts as a natural diuretic, helps use fat for energy; can be a natural antidepressant; aids thyroid hormone action; normalizes blood clotting; restores sex drive; normalizes blood sugar, zinc and copper levels; restores proper cell oxygen levels, has a thermogenic effect; builds bone and helps to protects against osteoporosis.

Some doctors feel that menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis and heart disease may not be due to a deficiency of estrogen, but to a relative estrogen excess due to progesterone deficiency.

Synthetic progestins, such as an HRT drug called Provera (a synthetic chemical), do not have the same biological effects as natural progesterone and have been known to cause side effects including: fluid retention, depression, breast tenderness, stroke, jaundice, blood clotting and cervical erosions.

On the other hand, natural progesterone has no known side effects and has been found to be helpful in alleviating symptoms such as PMS and hot flashes. It has also been credited with helping to prevent osteoporosis.

Many doctors now prescribe for women in menopause the use of a low-dose, natural progesterone cream during the last two weeks of the menstrual cycle. (On a personal note, I use the Emerita cream and believe it single-handedly stopped my mood swings and sudden outbursts of crying.) The cream is easily absorbed into thin-skin areas such as the breasts, inner arms, neck or belly by the subcutaneous fat and then released into the bloodstream. You should be careful of the dosage level in these products. Some may have none to very little and others provide 20-30 mg in an average application. It’s always best to first check with a doctor.

The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.



Ramon

Randy Hough asked:


Relief For Your Disappearing Libido

One of the most common menopause symptoms is a low libido, along with the hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings. The good news is that there are a number of safe, natural menopause relief solutions available to help!

During perimenopause and menopause it is quite normal to feel a decreased appetite for intimacy. This is because the body naturally is putting survival ahead of pleasure. Fortunately, it is usually a simple matter to restore your libido.

Why is your libido vanishing?

Usually the reason is due to a hormonal imbalance. A lifetime of dieting can be the cause, especially low fat diets. This is because the body requires the fat to produce the necessary hormones.

Another common reason is stress. When the body is under stress, which it usually is, the adrenal glands work overtime to keep you in an alert state. Gradually this disrupts the hormonal balance, with the resulting symptoms of menopause.

During menopause the hormones begin to change and very often the balance between the testosterone, estrogen and progesterone changes. Once again, the common menopause symptoms appear.

What can you do?

The first step in finding a natural menopause solution is to get an evaluation of your hormones by taking the free, online assessment available below. It is very informative, and the results are kept confidential. Plus, it is free!

Some important steps you should take are

Eat a diet rich in fresh, organic fruits and vegetables

Drink plenty of water

Make sure you get adequate vigorous exercise

Make every effort to get enough sleep and rest

Take time for yourself, you need to recharge and be centered

Use high quality vitamin/mineral supplements

Communicate with your partner

Often women are reluctant to speak up about things such as dryness or discomfort. They are so used to caring for others that they just put up with it. Yet, by merely mentioning that you feel pain during intimacy and want to find a natural menopause solution, you can often find new satisfaction.

There are numerous water based lubricants available that can make a dramatic difference. Drinking lots of water will also have the effect of lubricating your personal areas.

Your partner certainly wants you to be comfortable and satisfied, it is in his best interest as well! There is no need to suffer from a low libido during menopause.

What you should do

Take the free online assessment

Take steps to improve your overall health, as mentioned above

Use high quality vitamin/mineral supplements

Communicate with your partner

Use lubricants and drink plenty of water

Take time for yourself so you are happy!

Erik