Natural News for Women » Menopause

Your 40s 50s and 60s: control common problems the natural way

Marilyn — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 02:20:17 +0000

As we age we all become more vulnerable to certain health conditions, but there are plenty of natural ways to prevent them so you can live your life to the full. Whatever your age, the following natural well being plan will help you control some of the most common age-related problems.

Your 40s

Sleep problems

Sleeplessness is more likely to occur in your 40s when the hormonal changes of the menopause approach and this can increase your risk of stress, anxiety and fatigue. Along with a healthy diet and regular exercise studies have shown that a quality night’s sleep is essential for…

Treating menopause-related skin problems naturally

Marilyn — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 01:20:44 +0000

You might have thought you’d left breakouts behind with teenage angst. Then suddenly your skin starts to erupt again. Falling oestrogen levels, which mean that testosterone can be more dominant, are to blame. Stress can also be a trigger. You may notice that your spots cluster around the lower part of your face. They may appear as angry red lumps, rather than ‘pop-able’ pimples and since adult pimples are darker than teen pimples the ensuing discolouration can last a few weeks. Prescription drugs should be your last resort as they won’t help address the real cause of the problem. Try to identify the trigger factors. If it’s stress aim for eight hours sleep a night and take time out each day for meditation, yoga or other forms of relaxation.

The following natural remedies may help keep the blemishes under control:

Ask Marilyn: Since the menopause started I keep leaking a little urine. Are there any natural ways to stop this?

Marilyn — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:30:08 +0000

Q: Since the menopause started every time I sneeze, cough, laugh or run I can’t stop leaking a little urine. Are there any natural ways to stop this happening?

A: About half of women experience ‘stress incontinence’ in the menopause because levels of the hormone oestrogen –which keeps the muscles at the base of the bladder tight and strong – decrease. Performing pelvic floor workouts or Kegel exercises to help strengthen your pelvic muscles can help combat the problem. To find out which muscles you need to use…

Ask Marilyn: I’m approaching the menopause and I’ve noticed my vagina feels dry and sex is painful – are there any natural remedies you can recommend?

Marilyn — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:00:06 +0000

Q: In the last few months I’ve noticed that my vagina feels dry and sex is increasingly painful. I’m approaching the menopause and wondered if there are any natural remedies that you can recommend?

A: During and after the menopause the walls of the vagina can become thinner and less elastic. You may find that you take longer to lubricate and that intercourse can be painful. Thinning and drying of pelvic tissue can occur but women who maintain a healthy weight and eat a healthy diet generally experience few problems with vaginal/bladder weakness in the menopausal years. There are also a number of natural therapies that may help:

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Natural remedies for irregular periods

Marilyn — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:50:48 +0000

Many of the women I treat in my clinic who are in their thirties or forties are concerned about changes in their menstrual cycle. The most common worry is that the timing of bleeding is different or their cycle is a week earlier or later. ‘I’m usually regular,’ they tell me. ‘This isn’t what I’m usually like.’ ‘What’s going on?’ Others want to know if their irregularity is a sign of impending menopause.

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Coping with menopause related aches and pains

Marilyn — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:30:58 +0000

Aching joints and muscle problems are common before, during and after the menopause. The joint pain isn’t caused by injury or exhaustion but may be related to fluctuating hormone levels. Collagen is a protein that binds every tissue in the body and when it begins to weaken at the menopause, muscles lose their bulk, strength and coordination and joints become stiff. Muscles become more prone to stiffness after exercise and joints may swell so movement is restricted. If you experience bloating and fluid retention you may also get pins and needles or numbness in your hands.

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Discovering herbs: Dong Quai

Marilyn — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:20:42 +0000

Dong quai, also called Chinese Angelica, is a common remedy in both China and the United States. Chinese herbalists often call Dong quai women’s ginseng. It has been used for thousands of years for many medicinal purposes, especially as a tonic for a variety of female problems, and is second only to ginseng in popularity.

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Easing the transition: Natural ways to treat menopause related mood swings, irritability and depression

Marilyn — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:50:07 +0000

Mood swings and bouts of irritability may occur during the menopause and some experts believe it may be caused by centres in your brain being affected by declining levels of oestrogen. In my opinion and in my experience by far the most common cause of mood swings and feelings of irritability during the menopause is caused by blood sugar imbalances.

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Ask Marilyn: I’m menopausal, how can I make the party season easier?

Marilyn — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:30:17 +0000

Q: I’m dreading the Christmas and New Year party season as I’m going through the menopause – hot flushes and crowded rooms don’t really mix. Can you suggest anything that can help me deal with them?

A: Hot flushes are among the most common and uncomfortable symptoms of the menopause, but their frequency and severity can vary from woman to woman. Hot flushes occur because the brain decides the body is overheated so it does all it can to cool things down. Hormonal changes involving declining levels of the hormone oestrogen are thought to be the trigger.

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Ask Marilyn – Star Question: How can I increase my bone density?

Marilyn — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:20:04 +0000

Q: I have been diagnosed with an early menopause (early 40s) and have been told I have low bone density. Is it possible to increase bone density in your opinion or just maintain the bone density you have and stop it getting worse?

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