Menopausal Options - The "Change"

As women age their bodies go through changes. These are changes, not a disease. A popular view of menopause is that it is something to be cured. Menopause is viewed differently by many different cultures. Other cultures view women who have gone through menopause as "wise women" or as elders. It is an honor to cross over into a new stage in life.

These changes that happen in a woman's body are often hushed in our society. It is uncomfortable to talk about. This is slowly changing. Menopause is diagnosed when a woman goes twelve months without a menstruation cycle. She may be in peri-menopause years before this occurs though. A woman's ovaries start fluctuating the production of hormones when she starts going through the "change". This fluctuating of hormones causes the many signs and symptoms of menopause.

The signs of menopause are more than just the hot flashes and mood swings that are often referred. They can be many or few. Each woman experiences different symptoms. Symptoms can include; trouble sleeping, loss of libido, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, disturbing memory lapses, headache changes, depressions, acne, weight gain, changes in body order and various other symptoms. The signs and symptoms of menopause can vary and be confused with other diseases. It is best for a woman to consult her health care professional. They can then determine if she is menopausal. Once it is determined that a woman is menopausal steps can be taken to relieve the effects of hormone fluctuations.

There are over the counter treatments and herbs that can be used for menopause. They do not stop menopause, rather make the changes in a woman's body easier for her to manage. Much research has been done on Black Cohosh, Actaea racemosa or Cimicifuga racemosa. It has been used by Native Americans for gynecological problems. It is used extensively in Europe for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggest only short term use of six months to treat symptoms.