About Menopause

Menopause is a normal change in a woman’s life when her period stops. That’s why some people call menopause "the change of life." During menopause a woman’s body slowly makes less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This often happens between the ages of 45 and 55 years old. A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a period for 12 months in a row (and there are no other causes for this change).

Symptoms of Menopause

Every woman’s period will stop at menopause. Some women may not have any other symptoms. But, as you near menopause, you may have:

• Changes in your period - the time between periods and the flow from month to month may be different.
• Abnormal bleeding or "spotting" - common as you near menopause. But if your periods have stopped for 12 months in a row and you still have "spotting," you should report this symptom to your doctor to rule out serious causes, such as cancer.
• Hot flashes ("hot flushes") - getting warm in the face, neck and chest.
• Night sweats and sleeping problems - these may lead to feeling tired, stressed, or tense.
• Vaginal changes - the vagina may become dry and thin, and sex and vaginal exams may be painful. You also might get more vaginal infections.
• Thinning of your bones - this may lead to loss of height and bone breaks (osteoporosis).
• Mood changes - such as mood swings, depression, and irritability.
• Urinary problems - such as leaking, burning or pain when urinating, or leaking when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
• Problems with concentration or memory.
• Less interest in sex and changes in sexual response.
• Weight gain or increase in body fat around your waist.
• Hair thinning or loss.

For some women, many of their menopause symptoms will go away over time without treatment. Other women will choose treatment for their symptoms and to prevent bone loss that can happen near menopause. Treatments may include prescription drugs that contain types of hormones that your ovaries stop making around the time of menopause. Hormone therapy can contain estrogen alone or estrogen with progestin (for a woman who still has her uterus or womb).

Natural Remedies for Menopause

Preliminary evidence suggests that supplementation with St. John Wort's extract (300 mg three times daily for 12 weeks) may improve psychological symptoms, including sexual well-being, in menopausal women.

Double-blind trials support the usefulness of black cohosh for women with hot flashes associated with menopause. A review of eight trials concluded black cohosh to be both safe and effective. Many doctors recommend 20 mg of a highly concentrated extract taken twice per day; 2-4 ml of tincture three times per day may also be used.

References for Menopause Article

• Finkler RS. The effect of vitamin E in the menopause. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1949;9:89-94.
• Lieberman S. A review of the effectiveness of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) for the symptoms of menopause. J Womens Health 1998;7:525-9.
• Grube B, Walper A, Wheatley D. St. John’s Wort extract: efficacy for menopausal symptoms of psychological origin. Adv Ther 1999;16:177-86.
• National Institutes of Health