Every women has an option, getting natural hormones from your diet and supplements, or Hormone Replacement Therapy ( HRT) by prescription. Herbs can be taken as one, or as combination, and are effective in addressing both physical and emotional symptoms of the menopause in particular. It is important to find the treatment that works best for you, although it may change as your symptoms and needs alter. Whilst it is safe to take multi vitamins and minerals, always take advice from a doctor or herbalist.

Menopausal symptoms and Herbal Supplements

Peri menopausal symptoms respond well to Agnus Castus a hormone regulating herb calming pre menstrual tension irregular periods caused by fluctuating levels of progesterone.

Agnus Castus Capsules Studies reported in the British Medical Journal have shown the value of Agnus Castus in the treatment of Pre-Menstrual Tension/Syndrome. Its hormone regulating effect is also useful in the peri-menopause.

Take 1 daily - £4.99 for 60 capsules or just £15.99 for 360 capsules.

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For Hot flushes and night sweats, perhaps the most common and the longest of symptoms, varying in degrees of severity, use Black Cohosh : this herb is part of the buttercup family and has been used for years, it helps stimulate oestrogen where needed in the treatment of menopausal symptoms as well as flushes it is known to increase Serotonin levels improving low libido, depression and anxiety.

Black Cohosh Tablets

Why not try Black Cohosh for Menopause? Popular in the USA Black Cohosh is believed to relieve a variety of symptoms associated with the menopause (such as hot flushes and hormonal imbalance). It is even thought to increase ’serotonin’ levels.

Take 1 or 2 daily, only £14.99 for 360 tablets or £4.99 for 60 tablets

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A non hormonal herb, Sage is used for hot flushes and night sweats, it acts directly on the the action of the sweat regulating mechanism in the brain, working to balance the body’s thermostat.

Sage Extract 400mg 180 Tablets

Distinctively fragrant and silvery green in colour the Sage plant is most commonly found in the area around the Mediterranean in regions of North America and in many great British recipes. The benefits of Sage are not just culinary though.

Take 1 daily - just £12.99 for 180 tablets or £4.99 for 60.

Vitamins and Minerals are naturally occurring substances essential to life, obtained by eating a wide variety of foods in a well balanced diet , however sometimes the lack of, affects absorption and function of others leaving imbalance

Balance plays an important role when hormones levels start to drop, combined with the ageing process, a daily Multi Vitamin & Mineral will aid that precarious balance required for optimum health and performance. Lacking one vital vitamin or mineral means other sources will be depleted, becoming prone to illness and disease.

Take daily:

A-Z Multi-Vitamins & Minerals For Women
Everybody benefits from a Multi-Vitamin! That is why at Healthy Direct they have formulated a high strength Multi-Vitamin which has been designed especially for women. Just £2.99 for 60 tablets or only £12.99 for 360 tablets.

I have been following this type of diet almost 10 years and advise all my friends.

Now, I am in France and trying to introduce your diet (better to say -life style) to my friends here in France.

Thank you Dr. Adamo! Long Live to you!

Reply:-

The Blood Group Diet has become a fast leader in the every increasing choice of diets

You are What you Eat, by following your blood group (one of four A B AB O)

allows proper absorption and utilisation of food, reaping the benefits of good health and general well being, whilst excluding poison or forbidden foods.

Question:-

can you still get period pains when in menopause

 reply :-

If menstruation has ceased or become irregular monitor your symptoms, keeping a diary to see if they have a regular pattern
it may be that the oestrogen levels have dropped but still causing general  imbalance
Define if they are period like pains or cramps,  if the later or any  doubt seek medical advice

Question :

I have one very prominent Heberden’s node on the tip of my index finger. Is there any way this can be removed ?

reply :

Treatment may not be necessary for osteoarthritis of the hands with minimal or no symptoms, treatment might include pain and antiinflammatory medications, with or without food supplements, such as glucosamine and/or chondroitin. For another type of dietary supplementation, it should be noted that fish oils have been shown to have some anti-inflammation properties. Moreover, increasing the dietary fish intake and/or fish oil capsules (omega 3 capsules) can sometimes reduce the inflammation of arthritis.

Consult your arthritis specialist (rheumatologist) or Gp in the first instance

Question:

How would I be able to find an NHS Endocrinologist in the Surrey / South London area?.

Many thanks and kind regards,

Reply:

Dr John C Stevenson is a London Teaching Hospital Consultant specialising in Metabolic Medicine and Endocrinology.

You can write or contact Dr Stevenson as shown below:

Royal Brompton Hospital

Sydney Street

London SW3 6NP

Secretary: 020 7351 8112 (Angela)

Fax: 020 7351 8771

e-mail: j.stevenson@imperial.ac.uk

___________________________________________________________________

You can make an appointment to see Dr Stevenson at the following venues (a referral from a GP or other doctor is preferred):

Royal Brompton Hospital

Sydney Street

London SW3 6NP

NHS Clinic: Thursday afternoon

Appointments: 020 7351 8011 (Susan)

Private Clinic: Monday morning / Thursday morning

Appointments: 020 7351 8830 (Anna/Katie)

Question

I have been taking HRT ( femoston )for the last two years and over the last few months I have become very tearful at times is there anything else I can do or take to stop feeling like this. I am 50 years old

Reply

Each individual women will respond to the many different forms of HRT.

It may be that now your body clock has changed, now 2 years down the line, you need a review. Consult with your GP, tell him how you feel

Question:

I am 48 years old and have not had a period for at least six months. I have never suffered any menopause symptoms but have been through a lot of stress lately. I had a smear recently and told the nurse that I had not had period for at least six months. I was advised to get a blood test to check my hormonal balance. I was told that if they were okay then this needed to be investigated as I suddenly stopped having periods. I had the results today and the doctor - very curtly just said you have started your menopause - but he also said my hormones levels are normal. Is this right - if so fair enough but I don’t really feel convinced after what the nurse said. Please advise. Thank you.

Answer:

Stress can play an important role in hormonal balance, causing irregular or the absence periods, but not having a period for 6 months may be the start of the perimenpause phase, at 48
the average age of the menopause is 51
FHS (follicle -stimulating hormone)  rising levels indicate the start of  menopause, and measured in a blood test,
was this your test?
Not all women suffer the same symptoms and some will barely have any
so keep well and being  positive helps tremendously

Comment:

i’m 42, I think i’m starting the menopause, as after 25 yrs of regular periods, i’ve now started skipping the occasional month,i feel so touchy all the time,have mood swings, feel really frightened by the knowledge that i’m getting old,even thougth i’ve had a tough life at times, i’ve never suffered depression, but now i feel like crying often, feel ugly and undesirable (even though married for 18 yrs to a great man) i have no references in my female relations to go by, so i feel at a loss. I do hope that i start feeling myself soon as this is really heavy going. Bye for now & thank you

Reply:

Yes it may be, and the  fluctuating hormone levels cause imbalance, and all of your feelings listed are typical of menopausal symptoms, your not alone,  talk to your husband or close friend to express how you feel and ask for there understanding and help

Take plenty of excercise,  a well balanced diet will all help at the time of hormonal change, and a new phase of your life

Check out Hot Topics …..Diet on menopause.org.uk

Question:

Could you tell me what age you can start the menopause I am 44 aslo, I have had the following and would like to know if this may be the start of the menopause: Feeling shakey and frightened, scared, emotional, headaches, tired, periods start earlie then late, panicky, hot at night some times, tense. Hope you can help me on this. Thank you.

Reply

These are the common menopausal symptoms, the start of fluctuating hormone levels and imbalance called the perimenopause phase, so it may be the start, don’t be afraid, Average age is 51 but can start 10 years earlier according to the start of your periods. It is the next phase of women hood.

You need a positive approach, regular exercise, check your diet.

Check out Hot Topics …..Diet on menopause.org.uk