Menopause
Menopause is biologically natural and should be a healthy transition in any woman's life. A transition rich with meaning in traditional indigenous cultures that is embraced, and even celebrated! The average age for a woman's last period is 51, although it can occur much earlier or as late as age 60. In a woman's early years, estrogen and progesterone levels trigger the menstrual cycle. These hormone levels begin to decline with age, and monthly periods may vary from long-to-short and light-to-heavy. In some months they may not take place at all. Eventually, the levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease dramatically, resulting in the end of menstrual cycles —or menopause.
What Causes Menopause?
Menopause is the cessation of the menstrual period in women. It occurs in most women between the ages of 45 and 50. Natural menopause occurs when the female hormone levels drop below a critical value needed to produce the normal cycle of ovulation and menstruation. When all primordial follicles (eggs) are used up, estrogen levels begin to decrease and the menstrual cycle ceases.
At times, Menopause occurs much earlier. This is a sign of ill health in almost all cases. Occasionally it is due to stress, such as deficient diets, vegetarian diets, or too much exercise.
If a woman has symptoms, they can be corrected with a nutritional balancing program in most cases rather easily and quickly. DO NOT USE hormone replacement therapy or products such as Amberen. These are toxic and somewhat dangerous in all cases.
At times, Menopause occurs much earlier. This is a sign of ill health in almost all cases. Occasionally it is due to stress, such as deficient diets, vegetarian diets, or too much exercise.
If a woman has symptoms, they can be corrected with a nutritional balancing program in most cases rather easily and quickly. DO NOT USE hormone replacement therapy or products such as Amberen. These are toxic and somewhat dangerous in all cases.
Common Pathological Symptoms of Menopause
Symptoms that result from hormone fluctuation are often associated with menopause. |
Liver & Menapause
Liver Toxicity & Estrogen
Estrogen is detoxified in the liver. In slow metabolizers, the liver is often congested. If estrogen is not properly detoxified, an excess remains in the blood. This can make an individual estrogen dominant even though one is not producing high amounts of estrogen. This can also ruin the accuracy of saliva hormone tests.
Certain pesticides and other chemicals, including some found in soy, mimic the effects of estrogen. At times this can be of benefit. At others it is decidedly harmful. Chemicals may also cause an individual to become estrogen dominant and skew tests for estrogen although one is not producing much estrogen.
Certain pesticides and other chemicals, including some found in soy, mimic the effects of estrogen. At times this can be of benefit. At others it is decidedly harmful. Chemicals may also cause an individual to become estrogen dominant and skew tests for estrogen although one is not producing much estrogen.
The Adrenals & Menopause
The adrenal glands, perched on top the kidneys, produce small quantities of both male and female sex hormones. At the menopause, the adrenal glands should produce adequate estrogens, progesterone and other needed hormones in the correct balance and amounts to avoid symptoms that can occur when ovarian hormone production of these hormones diminishes.
However, many women today have a condition that is termed adrenal insufficiency. This is basically underactivity of the adrenal glands. These women’s adrenals do not respond correctly to the new need for sex hormones in response to diminished ovarian hormone secretion.
The causes of weakened adrenals include stress of any kind, nutritional deficiencies and almost always a buildup of toxic substances. These include toxic metals and perhaps environmental chemicals in the adrenal glands themselves and/or in the pituitary gland, which regulates the adrenal glands, signaling them when and how much of its hormones to secrete.
At times, an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system is at fault as well. This can cause the adrenals to malfunction, secreting either too much or too little or the incorrect balance of hormones. This brings us to the other vital gland involved in menopause symptoms.
However, many women today have a condition that is termed adrenal insufficiency. This is basically underactivity of the adrenal glands. These women’s adrenals do not respond correctly to the new need for sex hormones in response to diminished ovarian hormone secretion.
The causes of weakened adrenals include stress of any kind, nutritional deficiencies and almost always a buildup of toxic substances. These include toxic metals and perhaps environmental chemicals in the adrenal glands themselves and/or in the pituitary gland, which regulates the adrenal glands, signaling them when and how much of its hormones to secrete.
At times, an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system is at fault as well. This can cause the adrenals to malfunction, secreting either too much or too little or the incorrect balance of hormones. This brings us to the other vital gland involved in menopause symptoms.
The Thyroid Gland & Menopause
The thyroid gland is the other piece of the puzzle that frequently is involved in menopausal symptoms. This is not to say there are not other causes, which are covered later. However, thyroid imbalances are very common and definitely affect female hormone regulation in the body.
The thyroid produces thyroxine, a powerful hormone that affect the burning of sugar or glucose in the body and in so doing regulates the rate of metabolism, body temperature and much more. It is such as critical hormone that many people are given thyroid hormone replacement when they feel tired, cold, short of breath or have thin, brittle or falling hair. Low thyroid activity can also cause weight gain, a sallow complexion and many more problems for a person.
The thyroid produces thyroxine, a powerful hormone that affect the burning of sugar or glucose in the body and in so doing regulates the rate of metabolism, body temperature and much more. It is such as critical hormone that many people are given thyroid hormone replacement when they feel tired, cold, short of breath or have thin, brittle or falling hair. Low thyroid activity can also cause weight gain, a sallow complexion and many more problems for a person.
Causes of Thyroid Imbalance
Thyroid difficulties are extremely common and almost universal due to iodine deficiency, in part due to the presence of iodine antagonists in the environment such as fluorides, chlorine compounds and bromides in baked goods such as breads.
I find that diagnostic names such as hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or others are less important than figuring out and correcting the biochemical imbalances affecting the thyroid gland.
The gland is either toxic, depleted of vital nutrients like iodine, or affected by tumors, or is not functioning correctly due to pituitary gland problems. This gland, often called the master gland, secretes TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone. This hormone directs the thyroid to secrete its hormone in the proper amount.
Other thyroid imbalances that are somewhat less common include an inability to convert T4, a largely inactive hormone, to its active form called T3 or triiodothyronine. This imbalance is called Wilson’s Syndrome, and can be researched on the internet. It is overdiagnosed in our opinion since many times the cause is once again a toxic or depleted body chemistry. Specifically, selenium and other nutrients are greatly deficient in this condition and it usually responds to the type of nutritional therapy that we suggest.
Another cause of thyroid problems that is extremely common is stress. This is a general term for excessive physical, mental or emotional activity that overtaxes the gland. When it can no longer respond correctly, it malfunctions, either secreting too much or too little hormone. These are among the major causes of thyroid imbalances.
Another cause of thyroid imbalances, touched upon but in need of elaboration, is mental and emotional stress that affects the thyroid gland in particular. Women are much more prone to this stress-related condition than men.
Women are, in most cases, not accustomed to expressing themselves completely. They have been shut out of the mainstream of society by men and by tradition in many cases, for generations. As a result, when faced with a crisis, they often go into a form of “overdrive” or a more technical term is a stress response that severely taxes their thyroid gland.
When this occurs, and it can happen at any age and usually in childhood, the thyroid is severely damaged. The problem frequently does not reveal itself on tests until menopause, when the deficiency of ovarian hormones places added stress on a woman’s body.
At this time, the problem “catches up” with the woman and she experiences symptoms that are attributed to menopause but are really due to an underlying thyroid imbalance.
The thyroid problem may or may not be revealed on standard blood tests. However, it is very apparent on properly interpreted hair mineral analyses and often by symptoms such as a low body temperature, dry hair and very dry skin at times, fatigue, weight gain in some cases and perhaps other related conditions.
I find that diagnostic names such as hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or others are less important than figuring out and correcting the biochemical imbalances affecting the thyroid gland.
The gland is either toxic, depleted of vital nutrients like iodine, or affected by tumors, or is not functioning correctly due to pituitary gland problems. This gland, often called the master gland, secretes TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone. This hormone directs the thyroid to secrete its hormone in the proper amount.
Other thyroid imbalances that are somewhat less common include an inability to convert T4, a largely inactive hormone, to its active form called T3 or triiodothyronine. This imbalance is called Wilson’s Syndrome, and can be researched on the internet. It is overdiagnosed in our opinion since many times the cause is once again a toxic or depleted body chemistry. Specifically, selenium and other nutrients are greatly deficient in this condition and it usually responds to the type of nutritional therapy that we suggest.
Another cause of thyroid problems that is extremely common is stress. This is a general term for excessive physical, mental or emotional activity that overtaxes the gland. When it can no longer respond correctly, it malfunctions, either secreting too much or too little hormone. These are among the major causes of thyroid imbalances.
Another cause of thyroid imbalances, touched upon but in need of elaboration, is mental and emotional stress that affects the thyroid gland in particular. Women are much more prone to this stress-related condition than men.
Women are, in most cases, not accustomed to expressing themselves completely. They have been shut out of the mainstream of society by men and by tradition in many cases, for generations. As a result, when faced with a crisis, they often go into a form of “overdrive” or a more technical term is a stress response that severely taxes their thyroid gland.
When this occurs, and it can happen at any age and usually in childhood, the thyroid is severely damaged. The problem frequently does not reveal itself on tests until menopause, when the deficiency of ovarian hormones places added stress on a woman’s body.
At this time, the problem “catches up” with the woman and she experiences symptoms that are attributed to menopause but are really due to an underlying thyroid imbalance.
The thyroid problem may or may not be revealed on standard blood tests. However, it is very apparent on properly interpreted hair mineral analyses and often by symptoms such as a low body temperature, dry hair and very dry skin at times, fatigue, weight gain in some cases and perhaps other related conditions.
The Bones & Menopause
Bone health is impacted by menopausal symptoms. Copper is sometimes involved in this process. Click Here for Copper Toxicity. Copper helps fix calcium in the bones. Without adequate bioavailable copper, calcium may go to the bones, but does not remain as well as it should.
Another related syndrome we call slow oxidation involves the bones. Slow oxidizers, as those with sluggish adrenals and thyroid activity are termed, often have biounavailable calcium and magnesium because the body cannot keep these minerals in solution in the blood and they precipitate or collect in the soft tissues instead. The body then robs the bones of calcium to place more calcium into the blood. This is also explained more in another article on this website, Osteoporosis.
Lead can also enter the bones and weaken them and this is the case in many, many women. Like the fatigue and stress feelings, the bone problems often begin to show up at the time of menopause or afterwards. At this time, the hormone system is under more stress and begins to malfunction more obviously.
Another related syndrome we call slow oxidation involves the bones. Slow oxidizers, as those with sluggish adrenals and thyroid activity are termed, often have biounavailable calcium and magnesium because the body cannot keep these minerals in solution in the blood and they precipitate or collect in the soft tissues instead. The body then robs the bones of calcium to place more calcium into the blood. This is also explained more in another article on this website, Osteoporosis.
Lead can also enter the bones and weaken them and this is the case in many, many women. Like the fatigue and stress feelings, the bone problems often begin to show up at the time of menopause or afterwards. At this time, the hormone system is under more stress and begins to malfunction more obviously.
Preventing Symptoms of Menopause
The standard medical treatment for menopausal symptoms is estrogen, preferably accompanied by progesterone. A synthetic estrogen is used in some common preparations, although studies show little benefit and much danger in these synthetic or semisynthetic prescriptions. Common products are Premarin and others. Breast cancer has decreased as less of the synthetics are being used.
Progestins, not natural progesterone, may be given along with the estrogen. An example of this drug is Provera. This treatment is not too effective and may be quite toxic for some women. It also does not address the causes at all and further disrupts the natural hormone balance. Therefore I cannot recommend it very much.
An alternative used by many holistic doctors is the use of all natural, bio-identical hormones. This is a little better, but still quite toxic, does not address causes at all, and definitely upsets the natural hormone balance further because it does not address the causes outlined above. Another option is herbal products such as Amberen and many others. This product is also toxic and destructive.
The best solution is to address the causes listed above. The finest way I know of to do this is with nutritional balancing science. We may use symptomatic remedies along with a nutritional balancing programs for a short time, if needed, and these are listed later in this article. I have never needed to recommend hormones, however, or any herbal products for more than a few months. Then the symptoms go away on their own.
Nutritional balancing is the only approach I am aware of that considers the lifestyle, diet, nutritional supplement needs, detoxification, balancing the minerals, spiritual issues and more in approaching menopause. This utilizes a properly performed hair mineral analysis.
We find that in most cases, menopausal symptoms are quite easy to remedy by this method! Natural vitamins, minerals, lifestyle changes, along with sauna therapy and perhaps other detoxification procedures are usually quite sufficient to rebuild the glands enough to stop the most annoying and dangerous of the menopausal symptoms.
Progestins, not natural progesterone, may be given along with the estrogen. An example of this drug is Provera. This treatment is not too effective and may be quite toxic for some women. It also does not address the causes at all and further disrupts the natural hormone balance. Therefore I cannot recommend it very much.
An alternative used by many holistic doctors is the use of all natural, bio-identical hormones. This is a little better, but still quite toxic, does not address causes at all, and definitely upsets the natural hormone balance further because it does not address the causes outlined above. Another option is herbal products such as Amberen and many others. This product is also toxic and destructive.
The best solution is to address the causes listed above. The finest way I know of to do this is with nutritional balancing science. We may use symptomatic remedies along with a nutritional balancing programs for a short time, if needed, and these are listed later in this article. I have never needed to recommend hormones, however, or any herbal products for more than a few months. Then the symptoms go away on their own.
Nutritional balancing is the only approach I am aware of that considers the lifestyle, diet, nutritional supplement needs, detoxification, balancing the minerals, spiritual issues and more in approaching menopause. This utilizes a properly performed hair mineral analysis.
We find that in most cases, menopausal symptoms are quite easy to remedy by this method! Natural vitamins, minerals, lifestyle changes, along with sauna therapy and perhaps other detoxification procedures are usually quite sufficient to rebuild the glands enough to stop the most annoying and dangerous of the menopausal symptoms.
Potential Side Effects &Risks of HRT
This list of risks observed with HRT use varies by a woman's age; her environmental, nutritional, and lifestyle factors; and her genetics and medical history. The type, combination, and dosage of hormones used; the route of delivery; and duration of treatment also greatly influence risks.
✔ Endometrial bleeding |
Surgically OR Chemically - Induced Menopause
The information above applies as well to menopausal symptoms due to ophorectomy, radiation or chemotherapy. In every case, the adrenal glands should produce enough hormones to avoid hot flashes and other symptoms. Symptoms occur when the adrenals are depleted and the liver is unable to detoxify estrogen, causing higher than normal circulating estrogen in the blood.
Menopause Symptoms Reduction Using Nutrition
Improving nutrition is the safest and most effective method to reduce the undesirable symptoms of menopause.
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1. Eat nutrient-dense organically grown food. 2. Avoid sugar-containing products (including fruit juice). 3. Avoid or eliminate wheat 4. Avoid or eliminate commercial dairy products. 5. Eliminate chemical additives found in processed packaged food products. |
Additional Dietary Tips
Individuals with a slow metabolic-rate should eat protein with each meal. Increase the amount of vegetables with generous servings at two meals daily.
Sleep is important, ideally eight to nine hours of sleep a night. This helps to rejuvenate the adrenals and facilitate liver detoxification. If you are having difficulty sleeping you may have an issue with melatonin production. Talk with a practitioner experienced in amino therapy for help with this problem.
During menopause, the need increases for certain nutrients; therefore, a woman will generally benefit from a biochemically personalized vitamin and mineral supplement program.
Most women are aware of the need for adequate calcium as they age to support good bone health, but bones are made up of more than just calcium.
Maintaining healthy bones requires a number of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins D and K, the B vitamins, magnesium, and boron. And taking too much calcium can cause many health problems, be sure to know your actual needs through HTMA screening.
Women need to maintain good cardiovascular health after menopause. Thus, maintaining healthy blood vessels, cholesterol levels, and antioxidant levels becomes more essential as women age.
A safe and effective dietary supplement protocol based on your individual biochemical needs can alleviate most uncomfortable menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleeplessness.
HTMA screening provides hard test data that replaces the guesswork approach to an individual's supplement prescription. HTMA nutritional balancing therapy is effective for symptomatic treatment and biochemical balancing.
References and Further Reading
Menopause Analytical Research
Menopause Dr. Lawrence Wilson
Study Reveals Harms of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Sleep is important, ideally eight to nine hours of sleep a night. This helps to rejuvenate the adrenals and facilitate liver detoxification. If you are having difficulty sleeping you may have an issue with melatonin production. Talk with a practitioner experienced in amino therapy for help with this problem.
During menopause, the need increases for certain nutrients; therefore, a woman will generally benefit from a biochemically personalized vitamin and mineral supplement program.
Most women are aware of the need for adequate calcium as they age to support good bone health, but bones are made up of more than just calcium.
Maintaining healthy bones requires a number of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins D and K, the B vitamins, magnesium, and boron. And taking too much calcium can cause many health problems, be sure to know your actual needs through HTMA screening.
Women need to maintain good cardiovascular health after menopause. Thus, maintaining healthy blood vessels, cholesterol levels, and antioxidant levels becomes more essential as women age.
A safe and effective dietary supplement protocol based on your individual biochemical needs can alleviate most uncomfortable menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleeplessness.
HTMA screening provides hard test data that replaces the guesswork approach to an individual's supplement prescription. HTMA nutritional balancing therapy is effective for symptomatic treatment and biochemical balancing.
References and Further Reading
Menopause Analytical Research
Menopause Dr. Lawrence Wilson
Study Reveals Harms of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Josephine Certified Nutritionist
Josephine is a Certified Nutritionist. She earned and completed her certification in holistic nutrition and in Functional Diagnostic Nutrition and she is now practicing Hair Mineral Analysis and Nutritional Balancing Science to people all over the globe from her home in Vancouver, British Columbia.