What are the symptoms of Menopause?
Menopause is a difficult time for any woman. It is the end of her fertile life – and the end of anything is tough, likely to bring on feelings of grief, anger and resentment. Sure, it is the end of periods, the monthly cycle of hormone level fluctuations, cramps and menstruation. However, these periods are a sign of youthful femininity and you would be surprised how much they mean to a woman.
Menopause can begin anytime between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age in the developed world being 51. The first sign of menopause might be a decrease in regularity of periods, though some women are known to have no periods altogether. It is a result of a decline in estrogen and is a natural result of aging. The older women get, the more dangerous childbirth becomes, therefore it could be argued to be a natural defense mechanism of the body.
The symptoms of menopause can be severe. Some women experience a significant impact on their everyday living and it can last for many months even years before the stopping of periods and then the same after. The most common symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and pain during sex – or even a complete loss of sex drive. There is also a chance of insomnia, low mood and anxiety. Some women also face problems with memory and concentration.
The impact of menopause on a woman’s life is unique to the individual and therefore the level of medical intervention is down to each person to decide. There is HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) but there are concerns about side effects, including potential increase in risk of some forms of cancer. It is logical then why some women seek alternatives to the pharmaceutical option.
Even if the effects are a few hot flushes and some night sweats, the discomfort can be enough to warrant intervention. It is no joke and nobody should believe that it is a natural process and should be experienced unaided. If there is relief out there, why should you deprive yourself of help?
What is Black Cohosh?
Black Cohosh is a wild flower and part of the buttercup family. It is the root of the herb that is used for medicine. It was first used by Native Americans, who then introduced it to colonists. Generations of women in North America have turned to the root as a means of not just dealing with menopause but also PMS and menstrual cramps. In Europe, it has been a popular treatment for women’s health since the 1950s.
Black Cohosh works on the endocrine regulatory system. In simple terms, it works to regulate the hormones in the body. It is a phytoestrogen – which is not quite as strong in structure as estrogen but does seem to offer some protection for the body. Most notably, scientists believe that Black Cohosh is a protector against ovary and breast cancer. Women become more susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer once they have stopped their periods or have had a hysterectomy or partial hysterectomy.
It is also thought to help regulate the body’ hormones without some of the toxicity of pure estrogen. The herb is anti-inflammatory and also a sedative – therefore, it will help to reduce discomfort and overcome some of the issues with sleeping.
In a study on 704 women, almost half of the women felt complete relief from the symptoms of the menopause. This is an incredible result, considering the size of the sample. A further 38% claimed there was a significant improvement in the symptoms and almost 75% said the results were better than HRT. The reason to choose Black Cohosh over HRT is simply because Black Cohosh works naturally with your body and protects against cancer at the same time – whereas HRT can increase chances of cancer.
Who should take it?
Women going through a natural menopause are more likely to benefit from the use of Black Cohosh. If a woman has had a hysterectomy or removal of the ovaries, it is likely that Black Cohosh will not help as much.
Beyond this, it is thought to be a safe herb for most to take. Of all studies explored, only a small number of women experienced any side effects. A few women experienced mild stomach upset for a period but not enough to stop them from taking the herb. The studies suggest that Black Cohosh can be taken long term with no real danger of harm to the body.
Women who think they are in the process of menopause, with irregular periods and difficult moods, then this is likely the right time to begin taking the supplement.
Overall
Menopause is a natural process. However, it is a difficult time for women both emotionally and physically. There are pharmaceutical options to reduce some of the symptoms, which can be embarrassing and distressing. However, these pharmaceutical options bring with them some severe risks of side effects.
Black Cohosh, although relatively new to Europe, has been used by generations of American women. It is likely that Native Americans have been using the small buttercup-like flower for centuries to help women through the natural cycles of life.
Not only does the herb relieve some unpleasant symptoms, it is also thought to offer some potent protection against cancer. Ovarian and breast cancer become much more prevalent after menopause, therefore this is a major benefit of consuming the supplement.
However, on a simple level – women need assistance to feel comfortable with their body at the very least. There are enough psychological and physiological problems associated with losing your period, without adding unpleasant symptoms. Nature tends to always provide an answer and the answer to menopause is Black Cohosh.