I started menopause early, when I was 44. My mother was terminally ill and I moved across the country with two teenage sons, and into my old childhood home to be with her. I was in the midst of a divorce, and had willingly given up a job that I was comfortable with. My periods had been a bit irregular, but I reasoned that it was probably just the hectic pace I was keeping. When I started bleeding quite heavily, and continued to do so for the next month, I reluctantly made an appt. with a new Gynecologist. By the time I got to see him the bleeding had almost stopped. Up on the table I got. I may have as well been up on an automobile lift in a garage. Well, he said, those ovaries (spark plugs) keep malfunctioning, and you have an irritable uterus (engine). If things don’t clear up we are going to have to remove them (pull that engine). We went on to discuss hot flashes which he informed me where my eggs burning up. You, he said, are in the early stages of Menopause.

In a very confused state of mind, I left that office. Menopause. What did that mean exactly? I went home, got out the books, and started to read. In the middle of it all, it occurred to me that the Dr. had called my uterus irritable. Hmmmmmm. Now why would I have an irritable uterus. Was it that I resented the fact that I was still playing the role of the mother, not only to my children, but to my own mother, and my ex-husband to be? Was it that I resented the fact that my body was betraying me and aging? Was it the fact that I was entering into the world of wrinkles, graying hair, and age spots? Perhaps all of the above?

What were my views about aging? I thought about the women I knew who were in their fifties and sixties and older who were still beautiful, vibrant, and active. Then, I thought about the ones who had resigned themselves to the effects of aging, and did not even strive to be happy. They walked through life with a frown on their face, feeling they had given up their dreams.

I determined that I wanted to be the first and not the latter. Cronehood can be a wonderful time in a woman’s life. No longer worrying about monthly periods or birth control, grown children, and more time to pursue life’s pleasures.

So, let’s take a look at what Menopause is. I am using some of the information in Prescription for Nutritional Health by James and Phyllis Balch.

Menopause is also referred to as the change of life. It is the time when a woman stops ovulating and menstruation ceases, indicating the end of fertility. When a woman stops ovulating, her ovaries almost stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen not only acts as a sex hormone, but it also acts on other organs in the body. Cells in the vagina, bladder, breasts, skin, bones, arteries, heart, liver, and brain all contain estrogen receptors, and require this hormone for normal cell function. Estrogen keeps the skin smooth and moist, and the body’s internal thermostat operating. It also keeps the arteries unclogged and is necessary for proper bone formation.

Estrogen levels drop sharply after menopause, but do not disappear. Other organs take over for the ovaries and continue to produce some estrogen. The endocrine glands also secrete this hormone.

The average age of Menopause is about fifty. Some, like myself, start earlier, some later. The transition usually lasts about five years. If a woman has a hysterectomy, but who keeps at least one ovary, will not menstruate after surgery, but will still go through menopause. If the ovaries are removed at the time of surgery along with the uterus, menopause may be sudden and more severe.

Some woman go through menopause with few or no noticeable symptoms. However, many women experience hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, anxiety, depression, lowered sex drive, bladder problems, vaginal dryness and itching, burning and discomfort during intercourse, breast tenderness, drying and aging of the skin, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and insomnia. Osteoporosis can also occur due to the lowered levels of calcium in the body.

Now, having said all this.. It is important to remember that Menopause is not a disease. It is a natural process in a woman’s life. How a woman views this time in her life can have a lot to do with how frequent and severe her symptoms are. If menopause is viewed as the end of youth and sexuality, this time will be much more difficult than if it is viewed as the next, natural phase of life. With a proper diet, nutritional supplements, and exercise, most of the unpleasant side effects can be minimized if not eliminated.

I am not a Dr., and cannot recommend any type of procedure or treatment. I can however, give you a few ideas from the Dr.’s Balch. Please consult your Dr. for any possible side effects or drug interactions before using any kind of new treatment or procedure.

Primrose oil or black current oil act as sedatives and diuretics. They are good for hot flashes, and aid in the production of estrogen.

Vitamin E- Reduces hot flashes and many other symptoms.

Calcium and magnesium- To relieve nervousness and irritability, and to protect against bone loss.

A paste made from aloe vera gel and slippery elm powder, mixed to the consistency of toothpaste and inserted into the vagina at night, can relieve vaginal dryness.

Damiana enhances sexual desire and pleasure.

Amaranth, chickweed, dandelion greens, nettle, seaweed, and watercress are rich in calcium and can help prevent osteoporosis.

Anise, black cohosh, fennel, raspberry, sarsaparilla, squaw vine, unicorn root, and wild yam root are natural estrogen promoters.

Chamomile and valerian root help to calm the body and promote restful sleep. Do not use chamomile if you are allergic to ragweed.

Gotu kola and dong quai relieve hot flashes, vaginal dryness and depression

So ends Menopause Part I. For some more ideas about diet, and hormone replacements read Menopause Part II.