Natural Solutions: Women's Health Conditions

Ann L. Wesso Consulting

$19.95 + Applicable Tax / S&H

MENOPAUSE

Menopause a new beginning! Yes, really. It is also a NORMAL AND NATURAL TRANSITION. Unfortunately, most women dread the word "menopause" and worry that life is over. We think of menopause as a loss of our femininity or sexuality and diminishing attractiveness to men. This is a distressing myth that our culture has encouraged, and it is time for a change! In many cultures, mature women are revered and respected. We need to develop more of that kind of perception! Guess what? It starts with you and me.

Menopause does not need to be traumatic. In fact, it truly is a normal and natural transition. It is an awakening of spirit, and as Margaret Mead said "The most creative force in the world is a menopausal woman with zest!" As our body adjusts to the hormonal changes taking place, so does our spirit adjust and open to greater insights and wisdom from within.

In puberty, we expected to make a transition as our bodies developed and hormones went wild. So now, we must expect and allow menopause to transition us to a deeper awareness of ourselves as we become the wise women that we truly are. Menopause, just like at puberty, concerns hormones adjusting and balancing themselves either up or down. This affects us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Menopause defined is the normal, natural transition a woman experiences as she ends her reproductive years. In spite of what you may have heard, menopause is NOT a disease. It is the cessation of estrogen production from the ovaries and the complete termination of menses for up to one full year. The average age for this to occur is around age 50, but may occur as early as age 35 or as late as age 55. Several factors can contribute to early or premature menopause and they are:

Surgical removal of ovaries, genetics, smoking, poor diet, severe infections, lack of exercise or obsessive exercising, ovarian infections, chemotherapy.

The unpleasant effects of menopause are what we are concerned about, and there is valid reason to believe our American lifestyle is a culprit. What's interesting is that in Asia, they don't even have a word for PMS, menopause or hot flashes! These menopausal symptoms will be addressed in Part Two. Other symptoms of menopause include:

Hot flashes, warm flashes, irregular periods, fibroids, fatigue, heart palpitations, minor depression, headaches, migraines, acne, mood swings, anxiety attacks, lack of concentration, decreased libido, fibrocystic breasts, sleep disorders, weight gain, fatigue, urinary infections, incontinence, vaginal dryness or atrophy, digestive problems, skin and hair changes.

As one of many women entering an exciting and transformative time of life, you can be one of the first to bring a new image and perception to menopause. Whether you know it or not, YOU ARE IN CHARGE and YOU DO HAVE CHOICES! We women are an influential force and have a powerful voice. Let us be heard.