The human body is a complicated mechanism. When one system or organ is compromised or disabled in some way it has a domino effect and compromises many other organs and body systems. Symptoms of disease are generally not limited to one area of the body being weakened; but many areas of the body. Such is the case with menopause.
Menopause is defined as a total cessation of the menses for six months or more, generally accompanied by symptoms such as irregular menses, breast tenderness, brain fog, insomnia, weight gain, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue and a decrease in vaginal secretions. These symptoms may be related as hormonal fluctuations rather than labeled as menopause.
The ovaries are the major players in hormone balance. They produce and discharge ova, the female reproductive cells secrete female and male sexual hormones and are directly influenced by the hypothalamus gland and pituitary gland.
Estrogen is one of the sex hormones that the ovaries produce. Estrogen is a name for a class of hormones. There are at least two dozen identified estrogens with a multitude of functions. Of the many types of estrogen, the most important are estrone, estradiol, and estriol.
Progesterone is the under-appreciated hormone. It is a precursor hormone, meaning the body uses it to make other steroid hormones. Progesterone has an opposing and balancing function with respect to the effects of the estrogens. Environmental estrogen is found in our food supply and can lead to an excess of estrogen. The liver binds excess estrogen to bile and is then excreted via the bowels. If bowel activity is compromised the bind of estrogen and bile breaks and the estrogen is reabsorbed by our body. This therefore leads to the balance of the progesterone hormone being deficient and estrogen being in excess. It is important to remember that an overabundance of estrogen has been linked to hormonal type cancers, such as breast cancer, cervical cancer and also endometriosis. Instead of supplying synthetic estrogens in the form of hormone replacement therapy it would be more natural to work on the health of our own bodies so it can properly balance these hormones itself.
Stress and transitional hormone times such as menopause have a tremendous effect on the endocrine system's ability to maintain balance. The glands that are involved mostly with hormone balance are the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals, thyroid and of course the ovaries. The pituitary is the master gland of the endocrine system, which takes orders from the hypothalamus, to regulate the secretion of hormones from all the other glands.
When the ovaries decide to go on vacation during menopause the adrenal glands take over the major role of secreting sex hormones. The adrenal glands also help us deal with stress effectively. Stress over a period of time can weaken the adrenals so much that when it is time for them to take over as prime producers of estrogen and progesterone they are too weak to do so and menopausal symptoms are experienced. Such is the case in times of a hysterectomy. The adrenal glands not only have to deal with the physical stress of getting a body part removed but also to keep hormones balanced.
The thyroid gland also plays quite an extensive role in hormone balance and bone density, something that women going through menopause should be quite concerned about. The thyroid gland releases the hormone calcitonin, which helps regulate calcium in the bones and bloodstream. Adequate thyroid function is necessary for the production of progesterone also. Adrenal function and thyroid function go hand in hand. The thyroid and progesterone both help normalize pituitary function, the master gland. When the adrenals are weak progesterone is converted into adrenal hormones, putting twice the load on the thyroid to keep the pituitary healthy. Since the thyroid is involved in metabolism also, when the adrenals are weak the thyroid tries to support their metabolism putting even more load on the thyroid. The thyroid then decreases production to try to conserve both thyroid and adrenal energy, which in turn decreases calcitonin output causing a loss of bone density and throws estrogen and progesterone out of balance. Synthetic estrogen may further weaken thyroid function which can cause weight gain, blood pressure and cholesterol rise, depression and fatigue.
So as we can see hormone balance is a complicated process for our body to maintain. We have to work on the whole endocrine system not just the ovaries to maintain this balance.
A combination of herbs called ULTIMATE WOMEN'S FORMULA combines soy and red clover isoflavones, black cohosh, horse chestnut, vitex, dong quai, licorice and wild yam. Soy and red clover isoflavones have naturally occurring plant estrogens that take up the binding sites on our cells as to prevent the harmful environmental estrogens from entering our cells and causing damage. They also help stimulate bone growth to help prevent osteoporosis. Black cohosh, and dong quai are also good sources of plant estrogens. Dong quai has a nice cleansing effect to the liver to help rid our bodies of the harmful estrogens and clears congestion and heat out of our systems helping relieve hot flashes. These herbs are particularly beneficial for those who are prone to hormonal related cancers because they help cleanse our bodies of the harmful estrogens. Vitex is an herb that works on maintaining a healthy hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is the gland that sends messages to the pituitary, which regulates hormone output of all the other glands and most importantly improving the regulation of both estrogen and progesterone. Licorice is an excellent herb for the adrenal glands, which again will help balance both sex hormones and help us deal with stress more effectively. Wild yam is an herb that helps balance mainly progesterone in the body. This formula is an excellent hormone balancer for the general woman. Just about anyone can take this formula and find relief from menopausal symptoms.
Another herbal formula called MENO-EZ combines herbs such as Siberian ginseng, sarsaparilla, milk thistle, black cohosh, squaw vine, wild yam, chamomile, ginger and St. John's wort. This combination is more specific for those women who have had a hysterectomy or have undergone a great deal of stress in their life, which has lead to very weak adrenal glands. These women will experience a lot of moodiness and hot flashes. It has a very nice balancing effect to the hormones as well as having a calming effect to help relieve mood swings. This combination also works on the liver to help clear heat and congestion in turn relieving hot flashes.
Evening primrose oil is an essential fatty acid supplement that balances prostaglandins. This supplement has helped relieve symptoms of hot flashes, breast tenderness and moodiness also. Evening primrose oil works very effectively in conjunction with each one of these herbal combinations.
Bone density is an essential factor when it comes to menopause. A good citrated calcium supplement containing magnesium, zinc and vitamin D works the best for high absorption rates.
Menopause is supposed to be a natural transition time for women and should come naturally and with ease. Unfortunately there are many factors playing against women today with the added stress and environmental impacts. Supplementing your diet with natural herbs will assist your body to appropriately adapt to these changing stages and transitional times with comfort and ease.
By Sharie Hohn, Master Herbalist and Symptomatologist
Menopause:Balance Your Changing Life
