Tag Archives: Menopause

Anxiety in Women

January 11, 2015

Low Testosterone and Anxiety in Women

AnxietyIn the body of a woman, there are hormones that are charged with very crucial functions. The most dominant hormones in the body of a woman are the estrogen and the progesterone hormones. These hormones control many aspects of a woman’s life especially the estrogen hormone which is available in the bodies of women in high levels than any other hormone. These hormones are even responsible for the way a woman looks; their skin glow and even how they age. However there is another hormone that also plays vital roles in the body of a woman yet not so dominant in their bodies. This hormone; testosterone is popular for all its much needed sexual functions that are always associated with men. In fact it is more dominant in men, where it is produced in higher levels in the testes but it is also available in women though in low quantities yet it has just as vital roles in the body of women as in the bodies of men.

Many people still think that testosterone has only one function which is to ensure a good sexual performance but the reality is that testosterone has far more functions that together make your life what it ought to be. So, to the many people who think that deficiency in testosterone hormone can only affect your sexual life, it’s time to think again. The reality is that this hormone has very many roles beyond ensuring a healthy sex life. The testosterone hormone is also crucial in production of red blood cells. This hormone also helps in distribution of fats in the body parts, increasing muscle mass, improving bone mineral density and even regulation of moods in a person. A major symptom of those suffering flooring testosterone levels is low moods.

Testosterone is derived from cholesterol just like all the known sex hormones and is a steroid belonging to the androgen group. DHEA is the immediate precursor to testosterone. Testosterone is mostly identified with males and this might not be so inappropriate (though it is) since it is in males where it is produced as a dominating hormone. This hormone is also produced in females. In the body of females this vital hormone is produced in the ovaries and the adrenal glands. The ovaries function to help produce testosterone even after menopause. This therefore means that women who have their ovaries removed are at significant risk for decreased testosterone levels and the subsequent symptoms associated with it.

Functions of testosterone in females

In women the testosterone hormone has very many functions. Just like in men, it is important for bone strength and development of lean muscle mass and strength in women too. Testosterone also contributes to overall sense of well-being and energy level. It is best known for its crucial role is a woman’s sex drive or libido. Without this hormone, women suffer low sex drive. More specifically, testosterone in women is responsible for the sensitivity of a woman’s nipples and clitoris associated with sexual pleasure. Testosterone not only enhances the sexual mood of a woman, but the experience as well. Just like in men it is also responsible for good moods in women.

However, just like other hormones as a woman is approaching menopause the production of testosterone in the ovaries will decline by at least 50%. Hysterectomy with or without removal of the ovaries will cause a more significant decline in testosterone levels. Also, high levels of stress can divert the precursors for testosterone hormone production in women over to cortisol production and create a further reduction. High stress levels can also contribute to symptoms earlier in the perimenopause when a woman is in her late thirties or early forties. This means less energy, brittle hair, less bone and muscle strength, and a diminished sexual drive. A hysterectomy and some prescription drugs can also result in lower levels of testosterone for women.

Testosterone and anxiety in women

Anxiety is one of the common health disorders. In the past it has never been easy dealing with this problem. However, scientists now know that a person’s genetics and current physical health can play a very significant role in both the development of anxiety and how it manifests. For instance, it’s known that low levels of serotonin, which is a common neurotransmitter, may lead to anxiety and depression, which is why drugs that improve the flow of serotonin are prescribed for anxiety.

AnxietyHormones have also been found to play a significant role in anxiety development. Those that feel as though their anxieties appeared over time despite effective coping strategies and a high overall quality of life may be suffering from hormonal anxiety, caused by any number of problems with hormone balance.

Anxiety is essentially a mental stress and since there are hormones that are associated with moods and stress, a fall in their level will give rise to anxiety. However cortisol which is a stress hormone may also cause anxiety when it is released in excessively higher levels. Testosterone which is known to many as a sex hormone has a purpose to quell anxiety. Studies have shown that women mostly suffer anxiety when the production of testosterone is suppressed. There have been studies on mice that have since confirmed that a drop in the levels of testosterone may cause anxiety in women.

Low Testosterone and Anxiety in Women

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Estrogen Replacement Therapy

December 25, 2014

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)The estrogen hormone plays crucial roles in the life of a woman. Among other things this hormone is responsible for the maintenance of human skin. They improve collagen content and quality, increase skin thickness and improve blood supply to the skin, maintaining good moods in women. Estrogen has effects on other hormones too as it increases cortisol and Sex hormone binding globulin. Estrogens increase melanin and pheomelanin and reduce eumelanin.

The known basic roles of estrogen hormones in women is that it promotes the growth and health of the female reproductive organs and keeps the vagina moisturized, elastic and well supplied with blood. Moisturized vagina is safe for sex as it will not allow for bruises that may be a source of pain during sex. This hormone also makes the vagina elastic hence making it able to accommodate a good size of penis during intercourse without pain.  When this hormone declines all its functions will become unattended to making sex a rare practice for those in post menopause.

Despites its benefits, after menopause the ovaries of women stops producing certain hormones and this lead to lower levels of these hormones in the body. The hormones; progesterone, estrogen and testosterone plays certain crucial roles in the body of a woman.

The decline in the levels of this hormone leads to low sex drive among other problems. The person loses interest in sex and sexual intercourse becomes a once in a while indulgence as opposed to a regular activity that it was before menopause.

Low Estrogen Symptoms

Low estrogen levels are low moments for every woman. During this time women will suffer varied symptoms that lasts for varied length of time however few women will be able to know that they are suffering the symptoms as a result of decline in the levels of estrogen hormone. It is advisable that every woman should have her levels of estrogen hormone checked frequently to shun the chances of being debilitated by these symptoms. Symptoms of low estrogen hormones include the following

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Loss of libido
  • Mood swings
  • Hot flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Anxiety
  • Thinning hair
  • Weight gain
  • Arthritis
  • Difficulty concentrating

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) 

During menopause the production of estrogen hormones stops but the need for estrogen hormone still stands therefore the need to supplement this crucial hormone sets in, besides with low levels of this hormone women suffer such symptoms as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and osteoporosis among other conditions. Going for estrogen replacement therapy may help fight against the symptoms of menopause in women.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy has helped many women to win fight against post menopause symptoms. Here are some benefits of Estrogen Replacement Therapy.

  • Help prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis by slowing bone loss and promoting some increase in bone density.
  • Reduce the risk of dental problems, such as tooth loss and gum disease.
  • Maintain the lining of the vagina, reducing irritation.
  • Reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes.
  • Improve moodiness and sleep problems related to hormone changes.
  • Increase skin collagen levels, which decline as estrogen levels decline. Collagen is responsible for the stretch in skin and muscle.

Risks associated with ERT

Despite its many benefits there are also risks associated with ERT. These risks may include;

  • Vaginal discharge.
  • Fluid retention.
  • Weight gain.
  • Breast tenderness.
  • Spots on skin may appear
  • In rare cases, an increased growth of preexisting uterine fibroids or a worsening of endometriosis.

Natural Estrogen Replacement

There are some risks associated with ERT, however the good news is that both diet and the right supplements provide some of the safest and most effective hormone balancing remedies. One of the favorite and best-researched foods for menopausal symptoms is flaxseed. Flaxseeds offer a high content of essential fatty acids and large quantities of a natural hormone-balancing substance known as lignins. Lignins are very potent anti-cancer agents for cancers that are hormone sensitive and extensive studies on both colon and breast cancer show that as little as 2 tablespoons per day is highly effective in reducing tumor growth. The best news of all: Lignins possess both anti-estrogen and estrogenic properties. With regard to menopausal symptoms, they are as effective as traditional HRT in lessening hot flashes and sweating. Grind up a couple of tablespoons a day and put it in your smoothie, yogurt, or cereal. You’ve then got one of the best sources for health, healing, and taking charge of your menopausal symptoms naturally.

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)

Another nature given remedy for low estrogen symptoms is the evening primrose oil, which is a source of GLA, an essential fatty acid has been found to be mostly helpful for getting rid of cramping, irritability, headaches, and water retention that are so common with PMS. But its benefits don’t just stop with PMS. It can also be used in a natural hormone replacement therapy in menopause. It works to suppress hot flashes and triggers the production of serotonin, the feel good hormone in the brain. Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and plain old dry skin are marvelously helped with evening primrose oil and other GLA-containing botanicals. It is one of the most potent inner and outer menopausal and skin care treatments known.

Dr. Dalal Akoury of AWAREmed wellness and resource center is an expert in integrative treatment and has helped many women fight menopause symptoms naturally. If you’re struggling with menopause or dealing with low estrogen symptoms like hot flashes, joint pain and depression, estrogen hormone replacement therapy (ERT) may be the answer. Please call (843) 213-1480 to contact her.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

 

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Easing Menopause Naturally

November 27, 2014

Natural ways to ease Menopause

Any changes involving the reproductive cycle of a woman will always send gut wrecking feelings inside her. This is not different with menopause. A woman will naturally start experiencing menopause at the age of 45-55. Menopause is naturally that period when a woman stops receiving her monthly periods. It is characterized with symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, depression, joint and muscle pains, loss of libido and insomnia.

For some women these symptoms can be a real issue to deal with. In others these symptoms appear even before the menopause, a stage called perimenopause. It is actually the time up to when you receive your last period. However not all women experience these symptoms during perimenopause or menopause.

What you need to understand is that menopause is just a natural stage of life that every woman must experience. It is not an illness that you have to be put on medication for. I have heard of women talking about their experiences when they hit menopause. Some of them are extremely severe while others are just mild. In few cases, some women do not even experience these symptoms except for the fact that they stop receiving their periods. Severe symptoms which may be a real issue may include things like; depression, insomnia, hot flashes and mood swings.

Some of you may be already experiencing these while others are heading there. If you are in the former category probably wondering whether or not you will experience severe symptoms or your transition will be normal. Whatever the case, the thought of heading to menopause is scary. That is normal. After all a woman’s body is prone to many physical changes which are always a little bit scary. It could be confusing to think about how to go about them. Be it pregnancy, menstrual cycle and so on. Approaching menopause is no different.

menopause-natural

Menopause symptoms can last longer that you think. In some women it can last for months while in others these symptoms go on for years. So is there a way out? I know if you are already experiencing menopause you are curious to know what you can do to ease these symptoms which are slowly taking control of you and driving you to the edge.

As you search the internet, you will find so much about how to ease menopause. Some are expensive and very hard to manage. There are however simple and natural ways through which you can handle this transition:

What’s the solution to menopause then?

  • Exercise

A lot has been said about exercise. You have heard that you cannot do without exercise if you want to live a healthy life. Most women forget exercise when they hit menopause. They tend to have this perception that they are growing old and do not therefore need to exercise.  Don’t let this transition stop you. After all it’s just a stage in life not the end of it. Go to that gym. Do yoga if you have to. Run for about 45 minutes in the morning. In short what I am trying to say is do all the exercises you used to do. If you were not exercising before, trust me when you hit menopause this is the time you need that exercise the most.  Research shows that exercise helps ease some of the symptoms of menopause such as weight gain, insomnia, depression, stress and anxiety.  Women in their menopause who exercise regularly do not gain weight unnecessarily. They tend to sleep well and it is also a remedy for depression and stress as it keeps all your senses alert.

Eating a healthy diet is one way of ensuring that you always live a healthy life. For women approaching menopause, eating a healthy diet is one way of balancing the hormones in your body. A healthy diet containing all the nutrients your body requires to remain healthy is recommended. Research has it that, taking a healthy diet for women experiencing or approaching menopause is a good way of easing hot flushes that emerge once in a while.  In regard to this always opt for a diet that is rich in vegetables, essential fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Most importantly don’t forget to include fruits in your diet. Avoid eating polished carbohydrates but always go for the whole grain. In order to keep your blood glucose balanced, ensure that you take one or two snacks a day. The secret here is to eat a balanced diet with the right nutrients. Oh, and don’t forget to take lots of water.  Water is a natural remedy for a healthy individual. It keeps you rejuvenated and youthful.

Stress is a great enemy to good health in women approaching menopause. The moment you start getting stressed, you are inviting depression to creep in. Stress has been noted to start in most women during the menopause transition. The minute you get stressed you cause an imbalance in your body hormones. This can lead to mood swings, emotional imbalance, and digestive problems. Stress has also been linked to menopause symptoms such as loss of libido and flash swings. As a woman always avoid stress. Remember that menopause is just a natural phase of life which you must go through. It does not mean that your life should now come to a halt just because you have hit menopause. No. Take it easy and enjoy all the little things life has to offer.

menopause

  • Emotional Wellness

I have heard of a story of a woman who thought her life was worth nothing because she had lost her house. She ended up suffering from chronic depression because of this. Why would you allow negative thoughts to cloud your mind? Does it mean that now, that you are approaching menopause that it’s the end of your existence?  Most women, who are in menopause or approaching menopause, end up in depression and swallowing antidepressant pills. Some women have had successful transition because they decided to take life easy. Menopause should not mean a pause on all the other aspects of your life. It does not mean that you should now cower in bed thinking life is done.  Think about all the positive things in life. Avoid living in the negative. Always keep track of all the good things in your life and start each day on a positive note. Also avoid anything that you feel only affects you negatively. Some for instance may feel that watching certain programs don’t go well with them but only leaves them feeling dejected.

  • Herbal Remedies

Some herbs have been known to ease menopause symptoms such as hot flushes. These remedies include:

 

  1. Black Cohosh: studies have shown that this herb helps reduce hot flushes.  Many women who have used it report to have been helped by it during menopause. This herb works by maintaining a balance in the hormonal levels thereby reducing the chances of getting hot flushes.
  2. Dong Quai: the herb is well known for its ability to balance the female hormones. It does not however contain estrogen and in this case it is not recommended for women who are experiencing heavy bleeding.
  • Flaxseed: it contains lignin substances. These substances are known to be effective in balancing hormonal metabolism in females. It is therefore necessary in reducing hot flashes during menopause.
  1. Ginseng: ginseng has been proved to reduce menopause symptoms such as mood swings and inability to sleep. It is also a great remedy for hot flushes.
  2. Evening Primrose Oil: this herb helps in balancing hormones thereby reducing hot flushes during menopause.

AwareMed empowers you with alternative methods to see you through a healthy menopause. Our experts will also recommend for you the best therapies in the event of a severe situation.

Natural ways to ease Menopause

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Low Estrogen and Progesterone Causes Sugar Craving and Addiction

November 16, 2014

Low Estrogen and Progesterone Causes Sugar Craving and Addiction

Estrogens are hormones that play important roles in matters of sexual and l and reproductive development in women. In most cases they are referred to as female sex hormones. Estrogen refers to all of the chemically similar hormones in the women which are estrone, estradiol and estriol. Contrary to what many people think estrogen and progesterone hormones play other crucial roles other than the sexual purpose that they are well known for. Apart from their sexual purpose they can also be useful in performing the following purposes that are equally crucial.

The estrogen hormone helps in fighting depression in women by boosting the levels of serotonin, a boost in the levels of serotonin improves the quality of sleep. Estrogen also increases GABA which are crucial as they help in calming the neurotransmitters.

Another crucial function of the estrogen hormones is that they responsible for good mood in women. They increase the levels of endorphins that help women to feel good. When the levels of estrogen go down the feelings of sadness and hopelessness will find their way in a woman and therefore it is necessary for a woman to stress free.

Estrogen hormone is also very important in bone formation and strengthening, it works with vitamin D and other mineral calcium in developing bones that are strong enough. As the level of estrogen declines women will begin to have weak bones and that explains why women in menopause are most likely to suffer osteoporosis.

Estrogen hormone also plays a role in blood clotting, maintaining the strength and thickness of the vaginal wall and the urethral lining, vaginal lubrication and a host of other bodily functions. It affects skin, hair, mucous membranes and the pelvic muscles. The hormone also affects the brain and literally estrogen rules a woman’s life.

Estrogen

Just like estrogen Progesterone also plays very crucial roles in our lives. This hormone is present in both men and women but it is more dominant in women than in men. This hormone helps in promoting healthy sleep, it also balances the levels of estrogen in the body. Progesterone has a natural calming effect and is a natural diuretic and antidepressant. When the levels of progesterone drop it will cause insomnia and lead to bad moods as well.

These hormones are produced in the ovaries and are available in the highest levels in women at puberty but may also be produced in lower levels in fat cells and the adrenal glands.  During menopause the production of these hormones stops and that explains why women in menopause have lower levels of estrogen.

A fall in levels of these hormones Causes sugar cravings

Some women will feel sugar cravings escalating in perimenopause periods in their forties, this may be caused by a fall in the levels of estrogen and progesterone and estrogen levels. On DR. Oz show Jacob Teitelbaum, MD opines that earlier in a woman’s life the cravings for sugar are likely to manifest as premenstrual syndrome. This is often associated with lower levels of progesterone and estrogen in them that may be accompanied by severe irritability that happens in during the periods. In his article he explains that when a woman hits mid-forties the levels of estrogen will drop. The drop in estrogen and progesterone causes deficiency of the hormones in the body and this causes increased craving for sugar. Other symptoms of low progesterone and estrogen fatigue, moodiness and insomnia as well as decreased vaginal lubrication.

According to Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, it is not only progesterone and estrogen deficiency that causes increased craving for sugar but  testosterone deficiency associated with andropause can also cause sugar craving along with other severe problems in men. Depression, decreased libido, decreased erectile function, high blood pressure, weight gain, diabetes or high cholesterol can suggest testosterone deficiency. This problem can be solved by supplementing testosterone.

He reveals that blood testing for hormonal deficiency may not reveal the problem when still mild and manageable, it can only work in severe conditions that will leave a person debilitated for long time. He advises that it is very essential to eliminate sugar addiction that is caused by estrogen, progesterone or testosterone.

Treatment

EstrogenThere are natural therapies that can be used in restoring the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body and calm the sugar craving and break the addiction. These natural therapies may include edamane and black cohosh also known as remifemin, they are very effective in treating estrogen deficiency syndrome more effectively and naturally. In case the drop in level is more severe then prescription of natural bioidentical hormones can help.

Dr. Teitelbaum advices that using non-bioidentical hormones may not to be so safe and therefore encourages the use of the natural bioidentical hormones to help patients with low estrogen and progesterone levels hence  break their sugar addiction and stop the craving. He advises that post menstrual syndromes characterized by increased sugar craving can be greatly reduced by taking vitamin B6 200 mg a day, magnesium 200 mg a day, and Evening Primrose oil 3,000 mg a day for 3 months. Then the dose can often be lowered. Bioidentical progesterone can also help in severe cases that persist after three months of the nutritional treatments above.

When you use the natural bioidentical hormones, your metabolism will be improved and your cravings for sugar will stop. With improved metabolism you will reap additional benefits like loss of weight hence a more satisfying life. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is committed to availing integrative care to all addicts call on her at Myrtle beach, South Carolina for help.

Low Estrogen and Progesterone Causes Sugar Craving and Addiction

 

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Testosterone Therapy and Cancer Treatment

September 25, 2014

Testosterone Therapy and Breast Cancer

TestosteroneTestosterone therapy has been in use for treatment of women who have problems with their libido for a long time. Its use, however, has not been without controversy. On one hand has been the concern that using testosterone therapy to treat libido problems in women may actually expose them to the risk of developing breast cancer. On the other, there has been evidence to suggest that using the therapy on women actually helps them by preventing the possible development of breast cancer. In this article, the possible use of testosterone therapy to provide protection against the development of breast cancer is examined.

Use of testosterone therapy for decreased libido

Testosterone therapy has been a popular option for treating women having problems with their libido. Theoretically, there are several problems that may be the root cause of lack of libido in women. For instance, factors arising from the situation in which a woman operates may result to a decline in sexual desire. Highly stressful environments characterized by tension definitely lead to a decline in sexual libido in women. Besides, use of drugs, particularly antidepressant and drugs used to treat mental illnesses such as psychosis, has been strongly associated with low libido in women. Further, other normal body processes that occur after menopause have also been pointed out as possible causes of low libido in women. Menopause -related factors may be as a result of body processes that occur after natural menopause or those induced by surgical menopause.

Since it has been known that such cases low libido in women may actually have an underlying relationship to hormonal imbalances, the use of hormone – based therapies to handle them has been a common practice. In all these cases, testosterone therapy has been used to stimulate the libido of such women. This has been common in women who are past their menopause. In such cases, the therapy has proven effective in restoring the libido of such women, at least in the short term.

Concerns about use of testosterone therapy for decreased libido in women

There have been a number of concerns about the safety of using this therapy on women. Of particular concern has been the role that this therapy plays with regard to the onset and development of breast cancer among the women on whom it is used. Although there has been no strong scientific evidence to prove the case, the safety fears with regard to the use of the therapy have been that the therapy may pose a stimulatory effect on the breast cells which may lead to the development of cancer. The basis of this concern has been that the full effects of testosterone therapy on the physiology of the patients have not been well documented.

The possible way by which the therapy has been feared to lead to breast cancer development has been in two forms. First, there have been fears that testosterone therapy, like general androgens, may directly stimulate the androgen receptor in the breast of the patients, thus creating the right conditions for development of cancer. Secondly, it has been feared that the therapy may lead to production of estrogen within the breast tissue of the patient. This is said to possibly occur via activation of a complex enzyme process within the breast, thus predisposing a patient to breast cancer.

Use of testosterone therapy for decreased development of breast cancer

A lot of studies have been carried out to ascertain the veracity of the fears discussed before. In all these studies, results have indicated that use of testosterone therapy to treat libido problems in post-menopausal women does not expose them to the risk of developing breast cancer; quite the contrary. Strong evidence from several studies has indicated that use of testosterone therapy to treat such women may actually be responsible for providing protection against the development of breast cancer.

Contrary to popular belief that the therapy may trigger the onset of breast cancer either directly or via a complex process of enzyme activation, strong evidence has indicated that indeed, testosterone therapy does the opposite: inhibits the possible development of cancer cells within the breasts. What this means is that testosterone has been found to slow down the rate of growth of the cells found in the breasts thus reducing the possibility of the cells developing into cancerous ones. This mechanism offers inner protection to the breast against the possibility of the onset of cancer.

In a study conducted to determine the effectiveness of testosterone inhibiting the onset and development of cancer, it was found that the hormone is effective in blocking the onset and possible development of several different lines of breast cancer. Therefore, apart from blocking the possible development of cancer cells within the breast, testosterone has been found to limit the possibility of cancer cells developing and multiplying.

Conclusion

From the evidence of different studies presented here, three important conclusions can be drawn with regard to the use of testosterone therapy for treating low libido in post-menopausal women.

TestosteroneThe first one is that the therapy does not have an association with the onset and development of breast cancer. The second conclusion is that testosterone therapy actually provides internal protection to the breast because it prevents the possibility of cancer developing. The third one is that the therapy is useful in breast cancer management in that it has shown the ability to limit the spread of cancer cells within the breast.

Dr. Akoury has built AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as a leading center for cancer care and treatment. Added to her training, expertise and dedication, the services that we offer at this place have made us one of the best. If you are experiencing low libido and are worried about the possible effects of hormone therapy, you may talk to us and we shall provide all the information required.

Testosterone Therapy and Breast Cancer

 

 

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