Pause, reflect and prepare
The ‘change of life’ need not be a torrid affair; there are strategies and herbs to help
My mailbag’s been full of menopause queries lately and, back in UK, I caught up with the latest complementary therapy ideas. How I wish there’d been such advice when my time came but, half a world away in Asia then, the major strategy for managing The Big M was HRT – which I unthinkingly started when my doctor prescribed it.
Nowadays I’d caution anyone to think twice and research alternatives before embarking on HRT. What finished me was discovering the pills I’d been popping derived from pregnant mare’s urine. Sorry! But they were… and, worse, some still are! More critically, as a Victoria Health fact-sheet expounds: “millions of women are taking oestrogen in the belief it would keep them young, when it would appear that there is a real danger that it might not even keep them alive.”
From a holistic point of view, menopause is the transition from the middle phase of womanhood – the mother – to the final stage of the ‘wise woman’, a person of enormous status and power in traditional cultures. There’s also new evidence to suggest that how we live in the lead-up to menopause (peri-menopause) can affect the number and severity of later symptoms.
Hence my headline! Accepting rather than denying the ‘change’ in advance is helpful; making adjustment to the diet to include nutritional hormone regulators, like soya, is sensible; de-stressing your life is paramount. Research has shown that those who had stress-filled lives in their 30s have a significantly harder time during menopause. How you live your life in your mid-40s may well dictate how The Big M affects you when the time comes.
While it might be difficult to come to terms with the fact that childbearing years are over, entering the phase of learning to be the ‘wise elder’ could be fascinating; menopause doesn’t signify that life’s over – just that a new one is beginning.
And if your symptoms become unbearable, try a few herbal helpers; like EstroNorm which, as the name suggests, supports and feeds the female hormonal system with a fine combination of royal jelly, kelp, Pantothenic acid (Vit.B5), fennel, fenugreek and sage. Start taking EstroNorm in your 40s and you’ll be set for a healthier menopause. Sage Oil alone is also valuable as it supports the adrenal glands and helps combat stress. It exerts a calming action on the nerves, helps with anxiety, agitation, depression, muscular tension and hot flushes. Also available as a tincture, tablets and simply as a tea.
Another ‘hot flush manager’ for many women is Black Cohosh; significant trials into its efficacy with night sweats, insomnia, nervousness and irritability are reported. Not everyone finds it useful, though, and side effects for people with liver problems may be unpleasant: a good reason to reduce alcohol intake. Literature suggests it’s wise to take Black Cohosh for six months then take a one-month break but, as it’s not a replacement for HRT, the menopause symptoms won’t temporarily reappear as they do with HRT.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) suggests that Dong Quai, long known as helpful for hormonal disturbance in menstruation and peri-menopause, has an effect similar to ginseng to lighten the mood and renew energy.
Red Clover, like soya, contains phyto-isoflavones which have oestrogen-like properties which may be helpful with a gamut of menopausal symptoms: it takes about four weeks to flood the system but thereafter no side effects have been documented. The market leader is Novogen Red Clover; certainly the best in my experience.
Finally, Higher Nature brand of supplements has arrived in Cyprus pharmacies. Well respected in UK, they have a wide range that includes a particularly good supplement: True Food Wise Woman. It contains a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and herbs plus amino acids and soya extract.
The Big M is too big a topic for just one article: if you have questions or need information please e-mail me on [email protected]
Sources: NAHS EstroNorm and Sage Oil; Ripple Creek Dong Quai and Black Cohosh (all pictured) available from Tigon UK 0044 116 235 5020 or visit www.oliveleaf.co.uk
Novogen Red Clover; www.nutriglow.com is running a promotional offer as we go to press
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Can I cut my cancer risk?
We enjoyed your ‘rainbow eating’ feature last month! I’ve had a breast lumpectomy, am on Tamoxifen and a monthly hormone injection; anything else I should/should not be doing?
Mrs SE Polis
Yes! Soya products are contra-indicated while on hormone therapy and citrus fruit flavonoids react badly with Tamoxifen. For myself, I’d also cut out hydrogenated fats, wheat and dairy. You should be eating at least 8-10 portions of other fruit and vegetables daily, too.
Adverse side-effects are rare with Tamoxifen, but consult your doctor if you have bone pain, irregular bleeding or nausea. Pack in lots of Vitamin E Toconutriols (Yasoo Anti-Oxidant formula from local pharmacies) and Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA) from Borage and Evening Primrose Oil capsules all of which support Tamoxifen.
Naturopath Marijke Vogel believes many breast cancer survivors are prone to candidiasis after therapy. Eden Extract, Oil of Oregano and probiotics will combat this. More on the latest candida remedies coming up soon.
Nikki Dake’s column runs every four weeks. If you have a query send it to [email protected] PO Box 21144, Nicosia. Tel: 22818585
