Natural Hormone Balance With Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture

Our bodies' hormones exist in a delicate balance with one another, and correcting imbalances can be a tricky thing to achieve. In order to understand what exactly we are dealing with, let's take a closer look at our endocrine system, the bodies' messaging system. Then we will further examine how Chinese Medicine can help to balance the female hormones in order to address a variety of common women's health disorders.

The Endocrine System Creates and Distributes Messages

Our Endocrine systems are a fascinating and complex thing to look at. What is the function of this system? The endocrine system is comprised of a series of glands whose job is to produce and distribute hormones. Hormones are one of of our bodies primary messaging systems, and they coordinate our body's physiological activities, much like a symphony conductor coordinates all the musical instruments to create a harmonic performance.

Our key players are the Hypothalamus and the Pituitary gland. This pair of glands regulates the other glands of the body including the adrenals, thyroid, and sex organs. The Hypothalamus and Pituitary team up with several different key glandular players to form multi-functional "Axis'" that work to regulate very important processes of the body. Here are the three major axis' and their functions:

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonad-Think 'Reproduction'

Regulates male and female reproductive systems. Problems with this axis include infertility, menstrual irregularities, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, sexual dysfunction and menopausal problems.

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid-Think 'Metabolism'

Regulates metabolism and energy production and usage. Fatigue, weight gain, emotional disorders, anxiety, and insomnia and heart palpitations indicate problems here.

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal-Think 'Stress & Digest'

Regulates a wide variety of activities including stress response, digestive function, immunity, emotions and energy. Problems with this axis may present as fatigue, IBS or other organ functional disorders, insomnia, emotional disturbances, and alcoholism.

TCM View of Hormonal Effects

Chinese Medicine developed a different twist on the perspective of hormones and where they come from. The endocrine system is the basic equivalent of the Kidney system in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). It is responsible for maintaining functions related to genital, urinary, endocrine, bone, blood and central nervous system. The Kidney is our most basic energy source and is primarily responsible for reproduction, growth and development of the body.

How Can Chinese Medicine Help With Women's Hormonal Balance?

Chinese medicine excels at balancing the hormones of the women's body and is an effective treatment for regulating menstrual disorders, treating menopausal symptoms, and addressing infertility. It is also great for addressing mood swings, stress, low libido and poor energy.

Treatment begins with a full heath intake in which we formulate a Chinese medical diagnosis and then go from there. Every woman's body is different and will be treated in an individualized method, unlike Western medicine where a specific health disorder is treated the same with each patient. For example, an irregular menstrual cycle could stem from several different patterns depending on your body and what is going on with you. I will identify your unique pattern and treat you in a customized fashion.

Your treatment plan generally includes a combination of acupuncture treatments and customized herbal prescription and preparation. When you leave the office, you will be equipped with the knowledge of what the problem is, how we are going to treat it, and how frequently you will need treatment.

Using Herbal Formulas to Treat Hormone Imbalance

Chinese herbal formulas have been clinically proven to be effective in altering hormone levels in the body. A commonly used formula in the treatment of menopause, for example, known as Rhemmania Six alters female sex hormones by directly affecting the adrenal cortex, other endocrine glands, or both.

From a biomedical perspective, it has been reported that this formula increases plasma levels of cortisol (our stress-dealing hormone), increases estrodial (an estrogen derivative) and decreases overall FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). It also increased estrogen receptors significantly. What does all of this mean? The overall effect of the above data indicates a balance of hormone levels resulting in reduction of menopausal symptoms.

Your herbal formula will be designed based on the symptoms you may be experiencing. From a TCM perspective, we would treat imbalances in the Kidney system. I will prepare a formula for you based on your TCM diagnosis that is completely customized for your body using powdered herbs that can be combined to address both your symptomatic picture and your root causal disorder. In other words, we will treat both your symptoms so that you feel better, but we will also be addressing the underlying cause of your symptoms so that your body cab find balance again.

Using Acupuncture to Treat Hormonal Imbalance

Your acupuncture treatment will focus on balancing the systems of the body that are unbalanced by exerting a strong homeostatic effect utilizing the nervous and hormonal systems. You will likely be treated for imbalances in the Kidney and Liver systems in order sedate your nervous system and balance endocrine function.

Your acupuncture regimen will include weekly treatments until the symptomatic presentations have dissipated, then a monthly maintenance treatment schedule will be established to prevent your symptoms from returning. Once we have have achieved maintenance, you may come in for preventative care if you wish.

If you or someone you know is dealing with hormonal imbalances such as menstrual pain or irregularity, menopause, infertiliy, low libido or poor energy, please refer them to my office for a free consultation.

Human Hormones and Glands

With so many major and minor endocrine glands, it is not surprising that several dozen different hormones are produced in the body every day. Some glands produce only one or two hormones, while others can make over a dozen.

There are two major types of hormones, those made from amino acids (like proteins) and those made from cholesterol. Some hormones are made by modifying a single amino-acid, for example serotonin, melatonin, epinephrine, and thyroid.

Cholesterol-based hormones are also known as steroid hormones. These include sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone), cortisol, aldosterone and many others. The name 'steroid' comes from the unique chemical structure of a cholesterol molecule, which contains four rings (sterol of cholesterol) and a side chain.

The pituitary regulates and controls most of the other endocrine glands. Some pituitary hormones increase or decrease the activity of the thyroid, adrenals, testes, and ovaries. Others have a direct effect on certain tissues of the body.

The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck. Thyroid gland produces thyroxin, also known as thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone controls the overall metabolism of the cells, energy production, cellular growth and development.

The parathyroid gland is actually a group of four glands located in the neck, near the thyroid gland. They produce parathyroid hormones, which regulates calcium concentration in the blood, promoting calcium release from the bones, increasing absorption of dietary calcium in the intestine, and promoting calcium conservation in the kidneys.

The pancreas is primarily known as the organ that produces a digestive enzyme that participates in the breakdown of food. However, it also functions as an endocrine gland that makes two hormones- insulin and glucagon. Both of them participate in the regulation of the glucose (sugar) level in the blood.

Both males and females have two adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys. Despite their small size, the adrenals manage to produce many different hormones that have a profound effect on a number of body functions. Aldosterone, which regulates water balance by affecting the amount of water excreted and reabsorbed by the kidneys, is one of the main hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Known as the 'stress' hormone, cortisol supports the utilization of nutrients by the cells during stress and reduces inflammation. Epinephrine and norepinephrine increase heart and pulse rate, heart output, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and overall metabolic rate. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) improves utilization of glucose, immune system function, and cardiovascular performance. In addition, adrenals produce progesterone, pregnenolone, androstenedione, and many other hormones.

The pineal gland makes melatonin, a hormone that tells the organs to switch to a night-time mode of activity. It is also a potent anti-oxidant. Melatonin is used as a supplement to help improve sleep quality and to minimize the effects of jet lag.

Testis are male endocrine organs that produce testosterone, which is responsible for the development of sexual characteristics, libido, muscle mass, bone strength, immune system, and other functions. Even though testosterone is called a 'male sex hormone' it is also present in small amounts in women and supports the same functions as in men.

Ovaries are not necessary a gland, but they are responsible for the release of hormones into the female body. Aside from releasing storing eggs, they produce progesterone and estrogens, which are responsible for maintaining a normal menstrual cycle and a number of other functions. All of the glands have an important part in keeping the body healthy by producing hormones that help the body function properly. Some are more susceptible to malfunctioning or under producing hormones than others. Occasionally, hormones are the culprits behind certain unexplained changes in our bodies that affect weight, libido, or sleep patterns. If you are concerned about your health, you should seek medical advice from your physician.

Progesterone to Help Balance Hormones

Progesterone is a hormone naturally produced and secreted in the last two weeks of the menstrual cycle in ovulating women by the adrenal glands and the ovaries. Progesterone is used in pregnancy and menstrual regulation. It is a valid hormone that needs to be there for many reasons in the women's body. If it is not naturally there in the right amounts then it can be replace medically.

Progesterone or one of is man made substances is taken by women for birth control, as a hormone replacement in menopause, to regulate a woman's menstrual cycle, to regulate vaginal bleeding if necessary and has also been used to treat PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and for women that miscarry frequently or have a difficult time getting pregnant.

As woman go through the change of life (menopause) the hormone levels tend to decrease, that is why periods become irregular and finally end. Women then take a replacement hormone to help with the hot flashes and to return the body to a more natural level of the hormone.

A vital function of progesterone secretion is to ready the uterus to accept and nourish a fertilized egg. If implantation does not occur, then progesterone drops, the endometrium then sloughs off, this is known as menstruation.

Now if pregnancy occurs, the placenta then produces progesterone and this maintains the pregnancy with the high level of the hormone. Another benefit of high progesterone during pregnancy is that it encourages the glands that produce milk that will feed the baby.

It is the higher levels of progesterone before our periods that are responsible for PMS symptoms of bloating, mood swings and breast tenderness. When for whatever reason you miss a period it is most likely due to high levels of progesterone.

If you have a shortage of progesterone in your body, you may suffer from; endometriosis, fibroid tumors, cancer, ovarian cysts, post and pre menopausal symptoms and vaginal dryness.

It is important to talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy to discuss just which one might be best for you. Supplemental progesterone comes in many form; injectable, oral tablets, creams, lozenges and suppositories. There are also natural forms versus synthetic forms.

The following is a description of the different routes of administration.

• 
  Shots- made as an oil and takes 10-12 hours to be absorbed


• 
  Pills- peak in 1-4 hours and should be taken with food


• 
  Creams and suppositories-Placed in the vagina, peaks in about 12 hours fully absorbed and is sometimes mixed with cocoa butter for ease of insertion


• 
  Skin Creams- Absorbs into the skin daily and is placed as a patch with alcohol and propylene glycol

The benefits a woman receives when she takes progesterone in any form and brings her levels back up are:

• Cholesterol levels improve


• Sleep Improves


• Moods Improve


• Concentration and Memory Improve


• You have fewer problems with depression


• Your risk of endometrial cancer is lessened


• Your risk of breast Cancer is lessened


• Your sexual libido is increased


• Cognitive decline is lessened

It is important that you talk to you doctor about all the different ways that you can go to replace progesterone in your body. Talk to your pharmacist also, for they have a wealth of information to share.

The Truth on Menopause and Weight Gain

One of the major causes of weight gain in women is the changes in their hormone levels and sedentarism. Studies show that about 90 percent of menopausal women experience weight increase between the ages 35 to 55. This is not surprising because weight gaining comes with the territory of aging and menopausal.

Medical experts say that menopause occurs when a woman's ovaries has stopped producing estrogen which is responsible for ovulation and menstruation. Today, more and more women who are experiencing menopause go through weight gain due to hormonal changes brought about by aging. Experts explain that with aging, the muscles in the body start to decrease in bulk along with the slowing of metabolism. This slowing down of metabolism along with decrease in bulk of the body's muscles contributes to weight increase. Aside from weight gain, menopause also leads to loss of sexual appetite or loss of libido, vaginal atrophy, and growth or loss of hair in the head and face. With all these demoralizing truths, it is common that women who are experiencing menopause lose self-confidence and esteem. But, it shouldn't stay that way. With the help of science and modern researches, weight gaining during menopausal years can be solved.

THE WEIGHT GAIN

Fat gaining during menopause is as common as aging. Usually, women sometimes gain about 10 to15 pounds starting from their abdomen, to the hips, thighs, and rear. Studies show that weight gain on women usually starts during their pre-menopausal years and will continue to pile up as they grow older. For those who have experienced early menopausal due to major operation or surgery, they are expected to gaining weight faster compared to those who haven't.

Because of the changes in their weight or size, many women are starting to dread the thought of menopausal. It is recommended to exercise regularly and eat to one's appetite. Experts say that women should be more aware when they are entering the stage of menopausal so they can prepare for it. Physicians say that women should expect that as they enter the early stages of menopause, they would have difficulty maintaining their weight because of the fluctuation in their hormones. Because of these natural hormonal changes-that include estrogen, testosterone, and androgen levels-a man's or woman's appetite, metabolism, and fat storage are greatly affected.

UNVEILING THE REASONS BEHIND WEIGHT GAIN DURING MENOPAUSE

Before sulking into a pit of depression, a woman must know the reasons behind it so she can make the necessary adjustments.

1. Hormone deficiency and lack of female hormones that slows down metabolism. Lack of estrogen leads to excessive weight gaining because it alters certain functions of the body and greatly influences fat distribution in the body. You must understand estrogen and fat distribution very well.

2. Slow metabolism due to aging. As people grow older, their metabolism starts to slow down. One effective way of reducing energy intake, women who are experiencing menopause are recommended to have a balanced diet composed of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

3. Lack of exercise or physical activity. As women enter their menopausal stage, they become more sedentary in almost everything that they do. This inactive lifestyle leads them to weight increase because they are not getting enough physical exercise they should get. If muscle pains are giving a woman a hard time to do such simple and regular exercises, she can try taking in vitamin and mineral supplement to boost her energy levels that contain calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, chromium and selenium.

4. The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can also be a big factor in gaining weight. Although HRT is known to help give back lost female hormones, this treatment can also add up on the weight she already has because it works. HRT has also been subject to serious warnings in their use recently.

5. Weight gain can also be traced in increased food intake due to emotional problems like depression. Emotional eating or overeating due to frustration over weight gaining is also a big factor that contributes to excessive fat increase. Talking to friends and staying active are powerful ways to fight back.

Does Amberen Cause Weight Loss?

Many women who buy Amberen will have heard rumors about how Amberen can cause weight loss. In this article I will look at the evidence for this and, if it does cause weight loss, whether or not it is safe.

If you look at the official FAQ on the Amberen website it will tell you that women in trials with Amberen lost excess weight. When I first heard this I was immediately a little concerned, how can a supposedly natural product cause such an effect?

To find out if this claim was substantiated, I looked through some of the medical reports written up after the trials which are available online. They indeed state that the subjects lost excess weight during the trial. A number of women I know who have taken Amberen also claim that they have lost considerable weight.

If the weight loss is real, then is it safe? Surely a natural product shouldn't have such an effect on our bodies? The answer to this is a bit more complicated because actually the reason why many women lose weight is due to the loss of menopause symptoms. Many women gain weight when they experience menopause and so when these symptoms disappear they go back to their normal weight. When I went through menopause I had constant cravings for sweet foods and consequently gained a lot of weight.

In conclusion then, it is possible for some women to lose weight taking Amberen but this is only attributable to the subsiding of menopause symptoms.

Hormones and Menopause - What You Should Know

Hormones and menopause are frequently much discussed topics during the menopause transition. Most of the time, the menopause transition is characterized by hormonal imbalance. In this article I will review the two hormones that are the most affected and what can be done for the relief of menopause symptoms.

In the menopause literature, there is a lot of talk about estrogen and progesterone. Because of all the toxins in our environment, and because of the sharp decline in progesterone during menopause, most women become estrogen dominant.

What are the symptoms of estrogen dominance?

• mood swings


• headaches


• weight gain


• water retention


• digestive disturbances


• Fuzzy thinking


• Poor lifestyle choices can be the cause of estrogen dominance. A diet that consist mainly of highly refined foods and junk foods can have an impact on your hormone levels and lead to hormonal imbalance.

Some women are more likely than others to accumulate fat - especially around the waist. Body fat produces estrogen and other hormones.Fat cells produce excess estrogen which are often difficult to metabolize. Xenoestrogens, which are harmful chemicals found in our environment, cause even more excess estrogen to accumulate in our fat cells, disrupting our hormonal metabolism.

What should you do?

• Manage stress. In relation to estrogen dominance, experts believe that stress fuels chronically high levels of adrenaline and cortisol, stress hormones known to alter our hormones.


• Limit exposure to harmful chemicals. Choose organic foods as much as possible, and select organic or kosher meats. Avoid plastics for heating or storing food. Choose body care products and cleaning products that have natural ingredients.


• Consider discussing bioidentical hormone therapy with your doctor. Bioidentical hormones are plant-based hormones that mimic the hormones found in your body. Because they are natural, they have very little side effects. Since they cannot be patented, you will have to work with your doctor and a compounding pharmacy to find the right formula for you.


• Adopt a natural diet that is plant-based. Eat a lot of vegetable as the fiber will cleanse you of toxins and will help you metabolize the hormones. Add legumes, yams and green leafy vegetables. Make sure that you avoid highly refined foods as well as trans fats. It's important to include healthy fats in your diet such as those coming from olive oil and fish (like salmon, herring, tuna). A tip to guide you is to avoid any fats that turn solid at room temperature.

The Main Causes of Middle Age Spread - 3 Sure Fire Ways to Gain Weight in Midlife

Taking care of your body once you hit middle age is very important because it is after the age of around 35 that we become susceptible to weight gain commonly known as middle age spread. The days of being able to eat and drink whatever we like are a thing of the past.

Men as well as women are just as likely to develop middle age spread and increase weight and body fat so it does not discriminate between sexes and so unless it is controlled and addressed quickly then it is a very slippery slope to go down.

There are a few common ways to develop middle aged spread:

1) 'Empty Nest Syndrome'
If your offspring have recently flown the nest and move on to college or simply moved out, then there is obviously going to be a drop in your daily activity. Simple housekeeping tasks like laundry, cleaning and even cooking do contribute to the burning up of calories and when this either reduces or stops all together then this can lead to sudden middle age spread.

2) 'Heavy Weight Crazy Hormones'
This also can effect both men and women, but tends to pick on the female of the species more readily. Many women develop crazy hormone patterns in their late thirties and beyond and again can be a major factor with middle age spread. The menopause along with HRT can make losing weight a real battle and weight can yoyo.

3) 'Physical Challenges - Yes, you lazybones'
Finding the motivation to get up off the sofa and get out to the gym, aerobics class or swimming pool can be really tough and is a real middle age spread factor. Staying in with a bottle of wine and a nice meal is certainly more appealing than working up a sweat on a treadmill. But it is very important to get a little exercise each day, even 20 minutes, and the best thing to do is give yourself a little reward for doing so.

3 Natural Ways To Relieve Your Baby's Gas Pains

Gas is an agonizing situation for most people. For an infant internal gas pressure can be confusing, scary and uncomfortable for them as well as for the parent. With most infants the gas is brought on by air which has been carried into the body during a feeding or simply by crying. This gas may also be brought about by formula or breast milk that just has not been digested yet. There are many ways to help alleviate the gas from an infant. All natural approaches to helping relieve these gases are simple and will not be adding unnecessary chemicals into the infants fragile body.

An all natural remedy that is used to ease gas from an infant, and to help calm them, is with a technique called Reflexology, or in other words a very gentle, but effective foot massage. Massage has been used for centuries as a natural approach to healing. When this massage is applied very lightly to an infant foot it is not only soothing to them but does release some internal gas pressure. To perform reflexology / foot massage - Find the point on the foot associated with the bowels, gently rub in a soft circular motion for a few minutes. Try to use minimal pressure on the infants foot as the skin in this area is still fairly thin.

Fresh herbs and aromatherapy are all natural ways to help an infant relieve gas from its little body. Aromatherapy also calms and aids digestion. Create a warm mint and fennel compress by wrapping fresh mint and fennel leaves in a soft cloth and soak in warm water for two minutes. Wring out extra water and place on baby's abdomen for 20 minutes, making sure to re-wet the cloth with warm water every 5 minutes.

Helping to move the gas around the infants small stomach is another way to help the little one release it. With this method you would simply lay baby across your thighs on their tummy for a little added pressure. Rubbing the bottom of the infants back while it lays across the lap will help to move and break up the gas. With this method you can also rock the child back and forth over the thighs while it remains on its stomach to break up even more gas bubbles. Burping the infant during feeding is also easier to do with this method.

When it comes to helping an infant alleviate gas pressure from its tiny body an all natural approach is usually the first preferred method. The methods mentioned above, reflexology massage, aromatherapy and laying the little across your lap will help to expel gas from the tiny body, but these methods will also help soothe and comfort them.

Natural Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy - 7 Little Known Tips to Consider Before You Start

Natural bio identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can dramatically improve the state of health and wellness of many women and men who suffer from the ill effects of natural or premature aging.

Fatigue, low libido, brain fog, irritability, decreased bone density and reduced muscle strength are common symptoms to both sexes. Women may also suffer from hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, body aches and vaginal dryness.

While the decision whether or not to proceed with BHRT should be determined between you and your physician, there are several tips worth sharing that are sometimes overlooked. Consider the following:

Tip 1: Make sure this is what you really need. Symptoms of low estrogen and testosterone are common to many other medical conditions. A thorough medical evaluation is necessary to make sure you are not overlooking something else that is making you feel this way.

Tip 2: Commit to a plan of overall wellness. Good nutrition habits, drinking plenty of clean water, exercise and avoidance of health draining things like smoking and excessive alcohol are necessary for optimum benefits.

Tip 3: Natural does not always mean "harmless". Every medical intervention carries a finite risk. Thankfully, natural bio identical hormones minimize the risks noted in synthetic hormones. Routine monitoring of breast and uterine health in women and prostate health in men is imperative none the less.

Tip 4: Make sure your doctor has specific training and experience in prescribing bio identical hormones. Many doctors have not been trained in bio identical hormone replacement therapy. They may even equate it with synthetic (pharmaceutical) hormone replacement therapy.

Tip 5: Learn about the various methods available for hormone replacement. Oral tablets, topical creams and subcutaneous (under the skin) pellet implants are the most common varieties available.

Tip 6: Women who still have their uterus need progesterone too. Time for a little bad news. If you still have your uterus, then estrogen therapy will cause the lining of it to thicken, just like it did when you were menstruating. Natural progesterone is necessary to induce a period so that this growth does not get out of hand and cause a condition called endometrial hyperplasia and/or produce heavy, unplanned bleeding!

Tip 7: Testosterone replacement in men may cause sterility. This may not be an issue if you have already sewn you seeds and are not planning for more children. This is still important to consider, particularly if there is a chance that you may still want to father any more children.

Hormone Balance Through BHRT After a Hysterectomy

By the age of 60 one out of every three women will have had a hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus. Hysterectomy surgery is the number two major surgery for women, second only to a cesarean section. About half of hysterectomies also include removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy).

Ovaries are the "factory" which manufactures the hormones estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body. Removal of the ovaries will result in a sudden drop in estrogen. A hysterectomy, even without removal of the ovaries, can result in a gradual drop in estrogen levels over time leading to the same symptoms, but in a less abrupt manner.

The estrogens (estradiol, estriol and estrone) control the development and release of eggs in the ovaries and are important in maintaining the health of a woman's reproductive system, breasts, skin and brain. An insufficient supply of estrogen in the body can lead to:

o hot flashes

o vaginal dryness

o rapid aging of the skin

o urinary tract problems

o excessive bone loss

o possible acceleration of dementia

Hormone replacement therapy is a method of treatment in which a patient is given hormones to replace hormones missing from a patient's body. For women with symptoms of menopause these may include estrogens, progesterone or progestins, and sometimes testosterone. A popular formulation produced by pharmaceutical companies for a number of years has included a mixture of conjugated horse-derived estrogens with progestins. The horse-derived estrogens are produced from the urine of pregnant horses. The resultant compound is a synthetic estrogen; one which is not bioidentical to human female estrogens.

On the other hand, bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to the hormones produced by the human body. Many professionals in the anti-aging field are convinced that problems with synthetic hormones used in HRT result from a different chemical structure than what is produced naturally in the human body.

For instance, recent studies have indicated that the usual combination of progestins and horse-derived estrogens may contribute to the development of blood clots, may exacerbate problems with the gall bladder or liver, and may increase the risk of breast cancer. The results of one clinical study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2004 found evidence that a conjugated horse-derived estrogen caused clotting, but a bioidentical esterified estrogen did not.

So what is the process involved in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)? First it is necessary to test the patient to determine what the level of various hormones is in the body. For women, tests normally include current levels of:

o total testosterone and free testosterone

o estradiol

o thyroid stimulating hormone

o follicle stimulating hormone level (for women)

A hormone formulation, tailored to the specific patient and his or her individual needs can then be developed. This will include the specific hormones to be provided and the dosage level of each hormone based upon the laboratory analysis, severity of symptoms, age, gender, and body size.

Various hormone replacement methods are available for the delivery of the tailored formulation to the patient. These include:

o pills

o skin patches

o creams

o injections

o pellets inserted under the skin

While any form of BHRT is a step in the right direction when your hormones are imbalanced, certain methods may work better for you than others. Be aware, a woman's hormonal needs can change over time and treatment methods may need to be modified.

Bioidentical hormone pellet therapy is the most advanced and progressive approach to the relief of menopausal symtoms. Pellet therapy offers around-the-clock hormone release based on what each individual body needs. If a woman is exercising and needs more hormones released to work-out optimally, the body has a built-in regulation system that will find them. Similarly, if she is resting, the body will release less hormones into the body. Pellet therapy is as close as it comes to replicating how the body releases it's own hormones.

Hormone pellets are about the size of granules of rice. A minor surgical procedure, which takes only a few minutes, is used to insert the pellets under the skin of the buttocks, hip or bikini area. Only a band-aid is necessary to cover the incision and the hormone replacement pellets last for 3 to 6 months.

The hormone pellet method has several advantages. First, you don't have to remember to do anything - take pills, apply creams or change skin patches. This method is also most efficient in delivering the lowest dose of hormones to your body because it releases only the amount the body needs. Because of this efficient delivery the dosage level required is lower than with other methods. And you can't lose your medicine or forget to take it on a trip, which can cause fluctuations with your hormones.

For patients who prefer a more conventional treatment using pills, the formulations can be made available in this form also. However, these normally must be taken twice a day. They also require higher total dosages and the level of hormones in the blood vary more than using the pellet method.

Creams are also available but have similar disadvantages. They normally have to be applied twice a day. As with pills, creams also require higher dosage levels than pellets and have the added complication of where to apply them relative to clothing contact areas. Like pills they also result in variations in the hormone levels in the blood.

Skin patches have been in use for some time to relieve hot flashes. They have their own particular problems. They sometimes come loose from the skin prematurely, and generally cannot be successfully reapplied to the skin. This can result in a reduced dosage being received. Also, some people find they develop some skin irritation from the patch.

You don't have to simply live and suffer with the symptoms that will develop after menopause or a hysterectomy. There are treatment options available that will relieve your symptoms, improve your health, and greatly improve your quality of life. Find a qualified physician practicing BHRT and discover there really is life beyond a hysterectomy.

Disclaimer: The information provided should not be construed as medical advice but as general information. Anyone interested in BHRT should consult a physician about their specific needs.

Cheer Up! You Are About to Live Through Menopause

And so the story continues... there are many sides to the women's hormone health debate. On the more genteel side there is the opinion of simple good common sense and on the offensive is heard the howl of better living through chemicals.

The dust surrounding the 2002 closure of the largest clinical study on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may never settle, but who cares? Besides, hyperreal or not; it's a nice concept. Be happy and look fabulous. So far the most successful statistical outcomes have been the massive marketing of hope and fear to every woman over the age of 40!

New drug discovery is very exciting and sometimes it does seem to score a perfect 10 breakthrough, like hormone replacement therapy back in 1968.

Today we have preachers of the theoretical merits of bioidentical hormones (BHRT). And they are very hard at work trying to pull off something much bigger than a mere 1960s revival.

The controversy over HRT and BHRT may continue for a long time, so the most important question still remains:

Is BHRT safer than the standard HRT?

The leading experts including the FDA, the Women's Health Initiative and Dr. Susan Love, Director of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation say the risks are the same.

Consider these facts:

a) Changing levels of estrogen bring about many of the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, poor sleep and changes in mood.

b) Hormone therapies raise blood estrogen levels.

c) The very lowest possible amount of pharmaceutical chemical estrogen helps to control symptoms, however it is only temporarily.

d) When this form of treatment is stopped symptoms return and for many women symptoms return more severely.

e) Even the smallest amount of chemical estrogen poses a danger to women's health and has been repeatedly proven to increase risk of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and blood clots and most recently linked to a fatal form of lung cancer. For this reason it can only be prescribed for a very short period of time.

f) The term Bioidentical is not a medical term; it is actually a lay description for a manufactured hormone whose chemical structure mimics its counterpart hormone made in the body. It doesn't mean natural even if the finished product does originate from soybeans or yams - all bioidentical hormones are chemically manufactured steroidal hormones. And Premarin, the drug used in the failed 2002 clinical study is also a chemically manufactured steroidal hormone.

g) If a chemical hormone is a chemical hormone despite origin or manufacturing process and are equal whether bioidentical or standard HRT, their benefits and risks will also be equivalent.

Consider these facts:

a) Phytohormones and phytochemicals are hormones that come from plants.

b) They are the lowest measurable dose of any form of hormone therapy.

c) They are also the only true natural hormone support treatment.

d) Phytohormones are the only treatment not implicated in breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, blood clots or lung cancer.

e) They are the only treatment that can be taken for an extended period of time and perhaps the best way to manage even severe symptoms.

f) Symptoms are actually not caused by low estrogen levels but by fluctuations in hormones that lead to imbalance and unease. These symptoms are transient and usually resolve as hormones naturally rebalance.

g) Studies show that phytochemicals have protective properties for your health. The National Cancer Institute has defined phytochemicals and phytoestrogens on their cancer.gov website as:

Phytochemicals: A substance found in plants. Some phytochemicals may reduce the risk of cancer.

Phytoestrogens: A substance found in some plants and plant products. Phytoestrogens may have anticancer effects.

Are bioidentical hormones any safer?

The question women should ask themselves is whether taking chemical estrogen is a good choice?

If you could manage your menopause symptoms without drugs, wouldn't you rather?

How to Identify and Treat Terminal Insomnia

Terminal insomnia, also called late insomnia, is a frustrating condition where you can usually fall asleep easily upon going to bed.... but then you wake up four-to-five hours later, unable to get back to sleep. So you are waking up too early in the morning, which leaves you feeling exhausted, foggy and cranky when you roll out of bed to start your day. Despite the ominous sounding name, terminal insomnia will not kill you but can certainly be a joy-killer.

To get started on a cure for terminal insomnia, it's important to determine how many hours of sleep you really need to get a full night's rest. Unlike initial insomnia (not being able to fall asleep for hours after you go to bed) and middle insomnia (waking up in the middle of the night and taking hours to fall back to sleep) where all the symptoms clearly point to the condition, some people who think they have terminal insomnia might instead simply be "short sleepers."

And what does that mean? Well, some people only need four or five hours of sleep to properly function throughout the day. If you have always been able to feel fine on less sleep than some of your friends and relatives, you might not be experiencing late insomnia symptoms, but just going to bed too early for the amount of sleep that you need.

If that's the case, your tired, cranky feeling might be the result of lying awake too long, beating up on yourself because you can't fall back to sleep. Try going to bed later so you will wake up at a more reasonable hour and can arise and start your day immediately. And then be grateful that you have a few extra hours in your day to do something other than sleep!

If, however, you have never been a short sleeper, and you now find yourself increasingly exhausted after these short hours of sleep, you could very well be experiencing terminal insomnia. As you would for any other type of insomnia, once you have determined that you have terminal insomnia, it is time to find out why. You can't fight an unknown force, so understanding the causes of your condition comes before treatment.

Start With Emotional Causes of Insomnia

To help you uncover the causes of your terminal or late insomnia, keep a sleep diary for about two weeks. In this diary you will write down your thoughts and feelings when you first wake up in the morning. This can help you to determine if there are emotional reasons that you are unable to get back to sleep. Because the emotional reasons behind your inability to sleep might be a little hidden -- possibly subconscious -- it is important to analyze the situation completely. Don't skip this step!

I have found that initial insomnia -- where you are unable to fall asleep when you first go bed -- is often associated with feelings of fear, stress, worry, and anxiety. Initial insomniacs may even experience sleep anxiety where they are unable to sleep because they are so focused upon getting to sleep. These emotional causes of insomnia tend to make your body tense and restless, so you can't relax physically or mentally enough to fall asleep.

People with middle insomnia or terminal insomnia, though, tend more toward feelings of depression, anger, and frustration. These emotions do not cause the adrenaline rush in quite the same way as anxiety and worry. They also tend to get pushed more into the subconscious mind, where we aren't aware of them much at all. But they can gnaw away in the background of our minds, and wake us up in the middle of the night.

Physical Causes

You can also determine possible physical causes of your late insomnia with the help of your sleeping diary. If you wake up at generally the same time every morning, there might be a physical reason or a combination of several physical reasons why this happens.

For example, if you have a thermostat set to change the temperature at that specific time, this change might be waking you. Does you neighbor leave for work at that time and turn on a bright light that shines in your bedroom window? Is there an increase in outdoor noise such as more traffic or a dog barking? Maybe your allergies are flaring up at that time. Some allergy suffers find that the predawn hours are the worst. By determining the cause or causes of your insomnia, you can then determine ways to cure the symptoms.

Fire Doors and How They Improve Safety for Hospitals

When it comes to fire safety hospitals have very specific challenges to deal with. Like many public buildings, complications can arise in the event of a fire, as people present in the building at the time may be unfamiliar with the layout. In addition to this factor many patients may not be able to evacuate the building without help, or may even be at risk during evacuation. Fire doors within hospitals need to conform to higher standards than in most buildings as they provide the last line of protection in the event of a fire.

Most hospitals feature large public areas and long lengths of corridor. By their nature the buildings design can make them susceptible to the spread of fire and smoke with corridors creating effectively a system of 'chimneys'. Air flow will help to fuel a fire and allow it to spread rapidly. Larger hospitals feature a variety of kitchens, restaurants and other recreational areas for both the public and staff; laundries and storage rooms are also common features; dispensaries that may be locked and not in use, or in limited use at certain times of day, and storage rooms with a range of chemicals for cleaning and drugs all create specific risks. Various substances can be hazardous and regular fire risk assessments should highlight all areas of danger. Security issues can also be an area for concern, which is why locked or restricted areas are common features to restrict public access to parts of a hospital.

Fire doors for hospitals
Fire doors in hospitals need to take all of these factors into account. Any fire door in a hospital will need to be of the highest rating to limit the spread of smoke and fire in order to allow maximum evacuation time for the most vulnerable of patients and ensure the safety of those assisting them to evacuate. Corridors will need fire doors to break up sections of the building, restricting the flow of air and reducing the potential for fire to spread rapidly from one section of the building to the next. This is particularly important in hospitals as they often rely on a phased evacuation of patients where time is of the essence. These doors also need to be easy to open to allow rapid access as well as to withstand constant opening and closing on a day-to-day basis while maintaining their fire resistance. They also need to resist potential damage caused from regular abuse by hospital trolleys and wheelchairs. Individual wards may require locked fire doors, which must be easy to open from the inside should occupants need to evacuate in an emergency.

Lines of defence
While fire doors provide the last line of defence, fire awareness for staff is crucial. Hospitals can be particularly difficult to evacuate therefore staff need a keen sense of their own crucial role in minimising fire risks and in ensuring the safety of patients in the event of a fire. Hospitals must also have an adequate number of escape routes all of which need to be clearly marked and have adequate lighting. A further fire safety requirement is the presence of fire extinguishers, which need to be conspicuously located and clearly visible for immediate use. Fire doors must be closed at all times - or at least close automatically on the sounding of the alarm.

With a thorough fire risk assessment conducted on a regular basis, good staff awareness and appropriate 'fire furniture' in place the risk of fire incidents and consequences in hospitals can be radically reduced.

Biomimetic Hormone Therapy and Nutritional Supplementation

It is vital when you arrive at the age of pre-menopause, menopause or andropause to start taking nutritional supplements as well as biomimetic hormones for balancing your hormones and your overall health. The daily buildup of chronic stress, toxins in the environment and the lack of nutrition in our foods wear down the health of our bodies. Cooking often removes most of the nutrition in our food. It is best to eat an organic diet which can be difficult or expensive to maintain and find in certain parts of the country.

A daily high quality multivitamin can aid in supplementing your body with the nutrition it requires. Buy a good multivitamin from a health store. Vitamins found in supermarket and drugstores often contain only low dosages of the nutrients you require and also contain fillers, by-products and binders. Test your multivitamin to see how it dissolves in water. Let the vitamin sit in a glass of water. Within 15 minutes, it should have dissolved. This is the test for water solubility for your vitamins.

Check the label and look for the following recommended dosages of nutritional supplements which should be found in a ghigh quality multivitamin. These vitamins and minerals assist in balancing your hormones during menopause and andropause. These supplements need to be taken in addition to natural bioidentical hormones. Achieving balance of your hormones and maintaining health and well being is a combination of things: balancing your hormones with natural bioidentical/biomimetic hormones, diet, nutritional supplements, stress reduction, and daily exercise. It also requires that you make other lifestyle changes including quitting smoking and reducing your consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Your daily multivitamin for hormone equilibrium should include the following. If it does not, you could also buy these in a health store as separate supplements. For personal guidance in what you need as far as supplementation goes on a daily basis, talk with a naturopathic doctor or an antiaging specialist. We only suggest what dosages you need to take. A personal consultation should be pursued and will let you know what amounts of supplements you need to take day by day.

Beta-carotene/Carotenoids - 10,000 to 15,000 IU per day.

* Vitamin A: 5000 - 10,000 IU per day, but be careful, too much Vitamin A can lead to toxic levels

* The B Vitamins - can be taken as a B complex tablet:

* (Biotin: 100 - 300 mcg (micrograms),

* Choline: 50 - 100 mg, Folic acid: 400 to 800 mcg,

* Inositol: 150 to 300 mg,

* Niacin (B3) 20 to 25 mg,

* Pantothenic acid (B5): 50 - 100 mg,

* Pyridoxine (B6): 25 - 50 mg,

* Riboflavin (B2): 25 - 50 mg,

* Thiamine (B1): 25 - 50 mg,

* Vitamin B12: 1,000 - 2,000 mg

* Vitamin C: 500 - 1,00 mg per day

* Vitamin D: 100 - 400 IU per day

* Vitamin E: 200 - 400 IU per day

* Minerals:

* Boron: 1 - 5 mg per day

* Calcium: 300 mg per day ( take with magnesium)

* Chromium: 200 - 400 mcg per day

* Copper: 1 - 5 mg per day

* Magnesium: 400 - 600 mg chelated per day

* Manganese: 5 - 20 mg per day

* Selenium: 100 - 200 mcg per day

* Vanadyl sulfate: 5 - 10 mg per day

* Zinc: 15 - 20 mg per day

Stay Healthy and Go To The Gym

When we talk about health, what is the first thing that comes into your mind? Fit body right- Believe it or not having a good looking body is what we all want. When we talk about the gym, pictures of perfect looking bodies comes in my mind. When you look at billboards or magazine covers, what is the thing that hits you the most? I know a lot of people feel that they are celebrities, they are supposed to look like that, they are supposed to stay fit. Some of my friends even say that they have nothing else to do but go to the gym.

Well, I would agree with the fact that we do not have as much time as the celebrities do to spend over their fitness and not to mention the money as well. However, let's be practical how many of us do go to the gym on a regular basis? I know we don't, if you are serious about losing weight then it is extremely important for you to hit the gym.

Hitting the gym ensures that your body gets the workout which is required along with the much needed physical activities that we keep on reading in books and newspapers. Exercise will keep you physically fit and keep you out of health problems. If you are overweight, there are so many problems that come along with it. There are heart problems, gastric problems, diabetes etc. So you see that it is not just one problem, if you are overweight you are putting yourself at risk at a lot of different levels. So don't do that to yourself.

Going to the gym ever day would become a part of your routine, once you start off with it. Along with the exercise make sure that you take good food as well. It would be best if you skip the outside food and cook good meals at home. It would help your health and your pocket at the same time. Cooking at home you can eat whatever you want and add all the best ingredients of your choice. If you don't know what to eat or are having trouble with a diet plan ask your gym instructor he will help you out for sure.

It is always good to divide your meals in to small meals, this way you stay fuller for a longer time. Eating raw fruits and vegetables is important, drinking water also helps. If you are really serious about losing weight and staying fit then you need to cut down on your drinking and smoking. Smoking is just plain bad for your health, where as if you are a constant drinker then you are bound to gain weight. Not to mention the health problems that you would end up with. Quit drinking for a few months and you would see the difference in your health and your appearance for yourself.

Staying fit is essential if you want to live a long life. So go ahead and join a gym, stay motivate and stay in shape.

5 Best Tips for Relieving Your Menopause Symptoms

So you've hit menopause and now you're wondering what to do next. Or maybe you just SUSPECT that your sliding into menopause (peri-menopause) because you're starting to experience any of the myriad of symptoms, like hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, decreased sex drive, mood swings, and relentless weight gain.

The good news is that we now live in a time when menopause is no longer a taboo subject. We feel more comfortable discussing it with our friends, significant others, spouses and doctors. There are more avenues than ever to help support us in our transition. The bad news is that there are a lot of traditional "old" Western medical approaches to menopause relief that are certainly dangerous and sure to be avoided whenever possible.

The beauty of menopause, however, is that it is the time when most women are flowering into the fullness of their personal identity - in what they want out of life, in what dreams and talents they want to give birth to, and what desires they want to fulfill. They spent their earlier years defining themselves as wife, mother, best friend, and trusty employee, but menopause ushers them into a new age - the Age of Wisdom - and here are our 5 little bits of wisdom for you to get you through this transition of menopause in style:

Tip 1: Exercise!

Even a gentle walk every day for 20 minutes (outdoors preferably) will go a long way towards preserving your muscle tone and bone density. Walking can help you lower your bad cholesterol and raise the good, lower your blood pressure, help manage your weight and even improve your mood. What's more is that if you do it outdoors, you also get the benefit of natural Vitamin D which is essential to your immune system and also helps to prevent cancer. (info from "The Mayo Clinic" and "Medical News Today"). Walking also may lead you to be more enthusiastic about starting a more rigorous exercise routine... after all "a body in motion STAYS in motion."

Tip 2: Eat a Healthy Diet

There is a LOT of misinformation out there about what's healthy. If your main source of nutritional knowledge comes from the News at 10 or the government's latest food pyramid, it's important to start doing a little research on your own. Some trusty sources are Dr. Mercola's site or our own "Sugar Control Diet" which is not only excellent for weight loss, but also for balancing hormones (which is so important for menopause symptom relief!) Our Sugar Control Diet guidelines also help in reducing inflammation and even identifying foods that may be causing digestive distress (scroll down to our resource box at the end of this article and you can contact us to request our Sugar Control Diet... it's free).

So many people think that baked potatoes, pastas, rice and breads are good for them - but those all metabolize as sugars in the body, and in doing so, they trigger an insulin release... too much of which not only causes your body to gain more fat but throws all your other hormones out of whack as well (a DISASTER for women seeking menopausal symptom relief!) So educate yourself and start making truly healthy changes in your diet asap - this will help with ALL your menopause symptoms.

Tip 3: Indulge in Some "Me" Time

Menopause often gets a bad rap because we're so inundated with information about the bad parts. But let's try to find its "good" aspects. For example, as we mentioned before, this is a time when women are coming into their own. They know themselves better. They usually have more free time because their children need less supervision - and so they can write that book they never wrote, or attend that class they never had time for in the past. They can build that new meaningful career or find their real purpose and passion that fuels their soul.

Part of birthing this new "you" is learning how to take care of yourself and your needs better. So start laying down the law with some "100% ME" time. Put in some earplugs, declare it a no-kid-zone, and go take a luxurious bubble bath by candlelight. Go to your local gym and indulge in some sauna time. Get a Thai massage - or better yet, some reflexology! As Tony Robbins puts it, schedule your own "Hour of Power" or "Thirty Minutes to Thrive"....if you can't do that, at least schedule "Fifteen Minutes for Fulfillment"! Everyone can find 15 minutes in their schedule somewhere. But put it on the calendar in ink and make it a "must" for yourself. It will calm your nerves, rejuvenate your body, and revitalize your soul.

Tip 4: Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol & Nicotine

If you have excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol or any intake at all of cigarette smoke (first or second hand), you should know that these substances worsen menopause symptoms. Caffeine & Alcohol serve to exacerbate hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia and bone loss during the critical menopause & perimenopausal years. Caffeine especially disrupts mineral absorption and increases stress. Alcohol ruthlessly dehydrates you (never a good thing!) and is a "magnifier" - so if you're already feeling depressed, alcohol will "magnify" that depression and make it worse. It will take your menopausal anxiety and magnify that too. And you may think it helps you sleep, but when the sugar spike in your blood system finally crashes (remember alcohol = sugar), you will awaken in the middle of the night and find it difficult to go back to sleep.

And did you know that smoking is the main factor in causing early menopause (before age 45) in women?!? Plus it increases the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, among other things we don't even need to mention. But in regards to menopause itself, according to the British Journal "The Lancet" researchers suggest that nicotine's effect on the nervous system possibly results in changes of the secretion of the hormones involved in menopause, and the smoke itself may affect certain enzymes that influence how the body handles sex hormones. So get help now if you're addicted... hypnotherapy is often a good route for quitting cigarettes and other addictions.

Tip 5: Get Yourself Some 100% SAFE, All-Natural Support for Menopause Symptom Relief

Now this is the MAIN TIP for you: The Big Enchilada. The topic every menopausal woman must educate herself about. It used to be that we all just went to our doctor and he or she prescribed the typical HRT (hormone replacement therapy) for us... you know: Premarin, Prempro, Provera and others. Those synthetic hormone pharmaceuticals that most often are made from the urine of pregnant horses. Yes... GROSS, we know. But it's the truth.

However that all changed when a recent study done as a part of the Women's Health Initiative discovered that long-term use of these synthetic hormone replacement drugs may increase the risk of strokes, heart attacks, blood clots and breast cancer. Even as far back as 1975, they knew these types of drugs substantially increased the risk of endometrial cancer as well. Despite all the findings in this study, doctors continue to prescribe it.

There is no doubt that we do need some source of significant relief for the symptoms of menopause - so we can feel like ourselves, not suffer the mood swings, the insomnia and HOT FLASHES all the time (not to mention the lowered libido), but it's important not to potentially harm yourself by taking traditional HRT.

There are a great many viable and effective, natural herbal remedies for menopause symptoms on the market today... they do work, but some work better than others. We highly recommend getting a full-spectrum product made with trustworthy, quality herbs... not pesticide-laden, and not in capsules that are difficult for your body to digest and assimilate.

For example, most supplements DO contain Black Cohosh for hot flash relief, but make sure your supplement also addresses your other symptoms. Like Sage for excessive sweating, and Damiana with Soy Isoflavones for low-libido and depression. Adrenal support is good as well (the Licorice herb helps with that) - because you need adrenal support during this time... and don't forget Valerian to relax. Full spectrum SAFE support!

Educate yourself also about bio-identical hormones, which are much safer alternatives to traditional HRT. A great source of information for those is found in the book "Ageless" by Suzanne Somers. She even has a directory of physicians in the back so you can find one near you to get help.

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In conclusion, we hope these 5 Tips can help you to have a happier, healthier menopause and guide you toward a smooth transition into the New You. If you'd like to learn more, read our other articles and visit our website where we have a free report on menopause relief - we truly seek to help you live your best life NOW.

Adult Female Acne - Three Hormonal Causes and Three Hormonal Solutions

Many women suffer from acne at the age of 30 or 40 or even 50! If you are one of them, you may or may not have had acne as a teenager. It may just be a problem in your adult years. You have probably talked to several doctors about it, have been given prescriptions of various sorts, have tried many skin care products all purporting to help with acne, yet you still have pimples on your face right now (and probably a few deep cystic ones, too). You are likely convinced that it has something to do with your hormones and have suggested that its hormonal to several doctors including a dermatologist or two. They may have even agreed with you, but didn't give you any hormonal solutions other than antibiotics and expensive prescription skin creams that dried your skin but didn't control your acne.

If this is your story - don't give up! I believe that adult female acne is almost always hormonal to some degree, and consequently, there are hormonal solutions to this vexing problem. Here are three different ways that hormone imbalance can cause acne - each with its own unique remedy.

1. Progesterone deficiency - if your acne cycles with your menstrual period (usually you break out with acne mostly in the 1-2 weeks before your period) and if you also suffer from some degree of PMS, then your acne is most likely due to progesterone deficiency. This is also the most common form of hormonal acne for women over 50 (your ovaries stop producing progesterone with menopause). Progesterone has a protective effect on your skin. If you don't have enough, you will product more oils, more oils will clog your pores, and clogged pores result in acne - usually the deep cystic kind. The solution - take natural progesterone for three weeks of your cycle each month. Note that synthetic relatives of progesterone, such as Provera or medroxyprogestin, do not help acne and in fact can make it worse. Birth control pills usually worsen this type of acne because they contain synthetic relatives of progesterone.

2. Testosterone excess - this is a common cause of acne in younger adult females (20s and 30s). Either your ovaries produce too much testosterone or your skin produces too much of a testosterone derivative called DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Generally this type of acne will occur through your entire cycle, is often associated with oily skin and unwanted facial hair, and commonly (but not always) can affect the chest and back. The solution - a DHT blocking medicine called Spironolactone taken orally is very effective for this type of acne and is my first choice. Birth control pills can also help with this type of acne, but I only recommend these if you also need birth control (due to other unwanted side effects.)

3. Stress and Cortisol excess - many of you may have noticed that your acne gets worse at times of stress. This is also a hormonal form of acne. Stress causes your adrenal glands to produce a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol causes acne. This type of acne usually only lasts as long as your stress lasts. But many of you probably suffer from chronic stress and can consequently suffer from chronic stress-induced acne. The solution - exercise is the best cortisol-reducing stress management treatment. There is also a natural supplement called Phosphotidyl Serine that can help lower your cortisol. And I encourage at least 64oz of water consumption daily to help modulate the effects of cortisol on your body.

What about Antibiotics for adult acne (since they are commonly prescribed for this problem)? Often women will take them for months and months on end to keep their acne under control. And indeed, they often do work. But they are merely a Band-aid. They do not address the underlying hormonal problem. Its better to address the hormonal problem directly and save antibiotics for times of more serious infections while avoiding potential antibiotic side effects.

Hormonal acne is quite easy to identify. A combination of acne history, menstrual history, and hormone testing (I prefer testing hormone levels with saliva) can almost always identify your particular hormonal issue. Once identified, treatment is inexpensive and effective, though it can take 6-8 weeks to achieve control.

What Are the Health Risks Associated With Waist Training?

Waist training has started to become increasingly popular as a way to get an hourglass figure. The process of waist training starts by wearing a waist cincher or other body shapers for women for several hours a day for a prolonged period of time; when you wear these bodyslimmers your body assumes the desired shape. Normally, once you take off the body shaper your body returns to normal. With waist training, however, the changes eventually become permanent as your body adjusts to its new shape. The tight cincher around your waist also constricts your digestive system, reducing appetite and helping promote weight loss to speed up the waist training process.

However, it can be dangerous if done incorrectly. The process of body shaping takes time and it cannot be rushed as if it were a crash diet. Patience is very important in waist training since it may take weeks or months before you achieve your desired shape. The health risks associated with waist training include difficulty in breathing, displacement of internal organs and fracturing of the ribs if the body shaper is worn too tightly. In addition, women who wear their corsets incorrectly risk developing poor posture, particularly when the corset is taken off.

To perform training correctly, you have to first choose the right corset. The corset has to be at least 3 to 4 inches smaller than your normal waistline and 5 to 6 inches less if your waist measurement is 36 inches or more. Break in the corset first before starting waist training to ensure the garment does not split or crack after prolonged use. Start by wearing the corset for four to five hours a day until your body gets acclimated to it, and then gradually build up to wearing it for at least twelve hours a day. Do not wear it while sleeping, exercising or eating.

In order to avoid chafing of the skin, you might want to wear a cotton undershirt underneath the corset. When you take off the corset, make sure the area is thoroughly cleaned as sweat has no way of evaporating there, and then apply moisturizer to ensure the skin does not dry out and become rough. To get the best results, start a regular exercise and diet program to lose excess weight and tone your body. Finally, keep in mind that it may take as long as a year to achieve the result that you want, but with persistence you will eventually develop that hourglass figure.

Female Sex Hormones

Many women don't know how their body works and what are the different hormones in their body which can affect their lives in the long run. These hormones not only affect the female body and mind but they also play an important role in emotions.

Most of the females face a lot of physiological changes during the puberty and they think that hormones come into play only at this age. In fact many hormones affect their body at childhood as well. Many newly born babies seem to have breast enlargement. Although it is quite rare but if a baby have the symptoms than it is because of the hormones known as estrogens which pass on to the body of the baby by the mother. Findings suggest that lower estrogen level in mother's body causes formation of a hormone known as prolactin in baby's blood stream which suggests the mind to produce breast enlargement. These hormones than disappear in the first few months or after a few years.

All these hormones play a major role in a girl's body when she is at the age of puberty. At that time her breasts will grow and finally turn into breasts like those of a woman. She will also grow taller, gets pubic and under arm hair which all happens because of those hormones which actually help in growth of her body. The girl may feel a little uncomfortable at that age because of the sudden changes that her body is making. Her periods also start at the puberty age and the total time period of puberty age may end from one to four years. Many girls also face emotional imbalance as they enter in the phase of adolescence. Therefore all the system to produce these changes exists in her body from the childhood to the adolescence.

There are some very important hormones produced by the ovaries which are known as female sex hormones. The two most major of them are known as progesterone and oestrogen. At the age of puberty the Oestrogen develops the breast, helps in maturation of vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes that carry female eggs. This hormone also helps in storing more fats around the hips, thighs and buttock of the girls.

After puberty L.H, F.S.H and other hormones play a vital role in women's menstrual cycles which results in the periods of the girl. All these hormones have their own functions and they come into play at different levels but in fact they all play an important role in developing a female body.

Tips in Coping With Menopause

One of the major milestones in the life of a woman is menopause. This is the period when the woman will no longer have their monthly periods. This also means that this is the end of their being fertile. Once a woman goes into menopause, they can no longer bear a child.

Menopause occurs when a woman's ovaries run out of eggs. There is also a decrease in the production of some sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone and to some degree, androgen. A woman has in her lifetime about half a million egg cells in her ovaries. From these half a million eggs, only about 400 to 500 eggs mature and are released during the menstrual cycle. The rest of the eggs degenerate.

When a woman is still in her reproductive years, hormones are secreted by the body to thicken the lining of the uterus. These hormones, progesterone and estrogen prepare the body to nourish the egg. If this is fertilized, then it will develop into a fetus, a baby. If not, secretion of the hormones will lag down and the lining will slowly thin down. This is when menstruation occurs.

Because of age, ovaries of women will slowly decrease its secretion of the hormones. This often starts when they are in mid-30s. In their late 40s, they will often have irregular menstrual cycle because of the fluctuating levels of the hormones. By the time a woman reaches 40 years old, their period will eventually stop. This is menopause.

Menopause can be hard for some women especially when they are not prepared for it. Because the female hormones will stop its secretion, women may feel several changes in their bodies. Most common of these are hot flushes, weight gain and bone problem. Below are some tips that help you cope with menopause.

1. Make it cooler

Hot flushes may be solved by medications but some people do not opt for this due to costs or fear of side effects. To help minimize this, try to wear light clothes. Wear many layers, which you can take off when you hot flashes start. There are also mini fans that you can carry with you in your bag. They are battery operated so there is no need to look for an electric fan

2. Engage in physical activity

Expect to become heavier during menopause. When your pants suddenly won't fit you, don't be surprised. It is not because you have suddenly been eating a lot lately but because of menopause.

Because of the changes in the body particularly in the hormonal levels that the body secretes, women gain weight during menopause. To combat this, it is good to engage in physical activity. This also strengthens the bones, which tends to weaken during this period in life.

Another advantage in engaging in physical activity especially in sports is the fact that it will also help you maintain your weight. Remember that metabolism will naturally slow down as you grow older. So whether or not you are menopausal, physical activity will benefit you.

3. Take your vitamins

One of the important things that a woman should do to cope well with menopause is to take vitamins regularly. Hormonal changes in the body weaken the bones. This is why it is vital that women have adequate calcium intake. They should also watch the levels of their vitamin D in the body.

Vitamin D and calcium play a major role in reducing their risk of developing osteoporosis, which frequently occurs in women who are in their menopausal ages. Osteoporosis is a bone-thinning disease that may lead to bone fractures. Women undergoing menopause is recommended to take at least 1200 mg per day of calcium and about 400-600 IU of Vitamin D for calcium absorption.

Exercise Means a Healthy Thyroid Gland

Exercise just might be the secret weapon in your arsenal for fighting thyroid disease. Exercise will boost your metabolism, burn calories and lift your mood. When you are feeling the effects of hypothyroidism the last thing you are going to want to do is get up and exercise. You will probably have to force yourself the first few times. So be firm with yourself and just get moving. After a few sessions, you will begin to feel better physically and mentally and actually start looking forward to getting your exercise.

You don't have to buy fancy equipment or join an exercise club either. All you really need is a good pair of walking shoes and the determination to feel better. Walking is the perfect exercise, especially for beginners. You need to get your heart pounding when you walk though. Leisurely strolls won't do you near as much good as a brisk power walk that works out your cardiovascular system. You should aim to walk for at least 40 minutes at a time, three days a week. Try to get some sort of exercise five days a week for a minimum of 30 minutes per session.

You do not have to walk at full speed the entire time. Instead, maintain your pace at about half of your full speed then alternate speeding up and slowing back down to half speed so you push yourself to the limit but alternate with easing up a bit. Don't stop all together unless you just have to. You heart rate needs to be elevated for an extended time to get full benefits from walking or any other aerobic exercise.

In addition to cardiovascular exercise, you should also add strength training to your routine. Strength training makes your muscles and bones stronger and when combined with aerobics helps to fight insulin resistance and enhance weight loss.

Strength training can be done with small barbells you hold in your hand, or canned vegetables or even bottled water. You don't really need to use those if you don't want to, you can perform exercises without them. Strength training means doing good old fashioned exercises like leg lunges, push ups and leg lifts.

In order to get the best results from your exercises you need to maintain control of your body and use slow deliberate movements. For example, when you are doing lunges and dip down on bended knees then return to standing, keep your movement slow so the muscles in your legs do all the work. Do not jump back up or rise up quickly. It is easier to do the exercise the quick way but it means your muscles are not getting a good workout.

Yoga is another excellent type of exercise for those who have thyroid disease. Yoga helps keep your body flexible, it strengthens your muscles and relaxes your body and mind. Yoga promotes proper posture and effective breathing which brings balance back to your body. Yoga is also a great stress reliever which is always needed if you have hyperthyroidism.

Qigong is a form of exercise that is similar to Yoga that is being used today to treat many types of chronic disease and age related discomforts. Qigong uses gentle, slow and deliberate movements to realign the flow of life energy throughout your body. You may not notice results immediately as this form of healing takes weeks or even months to have an effect. You will receive better benefits from Qigong or any other type of exercise if you eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water so your body has what it needs to repair itself.

Is This Why Your Man is Tired and Grumpy?

Although its commonly believed that men just sail through life without the hormone hassles that women get, in fact the man in your life, if he's in late middle age, may be suffering from the same shortage of hormones as a woman does in menopause.

In men, testosterone is a potent driver of their masculinity. It affects muscle development, strength, energy levels, happiness, libido; generally speaking it helps a man feel young and virile. This hormone is why blokes can lift heavier objects, run faster, and talk louder than women!

Testosterone levels peak in a man's late teens and early 20s, and begins to decline from there. From late middle age onwards, a man may notice that he's just not so interested in life any more. He may become grumpy, depressed, lose interest in sex, and even find that his performance at sports is declining. On a physical level he may find that he's putting on weight easily, and his skin is thinning. This doesn't happen to all men of course, but if the man in your life is showing these symptoms, here's what he can do:

Hormone testing can reveal whether low levels of testosterone are the reason why he's feeling older. His doctor can arrange a blood test, or his naturopath can arrange a saliva hormone test.

If his hormone levels are less than optimal, its important for him to assess his diet and lifestyle before reaching for supplements or bio-identical hormones to boost his testosterone level.

A diet high in alcohol, caffeine, sugar and processed foods is not going to help his energy levels, so look here first. Also, daily fitness training will help boost energy too. The difficult part of applying all this is that a man in andropause is remarkably difficult to dislodge from the couch!

Natural therapists use herbs and homoeopathic remedies to treat low hormone levels, along with the improved nutrition, fitness and stress management techniques that help everyone.

So if you believe that the man in your life is demotivated and tired because of low hormones, ask him to visit his health practitioner for a frank chat about testosterone and its effects.

Safe Bioidentical HRT For Menopause - 10 Reasons To Worry Less About Breast Cancer

One of the greatest worries for menopausal women considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is breast cancer. This is because in July 2002 the widely publicized Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study claimed that HRT increases breast cancer risk. There is, however, the little-mentioned other side of the story that you should know about:

1. The WHI findings on HRT and breast cancer are statistically insignificant, as Bluming and Tavris best explain in their 2009 review, "Hormone replacement therapy: real concerns and false alarms."

2. The WHI study hormones were a daily fixed-dose oral combination (Prempro) of horse estrogens (Premarin) and a synthetic progestin (Provera).

3. Premarin attempts to mimic estradiol and Provera attempts to mimic progesterone, but neither Premarin nor Provera is naturally found in humans, and thus they are not bioidentical hormones. Bioidentical hormones are hormones which are identical in molecular structure to hormones naturally found in the human body.

4. Real estradiol and progesterone are naturally secreted in varying daily amounts in healthy reproductive women, not like the fixed-dose Prempro received in the WHI; and progesterone is actually only produced for 14 days of a normal 28 day menstrual cycle, not daily (unless a woman becomes pregnant.)

5. Breast cancer is rare in young reproductive women who secrete both high and low levels of both estradiol and progesterone, depending on the day of their menstrual cycle.

6. In 1992 a small randomized 22 year trial showed that postmenopausal women taking high-dose Premarin daily, but Provera for only 7 days out of each month, did not have an increased risk of breast cancer.

7. In 2004 it was shown that women in the Premarin-only arm of the WHI actually had no increased risk of breast cancer, and the same study reported a slightly lower risk in 2006.

8. A pivotal 2008 study showed that postmenopausal women who carry the BRCA1 mutation, which predicts the highest lifetime risk of developing breast cancer in women, showed a surprisingly decreased risk in those patients taking HRT.

9. Estrogens are paradoxically known to both stimulate and inhibit growth in many cell types, properties which are considered potentially both pro and anti-cancer, respectively.

10. High-dose bioidentical estrogen is actually being used today to treat breast cancer.

I'd specifically like to focus on the last two points above because I find them the most fascinating. The use of estrogens to treat breast cancer is actually not new at all. Before the introduction of the "anti-estrogen" Tamoxifen for breast cancer in the 1980s, diethylstilbestrol (DES) and other high-dose synthetic estrogens were commonly used as treatment. DES was just as effective as Tamoxifen, but fell out of vogue due to its adverse effects.

The interesting part here is that while DES is an estrogen, Tamoxifen is considered an anti-estrogen, and yet they both have similar efficacy in treating breast cancer. This paradox unravels when one learns that 1) estrogen naturally possesses both growth stimulating and growth inhibiting properties which likely depend on its dose, 2) high-dose estrogens are growth inhibiting (apoptotic), 3) Tamoxifen actually causes super high estradiol levels in premenopausal patients, and 4) Tamoxifen may be mimicking high-dose estrogen.

Sadly, the benefits of DES have long been lost in history, and nowadays most patients and physicians alike only know that an "anti-estrogen" is used in the treatment of breast cancer. They then erroneously add to their assumption that estrogen causes cancer and aren't even aware that there is any paradox in what is known about the function of estrogen.

In 2009 a small phase 2 randomized study showed that the oral bioidentical estrogen estradiol was clinically effective against breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The lowest beneficial daily fixed-dose oral estradiol used had the least adverse event rate and achieved estradiol blood levels similar to those found in pre-ovulatory reproductive women. Interestingly, this was the investigators' goal. So, maybe, aiming to replicate the hormone levels of healthy reproductive women is productive.

An alternative approach to the above oral estradiol schedule (which is bioidentical, but still not physiological because orally ingested estrogens go through first pass metabolism in the liver and increase inflammation and clotting) would be to prescribe transdermal/topical estradiol and progesterone in a rhythmic, cyclic, manner. The goal here would be to achieve estradiol and progesterone levels similar to those naturally found in healthy reproductive women. Such a regimen has actually already been invented and patented, and is called the Wiley Protocol. The Wiley Protocol is currently being prescribed mostly by holistic physicians for the treatment of menopause and is undergoing formal research, but not yet for the treatment of breast cancer.

In conclusion, the WHI's claim that HRT increases breast cancer risk is incorrect, alarmist, and even if somehow significant would only reflect on the use of oral, non-bioidentical, HRT. Fear of breast cancer should not prohibit physicians or their healthy postmenopausal women from initiating HRT. However, due to the natural presence of rhythmic hormone cycles in healthy reproductive women and evidence indicating the improved overall safety and efficacy of bioidentical hormones, I recommend bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) and the Wiley Protocol instead of conventional HRT.

If you would like to read a version of this article with all reference links fully embedded, please click here.

Copyright Shira Miller, M.D. Inc.

HRT, Breast Cancer, And Bioidentical Hormones

The symptoms of menopause are akin to labor pains in that they feel like they will go on forever, yet they herald the birth of new life. In fact, whilst perimenopause lasts a lot longer - from 5 to 10, or up to 13 years, it is not an indicator of how 'life will be'. Menopause is a time of growth and adaptation, and our bodies are an intimate part of the journey. The symptoms associated with menopause intimately reflect the flux of the body's hormonal systems.

Menopause can be extremely disruptive, however. Whether it's sleeplessness, menopause related depression, hot flushes, vaginal dryness, or emotional swings, the good news is that these symptoms can be alleviated. A good menopause treatment will help many seemingly diverse symptoms, as they are all related to the root hormonal flux in the body.

HRT is one choice, popular with doctors, and one that many women have found extremely useful. But what is often not understood, is that there are different types of hormone replacement therapy, even amongst those prescribed by doctors.

Premarin is one of the best well know, and oldest, types of hormone treatment. Premarin is made from the urine of pregnant horses, and is an estrogen only hormonal pill. It was advocated as being beneficial for, amongst other things:

* thickening vaginal tissue

* helping depression

* stopping hot flushes

* preventing heart disease, osteoporosis, and alzheimers

However, research has also found a link between estrogen-only supplementation and breast cancer. The cells in the breasts and the uterus are responsive to estrogen. So to add estrogen in, without the checks and balances intrinsic to our normal hormonal system, can stimulate the growth of this tissue.

What many believed was a mitigating factor in premarin's favor was the belief that it helped prevent heart disease. This presumption was based on the fact that premarin lowered LDL cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol had earlier been identified as a risk in developing heart disease. However, this belief has been found to be unsupported in several large clinical trials. In one involving women who had heart disease, those taking premarin (in combination with a synthetic form of progesterone which was given with premarin to prevent endometrial cancer), these women actually significantly increased their risk of having another heart attack in the first year of use. This risk leveled off after that, but it didn't provide any heart protective effects. In a study with healthy women, hormone replacement with premarin, with or without a synthetic progesterone supplement, did not decrease the risk of heart attacks or heart disease.

Another drawback to premarin and other hormone replacement therapies is the way they are often prescribed, in a kind of 'one size fits all' way, irrespective of a woman's size or medical history.

But the news is not all bad with HRT therapies. When premarin was developed, there was not the ability amongst scientists to produce other types of estrogen. Because the estrogen in horses is not natural in women, side effects like bloating, headaches, and sore breasts are common. And because the breakdown products of estrogen from horses are so strong, actually more active in the body than the original horse estrogen, they have a pronounced effect on estrogen sensitive tissues, such as the breast. And given that numerous studies have shown that these metabolic by-products can produce changes in the DNA of cells that are carcinogenic to living tissue, it is no surprise that the incidence of breast cancer increases when women take premarin.

But there are alternatives. Bioidentical hormones are developed from soy beans or yams, and their chemical structure is designed to reflect that which is found in women's bodies. Further, bioidentical hormones are not usually given in a standardized, 'one size fits all' dose, but tailored to a woman's presenting history. They are generally given at low doses, and because chemically they behave more like regular estrogen, they are not associated with the side effects of premarin, although they have not been used in the large scale studies that premarin has.

References: Dr Christiane Northrup, The Wisdom Of Menopause

Genetic Study Identifies Cause of the Majority of Breast Cancers

Since 2001, more than 100 women have participated in clinical trials of a new, non-toxic approach for destroying breast tumors. The improved treatment technique was developed from a genetic study that identified the neurotoxins involved in the cancer process. In the ten years of trials, only 3 of the 100 women developed new tumors giving this technique a 97% success rate based on the 5 year standard.

Many theories have been stated concerning what causes cancer. None of the theories seem to hold water. Parasites, viral, diet, low body pH, etc.-none have enough valid research to bring about a cure. The problem has been that researchers in the field of natural medicine often do not agree or are unable to provide sufficient scientific evidence of their theory to proceed with meaningful studies.

The genetic study found at http://quantumcancermanagement.com involved over 40,000 samples that proved positive of the neurotoxins that set the cancer process (the inhibition of the P-53 and its associates) into motion. Further related studies by the North Carolina Institute of Technology have indicated that these neurotoxins found in the jawbone, root canal teeth, and under old crowns are easily identified using screening techniques which include infrared imaging of the face. In over 1000 cases of cancer, no exceptions have been found in the relationship concerning oral pathology and cancer. Remarkably, if, for instance, there is a tumor in the left breast of an individual, the oral pathology will be found on the left side of the face, i.e., root canal, oseonecrotic jawbone, or rotted material under a crown. Even the spreading of the cancer, until the patient is consumed with cancer, generally remains on the same side of the body.

Menopause - Synthetic Or Bio-Identical Hormones For Menopause

What is the best hormone for menopause treatment: synthetic or bio-identical hormones? You may choose bio-identical hormones, but you may be wrong.

Although body-made estrogens are the best estrogen for menopause, they are totally ignored by medical science. Of cause, drug companies do not want you to remember that the human body can make estrogen, because they can not make money from you. How about doctors? They never talk about body-made hormones besides synthetic or bio-identical hormones for menopause.

The bottom line is that sufficient estrogen is essential to good health, and excessive estrogen is dangerous to your health. There are three types of estrogens for menopause: body-made estrogen, bio-identical estrogen and synthetic estrogen.

Both synthetic and bio-identical hormones are foreign hormones to your body. Your body can't tell the difference, and only drug companies can tell the difference. The bottom line is that synthetic hormones are from natural resource (horse urine; bio-identical hormones have to be synthesized in the lab in order to be absorbed by the human body, since the human body can't use plants' hormones.

Some chemists may argue that bio-identical hormones have the same chemical structure as body-made hormones. However, the chemical structures of body-made hormones are dynamic: they are changing every moment. The bio-identical hormones have only a fixed structure, so they are not bio-identical at all.

Above all, it doesn't make sense to argue synthetic or bio-identical hormones, since even body-made estrogens can cause cancers when they are excessive.

"Do I have estrogen deficiency or not" is the right question to ask. If you do have estrogen deficiency, either synthetic or bio-identical hormones can do the job, but don't overdo it.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Treatment - General Overview

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses hormones consisting of compounds with identical chemical make-ups to hormones that are naturally found in the body. These hormones have a base made of wild yam and soy, allowing them to be compatible with the human body. BHRT is used in place of synthetic hormones, which have a foreign structural make-up to the body. The unrecognized molecular structure of synthetic hormones has been known to cause adverse side-effects, which is why many people prefer bioidentical over synthetic.

Cells are the creators of the many different hormones found throughout the body. The key role of hormones is to act as messengers by traveling through the bloodstream and relaying messages to and from the different cells. Without the transfer of these messages and signals, the different parts of the body would not be able to cooperate and communicate together for proper function. Poor communication between the cells is a major cause of ailment and disease.

Replacement of bioidentical hormones in women is used to increase low levels of progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen. These deficiencies are common in women that have had their ovaries removed, or are menopausal. This therapy is believed to treat symptoms including mood-swings, vaginal dryness, headaches, sore joints, and sleep disturbances.

As men get older, they go through a change that is similar to menopause that is called andropause. A loss of bone density and muscle mass, along with irritability, insulin resistance, periods of depression, and a decreased sex drive may occur during this time. These changes are the result of a testosterone deficiency.

Sublingual/oral pills and hormone-enhanced topical creams are all used to treat hormone deficiencies. The creams tend to absorb slower into the bloodstream, which is one reason why the topical creams are commonly preferred over the oral methods.

The targeted achievement of bioidentical hormone usage is to balance hormones before the deficiency creates bigger health problems. Successful treatment can give patients a feeling of control over their health and quality of life.

Some researchers and doctors believe that these hormone replacements are very risky, while others say that they are very useful in preventing health complications later in life. There have been some studies that have linked bioidentical replacement to a higher risk of cerebrovascular accident, heart disease, thrombosis/embolisms, and breast cancer.

Undiagnosed hormone imbalances will not only inhibit the well-being of those affected, but can eventually lead to serious health problems. Doctors use simple blood tests to determine which hormones are deficient in the body, and how much replacement is needed for a proper balance. Treatment usually starts in smaller doses, but can be increased until there are noticeable signs of improvement. Since controlling hormonal deficiencies can be a complicated process, it is best to seek guidance from an internal medicine specialist or an endocrinologist. These doctors have more specialized experience with hormonal deficiency diagnosis and treatment than family doctors. Although there are many people that are very skeptical about using bioidentical hormones, there are also many that give it a very high recommendation.

How to Get Effective Stress Reducers For Women

Women from any place or background experience stress every day. There are different scenarios that can cause stress: death of a loved one, unemployment, relationship problems, financial difficulties, and more.

Stress can be a good motivator. If you feel stress, you may find yourself performing much better than before. But if stress is too much, this can hinder you from doing your daily tasks. And worse, stress can cause different diseases to develop. If you do not handle stress properly, you may get depressed which can lead to suicide. Or you may develop heart problems in the future.

How can you reduce stress? There are many different stress reducers for women which have been proven effective. Here are some examples:

Time management. More often than not, women tend to spread themselves too thin by taking in a lot of responsibilities. This can leave your daily schedule too tight and cluttered. To ensure that you have enough time to fulfill every responsibility, make a daily schedule of your to do's. Give enough time to accomplish each task. And leave time to take a breather. Managing your time properly is one of the stress reducers for women.

Get organized. A cluttered area can also lead to stress. Imagine not finding something that you need for that moment. You may spend countless of hours looking for it if your space is cluttered. Always keep your area clean and tidy. Organizing your stuff can help reduce stress.

Listen to music. One of the effective stress reducers for women is listening to calming and soothing music. A lot of women love listening to music. Create a play list of soothing music which you can listen to whenever you feel stressed out.

Do yoga. This form of exercise is becoming very popular nowadays especially among women. What is great with yoga is that it mixes meditation, posture and breathing exercises. It calms your mind and keeps your body really healthy and relaxed. This is one of the proven effective stress reducers for women.

Exercise. Other forms of exercise are also great stress reducers for women. You can exercise in the gym or not. Just find time to exercise everyday and use this time to unwind and relax.

Do outdoor activities. If you love outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or outdoor games, you can also use these as stress reducers for women. It will be even better if you do these activities with family or friends. This will be a great way to spend quality time with them and at the same time relieve you of stress.

Go to the spa. Pampering yourself every now and then is also a great way to reduce stress. Visit the spa for a massage, scrub, or facial.