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wellness
Creative approaches to combat common menopausal symptoms
Many women and their doctors are still
confused about the safety of estrogen.
When introduced, estrogen was believed
to be good for you. But, following the
Women’s Health Initiative study 15 years
ago, women were told that hormone therapy
could, in fact, lead to an increased risk
of cancer, blood clots and heart disease.
Nothing could be further from the truth,
according to Dr. Mache Seibel, author of
Th e Estrogen Fix.
Today, women are learning that use
of hormone therapy (HT) can minimize
risks and maximize menopausal relief for
common symptoms like hot fl ashes, dryness,
mood swings, fractured sleep, brain
fog, irritability and weight gain. When
taken at the right time, estrogen therapy
can lead to substantial improvements
in health and quality of life and lower
the risk of breast cancer, heart disease,
and dementia. Women should be aware
of one caveat: beginning estrogen aft er a
woman’s estrogen window closes at age
65 may increase their risk for breast cancer,
heart disease, Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis.
Heeding advice about how and when to
stop taking HT is important and revealed
in new studies featured in Dr. Seibel’s
Th e Estrogen Fix. Th e book reaffi rms the
safety of vaginal estrogen for the heart
and brain, as well as its eff ectiveness
in controlling weight; additionally, the
book outlines newly available estrogens
and progesterones, discusses misconceptions
about compounded hormones
and estrogen pellets and off ers the latest
hormone-free FDA solutions for women
with vaginal dryness.
Th e following are 5 creative approaches
to combat menopausal symptoms:
1. Hot fl ashes: Women experiencing
hot fl ashes and night sweats can fi nd relief
using an FDA-approved estrogen hormone
therapy called Divigel, a cool, clear
gel that is applied to the upper thigh daily.
It contains the plant-based estrogen hormone
estradiol, the same hormone made
naturally by a woman’s ovaries before
menopause and delivers estrogen identical
to that naturally produced in the body.
2. Irritability/sleeplessness: Quality
sleep is oft en a challenge during menopause
and can contribute to high blood
pressure, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
A natural supplement with melatonin
like Vitafusion Beauty Sleep promotes a
good night’s sleep without prescription
medication. Sex and/or self-pleasure are
natural ways to decrease stress and can
help with the onset and quality of sleep.
Th e oxytocin released with hugging, stimulation
and orgasm can increase feelings
of calm and safety, causing cortisol levels
to drop, thus optimizing sleep. Orgasm
releases prolactin, helping you fall asleep
faster and more effi ciently.
3. Painful sex: Internal vaginal dryness
can be relieved for three days with hormone
free Replens Vaginal Moisturizer.
Alternatively, prescription remedies like
vaginal estrogen or DHEA can be used.
Don’t forget to incorporate a personal
silicone lubricant like Replens Silky
Smooth just before sex to ease penetration,
increase comfort and reduce abrasion.
4. Weight gain? Eat to defeat menopause:
Food is the fuel for every cell in
your body, so avoid packaged and processed
foods and limit sugary drinks and
desserts to ensure you’re optimizing energy.
Stick to unprocessed whole foods
as there are no hidden ingredients or
calories. Your body will also appreciate
fresh and/or organic produce and hormone
free meat or grass-fed beef as oft en
as possible. Eat to Defeat Menopause: Th e
Essential Nutrition Guide for a Healthy
Midlife off ers practical advice and information
on how to choose and prepare
meals to optimize health during menopause.
5. Hair lacking luster, less-than-glowing
skin and brittle nails: Loss of estrogen
leaves many women dealing with thinning
hair, increased dry skin and brittle
or breaking nails. Introducing biotin
into your diet with a raspberry-fl avored
gummy like Vitafusion Gorgeous
Hair, Skin & Nails can ensure you’re consuming
suffi cient biotin and other helpful
nutrients including vitamins C and E.
Every woman has safe, new options,
from prescription HT to those available
over-the-counter, to suit her unique
needs. Schedule a chat with your health
provider to discuss the right hormone
therapy or alternative option for your
personal menopausal challenge.
Courtesy BPT