Menopause
WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?
Menopause, or the cessation of menses or monthly ovulation,
generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 though this
can be earlier or later. It is normally triggered by the
depletion of the one million or so eggs or ova that are
stored in the ovaries from birth. The number of eggs is
said to drop to around 300,000 or 400,000 at puberty though
it is believed only about 400 will ever mature.
Hereditary factors influence the start of menopause as
well as surgical removal of the ovaries (ophorectomy). The
removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) and smoking can also
cause an earlier menopause. It is less certain why some
women have a very early menopause or cease ovulating after
sudden shock but it is clear that the hypothalamus at the
base of the brain is the controlling centre for menstruation
The hypothalamus acts by releasing a hormone called GnRH
(gonadotrophin releasing hormone) to the nearby pituitary
gland.
During the reproductive years the pituitary, triggered
by GnRR, produces two hormones, follicle stimulating hormone
(FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) which determine the amount
of oestrogen and progesterone hormones being prepared by
the ovaries for reproduction Whatever the reasons for the
menopausal state, high FSH and LH levels indicate that the
ovaries are no longer producing eggs as the body continually
increases these hormones to try to promote egg production
These high FSH and LH levels are signals to the adrenal
glands near the kidneys to supplement the body’s supply
of oestrogen and progesterone hormones. While the ovaries
continue to produce some hormones after menopause, the body’s
fat cells can also be a source of oestrogen.
Contrary to popular belief promoted by pharmaceutical advertising,
oestrogen levels do not slump at menopause but only drop
about 3 per cent a year over the average 5 year menopausal
period.
Menopausal symptoms are often due to relatively low levels
of the other female sex hormone progesterone. Women who
have undergone the removal of their ovaries are more likely
to need oestrogen supplementation to compensate for the
sudden loss in hormone production
Menopause can last from two to five years or more when
the monthly cycle becomes more and more irregular until
it ceases entirely. After one year of cessation of menses
a women is said to have undergone menopause.
Typical symptoms of the menopause are hot flushes and night
sweats, forgetfulness, skin dryness and joint pains, though
these can also be due to other causes.
Menopause has commonly been described as an oestrogen deficiency
disease which has led to the widespread promotion of HRT
drugs and the belief that these will protect against heart
disease and osteoporosis, or brittle bone disease. But it
is clear that oestrogen only plays a small part in menopausal
symptoms and there is no substantial research which proves
that the oestrogen’s or the synthetic progestogens
in HRT prevent these diseases. In some cases they do the
opposite.
Research has also shown that women in other parts of the
world who have healthy diets and take plenty of exercise
do not suffer the menopausal symptoms, heart disease and
osteoporosis of western women The importance of a healthy
diet and proper exercise during this stage cannot be overstated
and can eliminate many symptoms of hormonal imbalance as
well as helping to protect the heart and the bones.
Vitamin E has been shown to help relieve hot flushes and
headaches, relieve itching and inflammation and normalise
blood sugar levels, the Soya based Lecithin can aid memory
loss and research has shown that St John’s Wort can
relieve anxiety and depression as well as insomnia
The B vitamins as well as vitamin C are also vital during
this time to help the adrenal glands which regulate stress.
When women are stressed during the menopause they can produce
more androgens or male hormones and this can lead to an
increase in hair loss and the growth of facial hair.
The plant Dong Quai can help restore hormone balance as
well as reducing symptoms like swollen breasts and hormonal
acne caused by excessive oestrogen. In addition to helping
to reduce oestrogen levels when they are too high or increase
them when they are too low, this herb also has anti-fungal
and anti-bacterial properties.
WHAT IS PMS AND HOW DOES IT RELATE TO MENOPAUSE?
The hormone oestrogen increases at the onset of puberty
and thereafter before menstruation. Excess oestrogen can
lead to symptoms of pre-menstrual tension or PMS when there
is an imbalance of oestrogen and progesterone hormones.
Pre-menstrual tension also increases after pregnancy, after
stopping the contraceptive pill, after sterilisation, removal
of an ovary, during the phase of perimenopause preceding
menopause. PMS type symptoms can also be produced by HRT
drugs.
The most common symptoms include weight gain, bloatedness,
breast tenderness, migraine, fatigue and mood swings as
well as nausea and food cravings which can be made worse
by coffee, alcohol and stress.
PMS can often be confused with peri-menopausal symptoms.
In the case of PMS such symptoms are not continuous but
often worsen before menstruation and disappear after the
monthly cycle.
While PMS can be caused by low progesterone levels, it
is clear that synthetic progestogens cannot solve the problem.
A drop in blood sugar (glucose) levels can also block the
transport of natural progesterone. After over 30 years of
research into the problem, Dr Katharine Dalton recommends
regular starchy carbohydrate and not sugary snacks taken
every 3 hours and courses of natural progesterone therapy.
Progesterone can be converted into oestrogeim and cortisone
or stress hormones as well as the male sex hormone, testosterone,
which is known to increase libido, so it is essential to
keep these two female sex hormones in balance. The Chinese
herb Dong Quai is particularly useful for women who have
recently stopped taking the pill after many years since
it helps re-establish ovarian function. Nutritional supplements
with a well balanced diet and plenty of exercise can also
help solve this problem.
WARNING SIGNS OF OTHER DISEASES:
Painful Menstruation referred to as Dysmenorrhea can be
a PMS symptom or a warning of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
(PD) or Endometriosis (excessive shedding of the cells lining
the womb) when it needs medical treatment. These can also
lead to pain during intercourse. Abdominal pain caused by
Irritable Bowel Syndrome should not be confused with PMS.
If these attacks recur they may be identified with certain
foods. Tiredness can also be caused by anaemia due to bad
nutrition, heavy bleeding or low thyroid function.
Weight gain and dry skin can also be an indication of underactive
thyroid function particularly if accompanied by poor circulation
and coldness and depression. When tiredness, on the contrary,
is accompanied by anxiety and loss of weight in spite if
a healthy appetite this can indicate an overactive thyroid
Fatigue and weight loss accompanied by high blood pressure
may warn of diabetes. All these conditions should receive
medical attention.
PERIMENOPAUSE:
In the years preceding menopause many women suffer similar
symptoms to PMS such as water retention and breast swelling,
irregular cycle and mood swings as well as heavy bleeding
and hot flushes and sweats and sometimes cravings for sweet
food. These can be signals of hormonal imbalance where oestrogen
levels are disproportionately high. HRT drugs containing
even more oestrogen will only worsen the problem. As in
PMS the symptoms can be alleviated by natural progesterone
therapy. Nutritional supplements and a well balanced diet
and exercise can also help rectify hormonal imbalance.
THROMBOSIS AND HEART DISEASE:
A combination of faulty genes and poor diet can raise levels
of bad cholesterol which puts the heart at risk Although
men have more heart disease than women, women also suffer
heart problems, generally in their seventies. There is no
substantial research which shows that HRT drugs protect
the heart. On the contrary, excess oestrogen due to the
contraceptive pill or HRT can cause the accumulation of
fibrin, an insoluble protein that promotes blood clotting
As fibrin increases so does the risk of thrombo-embolism,
a disease caused by clots forming in the blood vessels.
Oestrogen in the Pill and HRT can also block the beneficial
effect of vitamin B in reducing the formation of the clotting
agent, thrombin. Vitamin B can prevent clots from increasing
as well as dissolve existing clots and research has shown
that supplementation with this vitamin can reduce heart
disease by 40 per cent. Magnesium has also been shown to
be helpful in reducing high blood pressure and angina.
Excessive weight caused by fluid retention can also put
pressure on the heart and increase the risk of angina
A Healthy balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables
is essential for a healthy heart with regular exercise.
OSTEOPOROSIS
Women start losing bone density well before menopause when
oestrogen levels are high but do not generally suffer osteoporosis
or brittle bone disease until they are in their 70’s
unless they have undergone removal of the ovaries.
Since there are no obvious symptoms for this disease many
women can be diagnosed with osteoporosis but still appear
to live healthy lives. It is only when the skeletal frame
becomes so fragile that falls or even knocks lead to fractures.
While the hormone oestrogen can prevent loss it does not
build new bone and any beneficial effect gained from HRT
drugs is lost as soon as these drugs are stopped when bone
density falls to previous levels. The other female sex hormone
progesterone in its natural form can help build new bones.
Minerals like calcium and magnesium are vital for healthy
bones as is vitamin D which is activated in the skin by
sunshine and helps the kidneys to reabsorb calcium from
the urine. Certain B vitamins are also believed to be important
in maintaining bone structure. Red meat, soft drinks, caffeine,
alcohol. Sugar and fried foods as well as smoking can be
detrimental for healthy bones.
Adequate weight bearing exercise also protects against
this disease which has been shown to have a hereditary link
An overactive thyroid can increase bone loss by producing
too much hormone as can thyroid medication. Steroid drugs
also increase bone loss.
DETOXIFICATION:
Many women who have suffered the side effect of HRT drugs
found themselves suffering the toxic effects of these drugs.
This can be made worse by food additives and chemicals in
pesticides and other such materials which have bee absorbed
by the body. In such cases it is vital to rid the body of
these toxins before it can heal itself.
Alarm signals that the body is suffering a chemical overdose
include chronic headaches, muscle pain, indigestion, depression,
tingling in the hands and feet, skin problems and chronic
fatigue.
Toxins produced by bacterial and yeast in the gut can also
build up at an alarming rate and cause liver or thyroid
disease, allergies, lupus erythematosis, pancreatitis, Crohn’s
disease and ulcerative colitis.
The body’s own protective antigens which normally
protect it from disease can sometimes work against it when
exposed to high toxicity resulting in auto-immune disorders
like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or thyroid.
The liver plays a vital roll in detoxifying the body as
it filters the blood, helped by the kidneys and the intestines.
It eliminates toxins by neutralising them or excreting them.
Liver detoxification is also essential to prevent cancer.
Fasting is the best way to help the liver perform its function
and eliminate toxic substances from the body. During fasting
it is vital to drink as much water as possible as detoxification
can result in excessive sweating. It is also advisable to
rest as much as possible to conserve the body’s energy.
High potency multiple vitamin and mineral supplements also
help detoxification, particularly with vitamin C taken 3
times a day at 1000 mgs. Milk thistle, too, is a powerful
liver protector and antioxydant.
IMMUNE SYSTEM:
An overdose of toxicity can also damage the body’s
immune system which can lead to some of these diseases mentioned
above. Plant extracts which help and protect the liver can
also help restore the immune system.
A number of experimental and clinical studies have shown
that substances in olive leaf and Echinacea, for example,
not only stimulate the immune system but act as a natural
antibiotic by boosting white blood and T cells and preventing
the bad cholesterol that affects the heart.
A diet rich in fibre and plant foods, low in sugar and
fat and free from alcohol, and avoidance of environmental
pollutants, smoking and other toxins is the best way to
regain good health.
Information Courtesy of:
The Menopausal Helpline Limited
Registered number 3265025
228 Muswell Hill
Broadway
London
N10 3SH
Tel: 0208 444 5202
Fax: 0208 444 8442
DIRECTORS: Maggie Tuttle (Chairman), Lindsey Hill (Company
Secretary)
PATRONS; Dr Erik Enby, Dr Adel Badr
The Menopausal Helpline Limited is supported by M.R.1S.
(Menopausal Research and Information Service). a charitable
company limited by guarantee. Registered with the Charity
Commission under no 1069084
