The Menopause 'A Natural Approach'

The menopause is not a disease, it's a natural biological event that usually occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 54, with the average age of onset around 51.

The word 'Menopause* is defined as the point when a woman naturally stops ovulating and menstruation ceases. The 'Peri-Menopause' is the time when the natural change starts from normal menstruation through to the menopause.

Suffering Symptoms

During this time, hormonal fluctuations can occur and the change in balance and quantity of these hormones can cause a variety of symptoms including anxiety, dry skin, fatigue, feelings of bloating, headaches, heart palpitations, heavy bleeding, hot flushes, insomnia, irritability, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, loss of concentration, mood swings, night sweats, reduced stamina and weight gain. After the menopause (post-menopause) the long-term diminished supply of oestrogen increases the likelihood of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.

To relieve these symptoms, some women may consider using hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But HRT may not be right for every woman. Some women feel the risks that come with HRT are greater than the benefits. For example, some women taking HRT for more than five years, may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. There may also be increased risks of developing blood clots.

Risky Relief?

n February 2006 the Times on-line reported that a recent survey of 2,000 menopausal women in their fifties revealed that, although most believed hormone replacement therapy may be effective in relieving symptoms, many held deep reservations about the perceived risks and would not recommend HRT to their daughters. A third of those who had taken it had given it up within a year and almost all said that they would try alternative remedies before resortine to HRT.

Some women simply do not want to use chemical treatments for what is a natural, normal stage in their life

The Women's Health Initiative (WHI). a large US study, was halted abruptly in 2002 when scientists warned that HRT increased the risk of stroke and had no impact on heart disease.

Less than a year later the British Million Women Study (MWS) reported that the risk of breast and ovarian cancer was unacceptably high.

Within a week of the MWS report, new guidance was issued by the Government's Chief Medical Officer, telling doctors to prescribe HRT only "for the shortest possible time and the lowest possible dose for the relief of menopausal symptoms".