What are the Symptoms of Menopause and How to Make Them Stop

For women going through the long list of symptoms associated with menopause, most are saying, "How do I make them stop?" If you have started into the change of life, chances are you are saying the same thing. While some women get through menopause with little problem, most struggle but with the right treatment, no one should have to. Just imagine waking up during the night, right in the middle of a great dream, only to feel as though you were on fire. Thinking that is the worst of it, you drift back to sleep only to be wakened again but this time by soaking wet sheets that come from night sweats. Perhaps you have been trying to work but find the joint pain and headaches too much to handle.

Midlife is indeed a time of awakening, a time when most women over the age of 40 begin to go through changes, finding that they now live in an unfamiliar body. Unfortunately, as the years of menopause progress, for most women, the symptoms only worsen. Although frustrating, you need to understand that menopause is not the end of life, just change. The key is to understand your body and make the changes work for you, not against you. Okay, now you are asking, "How?" Well, the number one way is to become educated about menopause, as well as your options for treating the symptoms and associated health risks.

Although each woman going through the change of life has different symptoms or different levels of intensity of those symptoms, most will experience some or all of the same things. For example, common symptoms include things like hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, joint pain, dry hair and skin, heart palpitations, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and risk of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Just remember, with the right type of treatment for each of the symptoms, there is absolutely, no reason why you cannot live a happy, healthy life.

Vitamins are very important to treating menopause but the all-around vitamin we took in our 20s or 30s no longer suffices in the battle against menopause symptoms. Unfortunately, even some of the products on the market today that are supposedly geared toward women with menopause contain far too little of the right vitamins and minerals. Therefore, when you shop around for vitamins, you need to be taking a minimum of 1500 mg of calcium daily, along with 600 IU of vitamin E and 400 mcg of folic acid. Anything less is virtually worthless.

In addition to the basics, you will find many other vitamins, herbs, and supplements that bring peace of mind and body. Instead of trying to treat menopause as a whole, you need to treat each of the symptoms specifically since they all require different things, as you will learn below.

Black Cohosh – When it comes to treating things like hot flashes, night sweats, and depression, Black Cohosh is outstanding. In fact, this particular plant has been used for centuries, even by the American Indians. Because Black Cohosh is also made into a poultice and used on snakebites, you might see it listed as "snakeroot."

Boron (12 to 18 mg) – When taken daily, Boron can help strengthen bone and joint function, thereby reducing joint pain associated with menopause while reducing the risk of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

Calcium and Vitamin D (1500 mg and 200 IU) – This combination is excellent for treating the symptoms of menopause. The calcium helps retain bone mass while helping to strengthen the bones against osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

Chamomile – A cup of hot Chamomile tea will go a long way in relaxing the nervous system. Chamomile has been used for centuries and of all European herbs, is probably the most popular and widely used. Other benefits include help with insomnia and the common cold or flu.

Co Q10 – Coenzyme Q-10 (50 mg) – This antioxidant fights against societal pollutants, keeps the heart healthy, and improves energy. Co Q10 levels begin to decline at age 35 so taking a minimum of 50 mg up to 300 mg daily will replace the lost levels and produce overall good health.

DHEA – DHEA in the body begins to ebb around age 30 with up to 30% loss by age 50. For women going through menopause, replacement DHEA increases the body’s ability to convert food into energy while burning off excess fat.

Dong Quai (30 drops) – Adding 30 drops, three times a day in tea or juice will help reduce hot flashes. This phytoestrogens is another that has been used for years and proven to be highly, beneficial.

Evening Primrose Oil (500 mg) – To help reduce those nasty hot flashes associated with menopause, along with breast tenderness, Evening Primrose Oil is excellent, being a rich source of gamma linolenic acid.

Fresh Flaxseed/Linseed (2 heaping teaspoons) – Flaxseeds contain lignans, which are anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-fungal, and when taken daily, it can help with menopausal symptoms. In addition, flaxseeds contain phytoestrogens that are been proven to reduce the effects of hot flashes, irritability, and anxiety. For linseed oil, this works the same as flaxseed but it should be used as a substitute.

Folic Acid (400 to 800 mcg) – Folic acid is very important in treating the symptoms of menopause. Many studies have been performed finding a link between low folic acid levels and depression. Since mood swings, depression, anxiety, and frustration are all common symptoms of menopause, folic acid can make a huge difference in leveling out serotonin levels in the brain to create a sense of calmness.

Garlic (300 mg) – You can buy odorless garlic that helps calm the nerves, reduces headaches, and is an excellent source of chromium, phosphorus, selenium, and thiamine. Of all the foods we eat, garlic is actually one of the most important.

Genistein and Daidzein – These soy isoflavones are a type of phytoestrogens that helps bind estrogen within the body. Many times, a woman going through menopause will have low levels of estrogen as the body starts producing less and less. Taking Genistein and Daidzein can help replace the estrogen naturally, meaning there is no risk, just benefits.

Ginkgo Biloba (60 to 120 mg) - For treating depression, Ginkgo Biloba can alleviate the "brain fog" and overwhelming worry that often goes along with menopause.

Ginseng Korean Panax – Ginseng is an age-old plant used for increasing both physical and mental capacity. Keep in mind that there are different types of Ginseng on the market so for menopause you want to stick with the Korean Panax for the best results.

Glucosamine Sulfate (500 mg) – This nutrient helps repair connective tissue and joint integrity. Since women lose bone mass during menopause, this strengthening is crucial for joint pain and to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

Inositol (650 mg) – Known as "nature’s tranquilizer", for women going through all the challenges of menopause, Inositol taken every morning helps reduce and even eliminate stress while also helping to lower blood cholesterol and prevent thinning hair.

Kava Kava (60 to 150 mg) – When Kava Kava is taken daily, it can help calm anxiety. The key however, is to not take too much, which can lead to liver problems. Therefore, prior to taking Kava Kava, you should talk to your doctor first and if you have an existing liver problem, avoid it altogether.

L-Carnitine (500 mg) – Since weight gain commonly occurs as we age and specifically during the menopausal years, L-Carnitine taken daily is a safe, natural amino acid that helps with weight loss and weight maintenance.

L-Tyrosine (500 mg) – Taken daily, L-Tyrosine battles against depression, a common complaint for women going through menopause. Other benefits associated with L-Tyrosine include controlling fatigue, headaches, and appetite.

Licorice Root (250 mg) – Licorice Root works to balance estrogen and is extremely helpful in reducing chronic stress that is often linked to menopause.

Magnesium (500 to 1000 mg) – Taken daily, magnesium works to fight against migraines and heart palpitations, along with mood swings, common problems associated with menopause.

Melatonin (3 mg) – For insomnia, a Melatonin supplement can help. Melatonin is naturally produced in the brain but around adolescence, it begins to decline and even more so around age 40. With just 3 mg daily, you will sleep better.

MSM (1000 mg) – Known officially as Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), this organic source of sulfur is found naturally in the connective tissues and joint cartilage of the body. Again, with menopause, bone loss is a major concern, which is where MSM taken daily can help.

Soy Lecithin (1 to 3 tablespoons) – Taken in juice each day, soy lecithin acts as a natural emulsifier in lowering cholesterol. The lecithin gets into the blood stream, attaching to the fat in the arteries and then absorbing it. Therefore, to relieve heart palpitations and enjoy an overall healthy heart, soy lecithin is a great option.

St. John’s Word (300 mg) – Mood swings, depression, irritability, confusion, and frustration are all serious side effects of menopause. St. John’s Wort can help with mild cases, acting as a MAO (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor). In fact, St. John’s Wort has been used for hundreds of years around the world with excellent results.

Valerian Root – When it comes to treating insomnia and anxiety, the Valerian Root has shown to be highly beneficial. The only downside is that this root has a bad odor so we recommend you stick with capsule form.

Vitamin B6 (100 mg) – Taking 100 mg three times a day helps reduce excess fluid often associated with menopausal women. In addition, vitamin B6 works as a natural antidepressant to relieve some of the overwhelming symptoms.

Vitamin B Complex – This particular vitamin is excellent for providing energy while reducing depression.

Vitamin C (1000 to 10000 mg) – Vitamin C should be taken every day as an antioxidant and protector against cancer. Vitamin C also helps with dry skin but keep in mind you should never take more than 10000 mg a day and if you notice heartburn, reduce the dosage.

Vitamin E (200 IU) – To help reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and heart palpitations, vitamin E is highly beneficial.