Women's health and hormone replacement

Menopause, hormones, Natural Alternatives.

More doctors are recommending natural (also called bio-identical) hormones-because they offer all the advantages of synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) without the negative side effects or long-term health risks. Unlike synthetic HRT, natural hormones are bio-identical: they match a woman's own hormones exactly and don't interfere with the body's normal hormone production. They are safer and more effective, providing protective benefits that range from alleviating unpleasant symptoms of menopause, perimenopause, and PMS to protecting against osteoporosis, endometrial cancer, and other diseases. Topics covered include: - What are natural hormones and how do they work? - Why are natural hormones better and safer than synthetic HRT drugs? - Do natural hormones increase the risk for breast cancer? - Can natural hormones control midlife weight gain? - Does natural progesterone help alleviate PMS? - Will natural hormones improve skin? - How to find the right doctor - The latest on the recent NIH study

Every woman, as she gets older, must face the onset of menopause-either naturally occurring or brought on surgically. As we learn more about menopause and the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a number of questions arise. The most hotly debated of them all: should women receive HRT? This book grew out of the need for a balanced examination of all the relevant issues-not for medical practitioners but for women of all ages-and is written in the context of how women experience the transition of menopause. Drawing on a number of population studies and their own research, contributors from different fields take on subjects ranging from HRT as a social issue and the psychosocial aspects of menopause to the role of diet and exercise in midlife health and what natural therapies may have to offer women. Other chapters thoroughly discuss the pros and cons of HRT and explain what hormones are and what they do. Readers will find the latest facts and medical opinions on how HRT can affect the likelihood of developing osteoporosis and bone fractures, breast and gynecological cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, urinary problems, and vaginal thinning. For the millions of women who fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum of menopausal symptoms-and those at either end of the continuum-this easy-to-understand guide blends thought-provoking opinion with facts into one clear, concise source.

Make menopause a change for the better! Are you entering menopause? Would you like to be prepared for it when it arrives? Whether the change of life is upon you or years away, now is the best time to find out all you can about this natural life process. The more you know, the better you can take care of yourself. And the healthier you are, the easier your menopause is likely to be. Written by two authorities in complementary medicine and women's health issues, Menopause the Natural Way is a compassionate guide that combines mainstream and alternative medical approaches into a simple, six-step program that helps you create a healthy and empowering passage through menopause. You'll learn about: * Using a journal as a valuable tool for managing your menopause * Nutrition and menopause-foods and vitamins for your body's changing needs * Using herbs to balance your body and to treat and reverse symptoms * Pleasurable exercises proven to reduce menopause symptoms and promote health-from yoga and tai chi to aerobic and weight-bearing routines * Managing stress known to trigger menopause symptoms * Rebalancing your hormones through natural and medical hormone therapy Uniquely created from a woman's perspective, Menopause the Natural Way offers you a supportive, natural, noninvasive way to manage your menopause while feeling great.

Assists menopausal women in making a decision about Hormone Replacement Therapy, and explains how a good diet and exercise program can be healthier alternatives in relieving the symptoms of menopause