3 Remedies To Combat Vaginal Dryness

During menopause, one discomfort commonly experienced by most women is vaginal dryness. This may come with itching or pain during urination or sexual intercourse.  In reality, dryness doesn't just occur within your intimate regions but, also along the face, arms, legs, as well as the torso.

For fear that damage may arise in the sensitive part, many women opt for drug free menopause treatments to alleviate such a distressing symptom.

Additionally, there are also prescription drugs available, so you actually have a lot to choose from.

How To Combat Vaginal Dryness

1.    Massage therapy and aromatherapy - These natural therapies are best if stress is the cause of vaginal dryness.

Immediate emotional and physical relaxation is possible, since stress can be greatly reduced with a good massage. If you're very relaxed, other symptoms will naturally vanish, too.

Moreover, the oils used in aromatherapy relax your body when you add it to your bath water. These aromatic oils, when used in massage, stimulate specific regions of the brain that influence the endocrine system.

The endocrine system, along with the immune and nervous systems, secretes hormones into your bloodstream and surrounding tissues. As a result, your body relaxes, and you're kept stress-free.

2.    Over-the-counter (OTC) external lubricants – Ask your friendly salesperson about water-based lubes and creams since these are hypo-allergenic. There are also internal moisturizers and jelly, known to have a long-lasting effect.

Such products can certainly reduce the severity of your symptoms. Just to be sure, though, do your due diligence. If you think a certain product suits you, then go for it. Remember that what may be applicable to others may not be to you.

3.    Hormone therapy – Vaginal dryness is more often than not caused by the reduction in estrogen levels in your body. If your doctor says hormone therapy is okay, then a prescription of vaginal estrogen creams could be for you.

Apart from that, there are also suppositories that release estrogen little by little into your vagina over a span of 3 months. There are vaginal rings that do the same.

Your physician should be able to recommend estrogen-based products that are absolutely safe, if you have a concern about the risk of cancer.

The bottom line is, always check with your medical practitioner whether it's the natural remedy for menopause symptoms you ought to use or not.

3 Remedies To Combat Vaginal Dryness

During menopause, one discomfort commonly experienced by most women is vaginal dryness. This may come with itching or pain during urination or sexual intercourse.  In reality, dryness doesn't just occur within your intimate regions but, also along the face, arms, legs, as well as the torso.

For fear that damage may arise in the sensitive part, many women opt for drug free menopause treatments to alleviate such a distressing symptom.

Additionally, there are also prescription drugs available, so you actually have a lot to choose from.

Image from: iclipart.com

How To Combat Vaginal Dryness

1.    Massage therapy and aromatherapy - These natural therapies are best if stress is the cause of vaginal dryness.

Immediate emotional and physical relaxation is possible, since stress can be greatly reduced with a good massage. If you're very relaxed, other symptoms will naturally vanish, too.

Moreover, the oils used in aromatherapy relax your body when you add it to your bath water. These aromatic oils, when used in massage, stimulate specific regions of the brain that influence the endocrine system.

The endocrine system, along with the immune and nervous systems, secretes hormones into your bloodstream and surrounding tissues. As a result, your body relaxes, and you're kept stress-free.

2.    Over-the-counter (OTC) external lubricants – Ask your friendly salesperson about water-based lubes and creams since these are hypo-allergenic. There are also internal moisturizers and jelly, known to have a long-lasting effect.

Such products can certainly reduce the severity of your symptoms. Just to be sure, though, do your due diligence. If you think a certain product suits you, then go for it. Remember that what may be applicable to others may not be to you.

3.    Hormone therapy – Vaginal dryness is more often than not caused by the reduction in estrogen levels in your body. If your doctor says hormone therapy is okay, then a prescription of vaginal estrogen creams could be for you.

Apart from that, there are also suppositories that release estrogen little by little into your vagina over a span of 3 months. There are vaginal rings that do the same.

Your physician should be able to recommend estrogen-based products that are absolutely safe, if you have a concern about the risk of cancer.

The bottom line is, always check with your medical practitioner whether it's the natural remedy for menopause symptoms you ought to use or not.

3 Common Menopause Symptoms With Their Natural Remedies

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Menopause itself is not something to be scared of. It is simply a natural change women will encounter at some point in their lives. You'll know if you're at that stage when there is an absence of menstruation for 12 months. In realtuy, most women are having problems with the signs and symptoms.

According to experts, the average age for experiencing menopause is at 51. However, hormonal shifts can start earlier. That said, you should be aware of the changes brought about by menopause, as well as the drug free menopause treatments available.

1. Hot flashes. A sudden warm sensation felt all over the body that is also associated with flushing or ‘redness’ and sweating. It's a common symptom reported by those undergoing the menopausal stage, caused by declining estrogen levels and hormonal fluctuations.

One of the most effective natural remedies to relieve hot flashes is eating soy-containing food products. Today, there are tons to choose from in your local grocery store. Even soy drinks are now flavored to fit one’s taste. However, you need to avoid intake of beverages rich in caffeine and alcohol.

2. Night sweats. This symptom often causes sleeping problems and disturbances. You'll encounter episodes of profuse sweating at night time resulting to difficulty of going back to sleep. Night sweats can lead to irritability during the day, as well as daytime fatigue.

Forget about sleeping pills. Instead, you can create your own bedtime ritual. Aside from avoiding coffee or alcohol during bedtime, a cold shower and lightweight nighties can do the trick. It's about  training your body to a more positive sleeping pattern.

3. Weight Gain. It's the most dreaded situation. Due to fluctuating hormonal levels, women overeat and binge on carbohydrate-rich and sweet foods. During this phase, the body tends to store more fat, and distribution are more on the waist and abdominal area.

Nothing beats weight gain but a healthy diet. It's a choice one has to make. Increase your intake on fruits and vegetables, and try to lessen sweets and unhealthy carbs. Eating hulled barley for breakfast may help you supress your appetite better.

Aside from the above mentioned, it's also recommended to start an exercise program at least 2 or 3 times a week. Go for meditative exercises like yoga to help you achieve a deep sense of relaxation. Discover other natural remedies for menopause symptoms!

Natural Remedies for Menopause Symptoms and More: 7 Herbs to Grow in Your Garden

When it comes to principles on natural health, it can get confusing just trying to figure out where to start. There are many herbs considered 'essential', but you'll only need a small handful to deal with If you want to grow them in your backyard for easier access, you can certainly do so. Here are several herbs that will make a nice addition to your garden.

1. St. John's Wort. Touted as a natural treatment for menopause symptoms, this plant with bright yellow flowers can be used to improve sleep. It can also help alleviate anxiety, mild depression, and mood swings. Both the leaves and blooms are the active parts of this herb.

2. Peppermint. This minty-smelling herb provides relief for a variety of conditions, including headaches and indigestion. It also contains menthol, which can help treat colds and nasal congestion. The leaves are the main source of its healing properties.

3. Thyme. Commonly used to flavour soups and stocks, this herb can also be used to treat bronchitis, emphysema, and even asthma. Like peppermint, it can help treat indigestion as well. Just as in cooking, the leaves are the active parts of the plant when used medicinally.

4. Parsley. Often found as a garnish on pasta dishes, this humble-looking little leaf is packed with nutrients that help with flatulence and bad breath. In addition, it's a good source of folic acid, which is important for cardiovascular health. It goes without saying that it's the leaves you'll want to use.

5. Chamomile. Anti fungal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory, chamomile is used for heartburn, indigestion, colic, and to help people relax. Those with peptic ulcers regularly find relief by drinking chamomile tea. The whole plant may be used, but most of its healing properties centre in the flower heads.

6. Sage. Another culinary herb, its genus names reflects its earlier use in medicine. In fact, it's considered something of a panacea (all-around remedy) due to its wide range of uses. It's said to help in treating Alzheimer's, managing Type-2 diabetes, and improving memory. Again, go for the leaves.

7. Black cohosh. It may take a while for this plant to establish itself in your garden, but once it does, it spreads with relative ease. A natural remedy for menopause symptoms, the root of this herb can also be used to help with palpitations and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

7 Fantastic Advantages of Herbal Remedies

Herbal medicine has been around for a long time, and although sometimes inexact, such remedies have proven helpful and effective. Some people even choose to use herbal remedies and other alternative treatments alongside more modern techniques.

When it comes to herbal remedies, they don’t often come with dosage instructions like over-the-counter drugs do, so there’s a possibility of overdose. However, despite that risk, there are certain advantages to natural remedies for menopause symptoms and other conditions. Such benefits can make alternative treatment a more appealing option for people.

1. Lesser risk of side-effects. Most herbal and natural medicines are tolerated pretty well and cause few or no unforeseen consequences compared to pharmaceutical drugs. They are also safer to use over time.

2. Widely available. In some areas, herbal remedies are more easily found, and thus are readily available. You don’t even need a prescription to use herbal remedies, and you can even grow herbs, such as chamomile, in your backyard.

3. Lower cost. Since natural remedies aren’t subjected to the same research, testing, and marketing as pharmaceutical drugs are, they cost less to obtain. As mentioned above, you can even shell out minimal cost to start growing herbal drugs at home.

4. Mild effects. Being entirely natural, the medicinal content of herbal drugs are pure, meaning you’re assured that they contain no substance other than the herb itself. Not only does it attack the condition you’re trying to cure, but the effect isn’t overly strong, and so won’t cause harm. 

5. Simple but effective. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, the components of herbal remedies are very few but are extremely effective. Ginger, for instance, can be brewed into a tea that soothes sore throats really well; the addition of honey can also enhance this healing effect.

6. Good for long-term use. The human body won’t build up immunity to natural remedies, so they’re usually more effective for chronic illnesses. In addition, the same remedies aren’t geared towards just curing certain illnesses, but also preventing more from occurring.

7. Versatile. Herbal remedies aren’t limited to just one condition. For example, Vitamin D, one of the natural treatments for menopause symptoms, also helps maintain bone density. Chamomile can be used to treat gum inflammation, or as a tea to ease stomach cramps. With how versatile herbs can be, you could well have an herbal drug store in your backyard already.

4 Ways To Treat Menopause Symptoms Naturally

Menopause can be a very uncomfortable period for women, especially for those aged from 40 to 50 years old. With hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia and vaginal dryness among the most common symptoms, alleviating these annoyances can be quite costly, and time-consuming.

However, don’t you know that there are natural and affordable ways for treating menopause, without the need for you to get a prescription, or run to the drug store?  Here are a number of affordable, natural remedies for menopause symptoms.

1. Yoga and Exercise

One of the best alternatives for menopause symptoms, as well as for stress, headaches and body aches, is regular exercise. Most health and wellness experts will agree that exercise and meditation can help lessen the inconvenience brought about by hot flashes and mood swings. Combined with yoga, exercise also improves sleep and helps develop a sound mind.

2. Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed, whether ground or oil, is also considered to be a very potent natural remedy for menopause symptoms. It’s high in omega-3 fatty acids, which helps lower cholesterol, and it also contains an element called “lignin”, which is a form of phytoestrogen. Thus, it’s good for reducing the occurrence of hot flashes.

3. Soy Milk and Tofu

Soy beans have always been popular food items, because they help lower cholesterol and are rich in nutrients. Among the different soy food items, tofu and soy milk are best for women who have menopause, because these are rich in isoflavones, which are plant estrogens, and they’ve been noted to help lower menopause symptoms.

4. Aroma Therapy

If you think aromatherapy is only good for soothing aching muscles, think again. When used in tandem with medicinal herbs, it can be a potent natural treatment for menopause symptoms. 

When utilized as a bath or massage oil, the essential oils used in aroma therapy (like chamomile, lavender, cypress and others) have hormone-like elements which get absorbed into the body, and aid in balancing the hormonal changes or variations brought about by menopause.

Even with the availability of prescription drugs and other synthetic medications, the truth is that majority of women frown on taking them, and would rather grin and bear it, or “tough it out” with the hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Some however, have already found effective relief from many of the nasty menopausal manifestations, by using tested and proven  natural treatments for menopause symptoms.

7 Effective Yoga Poses For Menopause Relief

Yoga seems to be the best way to deal with any physical concerns you may have. For people who want to lose weight and get toned, yoga speeds up metabolism and shapes muscles. For people under stress, yoga positions are known to reduce levels of the body's natural stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. They also stimulate the production of endorphins, a chemical in the brain that acts as the body's natural painkillers.

For women looking for drug free menopause treatments, yoga positions are excellent and safe ways to relieve muscle pain. They can also make you feel calmer and more centered.

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1. Lotus Pose
Sanskrit Name: Padmasana
Benefits: This beginning pose helps center the self. It also promotes proper breathing while maintaining good posture. It's a good body and soul cleanser at the end of a challenging day.

2. Bridge Pose
Sanskrit Name: Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
Benefits: This pose elongates the spine, relieves stress, reduces fatigue, and eases anxiety.

3. Standing Forward Bend
Sanskrit Name: Uttanasana
Benefits: Uttanasana can relieve lower back pain brought about by menopause and osteoporosis. This pose also gently but effectively stretches the hips and hamstrings.

4. Downward-Facing Dog
Sanskrit Name: Adho Mukha Svanasana
Benefits: This is one of the most fundamental yoga positions. It induces relaxation while stretching the upper back and legs. Assuming this position also reduces menstrual pain and prevents osteoporosis.

5. Plow Pose
Sanskrit Name: Halasana
Benefits: This legs-over-the-head pose is known to relieve fatigue and insomnia. It's also an excellent way to soothe backache and combat restless emotions like anxiety and irritability.

6. Upward-Facing Dog
Sanskrit Name: Urdhva Mukha Svansana
Benefits: While the Downward-Facing Dog strengthens the upper back and legs, Upward-Facing Dog strengthens the spine, arms, and wrist. It also relieves tension in tight muscles, stretches the belly, and combats feelings of restlessness.

7. Seated Forward Bend
Sanskrit Name: Paschimottanasana
Benefits: This pose alleviates mild depression. It's a simple and gentle stretch that can counteract fatigue brought about by menstrual pain.

These seven poses have all been proven themselves to be a natural remedy for menopause symptoms, such as fatigue, muscle pain, and irritability. Most people recommend trying them three times a week for maximum effectiveness. Namaste!

Being Healthy and Fit: 5 Supplements for a Healthier You

It may be a cliché to many people when informed that regular exercise and a well-balanced diet are required to be healthy. But aside from these two, there are also nutritional supplements that you might want to look into. These are important if you're at a childbearing age, going through menopause or just not having a well-rounded diet. Moreover, these will help support your skeletal, immune and nervous system. If you're wondering which ones are best to take, here is a list you need to look at.

1. Vitamin D

As women reach the menopausal stage, it's recommended to take vitamin D. This is because calcium is drained from the bones which will lead to osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Since vitamin D helps in absorbing calcium, it's important to take a supplement with at least 400 IU. This natural treatment for menopause symptoms is also linked to prevent colon cancer and depression.

2. A Food-Based Multi

You can visit any drug store to pick up a multivitamin. However, opt for one that's not made from synthetic materials. Instead, choose food-based multivitamins for healthier and more successful results.

3. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is usually taken when you're starting to sniffle, but it would best if you take it all year round. This supplement will help your immune system combat all those diseases and infections. Moreover, this can help relieve inflammation from your post-exercise and decrease overall stress.

4. Magnesium

Magnesium is now considered as a wonder nutrient and there's a perfect reason for this. This vitamin can help you in so many ways, like boosting your mood, sleep improvement, restores nervous system functions and strengthens the bones. In fact, if you're suffering from general anxiety, magnesium is a supplement to help you relax.

5. Omega 3S

Just like Vitamin D, Omega 3 can also protect you from osteoporosis. Aside from being a natural remedy for menopause symptoms, Omega 3s can help reduce the risk of heart diseases, prevent inflammation and support hormone function. If possible, opt for plant-based sources like walnuts, flax, hemp and chia.

Without any doubt, these supplements will give you a remarkable foundation. As a result, you'll feel your best self at all times. Just remember that to achieve a healthier lifestyle, your diet must only include the right kind of foods and partner it with a good supplement – and oh! Don't forget to exercise!

3 Easy Steps For A Positive Life During Menopause

Let's face it – no woman can avoid menopause. Once you feel the symptoms, you're in and there's no getting away from it. What you can do is to, at least, find a way to alleviate the discomforts and then- - enjoy life.

Luckily, menopausal women today are faced with a wide range of remedies that they actually have the option to decide on which one is the most suitable. There's the hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the natural remedies, lifestyle modification, diet and exercise, and so on. But, most women prefer the drug free menopause treatments. This is, after learning of the dangers that women were exposed to in their use of the HRT.

Experts say there are a lot of natural techniques which when practiced consistently will make life more enjoyable. You wouldn't even have to spend a single cent just to do them. For the best part? No synthetic hormones or pharmaceutical drugs are involved to ward off the disturbing symptoms. Here are just a few:

1. Take time to laugh. Yes, it is said that 'laughter is the best medicine'. People will love to be with you if you have a positive mindset and a pleasant character. Laughing is thought to stimulate your immune system, enhance learning and memory.  Since menopause mostly stresses women, it's good to laugh once in a while to banish the stress away.

2. Pamper yourself. Do everything to maintain your well-being no matter what. Be careful with what you eat and drink, and stay fit through regular exercise. Indulge yourself in a relaxing spa. Learn some relaxation techniques and incorporate them in your daily exercise routine. When your body is relaxed,  you're at peace — mind, body and spirit. When in such state, concentration, creativity and learning are increased, at the same time, positive emotions promoted. Small wonder that highly relaxed women overcome their hot flashes, PMS, insomnia, and pain. In addition, you can even pursue old habits that you take pleasure in, like music and arts.

3. Elicit support. You don't have to be alone and agonize in silence. It's important to go out there and have social support. Keep in touch with family and well-meaning friends. Join clubs where like minded individuals are the members.

There are still lots more natural remedies for menopause symptoms. Learn them and see which ones don't involve drugs but, could still make your life positive.