Bleeding after Menopause

Excessive vaginal bleeding is one of the main symptoms of menopause. Bleeding is considered to be normal in case of the menstrual cycle but if the bleeding continues days after the menstrual cycle gets over is a cause for concern. Due to the decline in the levels of estrogen in the body, the lining of the vagina becomes thin, inelastic and dry. Also the vaginal tissue becomes inflamed which may lead to bleeding.

Hence it is very necessary to consult your doctor in case of excessive vaginal bleeding in the postmenopausal period. There maybe other causes of bleeding after menopause like uterine fibroid tumors, use of birth control pills and non cancerous growth in the lining of the uterus. Vaginal bleeding should not normally happen after a menopause surgery popularly called hysterectomy. If your vaginal bleeding is indifferent or more than normal then it is necessary to call your doctor immediately. Some of the conditions that lead to vaginal bleeding after a hysterectomy are infection, abnormal growths and injury.
However it is still possible to become pregnant during perimenopause. Hence if you would like to practice birth control then you should measures like having birth control pills. Sometimes vaginal bleeding after menopause can also happen due to diseases like cancer. Hence it is very necessary to consult your doctor and ask him the reason for bleeding after menopause. The doctor may do a few tests to check what is causing the bleeding. Once the cause is detected for the bleeding you should start treatment immediately with the help of the doctor. You may have to apply gel to your vagina to stop the bleeding or take some medications. The down side of medications is that they come with a lot of side effects and hence people at present go in for herbal supplements.
Herbal supplements are relatively safer then heavy medications as they don’t have any side effects. They can be taken in tablet, capsule and tincture form. It is advisable to take only those herbal supplements prescribed by the doctor as there are a lot of fakes in the market. Cheaper substitutes are also available but they should not be consumed.
Hence we conclude that bleeding after menopause is a serious issue and it should not be taken lightly. Proper guidance from a doctor should be taken and the doctor’s treatment should be taken as prescribed. Timely treatment can reduce bleeding after menopause.

Hair Loss Menopause

Menopause starts to develop in women between the ages of 35-45 years. It is a natural ageing process in which the body’s capability of producing important hormones like estrogen and progesterone decreases. The most common symptoms of perimenopause are irregular menstrual cycles, irritation and pain in the vagina and osteoporosis. Hair loss is also one of the most common symptoms of menopause.
Balding refers to the gradual loss of hair in both, men and women and it can start occurring right from the age of 12 years. It is usually milder in women. It is also observed that menopausal women who have a high number of male sex hormone also experience thinning of hair which then gradually leads to balding. The other problems that have been associated with hair loss in menopausal women are thyroid disorders, fungal infections, excess weight loss and a life full of stressful activities. The symptoms of menopause lead to gradual hair fall in women.
Poor blood circulation and clogged hair follicles will also lead in hair loss. Also it is seen that heavy medications are provided to patients suffering from menopause. These medicines come with their own side effects, hair loss being one of them. Cancer may occur in the advanced stages of menopause. It is very natural that patients with cancer also suffer from hair loss. Hair loss is irreparable and then people have to seek treatments like hair weaving and wearing wigs. Antidepressants taken by menopause patients also have powerful side effects that may lead to hair loss. The quality of hair becomes thinner, leading to split ends, dandruff and ultimately loss of hair. The other medicines that lead to hair loss are oral contraceptives, blood thinners and cholesterol lowering medication.
Testosterone replacement for menopause patients can also lead to hair loss. Women who suffer from hair loss may resort to taking prescription medicines like Rogaine with alopecia. If the medicine is given orally at prescribed doses, it promotes the quality of hair and its growth. If you experience hair loss it is necessary to visit the doctor and seek his consultation. Chances are that hair loss may not be because of menopause symptoms at all but other causes. Hair loss is something that women would not like to experience as women regard their hair a very important part of their overall personality. Women may lose confidence and their self esteem if they lose their hair.

Herbs for Menopause

Herbal supplements have been recommended by doctor since a long time now for patients who suffer from menopause. The use of herbs as medication for treating diseases was started in China as early as 500 BC. Herbs for menopause are recommended by doctors because of their powerful healing properties and also minimal side effects.

Let us look at some of the most commonly used herbs for menopause.

1 Black Cohosh Dried roots and rhizomes of Black Cohosh are used for treating menopause. The herb specifically acts on the uterus to reduce cramps and congestion. It is also used for reducing hot flashes. It is also a drug used for reducing muscular pain and cramps. It is taken in tablet or capsule form two to four times daily depending on the case of the patient.
2 Chaste Tree This is another very important herb for treating menopause. Dried fruit of the Chaste tree is used to balance the level of hormones in the body. Half a teaspoon of tincture is taken twice daily.
3 Damiana Dried leaves of the Damiana tree are used as antidepressants. It should not be taken too frequently as it may affect the lining of the urinary tract. 100-150 gm in tablet or capsule form two to three days in a week.
4 Dandelion The leaves, roots and tops of the tree is used to treat the lever. If the body’s hormone balance is not up to the mark then the liver of the body is under tremendous stress and so Dandelion is taken to heal the problem.
5 Dong quai The roots of this plant are used to reduce the symptoms of estrogen deficiency. This is because the plant is rich in natural plant estrogen. 500 mg capsules and tablets are available and they should be taken twice daily.
6 False Unicorn Plant – The dried roots and rhizomes of this plant are used to treat the uterus and the ovaries and s considered one of the most reliable treatments for menopause. Medicine is available in capsule and tincture form and it should be taken once daily.
7 Gingko The leaves of the Gingko plant improves brain functioning, and the oxygenation of all the cells of the body. It is also used to treat memory problems, mood swings and depression. The medicine is available in capsule, tablet and tincture form of 1000 mg which is to be taken twice daily.

Menopause and Weight Gain

Weight gain is one of the most common symptoms of menopause in women. It is often the symptoms of menopause that lead to weight gain. Most women gain weight as they age but they can shed those extra pounds if they put in a little bit of effort. During menopause the women gain excess weight in the abdomen area. Most of the women find weight reduction to be a difficult task. Excess fat accumulates around the stomach area and also the hips and the thighs area. Taking steps to control weight gain can go a long way in giving women confidence to lead a healthy life.
For majority of women the changes in the weight pattern begin during the perimenopause period. Perimenopause refers to early menopause or the period before actual menopause. Some of the causes of weight gain during menopause are:

1 Reduced physical activity – Menopausal women tend to get tired easily when they do physical tasks and also ultimately stop doing the tasks completely. Hence lack of physical exercise leads to excess weight gain.
2 Increased consumption of food – Women with menopause symptoms tend to eat more and as a result tend to put on more weight. By eating more food you accumulate more calories in your body which are then converted in fat ultimately leading to weight gain.
3 Slow metabolism – Metabolism refers to the body’s ability to burn calories. In case of slow metabolism the body is not able to burn the calories quickly and hence the muscle mass in the body decreases. The muscles burn more calories than fat and hence the less muscle you have, the fewer calories your body burns.
4 Genetic Factors- Genetic factors may play a big role in weight gain. Hence it is necessary to exercise and indulge in physical activities to shed those extra pounds.

Weight gain due to menopause may often lead to other serious complications as well such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and insulin resistance. It is proved time and again that a combination of diet and exercise will help you shed weight faster. You should consult a dietician who will give you a dietician chart that you should follow strictly. Also you can do light aerobic exercises like walking and running to burn the extra fat in your body. Even if you cut back on a few hundred calories everyday it can make a lot of difference to your weight.