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Hormonal Imbalance

and Menopause

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Contents

HORMONAL IMBALANCE ................................................................... 4

MENOPAUSE ..................................................................................... 8

CONDITIONS LINKED TO MENOPAUSE ............................................ 11

MANAGING HORMONAL IMBALANCE & MENOPAUSE ....................... 13

AYURVEDA FOR HORMONAL IMBALANCE & MENOPAUSE ................ 15

HERBS FOR HEALTHY HORMONAL BALANCE ................................ 16

DIET FOR HEALTHY HORMONE BALANCE ..................................... 23

LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................. 26

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ............................................................... 29

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please visit india-herbs.com.

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Disclaimer

The information in this book is intended to be used for educational

purposes only. This book is published with the understanding that

authors and publisher are not providing medical advice of any kind,

nor is this book intended to replace medical advice, nor to diagnose,

prescribe or treat any disease, condition, illness or injury.

Before beginning any diet or exercise program, including any aspect of

the guidance in this book, it is advised that you seek full medical

consultation from your physician about your medical condition. Author

and publisher claim no responsibility to any person or entity for any

liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or

indirectly as a result of the use, application or interpretation of the

material in this book.

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HORMONAL IMBALANCE

Hormonal Imbalance

Hormones are chemicals that transmit signals between the cells in your body

to help regulate biological processes. They play roles in diverse mechanisms

like growth, tissue repair, blood pressure, appetite, metabolism, fertility,

reproduction, pain management, and sleep cycles.

Hormonal imbalance is characterized by disrupted hormone levels in the

body. It can occur in both men and women of any age due to natural

changes in body chemistry. Hormonal imbalance occurs in women when

their estrogen and progesterone levels become unstable.

Causes of Hormonal Imbalance in Women

Stress, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and other lifestyle factors impair the

bodys ability to maintain proper levels of estrogen and progesterone, thus,

causing an imbalance. Other causes include:

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Thyroid disease

Tumors

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Endocrine disruptors

More women than men experience hormonal imbalances because of

premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS occurs when the body has low levels of

minerals and vitamins.

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

One excessive or depleted hormone level can affect the entire body and

result in the following symptoms:

Hot flashes and night sweats

Menstrual problems

Oily skin

Increased hair growth

Exhaustion

Weight gain

Insomnia

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Fatigue

Low libido

Vaginal dryness

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Mood swings

Depression

Endometriosis

Fibrosis

Foggy Memory

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Long-term effects of Hormonal Imbalance

Hormones control reproductive health, mood, blood pressure, blood sugar,

and other essential processes. Hormonal imbalances can lead to serious

harmful effects such as:

Infertility

Cancer

Depression

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MENOPAUSE

Menopause is the time when a womans menstruation stops and she is no

longer fertile. Every woman will come to face menopause. The average age

for women reaching menopausal stage is 52.

Clinically, a menopause is confirmed when a woman has not had a menstrual

period for one year. The symptoms of menopause include:

Irregular periods

Menstrual pattern will start to change. Some women may experience a

period every two to three weeks, while others may not have one for

months at a time.

Lower fertility

This occurs during the peri-menopausal stage of a womans life where

her estrogen levels drop significantly. This decreases the chances of

pregnancy.

Vaginal dryness

Some women may experience pain during intercourse and

inflammation in their vagina due to lack of lubrication and thinning of

tissues.

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Hot flashes

A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat in the upper body. It may start

in the face, neck or chest, and then spreads upwards or downwards

(depending on where it started). The heart rate may suddenly increase

or may become irregular or stronger than usual palpitations. Hot

flashes occur during the first year after a womans final period.

Disturbed sleep

This is generally caused by night sweats. It may also be caused by

insomnia or anxiety. Women will experience difficulty falling asleep

and staying asleep as they go through menopause.

Urinary Tract Infections

Women are more susceptible to lower urinary tract infections such as

cystitis. Having the urge to urinate may also occur more frequently.

Moodiness

Mood swings can be triggered by poor sleep.

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Poor concentration and memory

Women may experience short term memory problems and difficulty in

concentrating for too long.

Hair loss

Menstruation is regulated by the hormones estrogen while progesterone

prepares the body for pregnancy. Peri-menopause starts when the ovaries

begin to produce less of the two hormones and cause menopause. Naturally,

the body produces less estrogen and progesterone by the time a woman is

in her late 30s.

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CONDITIONS LINKED TO MENOPAUSE

After menopause, it is common for the following chronic conditions to

develop.

Cardiovascular diseases

A drop in estrogen levels is linked to an increased risk of

cardiovascular diseases. They are the main cause of death amongst

men and women. Promote healthy cardiovascular system by

maintaining regular exercise, getting at least 7 hours of sleep every

night, and eating a well-balanced diet.

Osteoporosis

During the first few years after menopause, a woman starts to lose

bone density. The lower a womans bone density gets, the higher her

risk of developing osteoporosis.

Urinary incontinence

Menopause causes the tissues of the vagina and urethra to lose their

elasticity, which can result in frequent, sudden, strong urges to

urinate. Stress incontinence may also become a problem such as

urinating involuntarily after coughing, sneezing, or lifting something.

Low libido

Low libido has been linked to disturbed sleep, depression, and night

sweats which are effects of menopause.

Excessive weight / Obesity

Women are more susceptible to weight gain during menopausal

transition. The chances of piling on pounds rise significantly after

menopause. Women are advised to reduce their caloric intake and

exercise daily to prevent weight gain.

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Breast cancer

Women are at a higher risk of breast cancer after menopause. Doctors

advise women to exercise often to reduce risk of breast cancer.

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MANAGING HORMONAL IMBALANCE & MENOPAUSE

Women suffering from hormonal imbalance and menopause are offered

various treatments based on their symptoms and medical history. The

treatments include:

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or Hormone Therapy (HT)

This is an effective treatment for a majority of the symptoms that

occur during menopause including vaginal dryness, vaginal itching,

vaginal discomfort, urinary problems, bone-density loss, hot flashes,

and night sweats. HRT has its risks and benefits:

Benefits of HRT

Effectively treats many troublesome menopausal

symptoms.

Helps prevent osteoporosis.

Lowers colorectal cancer risk.

Risks of HRT

Raises breast cancer risk

Raises ovary cancer risk

Raises uterine cancer risk

Raises coronary heart disease risk

Raises stroke risk

HRT also accelerates loss of brain tissue (required for

thinking and memory) amongst women aged 65 and

above.

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Low-dose antidepressants

Selective Serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown to

decrease menopausal hot flashes.

Omega 3s

Studies suggest that Omega-3 eases psychological distress and

depressive symptoms often suffered by menopausal and peri-

menopausal women.

Gabapentin (Neurontin)

This medication treats hot flashes. It is commonly used to treat

seizures.

Vaginal estrogen

Vaginal estrogen can be applied locally using a tablet, ring, or cream.

This medication treats vaginal dryness, discomfort during intercourse,

and urinary problems.

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AYURVEDA FOR HORMONAL IMBALANCE & MENOPAUSE

Ayurveda is an ancient medical system based on the principle of balance. Its

fundamental aim is to keep the body, mind, and spirit in perfect harmony.

Ayurveda links hormonal imbalance to disease development and prescribes

the use of herbs for treating hormonal imbalance and preventing disease.

While pharmaceutical companies extract active ingredients from plants and

sell them as drugs, the benefits of medicinal plants cannot be replicated because their synergistic combination of hundreds of naturally occurring

phytochemicals cannot be reproduced in laboratories.

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HERBS FOR HEALTHY HORMONAL BALANCE

Amla (Phyllanthus Emblica)

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)

Asparagus Adscendens (Asparagus Adscendens)

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Bacopa (Bacopa Monnieri)

Bamboo (Bambusa Arundinacea)

Black Gram (Vigna Mungo)

Chebulic Myrobalan (Terminalia Chebula)

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Chinese Smilax (Smilax China)

Eclipta (Eclipta Prostata)

Gotu Kola (Centalla Asiatica)

Indian Madder (Rubia Cordifolia)

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Neem (Azadiractha Indica)

Nutmeg (Myristica Fragrans)

Picrorhiza (Picrcorhiza Kurrooa)

Shatavari (Asparagus Racemosus)

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Spanish Pellitory (Anacyclus Pyrethum)

Tribulus (Tribulus Terrestris)

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa)

The following India Herbs supplements contain concentrated extracts from

these hormone balancing herbs:

Kama Rani for Menopause - http://www.kamarani.com

Radiancio for Clear Skin - http://www.radiancio.com

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Visit http://www.kamarani.com to learn more!

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Visit http://www.radiancio.com to learn more!

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DIET FOR HEALTHY HORMONE BALANCE

Your diet has a major impact on your hormone production. The following are

highly recommended to maintain a healthy hormonal balance.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 helps maintain healthy hormonal balance. It affects estrogen,

progesterone, androgen, and glucocorticoid. Vitamin B6 is also necessary for

converting food into glucose for storage, the formation of amino acids, and

the breakdown of toxic amino acids. It is used to create neurotransmitters

like serotonin, taurine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and histamine. Good

sources of vitamin B6 are tuna, bananas, chicken, turkey, cod, salmon,

snapper, beef, and halibut.

Vitamin B12

Estrogen inhibits vitamin B12. Those with high amounts of estrogen should

increase B12 vitamin intake. Vitamin B12 is necessary for healthy mental

function. Good sources of vitamin B12 are snapper, salmon, beef, lamb,

scallops, shrimp, halibut, and yogurt.

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Vitamin C

Vitamin C regulates thyroid hormone production and also reduces the

amount of histamine in the body. Thus, vitamin C can be used to reduce

allergies. It is also an antioxidant, antihistamine, and an immune system

booster. Vitamin C also aids with stress and colds. Good sources of vitamin C

are red peppers, broccoli, strawberries, oranges, cantaloupe, kiwi, and

cauliflower.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E boosts progesterone production while reducing excessive amounts

of estrogen. It helps regulate vitamin A, reduces wrinkles, and protects the

skin from skin cancer and sunburns. Vitamin E also protects the brain from

Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases. It also aids with menstrual pain and

low sperm count. Good sources of vitamin E are almonds, sunflower seeds,

olives, spinach, and blueberries.

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids will help maintain a good hormonal balance. Good

sources of omega-3 fatty acids can be found in flax seeds, pumpkin seeds,

and sunflower seeds.

Good Fats

Eat plenty of good fats. Low fat diets could be the reason young and old

women are having problems. Hormones are made from cholesterol. If you

dont eat enough good fats, your body wont produce sufficient hormones.

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LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS

Meditate Daily

Women who participate in daily meditation exercises experience less

hormonal swings than those who do not meditate in some way. Meditate at

least 10 to 15 minutes daily to achieve optimal peace and clarity.

Get Sufficient Sleep

When we sleep, our body recovers from imbalances occurred during the day.

Lack of sleep aggravates hormonal imbalance. Get at least 8 hours of sleep

every night to maintain healthy hormonal balance.

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Maintain a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is essential for a healthy body and a healthy mind, it is

important to maintain health and a sensible body weight. Avoid snacks,

processed foods and sugary drinks.

Avoid Caffeine

Caffeine, a stimulant, causes the adrenal gland to over-produce hormones.

Try to cut down or cut out your caffeine intake.

Exercise Frequently

Exercise increases circulation, delivery of oxygen and nutrients to skin cells,

and removal of potentially damaging toxins. It also increases sweating which

unclogs pores and mediates the production of testosterone-related hormones

that might trigger acne and androgenic hair loss. Exercise for at least 30

minutes, three times a week. Progressively extend your workout hours to an

hour and try to maintain the frequency of your work exercise regime.

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Stay Hydrated

Drink sufficient water for general health, toxin elimination through urination,

and proper kidney and liver function. Water hydrates, detoxifies, and

oxygenates your skin. Drink at least 2 liters of filtered water each day.

Water will not only help you remain radiant and in shape but it will also help

your brain work better.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

More information about hormonal imbalance, menopause, and other health

topics can be found on the Kama Rani and Radiancio websites:

http://www.kamarani.com

http://www.radiancio.com

And in our Newsletter archives:

http://www.india-herbs.com/monthly_newsletter.php