What is Peri-Menopause?

Peri-menopause is the process that leads up to menopause. It can start as early as your late 30s or as late as your early 50s. Peri-menopause usually lasts from 2 to 8 years. You may have irregular periods or other symptoms during this time. During this time, your hormone levels go up and down not only causing changes in the quality, frequency and duration of your periods but also potentially causing other physical, mental and emotional symptoms. Eventually, estrogen and progesterone levels drop low enough that your menstrual cycle stops and menopause starts.

Menopause and peri-menopause are inevitable. The good news is that Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can help.

Common symptoms associated with peri-menopause and menopause:

Irregular periods (light or heavy bleeding. Your menstrual cycle may be longer or shorter, or you may skip periods)

Hot Flashes

Decreased sex drive

Depression

Insomnia

Emotional changes (mood swings, irritability, depressed, )

Headaches/Migraines

Problems with remembering or thinking clearly

Weight gain

Concentration loss

Palpitations

Vaginal dryness

Younger women may also suffer from hormonal fluctuations surrounding periods, a condition known as PMS, premenstrual syndrome. PMS is defined as symptoms that present a week or so before the period starts and ends once the period has began. Symptoms include, but aren’t limited to, breast tenderness, migraines, mood swings, food cravings, irritability, and depression. BHRT can also help treat PMS.

www.vivenaturalhormones.com

Exercise And A Healthy Diet Of Fruits And Vegetables Extends The Life Expectancy Of Women In Their 70s

Dr. Enrique Jacome

Women in their seventies who exercise and eat healthy amounts of fruits and vegetables have a longer life expectancy, according to research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 

Researchers at the University of Michigan and Johns Hopkins University studied 713 women aged 70 to 79 years who took part in the Women's Health and Aging Studies. This study was designed to evaluate the causes and course of physical disability in older women living in the community. 

"A number of studies have measured the positive impact of exercise and healthy eating on life expectancy, but what makes this study unique is that we looked at these two factors together," explains lead author, Dr. Emily J Nicklett, from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. 

Researchers found that the women who were most physically active and had the highest fruit and vegetable consumption were eight times more likely to survive the five-year follow-up period than the women with the lowest rates. 

To estimate the amount of fruits and vegetables the women ate, the researchers measured blood levels of carotenoids - beneficial plant pigments that the body turns into antioxidants, such as beta-carotene. The more fruits and vegetables consumed, the higher the levels of carotenoids in the bloodstream. 

Study participants' physical activity was measured through a questionnaire that asked the amount of time the spent doing various levels of physical activity, which was then converted to the number of calories expended. 

The women were then followed up to establish the links between healthy eating, exercise and survival rates. 

Key research findings included:

• More than half of the 713 participants (53%) didn't do any exercise, 21% were moderately active, and the remaining 26% were in the most active group at the study's outset.
• During the five-year follow up, 11.5% of the participants died. Serum carotenoid levels were 12% higher in the women who survived and total physical activity was more than twice as high.
• Women in the most active group at baseline had a 71% lower five-year death rate than the women in the least active group.
• Women in the highest carotenoid group at baseline had a 46% lower five-year death rate than the women in the lowest carotenoid group.
• When taken together, physical activity levels and total serum carotenoids predicted better survival.

"Given the success in smoking cessation, it is likely that maintenance of a healthy diet and high levels of physical activity will become the strongest predictors of health and longevity. Programs and policies to promote longevity should include interventions to improve nutrition and physical activity in older adults," said Dr. Nicklett. 


www.vivenaturalhormones.com