Page 8 - HOH_Neat

A24 HEALTH
Wednesday 20 June 2018
Life’s Pauses - Peri, Andro and Meno

handle daily tasks for women, who are masters support as well as B vitamins.
at juggling or multi-tasking, may come as a sur- Since women’s hormone levels vary greatly,
prise and cause feelings of inadequacy or frus- natural alternatives work best when used under
tration. Although bewildered husbands, chil- professional guidance. Some women should
dren and a society that thrives on youth seem not use estrogen. Some need DHEA or testoster-
to believe all menopausal women experience one, a hormone found in men, as well. Hormone
symptoms for years on end, research indicates levels can fluctuate greatly during menopause
that 15 percent of women are symptom-free at and women may need test their hormone levels
menopause. Medical researchers have docu- and adjust their hormone therapy throughout
mented that while some women simply stop the change. Accurate, comprehensive tests
menstruating and have no symptoms whatso- are available from laboratories specializing in
ever, 85 percent will experience some degree hormones using saliva or blood spot rather than
of hot flashes. As a medical anthropologist, I a tube of blood.
By: Dr. Carlos Viana can tell you some cultures, such as traditional Specialty hormone testing is not only for meno-
pausal women, but should begin in “pre” or
Navahos, exhibited and reported few symp-
toms of menopause. Moreover, socioeconomic peri-menopause. And, let’s talk about the
Medically, menopause is defined as: when status was strongly correlated to menopausal men. Men’s hormone levels also change with
you have not had a menstruation in a year. In women’s experience of symptoms. Women in age. This is known as andropause. All men
fact, Menopause is really the end of a long, higher income brackets showed an elevated over 50 need to check not only prostate, but
slow process called perimenopause, marked rate of symptoms. This study indicates that psy- also hormone levels. Testosterone can diminish
by changes in a woman’s body. Menopause chological factors, rather than physical ones, even in younger men and women. Testoster-
is a normal part of a woman’s life, just like pu- may strongly determine menopausal symp- one is responsible for muscle strength, beautiful
berty. A woman’s ovaries in her mid-30 begin to toms. Belief systems, feelings and attitude can hair and a healthy libido.
change how much estrogen and progesterone go a long in affecting many health concerns. Get The Point! Aging and menopause are
they produce. These two female hormones are Major factors influencing a woman’s emotional natural, not diseases, so a “cure” is unneces-
both important for normal menstrual cycles and and physical passage through the change of sary. Only with factual information can we be-
successful pregnancy. life include: personal health and childbearing gin to manage normal changes in our bodies.
In our clinic, when I inform women between 35 history, health of her female ancestors and liv- Having symptoms? Acupuncture and Chinese
and 50years old that the symptoms they are ing female relatives, past and present dietary herbs have been used for more than 5,000
feeling, which seem to be Premenstrual Syn- habits, past and present tobacco and alcohol years to help rejuvenate the body and treat
drome (PMS) are actually “Pre” or Peri-meno- use, medications, exercise, life style, stress and menopausal symptoms. Acupuncture can help
pause symptoms. Many women remark that self-esteem. Another very influential factor is the ease symptoms such as insomnia, night sweats,
since they are not over fifty, this cannot be! amount of circulating glucose and insulin in the mood swings and stress. A diet designed for the
Although, the current average age of meno- blood stream. individual, including dietary supplements and
pause is about 52. The age span is usually from Many women have been led to believe that nature’s herbs can make your transition easier.
45 to 55. However, symptoms of the body’s there is a cure for menopause by using estrogen Counseling can bring a positive change in at-
changes during perimenopause can begin in or other forms of hormone replacement thera- titude. With information and guidance, men
the late 30”s and last up to thirteen years! py (HRT). New medical findings have proven and women can journey through these life’s
Statistics indicate that approximately one in a that synthetic hormone replacement may do changes with healthy “pauses” for rebalancing
hundred women goes through menopause at women more harm than good. Younger wom- and enjoyment. Call us for a guided journey.q
age 40 or younger. Early menopause can oc- en using synthetic birth control pills, patches or CARLOS VIANA, Ph. D. is an Oriental Medi-
cur as a result of surgery, for example, when a injections are using a form of HRT. This can be a cal Doctor (O.M.D.) having studied in Shang-
woman has a hysterectomy or uterine removal big factor affecting women of perimenopaus- hai, China; a Board Cert. Clinical Nutritionist
with ovarian removal. According to some ex- al age. In our clinic, we try to get all women (C.C.N.), a fellow member of the Board Cer-
perts, early menopause can also be caused off synthetic, artificial hormone changing birth tified Association of Addiction Professionals
by various factors, such as an autoimmune dis- control. We recommend using safer methods (C.Ad.), the Chairperson of the Latin Ameri-
order related to poor nutrition or chronic stress to keep track of their fertility status together can Committee of the International Academy
resulting in the production of anti-ovarian anti- with natural family planning and hormone of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), a
bodies. balancing. A simple to use at home “fertility Rejuvenating Cell Therapist and specializes
Menopausal symptoms include hot flashes, scope” can be effective in keeping track of in Anti-Aging Medicine, has a weekly radio
mood swings, heart palpitations, insomnia, a perimenopausal woman’s changing cycles. program, writes and lectures extensively. For
anxiety, depression, weight gain, decline in Herbs such as Dong Quai, Red Chestnut, Rho- information: VIANA NATURAL HEALING CEN-
skin quality, muscle loss, low or lost libido and diola, Black Cohosh and Kudzu have long been TER NV, Kibaima 7, Aruba, TEL: 585-1270, Web
inability to concentrate. Becoming less able to known for menopausal and perimenopausal Site: www.vianaheal.com