Recently in menopause Category

I can TELL something's wrong with me, but I don't have a clue what it is. Normally I would go see a doctor, but my insurance is messed up right now, and I can't afford to pay out of pocket... So it might be a few weeks until I'm able to.

Meanwhile, wondering if this odd combination rings any bells?
- Sudden weight gain
- Sharp, piercing abdominal pain
- Hot flashes
- Fatigue
- Erratic sleep pattern
- Thirsty
- Acne outbreaks

I feel like it could be something hormonal, but I don't think it's menopause because I had my hormone levels checked quite recently, and my doc said I wasn't even close yet.
I'm 42 and in very good overall health, active and fit. I haven't changed my eating pattern or work-out. In fact, the only major change recently has been a stressful family situation, which has me feeling very low. But I've suffered from depression in the past, and these symptoms are different. In fact, they are similar to when I was experiencing heavy side-effects from medication, in that they are sudden and severe. Except that I'm not on any medication!

Any ideas? Thanks!!!

 

Premenopausal symptom + stomach heat

Abdominal pain, gaining weight, thirsty and acne are from heat from stomach. This could be a very early symptom of diabetes. Everyone knows three symptoms, drinking more water, frequent urination and eating more. You mention only thirsty and weight gain. But you mention no change of eating pattern. We need more diagnose to solve this contradictory. When stomach heat is reduced, all above symptoms will be solved automatically. This is simple to do with acupuncture treatment for early symptom of diabetes like yours. If not taken care of it early enough, it becomes difficult to treat and take a longer time. Hot flash and erratic sleep pattern could take longer treatment than the above as kidney and heart functional decreases cause these symptoms. Kidney function represents water and heart fire. Kidney belongs to winter and heart summer. Hot flash means more hot than water. That is the imbalance between yin(cold) and yang(warm) according to acupuncture theory in this case. It might be strange theory for you, but understandable to everyone, as everyone talks about hormone in stead. But we believe kidney function includes hormone etc. We generally look at whole picture for our body.  

Strange combination of symptoms... any ideas?

I can TELL something's wrong with me, but I don't have a clue what it is. Normally I would go see a doctor, but my insurance is messed up right now, and I can't afford to pay out of pocket... So it might be a few weeks until I'm able to.

Meanwhile, wondering if this odd combination rings any bells?
- Sudden weight gain
- Sharp, piercing abdominal pain
- Hot flashes
- Fatigue
- Erratic sleep pattern
- Thirsty
- Acne outbreaks

I feel like it could be something hormonal, but I don't think it's menopause because I had my hormone levels checked quite recently, and my doc said I wasn't even close yet.
I'm 42 and in very good overall health, active and fit. I haven't changed my eating pattern or work-out. In fact, the only major change recently has been a stressful family situation, which has me feeling very low. But I've suffered from depression in the past, and these symptoms are different. In fact, they are similar to when I was experiencing heavy side-effects from medication, in that they are sudden and severe. Except that I'm not on any medication!

Any ideas? Thanks!!!

 

Premenopausal symptom + stomach heat

Abdominal pain, gaining weight, thirsty and acne are from heat from stomach. This could be a very early symptom of diabetes. Everyone knows three symptoms, drinking more water, frequent urination and eating more. You mention only thirsty and weight gain. But you mention no change of eating pattern. We need more diagnose to solve this contradictory. When stomach heat is reduced, all above symptoms will be solved automatically. This is simple to do with acupuncture treatment for early symptom of diabetes like yours. If not taken care of it early enough, it becomes difficult to treat and take a longer time. Hot flash and erratic sleep pattern could take longer treatment than the above as kidney and heart functional decreases cause these symptoms. Kidney function represents water and heart fire. Kidney belongs to winter and heart summer. Hot flash means more hot than water. That is the imbalance between yin(cold) and yang(warm) according to acupuncture theory in this case. It might be strange theory for you, but understandable to everyone, as everyone talks about hormone in stead. But we believe kidney function includes hormone etc. We generally look at whole picture for our body.  

 

 

Every woman experiences menopause once in a life time. You will want the right information and expertise to stay comfortable during menopause. One-third of women experience a smooth menopause. This group don't experience any abnormal symptom during menopause. Another one-third experience severe symptoms during this period. Another third experience moderate symptoms.

Some common problems include:

• Hot Flashes
• Frequent bladder infections (cystitis) or urinary tract infections
• Atrophic vaginitis
• Sexual Problems - Low sex drive
• Mood Swings - Women who suffer from PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome), PMDD (Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder) or depression are more likely to experience mood swings during menopause.
• Irregular Bleeding
• Memory Problems

Self-care: Take these steps to facilitate decrease or prevent these problems

Cool hot flashes: If you're experiencing hot flashes, try to pinpoint what triggers your hot flashes. Triggers may include hot beverages, spicy foods, alcohol, hot weather and even a hot room. Open the window or turn on the air conditioner at this time.

Decrease vaginal discomfort: For vaginal dryness or discomfort with intercourse, use over-the-counter water-based vaginal lubricants, moisturizers or vaginal estrogen.

Trouble sleeping: Avoid caffeinated beverages and exercise regularly.

Exercise: Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every day to protect against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and other conditions associated beside aging. More energetic exercise for a longer period may provide further benefit and is in particular important if you are trying to lose bulk.

Exercise can help if you feel run down and stressed. Try a combination of weight-bearing aerobic exercise -- such as walking, jogging and dance -- and strength training exercises. Just staying physically moving by taking stairs instead of an elevator or by parking farther away and walking to your destination will have a good effect.

Schedule regular checkups.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

According to TCM, a woman will experience menstruation stop around at age of 49. 49 is based on TCM theory. The number 49 is a multiple of 7. Permanent teeth grow at age . First menstruation begins at 14 years old. Qi (energy), blood, body fluids and essence are at peak at 21. Tendon and bones become strong at the age of 28. Complexion starts to wither and hair begins to fall at age of 35. The face darkens and hairs begin to turn grey at age of 42. Some people experience these stages earlier and some later.

Western medicine says all menopausal symptoms come from hormone shortage and TCM says they come from lack of essence. Essence has a broad meaning including bone marrow etc.

TCM explains these processes with yin and yang. Yin means darkness and yang means brightness in its original meaning. This yin and yang concept could be expanded further to all areas we can think of. Yin (darkness) is cold and yang (brightness) is warm. North is cold and south is warm.  

During the menopausal period, yin is low and yang is high. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) calls this yin deficiency. The difference between yin and yang causes hot flashes. The inner body is yin and outer body is yang. TCM says the inner body is cold and outer body is warm, when comparing yin and yang.

The TCM principal to use in treating this condition is to improve the yin condition and remove the excess yang portion making yin and yang in balance. Once the balance achieved, hot flashes will disappear. All other symptoms can be explained this way.

Chinese herbs are an excellent way to treat menopause, too. All herbs are natural and there are no chemicals involved.