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Sunday, December 17, 2006

Symptoms Menstrual Cycle After Menopause

Female Infertility and Morbid Obesity: The Gastric Bypass Solution

by Kaye Bailey

More and more we learn about our neighbors and friends having difficulty conceiving. In fact, about 14% of couples in industrialized countries report infertility problems. There is a growing body of evidence that indicates lifestyle choices such as diet and body negatively impact female fertility.

Obesity has a strong association with infertility and menstrual irregularities. While some of the ovulation problems and menstrual changes are explainable by women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) who are also obese, women who do not have PCOS but are overweight also have the same problems. Weight loss has been shown to restore ovulation. It is thought that the improvement in insulin resistance has more to do with restoring ovulation than the actual amount of weight or weight loss itself.

Recent studies indicate that previously infertile women who undergo gastric bypass surgery and lose massive weight are then able to conceive and deliver healthy babies. Opponents of gastric bypass weight loss surgery say the restrictive and malabsorptive nature of the gastric bypass prohibits a woman from having a healthy pregnancy and delivering a healthy baby. But the actual numbers indicate a greater risk to women and their unborn child if they are morbidly obese.

The United States Surgeon General lists several reproductive complications associated with pregnancy in women who are obese. Complications include an increased risk of death in both the baby and the mother and increases the risk of maternal high blood pressure by 10 times. In addition to many other complications, women who are obese during pregnancy are more likely to have gestational diabetes and problems with labor and delivery.

The Surgeon General concludes that Infants born to women who are obese during pregnancy are more likely to be high birth weight and, therefore, may face a higher rate of Cesarean section delivery and low blood sugar (which can be associated with brain damage and seizures). Obesity during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of birth defects, particularly neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.

In a study by Dr. Alan C. Wittgrove, past president of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery and pioneer of the laparoscopic technique, post-gastric bypass pregnancy indicates fewer risks than commonly reported by women who are obese during pregnancy. His study was conducted with nurse-practitioner Leslie Jester who had a low-risk pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby after gastric bypass surgery.

The study found less risk of gestational diabetes, macrosomia, and cesarean section than associated with obesity. There were no patients with clinically significant anemia.

Dr. Wittgrove concluded, �Since the patients had an operation that restricts their food intake, some basic precautions should be taken when they become pregnant. With this in mind, our patients have done well with their pregnancies. The post-surgical group had fewer pregnancy-related complications than did an internally controlled group that were morbidly obese during their previous pregnancies.�

Kaye Bailey � 2005 - All Rights Reserved

An award winning journalist and former newspaper editor Kaye Bailey brings expertise in writing and personal experience with gastric bypass surgery to EzineArticles.com. Having spent most of her life overweight Ms. Bailey is strongly empathetic toward the obese, particularly overweight children. This compassion compelled her to found the website http://www.livingafterwls.com, a fast-growing resource of information, understanding and support for the weight loss surgery community.

The LivingAfterWLS.com site is complimented with daily blog. The blog, http://livingafterwls.blogspot.com offers readers the chance to comment or leave feedback about fresh content added daily. This site contains success stories and recipes, general information and WLS inspired topics. Complementing the site is a monthly newsletter titled �You Have Arrived� available exclusively to people who subscribe through the website or the blog.

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Clinical Symptoms Of Menopause

Don't Fool With Mother Nature - Part II

by Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD

�Stop the Flow�Period. We did,� a group of young looking talking heads intone. A woman in doctor�s garb continues to extol the virtues of not ever having a �period� again. You may recognize this as the latest commercial for a medical miracle�stopping your menstrual cycle forever. The medical procedure to create this miracle is touted to be a walk in the park, a piece of cake, an opportunity too good to pass up. What the commercial doesn�t tell you, is the inherent negative aftereffects of the procedure or of significantly reducing or stopping your menstrual cycle.

Stopping the flow is known as endometrial ablation (destruction of the uterine lining). Endometrial ablation procedures can be accomplished through a variety of techniques�Electrocautery; Balloon endometrial ablation; Freezing of the uterine lining.

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, there is no evidence that one method produces superior success rates, and a variety of new techniques (phototherapy, microwave, radio-frequency) are being researched.

Complications from any of the procedures are few, but can be serious:

� blood loss requiring a transfusion,

� perforation of the uterus,

� damage to other internal organs�hemorrhage, bowel injury.

� Electrosurgery requires fluid to be instilled in the uterine cavity which can lead to fluid overload.

Common side effects after the procedure include:

� nausea, vomiting,

� vaginal discharge that can last from days to weeks��Expect to have bleeding up to four to six weeks. With ablation, you are traumatizing the surface whether you use electrosurgery, burn it or freeze it," says Malcolm Munro, M.D., a professor and gynecologist at UCLA.

� immediate peri-menopause/menopause or early menopause�including all inherent peri and menopausal symptoms

� some women have adenomyosis in the uterus whereby the lining grows deeply into the muscle of the uterus. The ablation cannot extend deeply enough into the uterus to destroy the lining, which keeps responding to the normal cyclic hormonal pattern.

� inadequate destruction of the lining in which case a repeat ablation might be recommended for success.

� the ablation might hide a newly developing cancer and if so, could hide it to an advanced stage before being discovered�the truth is we have not been doing ablations long enough to know. Dr. Frederick Jelovsek, M.D., M.S. Professor University Michigan.

� need to be treated with progestogens to reduce the risk of developing uterine cancer when postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy is prescribed.

� side effects of progestogens (HRT) As with any medication, some women experience unpleasant side effects from HRT. Others feel only positive effects.

Common side effects include breast tenderness, nausea, headaches, leg cramps, irregular bleeding, weight gain and bloating. Women are usually advised to persevere with HRT for 6 to 8 weeks to see if these symptoms subside. If unwanted side effects persist after this time, altering the dosage or changing the product, e.g. from tablets to patches may bring relief. But for some women, the side effects are unacceptable and they choose to stop HRT.

Less common side effects are reduced sex drive, depression, vaginal bleeding (other than the expected monthly bleed if progestogen is taken) pains in the chest, groin and legs. Adverse effects should always be reported to your doctor and those in the less common group are of more concern.

Inflammation and itching has sometimes been reported with skin patches. This seems to be less of a problem with the newer matrix patches.

Progestogens may cause various symptoms including swollen feet and ankles, premenstrual tension, weight gain, breakthrough bleeding (that is when bleeding occurs at times other than the expected monthly bleed) depression and jaundice. The last three in particular should be discussed with your doctor. Changing the type of progestogen may help as some progestogens cause fewer side effects as may the Mirena IUD which acts locally inside the womb.

HRT can increase the likelihood of women developing gallstones. Gallstones can enlarge especially with HRT tablets so women may need to change to a different form of HRT.

HRT does not usually make blood pressure rise. Women with pre-existing high blood pressure which is being monitored and treated should be able to take HRT.

As you can see this medical miracle isn�t total gain�you are simply changing one set of symptoms/problems for another. The only one who gains is the physician who performs the medical procedure and also prescribes the medication in a futile effort to rectify the loss of metabolical chemicals the body needs. You have become a life-time patient for an enterprising doctor.

See "Don't Fool With Mother Nature," for natural remedies for PMS, peri-menopause and menopause symptoms.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD provides mind, body, spirit healing. Her knowledge of metaphysical healing and use of natural supplements for disease prevention affords her a unique perspective. http://www.drdorothy.net

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What Is The Formation Of And Egg Through Menopause

Women Issues - Fibroids

by Michael Russell

About 20-30% of women will develop fibroids. By the time women reach their 50s, a whopping 80 out 100 women will develop fibroids. Fibroids or uterine leiomyomata, are growths or tumors made up of muscle cells and other tissues that grow within the wall of the uterus. They can also grow on the inside or on the outside of the uterus. Fibroids are sometimes called tumors but are mostly benign or non-cancerous. Fibroids can vary in size; they can be small like a pea or as large as a small melon. Many women do not even know they have them.

Women who are in childbearing age can develop fibroids. It has been shown that African-American women have a higher risk of developing fibroids. They also tend to get fibroids at an earlier age than other ethnic groups. There is a slightly higher risk for women to develop fibroids if they are overweight; however, if you have had a child, you risk may be lower.

Fibroids often do not cause any symptoms, and that is why most women do not know they have them. Symptoms can also be mild, such as a heavier period. The fibroids may be large enough to press on organs, and then they may start interfering with your life. Symptoms then may include a long gushing period and a lot of cramping. Sometimes women feel a sense of fullness in their belly. They can get low back pain and pain during sex. Sometimes they get an urge to urinate often.

If you have fibroids and get heavy bleeding during your period, then it could lead anemia. Anemia results from a lack of iron in your blood. Suffering from anemia can also make you weak and tired. Sometimes, having fibroids may make it more difficult for you to get pregnant. They may also cause problems during pregnancy, such as a miscarriage or premature labor.

Doctors do not know for sure what causes fibroids. There are some theories, but researchers think it may be a result of many factors interacting with each other. The factors could be hormonal, genetic, environmental or maybe a combination of all three factors. Since they do not know what causes the fibroids, they also do not know how they grow or shrink. Most of the time the fibroids shrink after menopause, but not all the time.

Fibroids are usually diagnosed after taking a history of complaints from the patient and then doing a pelvic exam. The doctor may measure the size of your uterus. They may say you have a uterus the size of a 12-week pregnancy. An ultrasound may also be performed. Some doctors request a CT scans or a MRI. The doctor may also need some bloodwork to be done to check for anemia.

Treatments for fibroids vary. If the fibroids are not bothering you, then you do not need any treatment. You will be checked at your regular visits to see if they had gotten bigger or smaller. If the symptoms are bothersome, then you may want to think about surgery. You will have time to think about your options since fibroids grow slowly.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Women's Issues

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Peri Menopause And Tubal Ligation

Menopause: Part 1 - Amazing Discovery - All Your Needs Met Locally

by Patricia Little

Menopause has introduced a multitude of unusual and unique formulas carefully designed to meet every wage level in the international market. Massive production ranging of vitamins and hormone replacement programs feeds a growing consumer market amongst the mature age.

Today, production processes ensure a different parcel for all income levels and consumer choice.

Consumers in every level will spend all they can on the product purporting to be designed to meet their need. Cost varies according to need but as most are desperate for a fresh start with a normal body to enjoy the second half of the cost of existence is irrelevant.

Often the purchase and use generates great dissatisfaction and heralds a disappointing experience for consumers. This would be of little concern to producers awash with customers from the ever-growing babyboomer target market.

The working of the female body is still carrying on the power-packed way God made it to perform at creation, in spite the impact of menopause. Clever but not necessarily caring scientific brains have analyzed and reanalyzed every component of production. An appealing program and has been devised to satisfy .001%of the target market but doesn�t necessarily meet your specific need.

Dietary needs are best met by those items produced within the local area. Price should not be high but wisdom will determine if a superior content or quality justifies a higher outlay. The cost of your quality provision will be for healthy, youthful body will be available within the weekly income. The selection is personal whether on welfare or holding a seven figure bank account.

Copyright 2006 Patricia Little

Patricia Little is a writer and the editor of a re-released classic ebook- it will show you how to get the best of health and wealth out of all your future years. For more go to ==> http://www.Young-at-Sixty.com
Remarkable "How I Became Young at Sixty" brings renewed vigor to your body, and hope to your mind. You Can Get your Free ebook "How I Became Young at Sixty" by going to http://www.Young-at-Sixty.com/get-your-f-r-e-e-ebook.htm

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Info On Menopause

Outsmarting the Midlife Fat Cell

by Denice Moffat

Book Review: Outsmarting the Midlife Fat Cell�Winning Weight Control Strategies for Women Over 35 to Stay Fit Through Menopause by Debra Waterhouse, M.P.H., R.D.

We each are born with 30 Billion fat cells.

Fat cells have an important mission of manufacturing estrogen and balancing our body during the transition into menopause�and they will do everything possible to make sure that they don�t let you down. It seems women today have transitions that are more magnified than generations past. We are gaining 50% more weight than our mothers did and the time it takes to travel through perimenopause and menopause is 500 times longer. We have more hot flashes, more memory loss, and more insomnia.

Women�s bodies are different than men�s. A woman�s fat cells are five times larger than a man�s, have twice the amount of fat-storing enzymes and half the fat releasing enzymes. Plus, men have more muscle, and muscle uses up more calories, so men have an advantage over us�unless we are in a famine situation.

Women�s fat cells produce estrogen which helps them maintain fat in certain areas of the body. Gaining up to ten pounds during perimenopause and menopause is normal. More weight gain than that can affect our health negatively.

Estrogen surges during puberty and pregnancy help us to gain weight, but in the menopausal transition phase a decrease in estrogen causes a weight gain by influencing the fat cells to increase fat-storing enzymes. So any extra calories are retained as fat. Women need this extra weight because the fat cells produce estrogen which helps to prevent bone loss after menopause is complete.

Estrogen is also responsible for about 300 other functions having to do with activity in the brain, sleep, decreasing hot flashes, bones, skin, heart and other cells. Stress and malnourishment triggers menopause to come faster. Having babies slows the clock. Each baby gives us five more months to hold off menopause.

Stress wreaks havoc on our bodies by over stimulating our hearts, weakening our immune systems, upsetting the hormonal balance, decreasing estrogen levels, aggravating menstrual dysfunction, and it is responsible for infertility, intense PMS, megamenopause and excess weight gain.

Cravings for sugar, chocolate and fat in the transitional phase helps to increase serotonin in the brain which helps us to feel better about ourselves, gives us more energy and stabilizes mood swings.
After age 45, women lose � pound of muscle per year and their caloric needs drop by about 400 calories per day. If you eat the same amount of food as before age 45, these extra calories go into fat storage in preparation for menopause.

Positive changes associated with menopause include: increased sex drive, energy, productivity, creativity, greater confidence and self-esteem, enhanced communication skills, and a greater awareness of the body�s needs.

From age 35-55, there is a dip in estrogen. During that time we lose about 65% of our estrogen. That dip in estrogen can cause hair to fall out. This hair loss is also noticeable after birthing and just before you menstruate as well as in the perimenopausal period.

So, how do you outsmart the cells to keep extra weigh off during menopause? Debra stresses a four-point approach including: exercise, modified eating habits, managing stress and taking care of your body.

1. Exercise.

How much? 60 minutes of aerobic exercise four times a week at moderate intensity. It will limit the amount of abdominal weight gained caused by stress and stress eating. A variety of exercise is more effective than the same old stuff you�ve always done, so mix up the type of exercises you do.

Exercise during the transition time will help fight fatigue, increase your body�s metabolism, make your brain perkier, help you sleep better, stabilize your mood, diminish food cravings, reduce hot flashes, increase your flexibility and help with balance, mobility and agility, strengthen your bones, reduce your risk of breast cancer and heart disease, stabilize your blood sugar and help you live longer.

And don�t overdo it. Too much exercise increases your chances of injury, compromises your ability to burn fat, harms your immune system, compromises your sleep patterns, puts wear and tear on your skeletal system and cuts down your lifespan. Balance is the key.

2. Modify Your Eating Habits:

�Eat frequently. Eating five or more times a day provides a steady and dependable source of glucose for our brains, balances mood swings and boosts energy.

�Snack often. Don�t skip meals. It slows down the metabolism.

�Eat your largest meal at lunch. Eat your smallest meal at dinner. During midlife our metabolism slows WAY down after 6pm and our nighttime caloric needs are almost non-existent.

�Eat smaller amounts overall. Eat no more than the size of your fist because that�s how big your unstretched stomach is.

�Check in with your body. Eat � of your meal. Ask, �Am I still hungry?� If so, eat another quarter of the meal. Ask the question again. When you are no longer hungry, stop eating. Listen to your body�s needs for food. When you are hungry, you can�t gain weight from eating�unless you overeat. Your body is asking for food and it will use it. Determine your body�s signs of hunger. Where does hunger originate? In your stomach, brain, or in your body manifested as lack of energy?

�Be present when you eat. Pause when you eat and take in the experience. Sit after you eat and make the experience last. Enjoy the foods you crave. Don�t deny yourself of them. Just eat less and enjoy it more.

�Follow your cravings. Food cravings are the only way for your brain to communicate exactly what it needs to function optimally. Eat full-fat foods (just smaller portions). Craving carbohydrates can mean you are low in serotonin (feeling stressed or depressed). Craving fats may mean you are low in endorphins (feeling moody), and craving protein may mean you are low in dopamine (can�t concentrate.)

�Enjoy your alcohol, but limit it to 2-3 drinks/week for optimal health benefits.

�Eat more protein, but not too much. Over 60 grams/day leaches minerals from the bones and increases the risk for osteoporosis. High-protein diets are not good for the bones OR the kidneys. Optimal amounts of protein enhance the immune system during transition into menopause.

�When taking calcium supplements, take them with food�calcium citrate seems to be the most absorbable calcium according to Debra. (Dr. Moffat�s note: I�ve found that taking your calcium with some fat helps the calcium absorb better.)

�Eat a wide variety of foods, especially fruits and vegetables.

3. Manage Stress:

Take time for yourself, put up a �Do Not Disturb� sign, meditate, do deep breathing exercises, experiment with aroma therapy, buy a set of ear plugs, take mini mind vacations, get a massage, live in the moment and ask yourself, �is this going to matter a year from now?�

4. Take Care Of Your Body:

Get a complete physical and have the following checked: Blood pressure, cholesterol, skin and colon cancer screenings, bone density and thyroid screening.

The thyroid gland activity diminishes during menopause which can lead to an overwhelming menopausal experience. Low thyroid can also increase the risk of osteoporosis. (Denice�s note: Have them do a full thyroid panel. It seems like thyroid antibody problems are on the rise and a routine thyroid test does not pick this up.)

I thought Debra had lots of great information to share. I was a bit discouraged that she didn�t point out the hazards of carrying too much weight. It was almost like she didn�t want to address those issues because she didn�t want to hurt people�s feelings. Maybe she just wanted to focus on gathering a positive self-image and higher self-esteem. I don�t know. Debra does have a Master�s in Public Health. She is definitely against dieting in any form and she does make some great points. Debra also wrote a book on why women need chocolate.

Dr. Denice Moffat is a practicing naturopath, medical intuitive, and veterinarian working on the family unit (which includes humans and animals) through her phone consultation practice established in 1995. She has a content-rich website at http://www.NaturalHealthTechniques.com and free internationally distributed monthly newsletter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denice_Moffat

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Psychological Symptoms Of Menopause

How to Take On That Hot Flash Symptom and Win

by Linda J Bruton

You�re listening intently at the morning meeting when you feel your heat rate increase. "Uh-Oh" you think, this isn�t the first time you�ve felt this. You feel an intense heat in your face and upper body. "Please don�t let a headache start" you beg. That�s the anxiety kicking in. You hear your boss say something about "procedural changes" as your knees feel weak and you begin yet another doodle on your note pad to keep your head in the game while you wait to see how this one will end: chills or no chills? "At least they keep me guessing," you tell yourself in a last desperate cling to optimism.

On average a hot flash symptom lasts 4 minutes. But some women report hot flashes lasting from 20 minutes to an hour. Along with vertigo, nausea, dizziness, perspiration, heart palpitations and anxiety, a hot flash symptom can occur infrequently or even 15 times a day or more. There�s no scientific measurement of how your hot flashes will affect you or when they�ll end, for that matter, since they vary significantly in each woman.

Perhaps even more frustrating is the seemingly unfair fact that while you're still menstruating, you will most likely develop hot flashes. Also, the faster your body transitions from peri-menopause � regular period to no period � the more intensely you�ll experience the hot flash symptom. Unfortunately, for about 10-15% of women their hot flash symptoms will be so severe that they will be compelled to seek medical attention. One silver lining to hang onto is that over time your hot flash symptom will diminish.

If the thought of a hot flash symptom frightens you, take heart. Just a few simple tips can help alleviate your discomfort. For starters, wear layered, cotton clothing. If you can�t change your inner temperature you can at least control the temperature of your outward environment. A glass of cold water can also do wonders. When you feel a hot flash symptom grab a quick drink of water. If the coolness of the drink doesn�t reduce the heat you�re feeling, the fluid will help hydrate your body since we all know there will be sweating involved.

Knowing your hot flash symptom triggers is another significant tool in alleviating your discomfort. Common triggers are alcohol, smoking, stress, hot and humid weather, spicy foods, and foods with high-acid content. It�s not known exactly why some things trigger a hot flash symptom, but accepting what your personal triggers are will benefit you for the length of time that you experience menopause.

Discover how YOU can stop your hot flashes and menopausal symptoms without Hormone Replacement Therapy at Linda Bruton's Survive Menopause site. Pick up your free special report "Coping with Hot Flashes the Natural Way" (a $27 value) by clicking here:
www.survivemenopause.com

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Symptoms Of Ovarian Cysts In Post Menopause Women

Healthy Menopausal Years - the Wise Woman Way

by Susun Weed

Menopause is a time of enormous change. Wise women of all times have found simple life-style changes can make their Change much easier. For optimum health during and after menopause, follow these simple steps:

Exercise a different way every day: take walks, lift weights, dance, garden, do yoga, try tai chi.
Drink nourishing herbal infusions.

We all know how important exercise is for strong bones, healthy hearts, resistance to diabetes, and weight maintenance. But did you know it prevents depression too? By yourself, or with a friend, exercise is one of the golden keys to a long, healthy life.

Nourishing herbal infusions are the second key to vibrant elder years and an easier menopause. They provide protein, minerals, phytoestrogens, and special fats needed by menopausal women. Many common menopausal problems can be connected to a lack of one or more of these nutrients.

Low protein leaves hair and skin dull, lifeless, and thin. Nourishing herbal infusions, plain yogurt, lentils, and organic meats are excellent sources.

Low levels of minerals leave the bones and heart deprived of calcium, the immune system low in zinc, and the muscles prone to pain and spasms. Nourishing herbal infusions, plain yogurt, seaweed, and organic chocolate are magnificent sources.

Insufficient phytoestrogens in the diet increase breast cancer risk and menopausal distress. Nourishing herbal infusions, lentils, roots and seeds are the best sources.

Lack of high-quality fats can lead to thyroid problems, immune system stress, lack of energy, and blood vessel disease. Nourishing herbal infusions, full-fat yogurt, organic chocolate, olive oil, organic butter, nuts and seeds are superb sources.

To make a nourishing herbal infusion:

Buy (or gather and dry) at least one ounce of nettle leaf or oatstraw or red clover blossoms or comfrey leaf.
Place the ounce of dried herb in a quart jar. (One ounce equals one full cup of dried herb.)
Fill jar to the top with boiling water. Cap tightly and allow it to brew for at least four hours. Overnight is fine.
Strain and drink 2-4 cups a day. Most menopausal women prefer their infusion iced, but you can drink it hot or at room temperature. A little mint or sage may be added to change the flavor.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) builds energy, strengthens the adrenals, and is said to restore youthful flexibility to blood vessels. A cup of nettle infusion contains 500 milligrams of calcium plus generous amounts of bone-building magnesium, potassium, silicon, boron, and zinc. It is also an excellent source of vitamins A, D, E, and K. For flexible bones, a healthy heart, thick hair, beautiful skin, and lots of energy, make friends with sister stinging nettle. It may make you feel so good you'll jump up and exercise.

Oatstraw (Avena sativa) reduces high cholesterol, increases libido, and strengthens the nerves. A cup of oatstraw infusion contains more than 300 milligrams of calcium plus generous amounts of many other minerals. Its steroidal saponins nourish the pancreas and liver, improving digestion and stabilizing moods. Oatstraw is best known however for its ability to enhance libido and mellow the mood. Do be careful whom you share it with, or you may find yourself sowing some wild oats. In Auryuvedic medicine, oatstraw is considered the finest of all longevity tonics.

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is better in every way than its cousin soy. It contains four phytoestrogens; soy has only one (isoflavone). Red clover infusion has ten times more phytoestrogens than soy "milk," fewer calories, more calcium, and no added sugars. Red clover is the world's leading anti-cancer herb; soy isoflavone encourages the growth of breast cancer cells in the lab. Red clover improves the memory; Japanese men who ate tofu twice a week doubled their risk of Alzheimer's disease. Soy beverage can contain up to 1000 times more aluminum than milk, according to Sally Fallon, lipid researcher and fat specialist. She believes that "the highly processed soy foods of today are perpetuating ... nutrient deficiencies ..."

Comfrey leaf (Symphytum) is free of the compounds (PAs) found in the root that can damage the liver. I have used comfrey leaf infusion regularly for decades with no liver problems; ditto for the group of people at the Henry Doubleday Research Foundation who have eaten cooked comfrey leaves as a vegetable for four generations. Comfrey is also known as "knitbone," and no better ally for the woman with thin bones can be found. And, don't forget, comfrey contains special proteins used in the formation of short-term memory cells. Its soothing mucilage adds flexibility to joints, eyes, vagina, and lungs.

Menopause can change your life. Our Wise Woman grandmothers used nourishing herbal infusions, fermented dairy products, healthy exercise, and simple whole foods to weather their Change naturally and live productively another 50 years. You can too.

For further information on these herbs, and lots more, see New Menopausal Years, the Wise Woman Way by Susun Weed, Ash Tree Publishing, 2002.

Legal Disclaimer: This content is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare practitioner with a specific formula for you. All material contained herein is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second opinion.

Susun Weed

PO Box 64

Woodstock, NY 12498

Fax: 1-845-246-8081

Vibrant, passionate, and involved, Susun Weed has garnered an international reputation for her groundbreaking lectures, teachings, and writings on health and nutrition. She challenges conventional medical approaches with humor, insight, and her vast encyclopedic knowledge of herbal medicine. Unabashedly pro-woman, her animated and enthusiastic lectures are engaging and often profoundly provocative.

Susun is one of America's best-known authorities on herbal medicine and natural approaches to women's health. Her four best-selling books are recommended by expert herbalists and well-known physicians and are used and cherished by millions of women around the world. Learn more at http://www.susunweed.com

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