fjrigjwwe9r0Board:Content Doctor as Teather
Women who are looking for treatment alternatives need to be knowledgeable regarding the spectrum of options available. Likewise, physicians need to educate patients to make informed decisions regarding these treatment options. It is important for the health professional to identify the various metabolic alterations that may be associated with menopause. These are varied and include: osteoporosis, coronary artery disease, risk for Alzheimer's dementia, colon cancer, macular degeneration, joint aches, dry skin, thinning hair, changes in memory, heart palpitations, aching joints (menopausal arthritis) and decreased libido. Fatigue is also an issue since the adrenals back up estrogen production at menopause. The adrenals form the three major hormone precursors, DHEA, cortisone and aldosterone. In the process of adrenocortical steroid biosynthesis, adipose tissues produce estrone via a conversion from androstenedione which is synthesized in the adrenal cortices and ovaries. In many females who present with symptoms of subtle hypothyroidism, underlying hypoadrenalism may actually be the true case of the problems. If the adrenals are exhausted, the hormonal cascade is imbalanced, and such side effects as premature menopause may ensue.
Practitioners who are trained in natural therapies, botanical medicines and nutrition can be of great assistance to the patient. There are a wide variety of therapeutic choices including natural tri-estrogen formulas (contain the 3 naturally occurring estrogens: estriol, estradiol and estrone, and are typically made by compounding pharmacies), botanical alternatives such as phytoestrogens including isoflavones, black cohosh, red clover, and dong quai, medicines for anxiety, nervousness and depression, sage, vitamin E, wild yam creams, wheat germ oil, biofeedback, acupuncture and more. These remedies are commonly used, but information on dosage, and interactions with other medications is not always well understood or well monitored by practitioners. There is little question that herbal alternatives do improve symptoms, but research is continuing to help us more fully understand how these herbs and other compounds are functioning. These days educated women are making their own informed choices. | |
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