“The human mind and body are
nourished by the elixir of learning”

FAQ's - WOMEN'S HEALTH

Q.   I am miserable every month before I get my menstrual cycle, is this PMS? What can I do?

Sally Milton, Biloxi, MississippI

• Nutrition
• Skin & Beauty
• Women's Health
• Digestive Disorders

A.  A wide variety of symptoms can be present with PMS and statistically 80% of all women have experienced PMS.  In making this diagnosis, it doesn’t matter what specific symptoms a woman has premenstrually. “What is important is the cyclic fashion in which they occur.”  It is very important to chart your symptoms for three months or more often to see a pattern and predict when the cycle of the symptoms will likely occur.  Most women will have at least three to five days before onset of menses where the PMS symptoms are exacerbated.  If nothing is done to interrupt the PMS monthly cycle, it will get worse over time.  Then the symptoms gradually begin to appear one to two weeks before the onset of menses, including a cluster of symptoms during ovulation.  Many women with PMS have completely pain-free periods.  Some women with severe cramping have no premenstrual distress.  Menstrual cramps are caused by uterine contractions and cramping that result from excess prostaglandin F2 alpha, a hormone produced as the lining of the uterus breaks down during the menstrual cycle and blocked imbalanced energy from the liver, aka, Liver qi stagnation.

For this reason, I recommend, “Acupuncture, a  Herbal formula remedy with a foundation base of Xiao Yao Wan which is taken 3x3 for 5 days prior to onset of menses, Dietary changes such as; plenty of  fresh fruits & vegetables ,whole grains, legumes, nuts and lean protein. Do not forget to eat a little protein between meals to maintain blood sugar levels. Try your best to avoid caffeine, sugar and alcohol during PMS as it robs the body of Magnesium. Vitamin and mineral supplements such as; Floradix with iron, Uultra D complex and Acidophilus  along with an anti-prostaglandin medication  (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as Advil, proven successful for both cramps and PMS.”

A great read, Women’s Bodies Women’s Wisdom, Christine Northrup MD.

Q.  How does one get hormonal imbalances?
                                                                       
                                                                        Jennifer Hurley, Chicago, Illinois
                                                                       
A.   A woman's health is profoundly affected by her body's ability to maintain hormonal balance.  If her hormonal balance is disrupted, numerous health problems will follow.  There are several ways for imbalances to occur such as;  Stress, Immune deficiencies, Endocrine disorders, unhealthy digestive system, birth control pills, exposure to xenoestrogen, chemicals that are used in pesticides, plastics, cosmeceuticals and fuels look and act like natural estrogen for the body to make a mistake.  However, the most harmful estrogen mimic action in their ability to interfere with estrogen metabolism. After estrogen completes its activity in the target cells, it normally returns to the bloodstream to be broken down in the liver.  Researchers have found that estrogen can be broken down into enzymatic pathways in the liver, resulting in two very different metabolites. My suggestion, if you feel that your hormones are out of balance it is wise to check your blood levels with your physician or acupuncturist inso that you can make livestyle changes that support your health.

Q.   What is the best way to make sure estrogen is properly metabolized?

NiKi Nielsen, Seattle, Washington

A.   One of the answers is found in a natural plant compound called Dindolylmethane or DIM for short.  DIM is found in broccoli and all other cruciferous vegetables.  We have known for many years that these vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins and fiber, and play a significant role in cancer prevention.  DIM assists in naturally shifting estrogen metabolism to a 2- hydroxy pathway, the pathway that beneficial plant compounds naturally use.  Taking supplements with DIM can result in increased amounts of estrogen broken down into the good estrogen metabolites. DIM neither increases nor decreases estrogen, it merely directs how it is metabolized.

Estrovite is another great supplement that promotes healthy estrogen metabolism, its key ingredients are Genistein and Daidzein, which have well-designed clinical research testifying to their effectiveness to support healthy estrogen levels. By restoring estrogen metabolism to the 2- hydroxy pathway, either of these supplements can increase the amounts of "good estrogen" metabolites and simultaneously reduce the "bad estrogen" metabolites.  The result is relief from the pain and discomfort of PMS, perimenopause, menopausal symptoms or damage to the liver from taking birth control pills, HRT or all the other environmental toxins.

Q.   What vitamins and minerals do I need during my perimenopause phase?

Sally Guon, Dallas, Texas

A.   A superior Multi B complex (Fem–Zyme by Apex), Vitamin C, emulsified Ultra-D complex in Codliver oil and Essential Fatty Acids. It is important during this phase of perimenopause to avoid long hours at work, stress and a poor diet.  Your health and hormonal balances will greatly benefit by  taking better care of yourself; incorporating daily exercise, restful sleep, decreasing stress and a healthy diet composed of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, legumes, fish, lean protein and complex carbohydrates to assist you in meeting your nutritional needs. Seek herbal supplementation and acupuncture as needed.

A.  To reach peak sexual functioning and orgasmic ability, it helps to develop your pubococcygeus (PC) muscles and genital circulation, as they are key. When you tone and strengthen your PC muscles that line your pelvic floor, you will enhance your G-spot and cul-de-sac orgasms (those that you feel deep into your vagina), improve clitoral erectile performance without slowing down orgasms and experience female ejaculation.

Kegel exercises are the basics, however research done in Sweden at the Karolinska Institute suggest exercising with vaginal cones, the Women’s Sexual Health Foundation (www.twshf.com) suggest the GyneFlex device and the Kegelmaster 2000. All of which are available online.

An insightful book you may wish to pick up to read, The Orgasmic Diet, Marrena Lindberg. She has many helpful suggestions to ramp up one’s libido and achieve sexual responsiveness that everyone so richly deserves. It also, never hurts to have a partner with whom you are attracted to that loves to play and experiment, rather that some boring, predictable, repetitious robot.

Dragon Herbs have two wonderful supplements to choose from; Love Goddess Elixir is a sexual tonic that intensifies orgasmic experiences and Women’s Jing promotes female fertility and stimulates libido.

Q.   What should I avoid during menopause?
                                                                       
                                                                        Alicia Goodman, Phoenix, Arizona

A.   Avoid stress provoking situations as much as possible. Get plenty of rest, even if that means moving out of the bedroom a few nights of the week to avoid a snoring husband or lover. Learning to say, NO! Watching out for trigger foods; hot and spicy foods, alcohol, sugar, refined carbs, fried foods, sodas, red meat, dairy, chocolate and caffeine which can bring on hot flashes and weaken the pancreas.  Eating a high fiber diet with protein, phytoestrogen  foods, flax seeds, beans and legumes, wheat or barley grasses, cold water fish, fresh fruits and vegetables in small frequent meals eaten slowly, have proven to maintain insulin blood levels, boost energy, limit brain fog and help to balance hormone levels. Maintaining a healthy weight and a daily exercise program has also been shown to reduce symptoms.

Suggested  readings that you might find insightful; The Wisdom of Menopause, Christine Northrup MD; A Woman’s Guide to a Trouble-Free Menopause, Nan Lu OMD; Menopausal Years, Susun Weed; The Silent Passage, Gail Sheehy and Menopause for Dummies, Theresa  Eichenwald MD.

Q.   What about all those frustrating and depressing menopausal symptoms?  What can I safely take to relieve them?

Rosie Hudson, Lewiston, Maine

A.  The most creative force in the world is the postmenopausal women with zest, “a time when identity strengthens, goals crystallize and the spirit reawakens.”  Of course, to those in the throes of that transition, the promise of wise womanhood does little to alleviate the pangs of getting there. Because menopause signals the end of a woman's fertility cycle, her ovaries slowly stop producing optimal levels of estrogen and progesterone and the erratic cycles become a roller-coaster.  There is a very safe and effective natural way to treat your menopausal symptoms by combining a compounded herbal formula made especially for your constitution along with acupuncture, daily exercise, restful sleep, decreasing stress and healthy nutrition eaten every three hours to maintain blood sugar and energy levels, can safely and effectively alleviate your symptoms, including regulating your hormones to prevent any discomfort during this phase of your life.

Suggested readings that you might find insightful; The Wisdom of Menopause, Christine Northrup MD; A Woman’s Guide to a Trouble-Free Menopause, Nan Lu OMD, Menopausal Years, Susun Weed; The Silent Passage, Gail Sheehy and Menopause for Dummies, Theresa  Eichenwald MD.