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Homeopathic Treatment for Menopause

Homeopathic Treatment for Menopause. Written by Dr. Gabrielle Traub In the celebration of World Homeopathic Awareness Week. Menopause. Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation due to a decrease in production of estrogen and progesterone by the ovaries

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Homeopathic Treatment for Menopause

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  1. Homeopathic Treatment for Menopause

  2. Written by Dr. Gabrielle Traub In the celebration of World Homeopathic Awareness Week

  3. Menopause • Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation due to a decrease in production of estrogen and progesterone by the ovaries • It normally occurs during the late 40’s and early 50’s, however can occur earlier for example after a hysterectomy

  4. Peri-menopause • The onset of noticeable signs of Menopause Symptoms include: • Irregular periods • Hot flushes • Night sweats • Vaginal dryness

  5. Post-Menopause • The 12 months after your last menstrual period

  6. Symptoms include: • Hot flushes, night sweats • Vaginal dryness» vaginal infections • Mood swings, depression, anxiety, emotional liability, confusion • Confusion, forgetfulness • Sleep disturbances • Fatigue • Decreased libido • Palpitation • Hair loss • Skin changes • Headaches and backache • Incontinence • Increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease • Weight gain

  7. Homeopathic study • In a prospective study 82% of patients reported improvement of menopausal symptoms after homeopathic treatment. • Women referred to homeopathy were those who either could not take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), for whom HRT was unsuccessful, who did not want HRT or who had to come off HRT.

  8. Main symptoms noted were: • hot flushes and sweats, • tiredness, • anxiety, • sleeping difficulties, • mood swings • headaches. • Mean length of homeopathic treatment was 5 months. • Relton, C. NHS. Homeopathy Menopause Service. Outcome study. In press.

  9. How homeopathy is different to regular medical treatment/herbs? • HOLISTIC- each person is an individual • NO SIDE EFFECTS-side effects of drugs • Often heals other ailments besides the ones being treated • Herbs: every one get the same herb and a crude dose • Wonderful, effective alternative to HRT

  10. Homeopathy addresses the issue, rather than just symptoms. • Powerful, gentle, effective, safe, natural • FDA approved\gentle enough even for newborns and the elderly • Very effective in replacing HRT • You don’t need to suffer with mood swings and hot flushes • You can choose a very safe, effective way to address these issues without worrying about side effects

  11. Hormone Replacement Therapy: Weighing the Pros and Cons • Whether or not to undergo hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a difficult decision for many women • The medical community itself is divided on the issue.

  12. Benefits of HRT • Prevents Osteoporosis • Prevents heart disease • Relief of Menopausal symptoms

  13. Major risks of HRT • Estrogen therapy, unopposed by progestin, increases a postmenopausal woman's chances of developing uterine cancer from an average of 1 in 1,000 to as much as 1 in 100. The longer period of time the estrogen is taken the greater the risk. This statistic is reduced if progestin is given • Increases risk of Breast Cancer (by 25% and worse in women if there is current cancer or a family history), • Increases incidence of gallstones, especially oral HRT • Liver disease • Pancreatic disease • blood clots • Stroke • Heart attack

  14. Relative risks:  • Hypertension,  • Benign breast disease,  • Benign uterine disease, • Endometriosis,  • Pancreatitis,  • Epilepsy, 

  15. Other side-effects of HRT, include: • Vaginal bleeding/spotting • Breast pain • Nausea • Cramping • Headaches • Fluid retention • Vaginal discharge • Depression • Irritability • Weight gain • Bloating • Estrogen may also have adverse effects on some patients with seizure disorders and migraine headaches. • In rare cases, it can also interfere with liver function, raise blood pressure, or promote the growth of benign uterine fibroids.

  16. HRT should definitely be avoided if you: • Are pregnant • Have a family history of or have had uterine, ovarian, or breast cancer • Have large fibroids, or benign uterine tumors • Have venous thrombosis, or blood clotting problems • Have gallbladder or liver disease

  17. What does the research show? • In July 1992, Shocking news was released from a major clinical trial of more than 16,000 women. Just five 'years into the trial, which was originally planned to run for eight-and-a-half years, the women were told to stop taking hormone medication, after tests revealed that the six million American women currently taking the drugs might be at risk. • To the surprise and disappointment of researchers and women all over the world, new data show that the commonly prescribed combination drug containing estrogen and progestin may cause more harm than good.

  18. Researchers were stunned to find the therapy did not decrease the risk of coronary heart disease, as was anticipated. In fact, women in the treatment group saw their risk of heart attack increased by 29 percent. Hormone replacement therapy also increased a woman's risk of invasive breast cancer by 26 percent; strokes by 41 percent; and blood clots by 100 percent. • The results of the trial (the Women's Health Initiative - WHI) were published in the July 17 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Reference material: • MSNBC News, Washington Post, Seattle Times, Women's Health Alert, published by Public Citizen's Health Research Group, www.worstpills.org, www.Public Citizens Health Research Group.com

  19. Although natural hormone replacement is many times safer and can be more effective than synthetic HRT, natural bioidentical hormone preparations are still synthesized from natural substances. • The body knows the difference between a wild yam and something synthesized from a wild yam. • The Homeopathic approach uses remedies made up of substances intended to support the body self-healing abilities. • Minute amounts of these healing substances cannot act to replace the body's hormones but instead serve as catalysts (agents) that, in effect, kick-start the body's own appropriate production of hormones.

  20. What exactly is Homeopathy?

  21. While 60% of homeopathic medicines do originally come from plants, they act very differently to herbal medicines. • Only a small amount of the original substance is used, thus homeopathic medicine has NO side effects and can even be safely used during pregnancy, when under the supervision of a homeopathic practitioner.

  22. Homeopathic medicines are derived from plants, minerals, animals, viruses, etc • There are over 6000 different homeopathic medicines and new medicines being discovered and “proved” all the time. • The process of potentization makes homeopathic medicines more powerful, reducing the need for daily doses.

  23. However, unlike allopathic medicine, where drugs are continuously removed off the market and replaced by new ones once there side effects have been discovered, homeopaths are still using the same tried and tested homeopathic medicines we used 200 years ago, however are adding to our continuously growing materia medica, allowing us a greater scope of practice.

  24. Homeopathy is actually over 200 years old.Homeopathy originated in Germany • In 1796 a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, discovered a different approach to the cure of the sick, which he called homeopathy (from the Greek words meaning ‘similar suffering’).

  25. Women who use Homeopathy

  26. A drug-free treatment for the symptoms of Menopause

  27. The most effective way to treating menopause, is with constitutional treatment. • Your homeopath will select a remedy especially chosen for you, as an individual, based on the totality of your symptoms as well as your physical, mental and emotional state. • This remedy strengthen the immune system to restore a healthy balance and sense of well-being.

  28. Case of Sepia • A 40 year old successful business women came to see me for low libido • She was going through menopause and experiencing the following symptoms: • Hot flushes • Vaginal dryness • Completely lost all interest in sex • Aversion to her husband • She was becoming increasingly irritable and indifferent to her family and felt guilty for it and was very tearful • She had weakness in the muscles of her pelvic wall (Kegel exercises do not help) • On taking her case, it came out that she had had 2 horrible pregnancies in the past-hated being pregnant and had suffered from post-partum depression • She was much better for exercise and craves pickles

  29. On analysis of the case with repertorization, I chose the remedy, Sepia

  30. Sepia • Wonderful remedy for women with hormonal imbalances • Commonly used to treat menstrual problems, ailment of pregnancy (and post-partum) and symptoms of Menopause Patients needing Sepia often complain of: • Hot flushes • Irregular menstrual flow or flooding • Lack of libido • Irritability, indifference to loved ones • vaginal dryness that causes pain during sex, • yeast infections. • chills, • tearfulness, • hair loss • They feel better from eating, sleeping, exercise, hot compresses, they sometimes tell me that they feel better in stormy weather. • They crave sour foods, pickles and lemons

  31. Follow up • After one month there is no change. • After 2 months of treatment she is less irritable and the intensity of her hot flushes is less • After 3 months her vaginal dryness had improved and she was becoming far more loving towards her husband. She is losing her temper less with her children • After 5 months of treatment, she feels like a different person. Her transition into Menopause has been smooth and her symptoms have been alleviated. Her husband called me up to say: “Thank you for giving me back my beautiful wife”

  32. A case of Lachesis • A 40 year old peri-menopausal women came to see me for hot flushes • Her symptoms are always much worse before her periods and they improve as soon as the flow comes on • She also suffers from left-sided headaches that come on before her periods and are ameliorated when the flow begins • She is loquacious, has intense feelings of jealousy and is convinced that her husband is cheating on her • She cannot bear tight or constrictive clothing

  33. Follow-up • Initially her symptoms got intensely worse for 3 days: she had intense hot flushes, she was more jealous and weepy • 2 weeks later she started to feel better • 6 weeks later her hot flushes were considerably less • 4 months later her menstrual pain and bloating are gone. This is the first time in her life that she is not experiencing PMS. Her hot flushes are so mild that they no longer bother her • 9 months later she is still feeling good and she feels much more secure in her marriage, she no longer has intense jealousy and is getting along better with her sister too (I later found out that she has a younger, very pretty sister whom she hated ever since she was born as she took away the attention)

  34. Individualistic treatment, the Gem in Homeopathy • While you may relate to features in one or both cases; it is important to realize that Homeopathy is extremely individualistic, and that there are many homeopathic remedies to treat Menopause • The remedy that will be best suited for you is the one that not only matches your specific symptoms, but also matches you as a person. • The best way to find the right remedy for you is by having your case taken by a professional who is trained and experienced in Homeopathy

  35. Homeopathy-a natural solution for Menopause:Safely, Gently, Naturally, Effectively

  36. A healthy Lifestyle makes a difference • Stress management and exercise can help reduce symptoms

  37. Weight bearing exercise and a calcium-rich diet prevents against osteoporosis

  38. Wear cotton clothing for night sweats • Vaginal lubricants reduce vaginal dryness and alleviates pain during intercourse

  39. Diet • Sugar, spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol may aggravate hot flushes • Soy products contain Phytoestrogens, similar in structure to estrogen and can reduce symptoms, however avoid in if you have soy allergies or a history of breast cancer

  40. Incontinence • Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor and help with urinary incontinence.

  41. A new beginning • Many women today find that the years after menopause offer new recognition and fresh beginnings. • To have a positive attitude towards menopause as a natural, essential and healthy phase of womanhood is important.

  42. Questions???

  43. The information in this lecture is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care practitioner.  This lecture is not intended to diagnose any condition.  Speak to your doctor or healthcare practitioner before discontinuing any medication that has been prescribed for you. Inform your health care provider before taking any of the remedies or supplements recommended in this lecture.

  44. Recommended reading: • Andrews, Lynn– Women at the Edge of Two WorldsBrady, Maureen– Midlife Meditations for WomenCameron,Judy– The Artist's WayCanfield, Jack, et al.– Chicken Soup for the Woman's SoulCobb, Janice– Understanding MenopauseCutler, Winnifred– Menopause: A Guide for Women and the Men Who Love ThemFisher, Rosemary– Recipes and Research on Osteoporosis, Heart Disease,& Cancer Greenwood, Sadja– Menopause, NaturallyLark, Susan, M.D.– The Estrogen DecisionLee, John R.– What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About MenopauseMcCain, Marian Van Eyk– Transformation Through MenopauseMyss, Caroline– Anatomy of the SpiritNachtigall, Lila, M.D. and Hellman, Joan– EstrogenNorthrup, Christine, M.D.– Women's Bodies, Women's WisdomPainter, Charlotte– Gifts of AgePorcino, Jane– Growing Older, Growing Better

  45. RECOMMENDED READING ON HOMEOPATHY For self-prescribing (treating acutes): • Everybody’s guide to Homeopathic Medicines by Cummings and Ullman • Homeopathy: A pictorial Guide: Self help for common ailments by Vivienne Rawsley & Judith Scott; Little London Partners, ISBN: 1-872407-005 • The Homeopathic Emergency Guide by Thomas Kruzel • Homeopathic Self-Care: The quick and easy guide by Ullman and Reichenberg-Ullman For understanding homeopathy: • The Science of Homeopathy by George Vithoulkas • Impossible cure by Amy Lansky • Portraits of Homeopathy By Catherine Coultier • A Patient's guide to Homeopathy by Dana Ulman • You can obtain most homeopathic books from: • Minimum Price Books • Tel: 1800 663 8272 • Website: www.minimum.com (It is often cheaper to order online)

  46. For more information about World Homeopathic Awareness Week, visit: www.whomeopathy.org

  47. Bibliography • Boericke, W: Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica and Repertory, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi, 1929. • Vermuelen, F: Concordant Materia Medica

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