Menopause Metamorphosis

Menopausal Nourishment

Q: Hi there,

I was wondering if I may make an appt to discuss the use of other estrogen replacement. My dr. put me on jasmine birth control to regulate my periods as i dont get them often anymore, and he wants to ensure the prevention of cancer in the lining area, from build up or something.

anyway, I had a terrible month on the stuff, and quit at the end when I got my period. I feel so much better. However, I have the memory loss and low energy/stamina. I am typically a very active person.

Thanks, J.

 

A: Hello J., we are happy to help any way we are able. If it is Susun you wish to make an appointment with, she offers a Day with Susun at cost, or free phone consultations on Tuesday evenings from spring through fall.

You are healthy woman and menopause is a part of our womanly cycles. The cessation of menses is a part of it, and what most describe as symptoms come from the effects of this adjustment on us. Just as we went though menarche without fuss or battle, knowing the "symptoms" will pass, we ought to do the same with menopause. And just as pregnancy for women means extra stress on her organs and reserves, with all the hormone changes, we need to nourish ourselves deep during this time.

I have heard this thought about cancer and build up of blood in the uterus. How then might someone with that argument prefer the transition from monthly menstruation to none? We are normal healthy women and do not need pills made in a lab to help us through. I would only consider this in extreme situations. In fact it is estradiol, which we quit producing at menopause, that puts us at risk for cancer. While I support what you choose and feel to be the best for your health, I hear quite clear in your email that you do not feel good on these pills. I trust that!

In addition to general nourishment to help us through this transition, there are things we can do to smooth out the menstrual cycles, being sure to nourish, rather than force our hormonal system, so that if the slow down is a result of needed nourishment, we may cycle a bit longer. This leaves room for menopause to happen as naturally as it is supposed to.

To help deal with some of the concerns that menopause brings I highly recommend Susun Weed's New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way. You can read some excerpts from this book through our website. You may wish to start with this article on Increasing Your Energy

Once you are reading the articles above you may have more questions. I am happy to answer any as I am able. As well, the above resource should prove helpful. Write any time!!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

Heavy Bleeding in Menopause

Q: Hi,

Please I would like to be added to your mailings.

Thank you'

Also, do you have any suggestions on ways to control heavy prolonged bleeding? I am a 50 year old women and am experiencing this problem.

 

A: Hello, you have been added to our Weed Wanderings ezine mailing list as you request - enjoy!

We would also love to invite you to Wise Woman Web. where you can access three more community resources we have for you - our Wise Woman Forum, our NEW! Wise Woman Weblog and NEW! Email Groups. These would be great places to talk with others with experience with heavy prolonged bleeding that some experience with menopause.

Susun Weed's book New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way has lots of helpful ideas for those with various menopause, pre-menopausal and post menopausal concerns. She has ideas to control the bleeding, but it is important to know when there is another cause to it or if the blood loss is enough to need more serious intervention. She writes:

Heavy bleeding (flooding) during the menopausal years - or prior to them - has a variety of causes: fibroids, endometriosis, and high levels of hormones, most notably high progesterone. Since it is a drop in the progesterone level that signals the uterus to contract and expel the menses, when progesterone levels stay high during the cycle, the endometrium continues to grow and reaches an unprecedented density and richness. It actually grows so dense that it crowds itself out of the uterus. When that finally happens, you have a "late" period that comes in floods, gushes, clots, and the occasional long slow bleed (not profuse, but it may go on for a month or more).... Some healthy menopausal women report bleeding for as long as 40 days. Midwives note that it isn't so much the amount of blood a woman loses as her individual physiological response to the blood loss. Weakness, dizziness, paleness, and mental confusion signals danger.

 

If not profuse bleeding, her suggestions range from relaxation, homeopathic remedies, Lady's Mantle, keeping iron levels high, bioflavanoids, prostoglandins, Chaste berries, Wild Yam, and others. For more serious concerns she talks about Shepherd's Purse, Witch Hazel and acupuncture. She stresses the most important thing is to keep your iron levels high. I am happy to elaborate on any of these that appeal. It is 7 pages worth of information - too much for me to type it all.

Please let us know if we can help further!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Thank you very much for the email.  I must say the information you mentioned in your email with regard to pre-menopausl bleeding from Susan Weeds book is interesting,  it is new information for me and much makes sense.

I am wondering if progesterone creme (wild yam) would aggravate heavy prolong bleeding rather than help it stop.  I am not sure if using well having long and heavy periods would be the correct thing.

I used Shepherds Purse and I am not sure if it made a difference.  But, I did change and increase the iron pills I was taking and that seem to make a difference to slowing down the bleeding if that makes sense.

Also, do the progesterone levels, if they are high (which I think is the case with me) eventually even themselves out?

Thank you so much for your time!!
J.

 

A: Hello J.!  So glad the information was helpful.

In the section I reference, Susun speaks of Wild Yam, but not necessarily in the "progesterone cream" form.  She writes:

Wild Yam root tincture, 20-30 drops daily for the two weeks preceding the expected onset of menses, can supply enough progesterone precursors to decrease to decrease or eliminate flooding.

I understand the question of whether this would then exacerbate the problem by increasing progesterone, but perhaps there is some other functioning in it, like by taking it for just those two weeks, it helps bring a more regular movement to the progesterone levels.  About the cream claiming to contain wild yam I have heard conflicting reports, from it being useless, to it being helpful, to it being potentially harmful.  I tend to stick to the herbs I know as plants and can then prepare in my kitchen, even if I do end up buying them prepared from someone I trust, I at least know how the preparation is done.

What form of Shepherd's Purse are you using, and in what amounts?  I understand it is important to use the tincture made from the fresh seed pods, leaves and stalks.  Susun writes:

A dropperful under the tongue, repeated every 10-15 minutes, can slow or stop flooding within hours, sometimes in minutes.  If results are not noticeable within 24 hours, use another remedy.

 

When iron levels are low the flooding increases.  And the increase in bleeding further lowers the iron levels.  So it does not surprise me the good results you have had with the iron pills.  Though I again opt for those things I can prepare in my kitchen.

I imagine if you continue to take wonderful care of yourself through this, your beautiful wise body will continue towards deeper and deeper health.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Hi Karen,

Thank you very much for once again supplying such good solid information.

In answer to your question the Shepards Purse I used is classified as a Tincture.  I have no idea though if it is made from fresh seed pods, leaves and stalks.  It is made by a company called Clef Des Champs Herboristere.  It list the ingredients as "Liquid extract of fresh org. shepards purse plant with a 40% alcohol base". Directions for use are 5 to 15 drops in water as needed.  I guess I took that as a maximum daily dose, so that basically is what I had done.

After reading your reference of a dropper under the tongue every 15 minutes, I guess I wasn't even close.  I have started to bleed again, I will follow your suggestion and see how it goes.

It had been 3 weeks since I last bleed.

I can understand why you would opt for stuff you can prepare in your own kitchen, although that is something I do not have the knowledge to do.

Your information regarding the wild yam progesterone cream was very good. I have not used the root tincture at this point, as I am still leary about having anything that might increase flow.  I am retaining all information you send me and will explore the wild yam tincture further.

Any further information you can supply regarding shepards purse and heavy, long flow would be so appreciated.

I also appreciate you taking the time to reply to me!

I will continue with the iron pills with hopes that it will control this new onset of bleeding along with the shepards purse in the new dosage recommendation from you.  Would I be putting myself at any risk by increasing it's intake so much?

Thank you once again,
J.

 

A: Hello J., how are you doing today?  Have you tried the Shepherd's Purse tincture yet?  I would save it for those times it is more necessary, and not simply for the irregular menses that are natural right now.  Have you been bleeding heavily again?  I have not heard a concern of this dosage of this herbal tincture, however would heed Susun's warning to find another solution is no results in 24 hours.  I don't always have the time to make all the remedies myself, but just opt for those most simply made - I use knowing if they could be made in my kitchen, or if they need a laboratory or factory to be made, as a guideline.  I was happy to see your email, and look forward to hearing how you are doing...

with love,
Karen Joy

Q: Hi Karen,

This time, my bleeding last 4 days and did not get out of control.  I did use Shepherd's Purse, but a great deal as the bleeding seemed to be okay.  I agree with you to save it's usage for the times it is really heavy, which I will do in future. Yes, I would keep Susan's advice if it isn't effective in 24 hours, to do something else.

I was relieved that this bleeding didn't turn into something terrible like before.  I will see what subsequent times bring.  I do have my iron levels up and I would suspect that may help also.

I will keep you posted on how I am doing.

All this talk about me, I hope you are well!

Cheers,
J.

 

A: J., I am having a wonderful day today, thank you for asking!  And thank you for the update.  Yes, I would LOVE to hear further from you to know you are well... write any time :)

with love,
Karen Joy

 

[6 WEEKS LATER...]

Q: Hi Karen,

Hope you are well and again I thank you for your most valuable information.

I thought I would give you an update on my bleeding, as you asked if I would.

I more or less missed a period. Then near the end of July, I started to bleed again and have been for over 3 weeks. It is heavy, but so far, not as bad as before. I think it has helped that my iron levels this time around are not as low. I have become wise in doing what I can to keep the levels in reason.

I noticed in your one of your emails, Susan also suggested Witch Hazel to control bleeding. My research on the Internet has not brought up any good solid information. So, I am turning to you to obtain some of your knowledge on it. Which format would I use it in, how much and when to take it and so on?

I look forward to having this bleeding end, it does throw off my life considerably at times.

Any information you can share will be so greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much,
J.

 

A: J., it is wonderful to hear from you. Thank you for writing. I hear that you are ready to be done with your bleeding, and understand many women feel burdened by it. I imagine this is intensified with the more erratic nature of it right now, and the fear of heavier than usual bleeding. I have also heard, though, some grieving the loss of their monthly bleeding once it is really gone.

I am glad you are keeping your iron levels high.

For Witch Hazel, Susun writes:

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) bark/leaf tincture is another favorite with women who deal with flooding. Unlike shepherd's purse, which contracts and closes down the uterus (an effect which can increase flooding with the first dose), witch hazel contracts the blood vessels. A dropperful of tincture usually diminishes flooding within a few hours and brings it to normal within two days. Women with heavy periods may wish to use witch hazel infusion (1-3 cups a day) instead, for its tonic effect on the uterus.

 

So glad you wrote!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com