ALL Women go through Menopause

Q: I am 39 years old and went through a surgical hysterectomy 9 years ago. I have struggled over the last nine years with hormone replacement. I am currently not on any replacement, but that is because of fibrocystic breasts and I needed a break. I would like to find out what natural products you may suggest for estrogen replacement that will help with sexual health as well. I have to be on inderal for headaches and I have lost my libido....completely....sadly!

I have a traditional doctor, who I do not feel would help me other than with medications and I want something natural to help me out. My ex husband and I had read a book of yours years ago and I loaned it to someone and never got it back....are you able to help me out?

I would appreciate any help I can get for these things. I feel I have suffered long enough and its time to take control again! Thanks for your time and considerations.

 

A: I hear your desire to take an active supportive role in your health! Perhaps it was Susun's Menopausal Years book you once read. She now has New Menopausal Years, a revised, expanded version. I highly recommend you get it. We have some nearly new books for half the price. Whether you purchase this or not though we are happy to help any way we are able.

While hysterectomy does force a woman into instant menopause instead of allowing the gradual shift others go through, menopause is still something ALL women go through. It is a natural part of who we are. It is not a symptom of some lack. Yes the hormones we produce change, but no better or worse than before menopause, just different. You are not lacking any hormones, so do not need hormone replacement, "natural" or not.

What you may need is some more deep nourishment. Change, welcome or not, takes energy. On top of that you went through major surgery, and have been using drugs that take their toll. I hear in your voice (email :)) that you nourish yourself, and care for your self. Perhaps there is some more nourishing you can do. This has many aspects.

There are many reasons women can feel a loss of libido, and I have to admit I have not yet gone through menopause so here can only speak from what I have learned from other wise women before me, not personal experience. I have however felt I suffered from loss of libido and have found ways that help me. I imagine while some of what I have learned can help even menopausal women, there is something specific about the changes through menopause that can affect this. The primary two things I have heard listening to others talk is that was used to be exciting is no more, and one's vaginal tissues no longer feel full and moist.

For the former the most successful women I have heard stepped back and said okay, this is different now, so what DOES excite me. They had to reevaluate, recreate their sexuality. Perhaps intercourse is not as pleasurable but other forms of intimacy are. Maybe even some that were not before.

For the dry vaginal tissues, we can not naturally get to how we once were, but we can help support and love our tissues with herbal oils.

For any woman at any stage of her life, I believe her long term deep sexual health and vitality lay in her comfort in and love of her body. I know personally having gone through something traumatic to these intimate parts, I had to step back and rebuild my relationship with myself. It was easy when young and with the body this culture loves to see, but harder when I was imperfect in my eyes, even damaged. It was a dark place to go and took years, but I have found a sexuality now that can easily rival those young years. Of course I will likely have to go through this again once through the changes of menopause.

I trully believe you can find your sexual, vital, creative, passionate self. Talking with others may help you find the answers, both what you can do personally inside yourself, and herbal friends you can ally with to help you along.

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