148 life stages 148 The Complete Home Guide to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutrition
leaves little time for personal care or refl ection.
Not all women will suffer. In fact, it is estimated that as few as 10
percent go through a really diffi cult menopause, with vaginal dryness, hot
fl ashes, night sweats, depression, and insomnia. The rest may encounter
one or two of these symptoms without too much distress, while at least 20
percent will hardly notice any change at all. Statistically, in Britain,
women go through menopause on average at the age of forty-seven. But
some experience menopause much earlier. This can be due to illness, poor
nutritional care, genetic tendencies (in other words, one’s mother or
grandmother did so), or extreme stress. Some women don’t reach their
menopause until they are in their mid fi fties. On the whole, though, the
recent trend has been for women to become menopausal
earlier — mirroring the pattern of women menstruating earlier.
“In Germany 70 percent of physicians successfully prescribe herbal
remedies for the menopause, instead of using hormone replacement drugs,”
reports Dr. M. Schmittmann. This trend to support menopause with herb
use is an increasing one in Britain.
There are three stages of menopause: perimenopause (sometimes
referred to as premenopause), menopause, and postmenopause. Medically
speaking, menopause is defi ned as the last menstrual period, or the
cessation of menstrual bleeding. The transition to menopause is known as
perimenopause and may last as long as eight to fi fteen years. Postmenopause
is considered to start approximately one year after menopause has
occurred.
Contrary to common belief, most women’s estrogen levels remain
relatively stable during perimenopause, or even may increase slightly. On
the other hand, progesterone levels begin to fall. The result can be a
condition called estrogen dominance. This causes a myriad of
uncomfortable symptoms similar to premenstrual syndrome, only ten
times more severe. Maintaining adequate progesterone is important for
building up the uterine lining during menstruation, as well as for proper
blood clotting, blood sugar regulation, healthy bone formation, and fat
metabolism. Herbs are a real support during this time, particularly ones
that increase progesterone levels, such as chaste tree berry. They initiate a
progestogenic response in the body by having a dialogue with the
pituitary gland and subsequently activating the ovaries. By regulating the
hormones, any defi cits or dominance are redressed, whether estrogenic or
progestogenic. Proportional amounts of black cohosh and other
estrogenic herbs can be additionally taken and the overall effect will be
most welcome.
Hot fl ashes are the most common symptom of menopause transition,
and changes in the blood’s hormone levels are the main cause of naturally
occurring menopause. The same herbs as above can continue or start to