Several times a week, DH cradles my head in his lap and strokes my hair until I fall asleep. (Together now: "Awwwww.") Last night, he abruptly stopped rubbing asking, "Are you like blowing up or something? Your head feels like a volcano!"
Well, DUH! He should feel a hot flash from MY perspective!
Dr. Christine Northrup, one of American women's most trusted medical advisors, challenges conventional approaches to "the change," asserting that we are not plagued by a collection of problems that must be "fixed."
Her book, The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing During the Change, 2nd Edition,
examines the connection between menopause and a woman's emotional and spiritual life. In it, she stresses how the choices we make now - from the quality of our relationships to the quality of our diets - can either secure our health for the rest of our lives, or put our futures at risk. Beginning on page 177, Dr. Northrup recommends Black Cohosh for its "estrogenic effect to decrease hot flashes, night sweats and emotional lability....Clinical studies show that it relieves menopausal symptoms such as depression, vaginal dryness, hot flashes and menstrual symptoms. (Note: Black cohosh can interact with medicine for high blood pressure and may result in excessively low blood pressure in some women.)"
On page 179, she also cites soy as a "safe alternative to hormone replacement, offering most of the benefits of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) without the risks or side effects."
According to Dr. Northrup, a daily dose of 60-70 mg of isoflavones reported measurable benefits for the heart and bones, as well as an inhibitory effect on colon cancer and bowel problems.
"Research and my clinical and personal experience suggest that most women need about 100-160 mg of soy isoflavones per day to get significant relief from other menopausal symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, as well as to protect the heart and bones," she concludes on page 181.
Sounds like a no-brainer to me. Has anybody else tried this product that combines black cohosh with soy protein?
(Research from other sources here and here. )
3 comments:
During perimenopause, when my hot flashes were at their most debilitating, I tried black cohosh, which didn't work and made me dizzy (I have low blood pressure.) Soy isoflavones seemed to work, but I got sick from them. Turns out I am allergic to soy - and that soy is one of the top food allergens. Who knew? Ah, the menopause treatment regime: it's so individual and sometimes complicated. I'll post more on soy - the pluses and minuses soon on www.menopausegoddessblog.org
I want to share --
If natural is what you like, I have been listening to the herbal pharmacist on Sirius almost every day. Maybe he can suggest something for anyone who might be interested. http://www.herbalpharmacist.com/
I'm reading "The Wisdom of Menopause" right now. Great book.
:)
Good health to all.
Do you listen to podcasts? You don't have to have an iPod to do it, many of them you can stream over the Internet.
Anyway, Dr. Northrup has a free weekly podcast that I enjoy. It's available through iTunes if you're interested.
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