Men-O-Pause- Face It - homeopathy360

Men-O-Pause- Face It

Abstract
Menopause is defined as occurring 12 months after your last menstrual period and marks the end of menstrual cycles. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States.
Menopause is a natural biological process. Although it also ends fertility, you can stay healthy, vital and sexual. Some women feel relieved because they no longer need to worry about pregnancy.

Even so, the physical symptoms, such as hot flashes, and emotional symptoms of menopause may disrupt your sleep, lower your energy or — for some women — trigger anxiety or feelings of sadness and loss.

Don’t hesitate to seek treatment for symptoms that bother you. Many effective treatments are available, from lifestyle adjustments to hormone therapy. Homoeopathy has very effective role to play in relieving the symptoms of menopause and avoid the adverse effects of hormone-replacement therapy.

Definition: Menopause is defined as occurring 12 months after your last menstrual period and marks the end of menstrual cycles.

Symptoms

In the months or years leading up to menopause (perimenopause), you might experience these signs and symptoms:
·         Irregular periods
·         Vaginal dryness
·         Hot flashes
·         Night sweats
·         Sleep problems
·         Mood changes
·         Weight gain and slowed metabolism
·         Thinning hair and dry skin
·         Loss of breast fullness
It’s possible, but very unusual, to menstruate every month right up to your last period. More likely, you’ll experience some irregularity in your periods. [1] Skipping periods during perimenopause is common and expected. Often, menstrual periods will occur every two to four months during perimenopause, especially one to two years before menopause. Despite irregular periods, pregnancy is possible. If you’ve skipped a period but aren’t sure you’ve started the menopausal transition, you may want to determine whether you’re pregnant.

When to see a doctor

Starting at perimenopause, schedule regular visits with your doctor for preventive health care and any medical concerns. Continue getting these appointments during and after menopause.
Preventive health care can include recommended screenings at menopause, such as a colonoscopy, mammography, lipid screening, thyroid testing if suggested by your history, and breast and pelvic exams.
Always seek medical advice if you have bleeding from your vagina after menopause.

Causes

Menopause can result from:
·         Natural decline of reproductive hormones. As you approach your late 30s, your ovaries start making less estrogen and progesterone — the hormones that regulate menstruation — and your fertility declines.
In your 40s, your menstrual periods may become longer or shorter, heavier or lighter, and more or less frequent, until eventually — on average, by age 51 — you have no more periods.
·         Hysterectomy. A hysterectomy that removes your uterus but not your ovaries (partial hysterectomy) usually doesn’t cause immediate menopause. Although you no longer have periods, your ovaries still release eggs and produce estrogen and progesterone.
But surgery that removes both your uterus and your ovaries (total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy) does cause menopause, without any transitional phase. Your periods stop immediately, and you’re likely to have hot flashes and other menopausal signs and symptoms, which can be severe, as these hormonal changes occur abruptly rather than over several years.
·         Chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These cancer therapies can induce menopause, causing symptoms such as hot flashes during or shortly after the course of treatment. The halt to menstruation (and fertility) is not always permanent following chemotherapy, so birth control measures may still be desired.
·         Primary ovarian insufficiency. About 1 percent of women experience menopause before age 40 (premature menopause). Menopause may result from primary ovarian insufficiency — when your ovaries fail to produce normal levels of reproductive hormones — stemming from genetic factors or autoimmune disease. But often no cause can be found. For these women, hormone therapy is typically recommended at least until the natural age of menopause in order to protect the brain, heart and bones. [2]  

Complications

After menopause, your risk of certain medical conditions increases. Examples include:
·         Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. When your estrogen levels decline, your risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women as well as in men. So it’s important to get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet and maintain a normal weight. Ask your doctor for advice on how to protect your heart, such as how to reduce your cholesterol or blood pressure if it’s too high.
·         Osteoporosis. This condition causes bones to become brittle and weak, leading to an increased risk of fractures. During the first few years after menopause, you may lose bone density at a rapid rate, increasing your risk of osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are especially susceptible to fractures of their hips, wrists and spine.
·         Urinary incontinence. As the tissues of your vagina and urethra lose elasticity, you may experience frequent, sudden, strong urges to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine (urge incontinence), or the loss of urine with coughing, laughing or lifting (stress incontinence). You may have urinary tract infections more often.
Strengthening pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises and using a topical vaginal estrogen may help relieve symptoms of incontinence.
·         Sexual function. Vaginal dryness from decreased moisture production and loss of elasticity can cause discomfort and slight bleeding during sexual intercourse. Also, decreased sensation may reduce your desire for sexual activity (libido).
Water-based vaginal moisturizers and lubricants may help. Choose products that don’t contain glycerin because women who are sensitive to this chemical may experience burning and irritation. If a vaginal lubricant isn’t enough, many women benefit from the use of local vaginal estrogen treatment, available as a vaginal cream, tablet or ring.
·         Weight gain. Many women gain weight during the menopausal transition and after menopause because metabolism slows. You may need to eat less and exercise more, just to maintain your current weight. [1,2]  

Tests and diagnosis

Signs and symptoms of menopause are usually enough to tell most women that they’ve started the menopausal transition. If you have concerns about irregular periods or hot flashes, talk with your doctor. In some cases, further evaluation may be recommended.
Tests typically aren’t needed to diagnose menopause. But under certain circumstances, your doctor may recommend blood tests to check your level of:
·         Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen (estradiol), because your FSH levels increase and estradiol levels decrease as menopause occurs
·         Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), because an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause symptoms similar to those of menopause. [1]  

Treatments and drugs

Menopause requires no medical treatment. Instead, treatments focus on relieving your signs and symptoms and preventing or managing chronic conditions that may occur with aging. Treatments may include:
·         Hormone therapy.Estrogen therapy remains, by far, the most effective treatment option for relieving menopausal hot flashes. Depending on your personal and family medical history, your doctor may recommend estrogen in the lowest dose needed to provide symptom relief for you. If you still have your uterus, you’ll need progestin in addition to estrogen. Estrogen also helps prevent bone loss. And hormone therapy may benefit your heart if started within five years after your last menstrual period.
·         Vaginal estrogen. To relieve vaginal dryness, estrogen can be administered directly to the vagina using a vaginal cream, tablet or ring. This treatment releases just a small amount of estrogen, which is absorbed by the vaginal tissues. It can help relieve vaginal dryness, discomfort with intercourse and some urinary symptoms.
·         Low-dose antidepressants. Certain antidepressants related to the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may decrease menopausal hot flashes. A low-dose antidepressant for management of hot flashes may be useful for women who can’t take estrogen for health reasons or for women who need an antidepressant for a mood disorder.
·         Medications to prevent or treat osteoporosis. Depending on individual needs, doctors may recommend medication to prevent or treat osteoporosis. Several medications are available that help reduce bone loss and risk of fractures. [2]  
Before deciding on any form of treatment, talk with your doctor about your options and the risks and benefits involved with each. Review your options yearly, as your needs and treatment options may change.
 

Lifestyle and home remedies

Fortunately, many of the signs and symptoms associated with menopause are temporary. Take these steps to help reduce or prevent their effects:
·         Cool hot flashes. Dress in layers, have a cold glass of water or go somewhere cooler. Try to pinpoint what triggers your hot flashes. For many women, triggers may include hot beverages, caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, stress, hot weather and even a warm room.
·         Decrease vaginal discomfort. Use over-the-counter, water-based vaginal lubricants (Astroglide, K-Y jelly, others) or moisturizers (Replens, others). Choose products that don’t contain glycerin, which can cause burning or irritation in women who are sensitive to that chemical. Staying sexually active also helps by increasing blood flow to the vagina.
·         Get enough sleep. Avoid caffeine, which can make it hard to get to sleep, and avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can interrupt sleep. Exercise during the day, although not right before bedtime. If hot flashes disturb your sleep, you may need to find a way to manage them before you can get adequate rest.
·         Practice relaxation techniques. Techniques such as deep breathing, paced breathing, guided imagery, massage and progressive muscle relaxation can help relieve menopausal symptoms. You can find a number of books, CDs and online offerings on different relaxation exercises.
·         Strengthen your pelvic floor. Pelvic floor muscle exercises, called Kegel exercises, can improve some forms of urinary incontinence.
·         Eat a balanced diet. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit saturated fats, oils and sugars. Ask your provider if you need calcium or vitamin D supplements to help meet daily requirements.
·         Don’t smoke. Smoking increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, cancer and a range of other health problems. It may also increase hot flashes and bring on earlier menopause.
·         Exercise regularly. Get regular physical activity or exercise on most days to help protect against heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and other conditions associated with aging. [1]  

Top Homeopathic Remedies for Menopause

Sepia: Best natural Homeopathic remedy for Menopause with change in temperament

There are many natural Homeopathic remedies to consider, but Sepia tops them all when it comes to the treatment of symptoms associated with Menopause. For women requiring Sepia, a change in temperament requires a special mention. From being calm and gentle before Menopause, she becomes very irritable and is not able to show affection towards family members. The feeling of sadness, with no desire to meet friends and no interest in daily activities, makes her feel worse. She feels easily tired. Flushes of heat (sensation of heat) in various parts of the body, which may also be associated with excessive perspiration, are common. She has an aversion to sex, and may experience a dragging or bearing down sensation in the uterus, feeling as if she has to cross her legs to hold it in. Backaches are often part of the symptom pattern. Homeopathic remedy Sepia can work wonders, making this transition through Menopause a comfortable one and bringing back the vivacious woman in her.

Lachesis: Homeopathic treatment for Menopause with extreme heat flushes

Lachesis is one of the best natural homeopathic remedies for menopause. Lachesis is the ideal remedy for extreme heat flushes during Menopause. The woman cannot bear tight clothing mainly around neck or waist. Lachesis can also control the headache accompanied by heat. The next sphere where Lachesis works wonders is mental depression during Menopause. The key symptom arising out of depression is an aversion to social interaction. Such a woman wants to run away from the world. She doesn’t want to do any business and lacks interest in daily routine work.

AmylenumNitrosum: Homeopathic medicine for Menopause with profuse sweating and acute headache

AmylosumNitrosum is an excellent natural Homeopathic medicine for women in menopausal stage with heat flushes followed by profuse sweating. She desires cool air. The flushes can be accompanied by palpitations of heart. AmylenumNitrosum can also relieve the headache with a marked congestion in head. Such women with a headache feel that the head would burst out due to pain and congestion.

Ignatia: Top Homeopathic medicine for depression during Menopause

Ignatia is the most efficient natural Homeopathic medicine for coping with depression and mood variations during Menopause. Women with extreme sadness and weeping tendencies can greatly benefit from Homeopathic remedy Ignatia. Such women cut themselves off from society and do not wish to talk to anybody. They want to be left alone all the time. Homeopathic medicine Ignatia can also best control the mood changes during Menopause. The woman needing Ignatia has sudden changes in her mood. The mood shifts rapidly from happiness to sadness without any apparent cause. Here, natural Homeopathic remedy Ignatia definitely helps in providing mental stability.
 

Graphites: Homeopathic medicine for obesity during Menopause

Graphites is another very useful natural Homeopathic medicine   for menopausal sufferings. The main sphere for the use of Graphites is that it helps in controlling obesity during Menopause. It suits women who have been through the worst kind of constipation till now. The woman has a marked sensitivity to cold air. Mentally she remains sad and cannot make decisions easily. Such women feel melancholic and hopeless. They may begin to weep on even listening to music. [3]  

A case of Menopause successfully treated with Sepia

A female patient, ABC, age 48 yrs., married came to my clinic on 15/09/2015 with complaints of irregular menses since 1 year.
Menses are copious, come too frequently, last too long with severe colicky pain in abdomen during menses. One period stops and other begins. Clots++. There is severe indifference and irritability during menses. She also complaints of hot flushes++
Chief complaint:

Location

Sensations

Modalities

Concomitants

Female genitals/Menses

Copious, Colicky pain

< during menses

< between the periods


Associated Complaints:

Location

Sensations

Modalities

Concomitants

Mind

Indifference, irritability

< during menses

Generals

Hot flushes

 
Past history   
H/O- Abortion
Family history: NAD
Personal history
Appetite        loss of appetite
Desires             Sour  food
Aversions        nothing specific
Thirst               6-9 glasses a day
Perspiration      moderate, only on extreme exertion in axillae
Stool                Unsatisfactory, Straining+ 2 times a day
Urine               NAD
Sleep & Dreams
Sound  sleep. Can’t remember her dreams
Thermals: Hot
Mentals:
Indifference towards loved ones, Irritability++
Menstrual History: Menses irregular, last long, one period stops other begins. Dysmenorrhoea clots++
Obstetric history: 1 abortion
Investigations: Haemogram: Hb: 8 USG: Abdomen and Pelvis: NAD

Final diagnosis
: Menopause
Miasmatic background: Syco-Syphilitic
Analysis of symptoms:
1)      Indifference to loved ones                         Mental general characteristic (Intellect)
2)      Irritability < during menses                        Mental general characteristic (emotion)
3)      Abortion tendency-                        physical general characteristic
4)      Desire sour-                                   physical general characteristic
5)      Menses irregular, copious, protracted, too frequent, painful- physical particular characteristic
Evaluation of symptoms:
1)      Indifference to loved ones
2)      Irritability < during menses
3)      Abortion
4)      Menses irregular, copious, protracted, too frequent, painful
5)      Hot flushes
Repertorisation: [RADAR-10]

Prescription:                   
Sepia 1M, Single dose, S.L t.d.sfor  15days
 
Follow up summary:

Sr.no

Date

Complaints

Remedy

Reason

1 01/10/2015 Better, menses much better, frequency less, bleeding less, clots++, pain++, hot flushes++

S.L t.d.s for 15days

As complaints better S.L
2 13/10/2015 Bleeding+++, Clots++, Pain+++, Copious, lasted too long, Irritability++, Hot flushes++

Sepia 10M, Single dose, S.L t.d.s for 1month

As complaints worsened, increase the potency
3 18/11/2015 Much better, Bleeding less, menses regular last for 3-4 days, pain much less, irritability less

S.L T.DS. for 1month

As complaints better.
4 17/12/2015 Much better

S.L T.DS. for 1month

As complaints better.
5 21/01/2016 H/O exertion. Complaints again started

Sepia 50M, Single dose, S.L t.d.s for 1month

As recurrence of complaints  increase the potency
6 27/02/2016 Much better

S.L T.D.S for 1 month

As complaints better.
7 30/03/2016 Much better

S.L T.D.S for 1 month

As complaints better.
8 25/04/2016 Hot flushes++, H/O Travelling Menses lasted too long, painful

Sepia CM, Single dose, S.L t.d.s for 1month

As recurrence of complaints  increase the potency
9 23/05/2016 Much better

S.L T.D.S for 1 month

As complaints better.
10 29/06/2016 Much better

S.L T.D.S for 1 month

As complaints better.
11 26/07/2016 Menses regular, 3-4 days, no pain, occ hot flushes

Stop treatment

Follow up as and when required

 
Comments:
Taking in to consideration the totality of symptoms as well as the reportorial totality, Sepia was prescribed as a constitutional medicine. Taking in to account the overall susceptibility of the patient and menopausal age, Sepia was prescribes in high potency 1M. Cyclical dose of Sepia was completed starting from 1M and ending at CM potency of Sepia. It can be seen that as the potency went on increasing from 1M till CM potency, all the physicals as well as mental symptoms improved and there was complete improvement. This shows that a well selected constitutional remedy prescribed in cyclical increasing doses does wonders in such cases.
 
Differential Materia Medica:
Platina is too egoistic and has a superiority complex where as Sepia is indifferent even towards loved ones. Irritability is more marked in Sepia mainly during menses whereas Pulsatilla is soft, mild.
Pulsatilla lacks the indifference and is very much sensitive and weeps easily at slightest emotions. Phosphorus is attractive and has a definite aura about her which lacked in the patient.
This led me to select Sepia over others.
References
1.      Howkins& Bourne Shaw’s Textbook of Gynaecology, Paperback – 2015
byPadubidri (Author), Daftary (Author), 16thEdtion.
2.      D.C.Dutta’S Textbook Of Gynecology, KonarHiralal, 10th Edition
3.      Boericke W. Homoeopathic MateriaMedica and Repertory. B. Jain Publishers New Delhi.
4.      RADAR 10

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