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Water retention Premenstrual Syndrome's diagnosis may be differentiated from other medical disorders by the use of a menstrual diary, which would correlate symptoms with the menstrual cycle. A women's health practitioner may take a complete medical history and physical examination to rule out such diseases as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and dysmenorrhea. Menopause As women approach their late 40's and early 50's, menopause can become a vital health care issue. Menopause means the last menstrual period. Symptoms of perimenopause, the period prior to menopause, can begin as early as 35 years of age. Some of the symptoms that women experience are:
When perimenopause begins, the ovaries decrease the production of estrogen and progesterone causing irregular menstrual cycles. Eventually ovulation and menstruation stops and the production of estrogens and progesterone decline dramatically. In entering this transition of life, treatment may vary greatly. Options may include balanced diet, exercising, use of herbs, and possible "natural" hormone replacement therapy. Andropause Andropause or "Male Menopause" is the decline of male hormonal function, which affects all men eventually. Changes typically begin after the age of 40; however, men can also experience hormonal changes sooner. The male hormones are called androgens, and include the most dominant hormone, testosterone, which is responsible for the structure of all body proteins. Some symptoms men may experience while going through andropause include:
Treatment of andropause may vary from person to person and may include an exercise program, healthy eating, nutritional supplementation, and/or "natural" hormone replacement therapy. Postpartum Depression After the birth of a child, postpartum depression (PPD) can occur. PPD is characterized by frequent teariness or more extreme feelings of being unable to cope, rage, or the mother's fear that she may hurt herself or her baby. These feelings can occur anytime within the first year following childbirth. PPD has different levels of severity ranging from the "baby blues" to psychosis. Having the "baby blues" is characterized as a short period of anxiety and weepiness due to the shift in hormones immediately after birth. In the most severe case of PPD psychosis, mothers can experience extreme rage, severe depression, and delusions. The treatment for these women may include a complete assessment of the individual's needs, including specific lab evaluations, psychiatric assessment, education, therapy, support, and medications, as needed. Infertility Infertility is the inability to conceive a child and could be due to many different factors. One cause of infertility is luteal phase defect. This is inadequate progesterone production during the luteal phase of the cycle. Progesterone prepares the uterine wall for the implantation of a fertilized egg and supports the egg throughout a full-term pregnancy. Research indicates that "natural" progesterone can raise the body's progesterone level and help women to conceive and carry a full-term pregnancy. When progesterone is low, there may be inadequate support for the fertilized egg and can cause miscarriages. Endometriosis Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrial tissue normally found inside the uterus is found outside the uterus. These cells then implant themselves onto other organs in the pelvic area, where they grow and cause pain, infertility, and other problems. There are various treatments for endometriosis, depending on the severity of the condition, where the endometriosis is located, and the age of the individual. Hypothyroidism Is a condition in which the thyroid is under active. There are various symptoms of low thyroid function with the most common being:
The treatment may include "natural" hormone replacement, nutritional supplementation, and changes in diet and lifestyle. Hypoadrenalism is low production of hormones from the adrenal glands or an imbalance among these hormones. The hormones primarily produced by the adrenal glands are cortisol (hydrocortisone) and DHEA. Some causes of hypoadrenalism may be immune system damage to the adrenal gland, or an insufficient amount of stimulation by pituitary hormones. There are many symptoms associated with hypoadrenalism with the common ones being:
A health practitioner may take a complete history, thorough physical examination, and lab tests to rule out other medical disorders. Treatment for hypoadrenalism may include diet, nutrition, education, and "natural" hormone replacement. |
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