Women's Hormonal Complexities: Natural Herbs for Menopause Symptoms - Relieve Bloating, Mood Swings, Water Retention, etc.

I am a 24 year old student. I am working on a masters degree in pharmacy. I have been having a menstrual cycle problem from May of this year to September. I was not menstruating, so I went to the doctor and had a sonography done. The impression of that is a bulky uterus with multiple small follicles seen. The doctor gave me medication for five days after this there was menstruation. I continued with one month tablets i.e Tarana oral contraceptive after that again there is menstruation. But after that I stopped contraceptives and then I had nothing for three months. I have gained weight and my belly is very fat.

Dear Hemlata, The condition of not having regular menstrual flows or monthly periods is called amenorrhea. Amenorrhea is usually a sign or symptom of another cause or problem. Since your monthly periods were regular up until May, you have what is called secondary amenorrhea as opposed to primary amenorrhea which describes never having developed any menstrual flow during your teen age years. Secondary amenorrhea can be due to several causes. One cause could be stress, since you said that you are a student and being a student is stressful work. Your sonogram showed a bulky or enlarged uterus which may be caused by hormonal imbalance or fibroid tumors of the uterus. If you doctor did not visualize any fibroids in your uterus, then this may not be the problem. Since the oral contraceptive tablets which contain a balanced amount of estrogen and progesterone started your menstrual flow again, then the probable cause of your amenorrhea may be due to hormonal imbalance whereby your body is unable to produce adequate amounts of hormones. You definitely should return to your doctor and tell him or her about your weight gain and belly fat. The uterus could be still growing larger and your doctor should check more closely for the cause. You mentioned that follicles were visualized on the sonogram, so I am assuming that your ovaries contain these follicles and not your uterus. Follicles on ovaries usually indicate an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. You might also want to ask your doctor to check your thyroid hormones to see if they are in balance also. Other things to check carefully for include other types of tumors or cancer. Good luck in your search for the cause.

I am a breast cancer survivor. After having radiation I developed nodules on my thyroid and have had a total thyroidectomy. I believe that my parathyroid glands, which regulate blood calcium, went into shock and since then have not been regulating my calcium levels. I take calcium supplements daily. If not I get terrible cramps in my calves and feet. Sometimes I take up to 6000 mg of calcium a day and this does not always stop the cramps. Is there anything I can do to "kick start" my parathyroid glands. I am concerned with so much calcium intake I may develop kidney stones. Any advice is appreciated.

Dear Renee, Oh, my! Taking 6000 mg of calcium supplementation in an attempt to stop your leg and feet cramps is not a very good idea. A serious consequence of this high dose can cause irreversible kidney damage and not just kidney stones. Please stop this practice immediately! Muscle cramps can be due to several different causes other than a lack of calcium. Here are just a few of the other causes: dehydration or decreased water intake, low potassium levels, a mineral imbalance between calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and trace minerals, lack of exercise and stretching after exercise, and an electrolyte imbalance. Please ask your doctor to check your blood electrolytes, especially your potassium level, along with your blood calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus levels. It is not a good idea to assume that your parathyroid gland is not functioning properly without first testing its functionality. Please tell your doctor that you are concerned about your parathyroid gland and he or she can then order important laboratory work which will verify its proper function and hormonal production. The parathyroid gland is complicated in its function and hormonal production and interaction in the body. Please go here to read more about the parathyroid gland:> Bone/Calcium Info. Please stop self-treating with dangerously excessive amounts of vitamins and minerals and seek out a professional health care practitioner or Naturopathic Doctor who will be able to assist you in this important matter. Good luck.

I have been told by a dermatologist that Black Cohosh may help my Melasma. It seems to come out in full force more so during my periods, and of course in the warmer months. I am assuming that this will give me a balance within, therefore helping my Melasma to appear much less on the outside? What is the recommended dosage I should take per day, and can I combine this with a multi-vitamin and milk thistle to combat this problem as well?

Dear Laura, Melasma, also called Cholasma, or the "mask of pregnancy", is a very common dark discoloration of the skin, especially in darker skinned people on sun exposed areas. Because Melasma is associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, causes can include birth control pills, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy, coupled with sun exposure. Other causes include endocrine problems, drugs, cosmetics, genetics, and even nutritional deficiencies. Usually, the discoloration will fade after the hormones are discontinued or the pregnancy is finished. Continuing to use hormones will put you at a higher risk of Melasma, especially if you are exposed to the sun or live in tropical climates. I haven't heard of the herb, Black Cohosh helping this problem. Black Cohosh, or Cimicifuga Racemosa, belongs to a group of herbs which are called phytoestrogens, which are sometimes useful for alleviating menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes during menopause, and PMS symptoms. Black Cohosh was historically used as a muscle relaxant, until it became a popular menopause herb. Some women have been known to have an allergic skin reaction to Black Cohosh especially on sun exposed areas of the skin. Other reactions to Black Cohosh include nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, dizziness, seizures, vision disturbances, and sweating. It should never be used during pregnancy, liver disease, or in people sensitive to aspirin or salicylates, or the buttercup family. It is also not recommended in women who have a history of breast or uterine cancer. If you decide to use this herb, know that it can cause reactions with chemical prescriptions or drugs, and it should not be used for longer than six months at a time. It is meant for short-term use only. Do not take more than one form at a time, meaning, do not mix the tea form with the pill form and or the liquid tincture form. If you do so, you could inadvertently overdose on this herb. Dosing for Black Cohosh is 40-200 milligrams of the herb daily, in divided doses. Sometimes, it is difficult to ascertain the exact dosing of each product, unless it is standardized to contain an exact amount of the herb. In this case, follow the directions on the bottle for the dosing, or contact your natural health practitioner when in doubt about the dose of the product. A better choice for Melasma would be grape seed extract taken orally, which is a powerful anti-oxidant that protects connective tissue and collagen. Also, Arbutin, a substance found in the Bear Berry plant could be used topically on the affected skin. Arbutin is a substance which blocks the formation of melanin, a skin pigment which is responsible for the dark discoloration. Of course, sunscreen is recommended to help prevent Melasma in susceptible individuals. Milk Thistle is a good herb to take to protect and increase the liver function, and a multi-vitamin would take care of your nutrient deficiencies if this is part of the cause for Melasma.

Hi, I have major concerns about my hormonal balance. I have for the last few years been suffering from major bloating and fluid retention. Everyday is horrible and never gets better. I have been to endocrinologist/doctors/gynecologist and they all just suggest the pill which doesn't make a difference. My skin feels so uncomfortable all the time and I feel fat. I am small and very healthy but no one can help as I know I don't feel who I really am, it is affecting the way I live my life and just stay at home. Blood test are always normal so I never get an answer. It is making me feel crazy and I just feel so disgusting. I am only 26 and my husband and I are just starting to try for a baby. I want to feel good about myself and sexy. How will my imbalance affect my fertility because of the o estrogen dominance? Thank you, please help.

Maybe you can help. I am 48 yrs old and always have been thin. Since the beginning of the year I have gained 20 lbs, I am tired all the time. I have lower back pain, and I look like I'm eight months pregnant. I have been feeling lonely and not knowing what to do with myself, confused I guess you can say, eating a lot too, no ambition and my feet hurt when I sit for awhile and then get up. I feel pain in my feet. I have always been on the go, not lazy at all. Now by noon I am ready for a nap and by 7:30 pm ready for bed. I quit smoking last March, does that have anything to do with it? I just do not feel right. I have never had any health issues in the past.

Dear Lauren, I see that your letter was written to us back in June. I sincerely hope that you have found help by now. However, if you have not yet resolved your health issues, I feel that it is wise that you clear up your symptoms before you have your child. Unfortunately, most GYN doctors feel that the pill is the answer to most of the female hormonal problems. I might suggest that you visit your local Naturopathic doctor, who has experience with treating endocrine imbalances. She or he may order some salivary tests to further check for your hormonal levels for the adrenal glands as well as for the female sex hormone levels. If your doctors have not yet tested you for thyroid dysfunction, I suggest that these hormones be checked also, including a free T3 level along with T4 levels. Naturopathic doctors are also specialists in gastrointestinal problems and maybe some of your problems could be as simple as not having enough of the proper enzymes which your body needs to help with the bloating and distention. Good luck in your search for optimal health.

Dear Cheryl, Thank you for reaching out for a solution to your troubling health and emotional symptoms. Smoking is an unhealthy habit which can affect both the emotional and physical symptoms and can act as a crutch to assist one to deal with presenting daily problems and life in general. It is a comfort, so to speak. When a person suddenly stops smoking, the body can overcompensate by eating more food because smoking is an oral habit, so food can replace smoking as a comfort aid and can result in weight gain. Also, smoking seems to elevate the body's metabolism, so diet modification will be important after stopping smoking. I would suggest that you find a counselor with whom you feel comfortable, and see if there are any underlying emotional issues which might be the cause of your loneliness and loss of ambition and excitement in life. Here is one site which you can visit immediately to learn how to tap on strategic acupoints on the body combined with breathing and affirmations to help with unwanted emotional and physical states of consciousness. Please go to > Technique to stop smoking. Learn about an effective, exciting do-it-yourself technique which might help you with your concerns. Have fun with the process and keep open to the possibility that you can become healthier in body, mind, and spirit. I think that if you address your underlying emotional problems first, then the physical body will respond with glowing health and you will be able to become more active to achieve your goals of weight reduction and pain relief.

Hello Dr. Leia, I am 29 yrs old and have been married for three years. I am undergoing treatment for having a baby. I have been trying for more than a year to conceive. Before trying for a baby, my husband was not with me for a year because of his regular long business trips. So, we were not able to live together and try for a baby at that time. Now, before it will be too late, I started my treatment from a reputed hospital. My Doctor suggested Tarana/Jasmine for the next three months. My periods are regular and there is no problem with that. I have a 24-25 day cycle every month. She suggested Tarana, as my left and right ovary size is different from each other. Right ovary is 40x38x18 (14.26 ml) and left ovary is 36x32x17 (10.05 ml). My blood sugar, thyroid tests are clear, everything is normal. I want to know will I gain weight after using Tarana. I read about the problem of a girl, who is saying she gained weight and extra fat on her body after she used Tarana tablets. I am afraid I will also gain weight. Right now, I am 8-9 kg overweight from my standard weight. I am 5'3 and my weight is 64 kg right now. I want to reduce it to 55 - 56 kg. Please suggest and help me out. Should I take weight reduction tablets too along with Tarana pills? If yes, then which one medicine would be suitable for reducing my weight?

Dear Jyoti, Weight reduction is not recommended if you are attempting to conceive a child. Tarana or Yasmin is a newer form of birth control pill which may have a lot of side effects. Please go here to learn some of the side effects of this medication> Information On Yasmin. I do not recommend birth control tablets to my patients because I am a Naturopathic doctor. If you are unhappy with the side effects of Tarana, you might want to consider visiting an Acupuncturist in your area who is familiar with fertility cases and who could prescribe a traditional Chinese herbal formula which could help to enhance your chances of conceiving. Also, you might ask your medical doctor if there is an alternative birth control pill which he recommends which does not have the side effects of Tarana. Good luck in your endeavors.

Hi Dr Leia, I'm so down with my weight, back in Oct of last year I had my 4th laparoscopy to remove ovarian cysts, endometriosis and adhesions, over the past few years of suffering I have been on a constant diet and fail to loose weight, my mum says it's fluid retention, after my operation within three days I lost a stone. I was over the moon but within a week it went back on ten fold as it doubled. I have gone from 9 & 1/2 stone to 14 +, it's depressing me. I'm 36, and I don't have children and would like to. I have refused any hormonal tablets because I'll just put on more weight, any advice would be so helpful as its getting me down.