Top 10

Symptom Description &
Possible Causes

Solution(s)

Water Retention

Excessive accumulation of fluid in the body, may include bloating

Causes: Weakened adrenals, kidneys, circulatory system or perhaps the heart

Reduce salt intake

Get daily exercise

Dandelion tincture

Dong Quai

Eat foods including asparagus, corn, cucumber, grapes, watermelon (avoid black tea and coffee)

Use essential oils such as cypress, geranium, juniper, lavender and rosemary

Dizziness

Spinning sensation inside your head that may cause you to feel nauseous or faint and have to sit down; or just leave you feeling imbalanced and not at peace

Causes: anxiety, migraines, panic attacks, changes in blood pressure, low blood sugar, and viral infections

Estrogen and progesterone supplementation

Eat small meals every 2-3 hours

Do deep breathing exercises (take a yoga or tai chi class)

Drink more water, less caffeine and avoid sugar if you can

Fatigue, Mental & Physical

Levels of energy drop significantly including falling asleep during the day

Unable to concentrate for any length of time

Causes: Chronic fatigue syndrome and hypothyroidism, hormone imbalances

Avoid caffeine, smoking and alcohol

Use herbs including sarsaparilla, wild yam root

Walk in the sun (Vitamin D)

If you think you have CFS or thyroid problems, see a doctor

Anxiety

Panic attacks, hyperventilating, energy flushes, burning in the chest, unusual vibrations in the body, warm to hot flashes, emotional issues due to changes in mid-life including physical aging, divorce, the empty nest syndrome and caring for aging parents, and realizing that you've been covering up negative emotions for years

Causes:  Changes in hormone levels, lack of coping skills

Deep breathing, yoga and tai chi classes

Decreased estrogen levels can also cause depression, try natural estrogen and progesterone supplements

Psychological Therapy

Sleep and Exercise

Avoid caffeine

Ask your doctor about taking antidepressants

Indigestion & Bloating

Gastrointestinal distress such as indigestion, flatulence and sudden bloating

Causes:  Improper digestion, sugar and lactose intolerance, decreased hormone levels

Don't eat too much protein or soy at one meal, use Beano and Enzymes

Colloidal minerals and herbs such as peppermint, raspberry, dandelion, lemon balm, nettles and green oat straw tea

Don quai, estrogen & progesterone supplements

Mood Swings

General feelings of irritability, rage, concentrated anxiety, depression, indifference as well as nervousness and a feeling or worthlessness

Causes:   Fluctuating hormone levels most notably a drop in progesterone and estrogen levels as well as changes in serotonin levels in the brain

Daily exercise

Meditation, deep breathing and yoga

Supplement estrogen & progesterone

Join a social support group

Diet changes including no stimulants such as caffeine or soda

Use calming herbs that also increase serotonin levels such as passionflower and chamomile, 5HTP, tryptophan, multivitamin and minerals

Yeast Infections

Vaginal infections that can itch and burn inside and out, inflammation, painful intercourse, frequent urination, thick, white discharge

Causes:  Overgrowth of candida albicans which is a fungus often brought on by consuming yeast, excess bathing and tight clothing, HRT causes higher levels of estrogen which can trigger yeast infections

Over the counter medication in the form of creams and suppositories (see your doctor first to be sure what kind of infection you have and to rule out STDs)

Tea Tree Oil

Use Safeguard soap to dry out vaginal area

Cotton panties

Avoid douching

Avoid sex if possible or use water-soluble lubricating jells

Hair Loss

Loss of hair all over but especially head, also thinning of hair and bald spots

Causes:  stress, hormonal changes, thyroid abnormalities, medications including blood thinners and chemotherapy, & diseases such as diabetes and lupus

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Finasteride (Propecia)

Essential Oils used in Aromatherapy such as Thyme, Rosemary, Lavender and Cedarwood

Anger

From mild annoyance to full out rage, if there is something you haven't dealt with in your life, it's going to revisit you during menopause

Causes:  Unexpressed emotions, inability to cope with daily life, fluctuating hormone levels

Daily exercise

Boost serotonin levels

Supplement progesterone and estrogen

Diet rich in protein, especially Omega-3 fatty acids

Reduce intake of sugar and caffeine

Take the amino acid tryptophan, relaxant

DLPA, FABA, Tyrosene

Loss of Libido

Diminished sex drive or absence, vaginal dryness

Causes:  loss of hormones including progesterone, estrogen and testosterone

Supplement progesterone, estrogen and testosterone (research the different forms including HRT including pellets, injections, pills etc. as well as natural creams derived from plants including bio-identical hormones)

Lubricants, creams and gels