Menopause? PMS?

Twelve months without a menstrual period is a commonly accepted definition of menopause. Women enter this period with many different patterns depending on the hormonal changes that take place. Some of the classic symptoms associated with menopause include 'hot flashes', anxiety, weight gain (especially in the lower abdomen), skin wrinkling, vaginal dryness, headaches and night sweats. For some women, these symptoms are mild and not bothersome but for other women, they can be distracting to intolerable, disrupting their lives.

Menopause is thought to occur when there are no longer any eggs left in the ovaries. This 'depletion' is a natural event. At birth there are about one million eggs and this number drops to about 300,000 at puberty. Only about 400 eggs actually mature during the reproductive years and by the time a woman reaches 50, few eggs remain.

In conventional medicine, the signs and symptoms of menopause are usually relieved by hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Unfortunately one of the long-term effects of estrogen replacement is the increased risk of endometrial cancer (cancer in the lining of the uterus) as well as other health risks.

Premenstrual syndrome or PMS on the other hand, is "an abnormal response to normal hormonal changes" according to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine. The symptoms of PMS include mood swings, depression, irritability, breast tenderness, arm and leg swelling, aches and pains, abdominal bloating and headaches. The exact causes of PMS are as yet to be determined. Opinions range from PMS being a mental health problem to a mineral deficiency (Calcium). In the meantime lifestyle changes such as exercise and a good diet are a foundation for PMS management.

There are also some herbal alternatives that women may try to help with their condition. Several strains of Angelica have a very long history of use. The Chinese have a history of using Dong Guai (Angelica Sinensis) for gynecological problems. Another strain of Angelica (Angelica Keiskei Koidzumi) is Ashitaba. Its name literally translates to 'early growth' in Japanese and is so named because of ability to grow fast and exhibit a strong 'Qi' or life force. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) point of view, Ashitaba activates Qi and Xue (blood). This herb warms the uterus and is very useful in the relief of menstrual difficulties such as cramps and pain.