Female patient in her forty’s visited the clinic not too long ago. The patient explains of flushing of face and chest stuffiness that progress to depression, and for several months she felt severely stressed without knowing the reason. She came in to receive prescribed medicine to help her recent loss of motivation in life and vitalize her loss of energy. After examination, this patient was a classic menopausal patient; I was able to see improvements of symptoms after prescribing herbal medicine according to diagnosis.
Menopause is one of many hurdles that all women must overcome in their life. It is common in ages from forty-five to fifty-five-year-old, and the reason is functional decline of the ovary, thus causing decrease of female hormone secretion (estrogen). Hormone levels drop in menopause, and may experience various health symptoms that are called menopausal symptoms. They include hot flashes, sweating, menstrual irregularity, irritability, fatigue, anxiety, chest stuffiness, depression, memory loss, insomnia, dry skin, osteoporosis, muscle pain, and arthralgia.
Strict self-maintenance, proper lifestyle, regulated exercise, and bright and positive mindset will help you overcome menopause easily. Then, can’t women supplement their hormone, estrogen, from general products or food? There are no food products with estrogen in actuality. The most common food encouraged to eat are beans because they have a compound called isoflavone that is similar in structure as estrogen, plays a similar role in our body as estrogen, and helps in estrogen secretion. Sunflower seeds, cabbage, and broccoli are also rich in isoflavone.
Vitamin C in cabbages are helpful in calcium absorption to prevent osteoporosis, and the cold property of the cabbage can relief heat in the body by lowering fever. Food such as milk, spinach, anchovies and other calcium-rich food help in osteoporosis prevention. Pomegranate antioxidants are not only helpful for the skin, but also in menopause, menstrual irregularity, and other female disease prevention and relief of symptoms. Deseed the pomegranate, mix in with honey in an air-tight container, and after storing for one week in the refrigerator, and drink by steeping the syrup in hot or cold water.
Regular exercise improves blood circulation, thus help alleviate menopausal symptoms. Swimming, aerobic, sports dance and other cardio exercises are recommended not only because they lower cholesterol levels and help maintain the body shape by minimizing body fat, but also because they reduce stress levels and prevent depression. Korean Medicine focuses on treatment that regulate the imbalance of the body that cause menopause.Acupuncture treatment and herbal medicine therapy that help circulate the blood, and follow fundamental harmony of the body and mind by adjusting to patient’s symptoms are very effective.
Menopause can be take lightly because anyone can get it once in their lifetime, but neglecting it can affect the immune system and can bring about autoimmune disorder. Risks of cardiac disorder and osteoporosis can increase, so careful lifestyle habits are important. Menopausal symptoms may be a physical illness, but it is greatly associated with the mind. The problem comes from shock and grief over menopause, so self and the family’s care and love are the most necessary in overcoming them. A positive mindset that considers menopause not as the end of life but rather the beginning, and active self-development and hobbies can eliminate depression and stress.
Photo Credit(s): Chosun Women
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