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female hormonal conditions
Supposedly in life there are just two things that are certain, taxes and death. Well for us women that is not quite true, there is the menopause, often called the change of life!!! As women we can’t avoid it, none of us are exempt and it will have a different impact on each of us. It’s a time of life when the balance of our hormones is changing and marks the end of our child bearing years. Rosemary Gladstar, an American herbalists, describes it as a state of being not a disease.
It’s not just during the change of life that our hormones influence our health. Every month during our menstruating years a complex series of hormonal changes take place in order to prepare the uterus for nurturing new life. For many women this process goes smoothly and is unproblematic but for others, for a whole variety of reasons such as stress, diet, or emotional ups and downs, the process becomes disrupted and leads to a variety of issues. Our periods may be painful (Dysmenorrhoea) or heavier than normal (Menorrhagia) or even absent (Amenorrhoea). PMS which may manifest as constellation of symptoms, including irritability, mood swings, bloating, breast tenderness, depression uterine discomfort, headache, nausea, insomnia and aches and pains. Broadly speaking four major patterns of PMS can be identified, often referred to as PMS-A, PMS-H, PMS-C and PMS-D. The identifying letter gives us a clue as to the predominate symptoms Type A – Anxiety - This category which is very common in up to 80% of women each cycle, includes those symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, anxiety and tension. Type C – Cravings This group includes cravings for sweets or chocolates, increased appetite, fatigue and headaches. Up to 60% of women can experience these kinds of symptoms leading up to the period. Type H – Hyperhydration Type H includes symptoms such as water retention, breast tenderness and enlargement, abdominal bloating and weight gain. Up to 40% of women can experience these changes. Type D – Depression Depression is the largest symptom in this group but it can also include confusion, forgetfulness, clumsiness, withdrawal, lack of co-ordination, crying spells, confusion. Only 5% of women experience these symptoms but these can be the most serious if you verge on the point of being suicidal. Many women will get symptoms from each type during any one cycle. And for some women these symptoms can change from month to month, so they are not always experiencing exactly the same symptoms before each period. So don’t worry if your symptoms don’t neatly fit one of the above categories Herbal medicine has much to offer women in helping to restore their hormonal balance to an even keel and alleviate unpleasant symptoms. I am sure you will all of heard of Sage, Vitex agnus castus and black cohosh, that are often used to alleviate the symptoms of the menopause but there are whole range of herbs that herbalists have in their repertoire to restore balance and harmony. Mother nature is generous with her gifts. Many books classify womens herbs as uterine tonics, hormonal balancers, emmenagogues (uterine stimulants) etc depending on their action in the body. Whilst this can be helpful it ignores the fact that herbs are composed of a multitude of chemical constituents and so can have several different modes of action. To discuss them all I would need to write a book but below I have identified just a few of the more common herbs and their uses. Ginger, Zingiber officinale
Part used:- root Directs blood flow to the pelvic region and helps relieve pelvic congestion and blockages. A good herb to relieve menstrual pain, particularly that which is improved by the application of heat or warm drinks Valuable to relieve nausea. Premenstrual and menstrual migraines can be helped by ginger, but not when they occur around the menopause as it often aggravates flushing. Cautions:- large doses(12-14g) may enhance the effects of anti-coaguolant drugs Ladys Mantle Alchemilla vulgaris
Parts used:- Leaf, flowering shoots Helps regulate irregular cycles, relieves cramps, and helps reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. Also used to promote fertility. It may also be useful in post-menopausal women suffering from urinary incontinence Cautions:- None known Liquorice root Glycyrrhiza glabra
Part used:- Dried root Normalizes hormone production. Useful for treating adrenal exhaustion and hormonal imbalances. Often recommended in cases of infertility Cautions:- do not take if suffering with hypertension, impaired kidney or heart function without strict supervision Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Part used:- Aerial parts Used to reduce excessive menstrual bleeding, for easing menstrual cramps and to stimulate delayed or absent menstrual cycles. Cautions:- Some authorities caution against using during pregnancy To summarize, nature offers us a wide range of complex herbs to support the varied and complex health issues that women may experience.
Ginger, Zingiber officinale
Part used:- root
Directs blood flow to the pelvic region and helps relieve pelvic congestion and blockages. A good herb to relieve menstrual pain, particularly that which is improved by the application of heat or warm drinks Valuable to relieve nausea. Premenstrual and menstrual migraines can be helped by ginger, but not when they occur around the menopause as it often aggravates flushing. Cautions:- large doses(12-14g) may enhance the effects of anti-coaguolant drugs Ladys Mantle Alchemilla vulgaris
Parts used:- Leaf, flowering shoots Helps regulate irregular cycles, relieves cramps, and helps reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. Also used to promote fertility. It may also be useful in post-menopausal women suffering from urinary incontinence Cautions:- None known Liquorice root Glycyrrhiza glabra
Part used:- Dried root Normaliszes hormone production. Useful for treating adrenal exhaustion and hormonal imbalances. Often recommended in cases of infertility Cautions:- do not take if suffering with hypertension, impaired kidney or heart function without strict supervision
Avoid if taking spironalactone, amirloride digoxin and a number of other cardio-active drugs Restrict use to less than 6 weeks unless closely supervised. Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Part used:- Aerial parts Used to reduce excessive menstrual bleeding, for easing menstrual cramps and to stimulate delayed or absent menstrual cycles. Cautions:- Some authorities caution against using during pregnancy To summarize, nature offers us a wide range of complex herbs to support the varied and complex health issues that women may experience. |