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For many women during their perimenopause and menopause years, insomnia is very common.  From having trouble falling asleep to waking up throughout the night,  insomnia strikes many women leaving them tired and miserable the next day.  You may also be one of those women who wakes in a pool of sweat during the night.  Pre menopause symptoms of night sweats  is caused by the body’s hormonal fluctuations and inconsistent body temperature .  Instead of relying on sleeping pills, try some natural remedies first.  Many times that’s all you need.
Magnesium   works wonders for anyone having trouble falling asleep.  It is great for menopausal symptoms  and perimenopause symptoms because it help balance hormones, calms nerves and promotes deep restful sleep.  Magnesium oil also relieves aches, spasms and pains, elevates mood and supports a healthy immune system.  Many people suffer menopause symptoms like  pms, fibromyalgia, cramps and migraines needlessly because they don’t have enough magnesium!

If you have magnesium deficiency you may experience fatigue, leg cramps, loss of appetite, depression, or high blood pressure.  The recommended RDA of magnesium is 320mg a day for women.  Up to 90% of Americans do not get enough!  It is often called the forgotten mineral.  If you overlook it your body will pay a price.   You can find magnesium in dark green leafy vegetables, nuts and whole grain foods. Pumpkin seeds, cashews, almonds, avocados, bananas, potatoes, spinach and legumes are all great sources of magnesium.

You can also take a supplement if you feel you are lacking.  Many come with calcium and vitamin D in the mix.  That is because magnesium helps the body absorb calcium and potassium.  Calcium and magnesium work synergistically in hundreds of reactions in the body and must be taken in balance.  The contraction-relaxation phase of muscle function cannot operate without magnesium.  Bones also need a healthy balance of both.  Calcium is essential for healthy blood and regulates heartbeat, assists in blood clotting and iron absorption, eases insomnia and regulates the passage of nutrients in and out of our cells.

Magnesium helps keep your heart and bones strong and healthy.  It helps regulate body temperature and activates the enzymes necessary for metabolism.

Soaking in magnesium is great too!  Taking a bath with magnesium oil flakes or Espom salts is very relaxing and promotes sound sleep.  Don’t take my work for it. Build up your magnesium reserves and see if you don’t get a better night’s sleep and relief from your symptoms of menopause.

Black Cohosh is an alternative therapy for pre menopause symptoms and menopausal symptoms.  But just what is it and is it safe to take?  Black Cohosh, also known as squaw root, rattleweed or black snake root, is an herb in the buttercup family. It is a shrub that grows 5-7 feet tall and produces little white flowers.  The root has been used by Native American for over 200 years in relieving symptoms of menstrual cramps and for the  symptoms of menopause.   The early American settlers used it to for malaria, kidney aliments, arthritis, rattle snake bites and also for perimenopause symptoms.  Early physicians also used black cohosh for serious infectious diseases, including scarlet fever, smallpox  and whooping cough. Today it is used for hot flashes, irritability, sleep disturbances, mood swings, pms, uterine spasms and in reducing inflammation associated with arthritis. Today, herbalists use it as an emmenagogue; an agent that relaxes the uterus and  promotes uterine bleeding when your flow is hindered by stress and anxiety  It is also used in small doses in women with difficult labors in their last trimester.  It reduces labor pain and promotes more efficient contractions in order to prepare the uterus for full term delivery.

Exactly why it helps menopause symptoms is unknown exactly, but some think it’s because it mimics the effects of estrogen.  In fact many believe it is as effective as an estrogen supplement in relieving the menopause symptoms of night sweats, insomnia and moodiness among others.  In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists support the use of black cohosh for a limited amount of time to relieve symptoms.  There have been no studies past the use of 6 months in regards to this form of treatment, so that is why only 6 months is recommended.  There are no known side effects or contraindications at all.  Black cohosh is considered to be a safe and effective supplement.

Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, has come under scrutiny because it has been linked to causing certain cancer.  Because Black Cohosh has an estrogen like effect it is not to be used by pregnant or lactating women.  It can cause miscarriages, abdominal pain, nausea and dizziness if taken incorrectly.

Other supplements beneficial in reducing menopause symptoms include:  Evening Primrose oil, Vitamin E, Dong Quai, and Wild Yam.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.

I read an interesting testimony today about inversion tables virtually eliminating perimenopause symptoms!  I don’t know if it really works, but it seems worth a try.  Imagine no hot flashes, moodiness, night sweats or any other pre menopause symptoms at all! Without having to take hormones!   I’m game.  Here’s how it works:

Inversion therapy is laying upside down or at various angles for a period of time. This shift in gravity brings oxygen rich blood to your brain, lymphatic and endocrine system.  It also reduces the pressure off your spine and spinal discs.

Benefits of Inversion Therapy

Many people report an improved sense of well being, increased energy levels and a greater sense of relaxation from practicing inversion therapy.  This could be because feeding your brain this oxygen rich blood produces endorphins similar to when you exercise.  Endorphins make you feel really, really good!  Sharper focus and improved memory are also reported among users.  That’s great because I  walk into a room and forget why I came way too often!

Hanging upside down stretches your whole body stimulating the circulatory and lymphatic systems, stretching all of the muscles, tendons and ligaments, and oxygenating the brain.

How does this help menopausal symptoms?  Well, when you think about it, by giving your brain, endocrine system and lymphatic systems what they need, they don’t have to take it from other places.  Therefore, every system runs efficiently.  Inversion therapy also needs be accompanied by quality nutrition and daily movement for optimum results.  Many women enter into perimenopause all stressed out at the bottom of their game.  They haven’t been taking great care of themselves so as a result they have menopausal symptoms.  Believe it or not, there are women who feel great all through the big “change of life”.  I want to be one of them!

Yoga recommends head and shoulder stands to reduce the  symptoms of menopause.  The yoga positions work, but it can be difficult to remain in one for 15 to 30 minutes at a stretch.  An inversion table makes it much more comfortable.  You can even watch tv or talk on the phone while you doing it.  But try to make it a time to “recharge”.  when you return from work.   It’s a great time to relax on the table, meditate and create some quality energy for the rest of the evening.  Like anything else, you need to commit to this routine to see optimum results for your symptoms.

Start out slow and be progressive with the angles and time.  Inversion tables can be purchased at stores like Relax the Back.    You could also order one from the internet at various sites.