Menopause Guide Podcast, with RhondaNP

Prevention of breast cancer is not getting your annual mammogram.  Sure, that’s part of being proactive, vigilant and smart. But, mammograms are diagnostic tools not breast cancer risk reduction.

As a women’s health advocate and healthcare practitioner specializing in women, I know breast cancer.  It’s the number one thing that my patient’s worry about, especially if they have family history.

But an annual mammogram, self breast exam or genetic testing in my book, aren’t prevention.  Risk reduction and ultimately prevention of breast cancer is something that you can do everyday.

If you are a breast cancer survivor you understand that through treatment you may have already been thrust into unnatural menopause.  Many forms of estrogen sucking chemotherapy eliminate estrogen from the body in a violent and immediate way.

Breast cancer survivors don’t get the benefit of a slow natural progression and loss of estrogen as in typical menopause. Estrogen is responsible for so many things; our skin, nails, brain/heart function, so losing it quickly in addition to the diagnosis of breast cancer, is overwhelming for most women.

Obviously, lifestyle plays a huge role in this equation.  But, do you really stop to think about the pieces of the puzzle here?  Lifestyle management offers both risk reduction and prevention of re-occurrence benefits in study after study. Being more intentional about this piece of the equation is one of your most effective breast cancer risk reduction strategies.

Diet, specifically, the management of insulin and how you metabolize estrogen are big deals.  Two big strategies here, I tell my patients, are eating your greens (at least 1 pound a day), and avoiding sugar, especially fructose.

There are many risk reduction strategies during menopause. Inside the podcast we dive into these natural strategies in more detail:

https://youtu.be/eR2QJDSzTyk

Natural, Organic and Amazing Skincare 
One of  Dr. Rhonda’s favorite resources for natural skincare

Toxins Backoff!
Check your skincare products for their level of toxicity or source nontoxic options at the Environmental Working Group’s awesome product data base.  They have information on almost 70,000 items.  Check it out here.

Research Proves it 
The benefits of exercise for breast cancer survivors is proven.  See the data here.  So, exercise for breast cancer risk reduction is one of your key strategies.  Get moving!

According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), millions of women with menopausal-like symptoms, even those who take estrogen, may suffer from undiagnosed thyroid disease.

Contrary to this statement, in my practice, many of my patients are hyper aware of thyroid issues because of the internet and greater coverage on this topic.  They come in to see me convinced their thyroid may be the cause of their symptoms.

So let’s look at the thyroid.

The thyroid gland takes the shape of a butterfly with the two wings being represented by the left and right thyroid lobes which wrap around the trachea. The sole function of the thyroid is to make thyroid hormone. This hormone has an effect on almost every tissue in your body where it increases cellular activity.

Many menopause symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, changes in skin, brain fog, heart palpitations, depression, achiness, and loss of libido are also symptoms of thyroid disease.

So what’s the best approach to find out where you stand? Don’t guess, test!

It is imperative to get connect with your healthcare practitioner to determine what tests are necessary in your situation to evaluate your thyroid. Identifying the imbalance if it exists, and treatment steps to take through lifestyle or medication, make a world of difference in how you feel.

Your thyroid gland has a huge job!  It produces hormones which regulate the body’s metabolic rate as well as heart and digestive function, muscle control, brain development and bone maintenance.

At menopause, as with other times when as women we have massive hormonal fluctuations (like puberty and pregnancy), thyroid issues may appear.

And more goodies on the inside!

Special Guest: Dr. Mariza Snyder

Dr. Mariza Snyder, educator, Amazon best-selling author, wife and wellness advocate joins us today.  She shares her recommendations for essential oils for menopause as well as some DIY recipes.

If you’re looking for natural solutions for perimenopause or menopause symptoms you may want to consider essential oils.  But, if you are new to this concept, what are the best essential oils for perimenopause and menopause?  And, you may be thinking, is this stuff for real?

Yes, essential oils are a real natural strategy for many women (and men too!).  But, you need to be sure that you purchase only high quality oils from reputable vendors.  Sadly, many lesser quality oils exist today and won’t produce the desired effect.

I love the safe and natural use of essential oils to support the hormonal system.  It is a great adjunct to a healthy diet and lifestyle. There are a variety of oils that have specific properties to assist you body’s production and metabolism of hormones.

Essential oils are high concentrations and naturally occurring volatile aromatic compounds found in the seeds, stems, roots, flowers and other part of plants.  In just one example, it takes 150 pounds of lavender flowers to make one pound of lavender essential oil.

Almost as intricate as creating fine wine, producing quality essential oils depends on a variety of factors. The composition of the oil depends on many things including the season, geographic location, distillation, year grown and weather making each step critical in a quality production. Superior essential oils are far more powerful than the botanicals from which they come.

Even though it may seem that essential oils are “newer” they’ve actually been around for thousands of years.  You know, even the baby Jesus was dabbed with frankincense and myrrh at his birth.  Many cultures including Egypt, India, China and others since ancient times use essential oils in one form or another.

Let’s talk symptom reduction…especially how essential oils support relief of those troublesome perimenopause and menopause challenges.  There are three main ways to use essential oils.

Inhalation

When the scent from essential oils is inhaled, molecules enter the nasal cavities, stimulating a mental response in the limbic system of your brain.  For example, these stimulants regulate a response to various systems including heart rate, production of hormones, blood pressure and breathing patterns.  There are many ways to enjoy essential oils through aromatherapy including a warm bath, hot water vapor, humidifier, perfume or using a diffuser.

Topical

When applied to the skin, essential oils’s healing components absorb into the bloodstream by the pores and hair follicles.  Once in the bloodstream, they disperse to specific organs and other body systems on which they work.  Applying to pulse points, areas of the body where blood vessels are closest to your skin’s surface, allows for quicker absorption.  Pulse points such as wrists, temples and the back of the neck work well.

Ingestion

There is discussion about the safety of ingesting essential oils and there are valid arguments on both sides of the issue. To be safe, many essential oils are listed as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the FDA or oral consumption.

Included on this list are Basil, Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Cinnamon Bark, Clary Sage, Clove, Dill, Eucalyptus. Frankincense, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Lavender, Myrtle, Nutmeg, Oregano, Spearmint, Peppermint, Orange, and Thyme.

Treat essential oils as you would any medication – they are powerful! The biggest mistake someone can do is to use too much or consume them too often. Use sparingly and consult your healthcare provider. This recommendation is especially true if the condition being treated persists, worsens, or new symptoms emerge.

If you decide to try ingesting essential oils, only use high-quality food safe essential oils. A very important guideline is to always dilute your essential oils and mix well before taking. Only use one drop at a time — remember, they are powerful!

If you’re approaching perimenopause (the time period before menopause – typically in your late 40s), hormone replacement therapy isn’t something you’ve thought about much.  Why would you?

But, like many things in the menopause experience, you have choices.  Sometimes, your options and the direction you select can be confusing.

Let’s look at one of those important choices.  There are synthetic hormones and the ones that I only prescribe for my patients, bio-identical hormones. Luckily, over 20 years ago, I was introduced to bio-identical hormones by my local compounding pharmacist.   I’ve spent the better part of these past years learning all about them and the benefit they provide.  In fact, from working with my perimenopausal and menopausal patients, I’ve come to understand and value the outcome that the right combination of hormone replacement provides.

There are so many questions swirling around this issue.  HRT or not?  Here are some of the topics we cover in this week’s episode:

…and a lot more too.

Looking for a Compounding Pharmacy? Check out this cool tool.

All PCCA Members are licensed pharmacists, regulated by their State Boards of Pharmacy, and have access to PCCA’s services, including technical support from compounding experts, ACPE-accredited training and education courses, pharmaceutical ingredients and compounding equipment. PCCA is the world leader in providing compounding support and services.

017 Uncovering the Right Tests for Menopause

Feeling confused, frustrated, beat up, maybe even desperate about your new and maybe weird symptoms? Listen to the podcast!

What have you been doing about your perimenopause and menopause symptoms?

This is the new opportunity you’re looking for to regain balance in your perimeonpause and menopause experience.

Lab tests don’t lie when it comes to hormone testing.  They may tell you what’s going but many women are confused by their results.  Lack of understanding is expected with hormone testing.  This stuff can be complex and requires navigation support from your healthcare professional.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t be up to speed on some of the details before you go to see your healthcare provider.  At least becoming familiar with some of the terms and methodology may provide some peace of mind.

We feel our best when our hormones are balanced.  Hormonal balance is vital to a healthy mind and body, but can be altered in many ways. During the natural transition of menopause hormones shift.  Unhealthy lifestyle habits (poor nutrition, your stress-filled job, environmental toxins, etc.) may expedite the pace of hormonal decline and premature aging.

No one wants that!

Testing hormones throughout perimenopause and menopause gives you critical information.  This data enables you to take action to support your adrenals with enough rest, exercise, necessary supplements and solid nutrition to maintain hormonal balance and vitality.

Even though hormone testing is “science”, it isn’t as cut and dried as you may think.

Some labs test things at “a moment in time” while others measure over a specific time period to monitor different hormones. It can be especially perplexing when labs are in the “normal” range but you still feel lousy.  You may think, “so now what?”  “Optimal” vs. “normal” is the secret sauce to feeling your best.

So, what do you test?  Blood, saliva, urine?  All of these?  When do you test? Fasting, non fasting?  Is there a test for menopause?  (Answer…yes, there is!)  What are you testing exactly? Are there advantages and disadvantages to the types of testing?  Boy, there are a lot of questions.  Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered in this episode.

Johns Hopkins Study – illustrates the small amount of menopause training received by OBGYNs

Study conclusions:

*All the more reason to educate yourself and find a practitioner who specializes in perimenopause and menopause.

Interested to find a practitioner like Rhonda?

Drop us a note at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

Adaptogen Herbs may be new to you but they’re no secret!  Existing for thousands of years and packed with amazing healing properties, they may be the answer to perimenopause and menopause symptoms. Better yet, they are nontoxic, readily available and offer a wonderful option for those who seek natural solutions.

These little anti-stress, fatigue fighters and their healing properties adapt to their environment.  In other words, they give you what you need when you need it.  Sound to good to be true?  Trust me, they are the real deal.

The term adaptogen was coined by Russian scientist Dr. Nikolai Lazarev in the late 1940s following research done on eleuthero root. In 1968, Israel I. Brekhman, PhD and Dr. I. V. Dardymov formally defined adaptogens as plants with three characteristics.

To start, they are non-toxic so they may be taken safely for prolonged periods. Adaptogens produce a nonspecific biological response that improves the body’s ability to resist multiple forms of stress, including chemical, biological and physical stressors.

(Yes, perimenopause and menopause, that would be YOU causing unprecedented stress as ovaries begin to fail and throw hormones into disarray).

Finally, adaptogens have a normalizing affect, which means that they help the body regain balance based on whatever direction stressors pull you out of whack.

There’s a whole new world to explore here and we guide you through it.  We focus on the adaptogen herbs that are the best during perimenopause and menopause.  Here’s a look at our topics:

Wondering if adaptogen herbs may interfere with our current medications?  Check out this great resource!

Drug/Nutrient Interaction Checker

Adreset and Cortisol Manager contain a blend of adaptogen herbs.

Self-care is the secret sauce for balance. Self-care is any activity that you do voluntarily which helps you maintain your physical, mental, and emotional health.  It’s about identifying your own needs and taking the steps to meet them.  It’s about making YOU a priority.

Ahhh, that sounds nice!  Then why do so many women feel guilty by making themselves a priority?  Is it society?  Of course that’s part of it.  It might also be the learned behavior from Mom (and you can thank Gramma for how Mom acts by the way!).  Add on top of these two things, women tend to be nurturers to every last person around before focus redirects inward.

In order for you to “deprogram” from your well meaning female ancestors, this “taking care of everyone before me” behavior needs to stop.  Especially for you to achieve balance during perimenopause and menopause.  Now is the time to focus inward.

Self-care benefits are limitless.  Renewed energy, positive emotions, balance in mind, body and soul and being able to deal with life in a more focused way are some of the self-care perks.

Self-care can be divided into two camps: physical and mental/emotional.  In each area, plentiful choices exist for your self-care menu.  The best part, it’s your menu!  There is no right or wrong when it comes to self-care.

But, where do you start?  Is this idea different from what you already do every day?  Or is this one more idea/concept that you’re thinking you don’t have time for?  (Trust me, even if you have brain fog, make time to understand this concept.  It will do wonders for you!)

We dive into these concepts and more in this week’s episode.  Here’s a sneak peek:

Have you ever had a migraine?  If you even have to think about that question for a minute, you probably haven’t had one.  Why? Because migraine suffers are in a class by themselves.  The pain of a migraine is unlike anything else.  And, you absolutely know if you get them.

Migraines are a classification of headache that tend to have an acute throbbing localized to one side of the head and often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, disturbed vision or extreme sensitivity to light.  But for migraine sufferers, this description doesn’t even begin to describe their experience.  It’s the absolute worst.

New research confirms  that the risk of high-frequency migraines (10 or more a month) rose 60 percent during the transitional time into menopause marked by irregular periods.  This time is called perimenopause.

Perimenopause poses a challenge with migraine predictability.  When a women’s cycle is more regular she may be able to anticipate hormones surges which may cause migraines.

However, perimenopause, the beginning of the transition into menopause when your ovaries begin to fail, marks a new tumultuous time.  Your predictable schedule may go out the window.  Previously anticipated migraines may show up whenever they dang well please and your ability to anticipate their arrival becomes a memory.  Crap.

There’s a menopause diet?  Of course there is.  But it may not be exactly what you think.

Isn’t nutrition confusing?  No matter how much you think you know about nutrition, every year there seems to be another “you gotta try this” type of way to eat.  Shouldn’t we know how to do this stuff by now?  Many of my patients struggle year after year to truly understand what, when, how and why to eat certain foods to obtain the best nutrition.

With the media and maybe even your friends buzzing about “the latest diet” it can be really tough to know what’s what.  It is especially important to understand nutrition during perimenopause and menopause when a women’s body undergoes one of the most stressful times of her entire life.

But what’s really at stake here?  Being thin or being healthy?  We examine these topics in this episode along with the following most popular diets today.

We dive into the pros and cons of each of the most popular diets today through the perspective of what is best for you during perimeopause and meopause:

And more…

The Menopause Diet, according the Rhonda, suggests 1 pound of vegetables per day.  If you need a little help with that amount, this product may help make things a little easier!

Check to see if Menopause University is currently OPEN and get more information.  If we are currently closed, get your name on our list to be notified when we open the course.