Why Do Some Women Suffer More Than Others

It is common knowledge what the menopause is and its effects on many women, but it does seem to be worse for some women, there are reasons for this and knowing what is happening could help combat those unpleasant symptoms associated with the menopause.

It is widely thought that in particular women of African background may be prone to experiencing worse symptoms than those of Caucasian background

Another main symptom of menopause is lack of sleep, new studies suggest that the menopause doesn’t actually start in the ovaries, it may well start in the brain

A study about menopause was conducted by the National Institutes of Health. The study is referred to as Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). More than 3,000 women participated in the study between the ages of 42 and 52.

The study discovered that most women fell into one of three groups.

The first group had increases in their Oestrogen levels followed by a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH). This process would usually cause the women to ovulate, but it failed to have this effect in this group of women.

Oestrogen levels peaked in the second group but had no correlating surge in LH, this was triggered by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland responding to the higher oestrogen levels.

The final group had similar oestrogen levels early on in their monthly cycles. They did not experience any increase in their oestrogen levels later on like the other two groups and also their LH levels didn’t surge like other groups. However the LH levels, were higher for most of the cycle in this group than they were in the first two groups.

What this evidence demonstrated was that the test subjects brains were not responding to the hormones as expected.

Too Much Caffeine Is Not Good For You

Caffeine is another cause of the symptoms of menopause becoming worse. Drinking coffee slows the body’s absorption of minerals. It can also cut down the re-absorption of magnesium, iron and calcium.

Excess caffeine consumption can contribute to an increased level of hot flushes and night sweats in many menopausal women.

Drinking too much coffee can cut down the re-absorption of calcium, women who are heavy coffee drinkers may have an increased rate of bone loss. Excess levels of caffeine will also increase levels of stress hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine. A result of raised levels of these hormones can include raised heart rate, blood pressure and possible panic attacks.

Women who are prescribed HRT to fight menopausal symptoms and keep drinking high amounts of caffeine run the risk of developing Parkinson disease and other health problems.

Therefore it is generally accepted that women of menopausal age should cut down their intake of caffeine.

Naturally, HRT does have its place in the fight against menopausal symptoms, it is perfect for certain women, but doesn’t suit all, however there are many other totally natural products that can help reduce these symptoms without adding to the risk of other potential health problems.

Find Out More About Natural Treatments for the Menopause

What Can Red Clover Do For The Menopause

What is Red Clover

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) contains substantial amounts of isoflavones which have mild properties similar to oestrogen

There are four known types of isoflavone and  the Red Clover plant is one of the few that contains all four. These are – Genistein, Daidzein, Biochanin A and Formononentin.

What Does Red Clover Do

By working with the bodies natural functions, Red Clover will help support the bodies natural processes and hormones throughout the menopause, helping to keep a healthy and correct levels of all hormones, assisting in the reduction of the unpleasant side effects such as Hot Flushes

It is also known for its help with cancer and respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and also whooping cough. It also has properties that will help allieviate high cholesterol, along with thinning bones (osteoporosis) and also enlarged prostate glands.

Benefits of taking Red Clover

This herbal supplement comes from a plant of the same name, this is also known as Trefoil, quite a common plant, it’s from the flowers that the herbal extract is obtained.

Some of its known benefits are its help with the treatment of  menopausal symptoms, allergy and cough symptoms, improved blood flow and detoxing your body. The flowers contain isoflavins, which is an oestrogen like hormone which is also believed to help with combating Cancer

Red clover is also available to buy from many health stores and online suppliers for use as an effective health supplement. It usually comes in tablet form.

Red clover however could not suit everyone. If you have any existing medical conditions or you take regular medication it’s probably best to consult your GP before taking this or any health supplements.

You can purchase Red Clover products from many sources, both on the high street and on line. one of these recommended retailers is Healthspark,

Red Clover can help with a variety of health issues

Can Red Clover help reduce cholesterol

Taking Red Clover can help control cholesterol levels, it can increase good cholesterol levels (also known as High Density lipoproteins), these in turn help to remove the bad cholesterol molecules (low density lipoproteins) it can reduce plaque build up and also give strength to arterial walls. This often effects women of menopause age (50 and over) as these can be more at risk of heart disease

Red Clover as an Anti-inflammatory treatment

Used as an anti-inflammatory treatment this herb supplement can help with the reduction of irritation caused by skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, it can also help with the hot flushes experienced especially around the neck and face area that effect woman going through the menopause.

Treating a Cough with Red Clover

Working like a spring tonic, Red Clover is good at expelling mucus and traditionally has been used in cough medicines. Regularly used in the treatment of whooping cough, it also has a flushing property that can rid urine and other waste fluids of bacteria and toxins, cutting down the occurrence of urinary track infections.

Red Clover may not suit everybody

Whilst really effective Red Clover is naturally a coagulant, and is possibly not suitable for people taking blood thinning medicine such as warfarin, it can also effect the potency of birth control pills. As with all herbal medicines, if you are in any doubt especially if you are  pregnant or breast feeding please consult your Doctor before taking Red Clover.

More about Red Cover