As many women reach their forties, fifties and sixties, they experience the unnecessary symptoms of menopause. Menopause is a natural process signaling the end of fertility and the beginning of a more carefree existence. Menopause is also supposed to be a smooth transition and not complicated with negative and uncomfortable symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms associated with an unbalanced menopause are irregular bleeding, mood swings, headaches, hot flashes and osteoporosis.

We now realize that in menopause, certain women develop an imbalance  between the two main sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone. It was once assumed that a decline in estrogen was to blame for menopausal  symptoms but further research supports a lack of progesterone as being the main cause. The hormone imbalance leaves estrogen as the  predominant hormone hence the name "estrogen dominance."

Many women experience the symptoms of estrogen dominance long before menopause if they have used oral contraceptives, are significantly overweight or eat a diet high in foods with estrogen-like activity. Symptoms like abnormal weight gain, bloating and breast tenderness are all associated with too much estrogen in the woman's body. 

When estrogen and progesterone stay balanced, the transition into menopause is smooth and symptom free. The only way these women are aware that the transition has been made is with the cessation of their menses (monthly cycles). Studying these women has helped us learn that the symptoms associated with menopause are largely preventable and current symptoms can be safely treated if the proper health lifestyle strategies are followed. These strategies are a much safer and more effective alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).  

With a little careful planning and some easy to follow preventive measures, you can head-off any problems long before menopause starts. There is an excellent book you need to read called What Your Doctor Does Not Want You to Know About Menopause written by John R. Lee, MD. Dr. Lee was a pioneer in the research and treatment of menopause using topical natural progesterone creams. When the rest of the medical community was using HRT and synthetic progestin, he determined that natural progesterone therapy would help to eliminate the estrogen dominance he saw in so many women. To buy the book and learn more, follow the link to his website at www.johnleemd.com.

Here is a quick step-by-step flow chart to help get you started in reducing estrogen dominance:

Menopause Symptom Prevention

1. Reduce estrogen dominance by developing a balanced eating program with minimal estrogen stimulation foods
2. On a daily basis, reduce stress (cortisol levels) through physical activity and other relaxation activities to maximize the body's natural progesterone effects
3. Develop a supplementation (vitamins and minerals) program that will support the body nutritionally and help reduce estrogen dominance  

Menopause Symptom Relief

1. Test salivary progesterone levels with a doctor who is experienced in balancing estrogen/progesterone levels  
2. Develop a balanced eating program with minimal estrogen stimulation foods and lots of phytoestrogens
3. As recommended by the doctor, use a natural progesterone topical cream to reduce estrogen dominance and relieve the symptoms of menopause