Natural Methods Of Relief For Andropause

We have all heard of the menopause – it’s a natural part of life for all women. And it is well known that women have a number of different coping tactics and a lot of support for going through this period. But it is also true that middle-aged men go through a similar sort of thing and it is known as the andropause – or in some cases it is referred to cheekily as the man-o-pause. While clearly it is not as well-known and possibly does not cause the same level of hardship as the menopause does to women, it still has the potential to be a real pain to the wellbeing on many men.

 

The andropause is certainly something that is seen to occur in virtually all men and it is generally characterised as a reduction in two hormones that we strong associate with men, namely: testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The problem is that the reduction in these hormones causes a number of changes in the male body that can lead to a whole host of annoying and upsetting problems including a lowering of the natural libido, problems with erectile dysfunction, fatigue, sleeping disorders, a loss of mental sharpness and a change in the ratio of lean muscle to fat. The symptoms change from person to person but they can still certainly have the potential to cause problems for almost every man who goes through it.

 

If you’ve never heard of the andropause before, let us fill you in on a few of the basic details. It is also known medically as partial androgen deficiency in aging males (PADAM). An androgen is defined as any hormone that helps in the development and maintenance of standard male characteristics, also including secondary sex characteristics. These can be defined as the growth of body hair and muscle mass and strength, the growth of the penis and testicles, the production of sperm, broadening of the chest and growth of the voice box. There are many of other aspects too.

 

It is well known that from the age of 30, the body’s levels of testosterone decline by approximately 1 per cent per year. That means that by the age of 50 or so, a man will probably have lost around 20 per cent of his total testosterone. This can have a huge number of effects on the body and these can be physical, mental and emotional. However, despite the number of issues the reduction in testosterone does not mean that a man’s ability to reproduce declines in the way that women’s ability to reproduce after going through the menopause does. Unlike women, men can generally still have children even as they get much older.

 

It has also been revealed that men who work in pharmaceutical labs, work with agricultural pesticides or who are in regular contact through their adult lives with industrial chemicals are known have been shown to have a greater decline than men who do not work in these conditions, this means that they experience andropause more than others do.

 

There are many ways that we can fight against the effect of the andropause, and one of the most popular is taking drugs to boost the levels of testosterone in your body. Unfortunately these drugs have a number of unpleasant side effects so it can be a better idea to use more natural methods such as herbal extracts or getting plenty of exercise in order to keep your testosterone levels high. This can be very good for you but be sure to consult your doctor if you’re worried.

Categories: andropause, body, Menopause, middle aged men, Natural Methods, nbsp, Testosterone, Women

Five Ways to Deal With Your Chronic Pain

Pain warns us of injuries. It’s a sensation that can normally be depended on to fade, but chronic pain defies this typical behavior. An underlying condition generates pain that never leaves. Managing chronic pain is a lifetime challenge, one that must be met if the sufferer is to enjoy life. Although managing your pain can be a difficult and trying experience, there are different ways of minimizing the pain in order to move on with your life.

 

The Practice of Meditation

Find a space and a period of time each day to sit and become conscious of mind and body, visualizing a force of relaxing energy flowing and washing away the pain. Meditation is an established means of bringing balance to the mind, and the mind has great power over pain. It may take time and education found in classes and literature, but a novice can learn to clear the mind and, in turn, reduce pain. When you take the time to focus your mind on something positive, it can do wonders to take your mind of your chronic pain.

 

Pain Medications

Physician prescribed to ease the pain of arthritis and degenerative spinal ailments, prescription pain medications may be what you need to relieve your chronic pain. It can be tough to rely on a medicine day in and day out to live a comfortable life, so it’s best to combine this method with other more natural methods to try to find balance in your relief.

 

Acupuncture Treatment

Whether we subscribe to the Eastern understanding or simply believe the mountains of proof, there’s no denying that acupuncture can relieve chronic pain. Placement of hair-thin needles by a qualified acupuncturist lead to lasting pain relief. Consult a certified professional and learn more. Many people are skeptical of this practice, but it is generally safe when done by a certified professional and it can’t hurt to try it.

 

Pain Management Specialists

Instead of diluting effort with tiring research, consolidate energy and turn to an authority in pain relief. In Oklahoma this authority comes with the backing of programs offering viable alternatives for fighting ailments that cause long-lasting pain. Visit a pain management Oklahoma City resource and learn of the many effective ways of mitigating chronic pain. If you have tried all the more natural methods of pain relief and still have trouble doing basic everyday things, this may be the best option for you.

 

The Practice of Yoga

A perfect companion to meditation and other Eastern practices, a daily routine of yoga exercise raises awareness of the body. The Asanas, postures, strengthen the core, improve circulation, easing emotional turmoil. Many people find that getting proper exercise can strengthen their body and releive pain, but be sure to consult with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine.

 

Chronic pain stresses the mind almost as much as the body. There’s a very real feeling of pervasive hopelessness that quickly transforms into depression. Although it can often be hard, you can still live a full life while minimizing your pain. There are many different options, both natural and medical that can soothe debilitating pain.

Categories: certified professional, Chronic, chronic pain, deal, lasting pain, Natural Methods, nbsp pain, Pain, pain management, pain medications, Pain Relief, ways

Contraception: The Facts Everyone Should Know

Contraception should tick a lot of boxes in one go – it should be cheap, easy to use, convenient, reversible and without any side effects. Beyond anything else though, it should protect against STDs as well as pregnancy. The type of contraception you use needs to fit your lifestyle perfectly, as well as your future goals for having a family or not. There are numerous choices out there, each with their own set of pros and cons – it’s simply a matter of sifting through until you find one which best suits your needs. From barrier methods to monitoring your natural cycle, choosing the right contraception is vital for a happy and safe sex life.

 

Natural methods are popular with women who don’t want to worry about hormones disrupting their natural cycle. They can be a little cumbersome but once you get the hang of them, they can be very effective. Natural methods of contraception include the rhythm method, which requires the woman to record the length of her menstrual cycle for several months. In doing this, she can then subtract 19 days from the shortest cycle and nine from the longest – this period of time will give her her most fertile period. During this stage, if she abstains from sex, she will be able to prevent pregnancy. The Basal body temperature technique goes by the body temperature recorded with a special thermometer. A woman’s body temperature rises after ovulation, and women are advised to avoid sex for up to three days post ovulation – this method is tricky to get right and easy to fail with though. The pull-out method, often favoured by teens, is a method which involves the male withdrawing his penis just as he is about to ejaculate. There is no special device needed nor any prescription, but there is a high failure rate and the risk of STDs as well. This method isn’t recommended as a safe and effective form of contraception.

Oral contraceptives contain two hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, which regularise your periods, prevent ovarian cysts and reduce the pain and bleeding during the menstrual cycle. For many women, they are a miracle in the fight against painful periods. However, there are other side effects such as nausea or vomiting, breast tenderness and the risk of blood clots. Your GP is the best person to advise you as to whether or not the pill is the best form of contraception for you – while there are risks, they are also very efficient in protecting against pregnancy. Likewise, the contraceptive injection is very effective and can last up to two to three months. Some women find that these injections cause irregular periods, weight gain, leg cramps and depression – this is also worth discussing first with your GP. The IUD is a copper device which is fitted into the womb and creates an inhospitable environment so that a fertilised egg can’t settle and impregnate itself. They are fitted by a professional and can last up to ten years, so they’re great for women who don’t want to consider children for a long time. However, there is a risk of cramps, heavy bleeding and even infection. If you don’t want to go down the hormonal route, there is still the barrier methods. Including male and female condoms, this method protects against STDs as well as pregnancy and can be hugely effective in achieving both. It’s important to remember that no methods besides abstinence can offer 100 percent success, but the barrier method is a popular choice which many find to be effective and fits well into their lifestyle.

Categories: barrier methods, body temperature, contraception, cycle, hormones, menstrual cycle, method, natural cycle, Natural Methods, Sex, Women

How To Beat Menopausal Hot Flushes With Natural Methods

The menopause can be a difficult time, with all the associated symptoms and health concerns. During this time of change, one of the biggest threats to your sense of wellbeing is the recurrent hot flushes that are often associated with the menopause. Along with a plethora of other symptoms, this can be a huge threat to your sense of wellness, and yet getting rid of those troublesome flushes can be very difficult indeed.

 

During the menopause or perimenopause, women experience many symptoms that are based on the hormones that start to dwindle in their bodies. The symptoms can vary depending on lifestyle and hormones, but most women report that they experience hot flushes, with around 85 percent of them experiencing them as early as the first year or two of the menopause.

 

Some women end up taking HRT to help control the discomfort and embarrassment of hot flushes, but there are also natural methods that you can try to help cope with the symptoms.

 

Black Cohosh is one such natural remedy. This plant is used widely for treating the menopause, and hot flushes in particular. Some studies have shown that Black Cohosh may be as effective as any drugs, including pharmaceutical oestrogen when it comes to providing relief from hot flushes.

 

Flaxseed oil contains fatty acids which are thought to be useful when it comes to reducing the symptoms of menopause. The plant lignans in flax are thought to be similar to oestrogen, and these may cause oestrogen levels to stabilise within the bodies of menopausal women.

 

Evening primrose oil is often used for women’s reproductive health conditions. It can help to stabilise hormones and it also has a cooling effect on the skin and helps to regulate the way that the body produces oestrogen.

Categories: black cohosh, flush, flushes, hot, hot flushes, Menopause, Natural Methods

Can Dietary Changes Reduce Your Seasonal Allergies?

The onset of allergy symptoms during Spring can have you desperate to find a way to relieve symptoms, and guard your wellbeing against them. Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, have an extensive list of natural treatments, but how do you know if they work?

According to Dr Sezelle Gereau-Haddon, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Beth Israel Medical Centre’s Continuum Centre for Health and Healing in the Integrative Medicine Department, ‘Sometimes patients come in with wacky things — they get all kinds of things from the internet. But if they feel better, who knows if it’s the placebo versus a real cure? If the things that they’re on are things that aren’t potentially harmful to their liver or their kidneys or their stomach, I usually tolerate it.’

Dr Gereau-Haddon continues, ‘For example, patients routinely want to eliminate dairy. There’s not any clear evidence that eliminating dairy does anything for allergies or sinusitis complaints. But, empirically, when I see patients do it, some patients feel better. If a patient wants to try it, I certainly encourage them to try it.’ She adds, ‘Even patients who don’t have a known celiac disease or sensitivity to wheat specifically or a wheat allergy, sometimes if they eliminate gluten, you’ll see them land in a better place.’

Dr Roberta Lee, Integrative health practitioner at Beth Israel Medical Centre’s Continuum Centre for Health and Healing, comments that foods can definitely impact your response to an allergen, noting that you may have a harder time fighting off allergies ‘If you have saturated fats in your diet, if you’re a steak eater, if you’re a junk food eater, if you’re a fried food eater, if you’re a high cheese eater.’ This is because your body isn’t getting the vitamins it needs to stay healthy and allergy free, and junk foods also cause inflammation in your nose and throat.

If you want a natural remedy to eliminate your allergy symptoms, Richard Mandelbaum, clinical herbalist of the ArborVitae School of Traditional Herbalism, recommends taking stinging nettles, whether in capsule form, as a tincture or in its completely unprocessed form. ‘Nettles have some natural antihistamine activity and can be very helpful in reducing the severity of the symptoms that one is experiencing,’ he says.

Can Dietary Changes Reduce Your Seasonal Allergies?

Categories: Allergy Symptoms, beth israel, continuum centre, Diet Changes, food eater, gereau haddon, israel medical, medical centre, Natural Methods, Nettles, Patients, seasonal allergies