What is Menopause

Menopause occurs when a woman's ovaries stop producing female hormones (e.g., estrogen and progesterone) and menstrual cycles end. Technically, menopause occurs with the final menstrual period and involves only 1 day. The hot flashes, mood swings, and other symptoms associated with menopause occur during perimenopause, the transitional years preceding and following actual menopause. The word "menopause" is used throughout this document to refer to menopause and perimenopause.

Effects of Menopause on Body Weight, Health and Shape

There are three important health and weight related events that occur during menopause.

Our body shape changes and we start to deposit body fat around our middle. Estrogen promotes fat deposits on our hips and thighs, so as our estrogen levels fall, our weight stops going to our hips and goes to our tummy area instead.

Our cholesterol levels rise due to reduced estrogen. Estrogen helps promote a favorable cholesterol level, so when we run short of it, our cholesterol level tends to rise. Other conditions, like osteoporosis can also start to appear at this time.
We tend to gain weight, possibly due to declining estrogen. Although experts do not agree whether or not menopause affects such weight gain, or whether it is solely a combination of age and lack of exercise. In animal studies, scientists found that estrogen is important in regulating weight gain. Animals with their ovaries surgically removed gained weight, even if they were fed the same diet as the animals with intact ovaries.

Chaste Tree is used for irregularities of the menstrual cycle and mastodynia. Chaste Tree may help balance hormone levels.

Dong Quai is often considered the female Ginseng and is a traditional herb for women's health. It is also traditionally used as a uterine tonic.

Black Cohosh helps with menstrual and menopausal health.

Soy Isoflavones can be a natural alternative to estrogen replacement therapy for relief of mild menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. It may also improve the absorption of Calcium.