Physicians List Top 5 Strategies for Women to Overcome Symptoms of Menopause

BOCA RATON, FL ? September, 2010 - Summer may be coming to a close, but for women dealing with hot flashes and night sweats, things aren't cooling down just yet. In support of National Menopause Awareness Month, the bioidentical hormone doctors at BodyLogicMD, the nation's largest network of highly trained physicians specializing in bioidentical hormones, fitness and nutrition, have compiled a list of 5 strategies that women can use to find relief from symptoms of menopause.

Over the last 100 years, our life expectancy has near doubled. As a result, our hormones are being pushed to their breaking point. When you factor in chronic stress, poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle, our hormones don't stand a fighting chance.

Top 5 Strategies for Menopause Relief:

• Hormone levels - The best way to relieve symptoms of menopause is to address the problem at its source. Hormone testing can help assess current hormone levels and determine what hormones are needed to restore balance and successfully mitigate symptoms. Tens of thousands of women have turned to bioidentical hormone therapy to help them overcome symptoms of hormonal imbalance and it all starts with having your hormone levels evaluated by a hormone specialist.
• Exercise - As we get older, it's oftentimes the physical signs of aging that we begin to notice first - skin loses elasticity, we gain weight more easily than usual, muscles become weak and flaccid - it feels as if you're falling apart. Not only does maintaining a healthy target weight help ensure optimal overall health, but women who are in shape have a much lower prevalence of hot flashes than women who are unfit and overweight. It's recommended that menopausal women take part in 20 minutes of moderate physical activity, at least three times per week, to minimize symptoms of menopause.
• Nutrition - "You are what you eat" especially holds true during menopause. Menopause does a number on the body's metabolism and women are the first to notice the effects, especially around the stomach, thighs and buttocks. In addition to limiting your intake of carbs, calories and simple sugars, it's also important to make sure you're getting enough vitamins and nutrients. Dietary supplements can make up for what your regular diet is lacking. Vitamin D and calcium are especially important. Hormonal imbalances associated with menopause typically make the bones brittle and porous and increase a woman's risk of developing osteoporosis - a medical condition that is estimated to affect one in every two women over the age of 55.
• Stress reduction - Stress is a silent killer among women. Stress prompts the release of a hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol helps prepare the body for stressful situations, but in cases of chronic stress, the overproduction of cortisol can lead to a medical condition known as adrenal fatigue. Stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation can safely and effectively stabilize cortisol levels and in turn restore balance to other hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone.
• Sleep - Insomnia has also been linked to a wide range of chronic and deficiency-related diseases. Studies suggest that by reducing your amount of sleep, you can increase your risk for medical conditions, such as depression, diabetes and adrenal fatigue. Additionally, insufficient sleep leads to growth hormone deficiencies, which can also disrupt the production of other key hormones throughout the body: DHEA, testosterone, insulin, cortisol, progesterone and estrogen.

Hormonal imbalance is a natural part of getting older. As we age, hormone levels begin to decline, oftentimes resulting in symptoms most commonly associated with perimenopause or menopause. While menopause is natural, there are ways for women to relieve symptoms and improve their overall quality of health with some basic lifestyle adjustments.

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