Keto Means
Photo by haru mio Pexels Logo Photo: haru mio

What is a natural estrogen replacement?

Bioidentical or ""natural"" hormones Bioidentical hormones are hormone preparations made from plant sources that are promoted as being similar or identical to human hormones. Practitioners claim these hormones are a ""natural"" and safer alternative to standard HRT medicines.

Do you stink when losing weight?
Do you stink when losing weight?

And while you will most likely lose weight, it might also change the way your sweat smells. When you burn fat, your body produces a chemical that...

Read More »
How much weight can you lose on keto fast?
How much weight can you lose on keto fast?

The keto diet changes the way your metabolism works by encouraging it to use ketone bodies instead of glucose for energy production. In the first...

Read More »

If you're unable to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or decide not to, you may want to consider alternative ways of controlling your menopausal symptoms. Lifestyle measures The following lifestyle measures can help reduce some menopausal symptoms: Do regular exercise – regular physical activity can reduce hot flushes and improve sleep. It's also a good way of boosting your mood if you feel anxious, irritable or depressed. Weight-bearing exercises can help keep your bones strong have a healthy diet – a balanced diet can help ensure you do not put on weight and can keep your bones healthy stay cool at night – wear loose clothes and sleep in a cool, well-ventilated room if you experience hot flushes and night sweats cut down on caffeine, alcohol and spicy food, as they have all been known to trigger hot flushes try to reduce your stress levels to improve mood swings, make sure you get plenty of rest, as well as getting regular exercise. Activities such as yoga and tai chi may help you relax give up smoking if you smoke – giving up will help reduce hot flushes and your risk of developing serious health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke and cancer try vaginal lubricant or moisturiser if you experience vaginal dryness – several different types are available to buy from shops and pharmacies Tibolone Tibolone (brand name Livial) is a prescription medicine that is similar to taking combined HRT (oestrogen and progestogen). It's taken as a tablet once a day. It can help relieve symptoms such as hot flushes, low mood and reduced sex drive, although some studies have suggested it may not be as effective as combined HRT. It's only suitable for women who had their last period more than a year ago (known as the post-menopause). Side effects of tibolone can include tummy (abdominal) pain, pelvic pain, breast tenderness, itching and vaginal discharge. Risks of tibolone are similar to the risks of HRT, and include an increased risk of breast cancer and strokes. Talk to your GP about the risks and benefits of tibolone if you're considering taking it. Antidepressants There are 2 types of antidepressants – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) – which may help with hot flushes caused by the menopause. These medicines are not licensed for this use. This means they have not undergone clinical trials to test if they help this symptom, but many experts believe they're likely to help and your doctor will discuss the possible benefits and risks with you. Side effects of SSRIs and SNRIs can include feeling agitated, shaky or anxious, feeling sick, dizziness and a reduced sex drive. Any side effects will usually improve over time, but you should see a GP if they do not. Clonidine Clonidine is a prescription medicine that can help reduce hot flushes and night sweats in some menopausal women. It's taken as tablets 2 or 3 times a day. It does not affect hormone levels, so unlike HRT it does not carry an increased risk of problems such as breast cancer. But research suggests it only has a very small effect on menopausal symptoms. Clonidine can also cause some unpleasant side effects, including dry mouth, drowsiness, depression and constipation. It may take 2 to 4 weeks to notice the effects of clonidine. Speak to a GP if your symptoms do not improve or you experience troublesome side effects.

When you first lose weight How much is water?
When you first lose weight How much is water?

What Is Water Weight? Water makes up 60% of your body weight, and it's one of the first things you lose. Weight decreases as a change in muscle,...

Read More »
How long should my keto diet last?
How long should my keto diet last?

Following the keto diet for an extended period of time can be difficult, and even some of its top proponents warn against sticking to its strict...

Read More »

Bioidentical or "natural" hormones Bioidentical hormones are hormone preparations made from plant sources that are promoted as being similar or identical to human hormones. Practitioners claim these hormones are a "natural" and safer alternative to standard HRT medicines. However, bioidentical preparations are not recommended because: they are not regulated and it's not clear how safe they are – there's no good evidence to suggest they're safer than standard HRT

it's not known how effective they are in reducing menopausal symptoms

the balance of hormones used in bioidentical preparations is usually based on the hormone levels in your saliva, but there's no evidence that these levels are related to your symptoms Bioidentical hormones are not the same as body identical hormones. A body identical hormone, or micronised progesterone, can be prescribed to treat menopausal symptoms. Many standard HRT hormones are made from natural sources, but unlike bioidentical hormones, they're closely regulated and have been well researched to ensure they're as effective and safe as possible. Complementary therapies Several products are sold in health shops for treating menopausal symptoms, including herbal remedies such as evening primrose oil, black cohosh, angelica, ginseng and St John's wort. There's evidence to suggest that some of these remedies, including black cohosh and St John's wort, may help reduce hot flushes, but many complementary therapies are not supported by scientific evidence. Even when there is some supporting evidence, there's uncertainty about the right doses to use and whether the health benefits last. Some of these remedies (especially St John's wort) may also cause serious side effects if they're taken with other medicines. These products are often marketed as "natural", but this does not necessarily mean they're safe. The quality, purity and ingredients cannot always be guaranteed, and they may cause unpleasant side effects. It's a good idea to ask a GP or pharmacist for advice if you're thinking about using a complementary therapy.

How hard is a 3 day fast?
How hard is a 3 day fast?

What To Expect When Fasting For 3 Days? Fasting can result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, muscle breakdown, and diarrhea. Other Side effects...

Read More »
Which part of egg is good for testosterone?
Which part of egg is good for testosterone?

The whole egg group increased testosterone levels by 2.4 ng/ml, while the egg white group increased levels by 0.7 ng/ml; however, the additional...

Read More »
Where do you notice losing weight first?
Where do you notice losing weight first?

The first place men typically lose weight is the belly, while women tend to lose weight all over, but hold onto weight in their thighs and hips,...

Read More »
How long does it take for your body to go into full ketosis?
How long does it take for your body to go into full ketosis?

It typically takes 2–4 days to enter ketosis if you eat fewer than 50 grams of carbs per day. However, some people may take longer depending on...

Read More »