Home and Health

Millions of women are in search of menopausal relief while their younger counterparts struggle with PMS. Confusion about the safety of available treatments for their symptoms often keeps women from getting any help at all.

After the Women's Health Initiative Study released its findings about the dangers of synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in July 2002, doctors abandoned women's hormone health for misinformation, confusion, antidepressants and birth control pills. Due to special interest groups, mainstream medicine offers no alternatives to traditional HRT. Instead, they continue to ignore the needs of these women even after years of research and countless medical studies have shown USP Progesterone and other bio-identical hormones to be safe and effective.

Menopause and PMS relief does not have to come from potentially dangerous synthetic hormone replacement drugs anymore! "The Truth about Hormone Therapy," an article published in the Wall Street Journal, delivered a slap to the face of mainstream medicine by pointing out their archaic hormone replacement therapy practices. The article made reference to the dangers of synthetic HRT and the fact that natural USP progesterone (produced from yams or soy plants) and other bio-identical hormones are the safe alternative to traditional HRT.

Natural bio-identical hormones are now available over-the-counter at health food stores and online. In addition, compounding pharmacies across the country offer prescription required bio-identical hormone preparations. The days of ignorance and confusion are over. Physicians should be recommending safe and effective bio-identical alternatives instead of opting for the new look of an outdated therapy (lower dosages of the same old dangerous drugs).

Natural bio-identical hormones have a chemical structure that is identical to the hormones naturally produced by our bodies. Synthetic hormones such as Premarin (estrogen made from a pregnant horse's urine), Provera (progestin), or Prempro (estrogen plus progestin) have similar but not identical structures, often resulting in unpleasant and dangerous side effects. The Women's Health Initiative Study found Prempro posed unacceptable risks of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and blood clots. Several major studies have confirmed the WHI findings and more ongoing studies are vigorously being conducted every day.

Hormones are our bodies' chemical messengers. They travel through the bloodstream to trigger certain activities or changes in the body. Hormones work by binding to specialized areas of cells known as receptor sites. There they initiate a chain of events in specific cells, organs and systems. The body produces many hormones, but the most significant hormones related to the female cycle are estrogen, and progesterone.

Estrogen is a female sex hormone. Women produce greatest amounts in the ovaries, adrenal glands and fat tissue. It is the dominant hormone during the first part of the cycle causing the uterine lining to thicken and at mid cycle causes ovulation. Estrogen contributes to bone and cardiac health, vaginal lubrication and many other physical and emotional aspects of health. At one time low estrogen was blamed for all of the discomfort associated with menopause, but current medical research has led to the discovery that it is a lack of progesterone that is not only responsible for many symptoms of menopause but PMS as well.

Like estrogen, progesterone is a female sex hormone. It is also produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands, and during pregnancy in the placenta. During the reproductive years, progesterone prepares the uterine lining for pregnancy. Each month, progesterone levels rise following ovulation and then gradually fall to trigger a monthly menstrual period. Progesterone balances the effects of estrogen and when not enough progesterone is present can lead to PMS and/or menopausal symptoms.

USP (United States Pharmacopeia) grade progesterone is most often prescribed for peri-menopausal women to counteract the effects of "estrogen dominance." An article published on-line in Associated Content, "Obstacles to Avoid When Trying to Lose Weight during Menopause," explains how estrogen dominance occurs when a woman's body produces smaller amounts of progesterone than normal (relative to estrogen levels) creating a hormonal "imbalance". However, USP progesterone studies have shown that symptoms of PMS and menopause respond quite favorably to progesterone therapy.

The benefits of natural bio-identical USP progesterone have been shown to include:

Protects the breast from cancer by counteracting the effects of estrogen
Reduces bloating and weight gain
Reduces carbohydrate and sugar cravings
Produces a calming, anti-anxiety effect
Reduces mood swings
Regulates menstrual flow
Decreases cramping and miscarriage
Reduces uterine fibroids and fibrocystic breast disease
Reduces bone loss
Decreases hot flashes
Promotes vaginal lubrication
Increases libido
Reduces dry skin
Lowers cholesterol
Improves memory
Reduces chronic fatigue
Reduces migraine headaches
Reduces insomnia
Reduces hair loss

In addition to the symptom relieving benefits of USP progesterone, post-menopausal women can take advantage of its protective benefits. They can feel confident knowing they are helping to protect themselves from breast cancer and many of the chronic diseases associated with the post-menopausal years such as osteoporosis, heart disease and stroke.

USP progesterone is currently available in a cream that is rubbed into the skin. The absorption rate of certain medications can be increased when delivered through the skin instead of the stomach. The cream is made up of tiny, fat-soluble molecules that easily cross the skin barrier and can quick be absorbed. This allows for up to 90 percent absorption and utilization by the body and is thought to be the delivery system of the future.

Over-the-counter USP progesterone cream can be purchased without a prescription or can be ordered by a physician and prepared as a cream or suppository by a compounding pharmacy.

About The Author Dr. Patricia Beckstead is the Founder of Freedom from Menopause and PMS - natural products for healthy living, menopause and PMS relief. The #1 doctor recommended resource for holistic alternatives to prescription drugs, her website http://www.FreedomFromMenopause.com offers information and the most powerful bio-identical hormones and nutritional supplements available without a prescription.

Happiness is an attitude. It is the glow that brings cheer to your face. Unfortunately, it is not store bought. Happiness actually begins from the inside and encompasses everything you do.

Being happy has many fringe benefits, apart from the obvious. If you are happy, you have greater chances of attracting more happiness, achieving your goals and becoming more successful.

So, what makes people happy? That is a question worth considering. You see, different people feel happiness in different circumstances. Some people need small things to feel happy while others may feel like they need a million dollars in their savings account before they can begin to find a reason to smile.

Having said that, there are certain tried and tested secrets that can light the magic of happiness in your heart.

Cheer someone else: Nothing can bring you more happiness than extending a helping hand. When compassion enters the mind, selfish interests fly out. Treat others with respect and in a generous manner. When you give something to a person who needs it, your own sense of happiness increases ten fold. Don’t ask me why. Just try it.

Feel grateful: This is one of the best ways to be happy. Most of us are in the habit of looking up – we look at people who are richer than us, more attractive, more successful and so on. For a change, try looking down – at those who are less fortunate. This may seem sadistic, but when you look at those who are less fortunate, you suddenly realize how lucky you are. A good dose of healthy gratitude at the beginning of every day can leave you feeling happy throughout the day.

Live the moment: Most of us are so frustrated about the changes we did not make in the past and so anxious about what the future will bring that we forget about the present. Focus on what is happening to you right now – your dinner, this article or a conversation you are having.

Listen to music: We all live stress-filled lives packed with too many activities, all vying to take center stage. Is it any wonder that we are coiled tight like springs? A little bit of the right kind of music is all you need to de-stress and feel lighthearted once again. According to many scientific studies, music affects a part of the brain that can lower heart rates, induce feelings of peace and produce happiness.

Take some well needed rest: We are slowly becoming a planet of sleep deprived people. Lack of rest can make you itchy and cranky. Make it a point to get a good night’s rest. It can do wonders to your happiness quotient.

Live in good health: Say goodbye to fat-soaked, carbohydrate-rich food. Start eating healthy. Do some exercise. Meditate. Take care of your body and mind. When you take care of yourself, you will be suffused with a sense of well being and happiness.

These are just some of the ways in which you can invite happiness into your life. There may be many factors in your life that is beyond your control. Even so, there are still a lot of things that you can change. In the end, it is your attitude that matters. It is in your hands to decide whether you want to be happy or not.


Meaning of Happiness - At Happier.com, our mission is to make people happy. We provide you with tips from experts which will help you to find happiness in life. Visit us now for more information.

One of the biggest mistakes many parents make when preparing their student for college is neglecting to actually teach them about how (and how not) to spend their money.

Since many college students are not financially independent they can produce quite a financial burden on their parents. And since the young adults do not feel the repercussions for themselves, that behavior can continue until they are completely financially independent. In this article, we'll go over why teaching kids about money is a crucial part of preparing them for college, as well as some popular ways to do this.

The recent financial crisis that has swept across the country has destroyed a lot of jobs and made higher learning a veritable requirement for proper financial independence. Since going to college gives students a much better shot at eventually getting out on their own (and being successful at it), getting your kid ready for college not only academically but also financially is more important than ever. There are a number of ways to reinforce proper spending habits, but the most obvious is to do so by example. Spending your money in responsible, mature ways and then explaining the reasoning behind that spending is a great way to teach kids about money as a tool, rather than something to be thrown away on immediate desires.

Unfortunately, college preparation courses in high schools do not teach students how to resist the pressures of college life, more responsibly divide up their resources, and spend their money in healthy, mature ways. High schools are notorious for not offering practical financial education
courses which would help today's youth be prepared for the banking system, credit and debit cards, loans, and long-term investments.

There are a few programs that may help your child be prepared for the financial challenges that await them in the 'real world'. Financial literacy programs, or money camps, are popular with parents that understand the importance of teaching kids about money. Responsible parents can enroll their child in afterschool programs that have financial literacy courses, or even go to financial educational websites themselves to learn how to more properly prepare their student for financial independence.

Teaching kids about money has become a huge part of getting them ready for the real world, especially with the reputation college students carry for being dirt poor. Making your student more financially responsible while also reducing the monetary burden they place on you is a win-win situation.


More information regarding how to more properly get your kids ready for independence, be it at college or simply on their own in the real world, can be found at the National Youth Financial Educators site http://www.nyfec.org/ .

It's been said we are what we eat, and that sentiment definitely holds true when it comes to our skin. It's our body's biggest organ, and it deserves all the nutritional TLC we can give it. So take a look at what you've been feeding yourself, and therefore feeding your skin. One the most important components of skin health is vitamin A, and probably one of the best sources of it is low-fat dairy products. It could be said the health of our skin depends on vitamin A. Low-fat yogurt is not only high in vitamin A, but also acidophilus, the "live" bacteria that is good for intestinal health. Turns out, it may also have an impact on the skin, since it aids in digestion. Other good sources of vitamin A include cod liver oil, sweet potatoes, carrots, leafy vegetables, and fortified breakfast cereals.

It's important to also make sure you're eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums. The benefits of these foods for healthy skin are plentiful. The antioxidants and other phytochemicals in these fruits can protect the skin cells, so there is less chance for damage. This in turn guards against premature aging, and keeps skin looking younger longer. Other fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants include artichokes, black, red, and pinto beans, prunes, and pecans. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are essential to your skin. Include salmon, walnuts, canola oil, and flax seed. EFAs keep cell membranes healthy, and allow nutrients to pass through. We also need healthy oils, which contain more than essential fatty acids. Eating good-quality oils helps keep skin lubricated and keeps it looking and feeling healthier overall. Look for oils that are cold pressed, such as olive or extra virgin oil. We only need about two tablespoons a day of healthy oils, so use wisely.

Selenium plays an important role in the health of skin cells. Turn to foods like Whole-wheat bread, muffins, and cereals; turkey, tuna and brazil nuts for this important nutrient. Recent studies show that if selenium levels are high, even skin damaged by the sun may only suffer minimal, if any, damage.

Choosing the whole grain versions of complex carbohydrates can have a significant effect on insulin levels. Processed and refined sugars can cause inflammation that may ultimately be linked to skin break outs.

Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties, and it protects the membrane of the cell. It may even help prevent or reduce skin cancer risks. Water plays such an important role in your overall health, and it has a profound effect on your skin's health as well. Well-hydrated skin is healthy and young-looking. It also helps move the toxins out of your system so they have less chance to do damage.


To read about grapefruit tree and grapefruit oil, visit the Grapefruit Facts site.