2. 2
Menopause Overview
Menopause: the time when a woman stops
having menstrual periods
Is not a disease nor an illness
It is a transition between two phases of a
woman's life.
3. 3
A Woman’s Burden
By the time women reach their late forties or
early fifties, their ovaries begin producing
less and less of the reproductive hormones
estrogen and progesterone
Resulting in the uncomfortable symptoms
commonly known as MENOPAUSE
During menopause, a woman will usually
experience many symptoms which will
greatly interfere with her quality of life
4. 4
Symptoms
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness
Mood swings
Lack of concentration or irritability
Interrupted sleep
5. 5
Causes
Normally occurs between the ages of 45 and
55
By changes in estrogen and progesterone
levels
The ovaries make less of these hormones
over time
6. 6
Prevention
Menopause is a natural and an expected part
of a woman's development
It does not need to be prevented
There are ways to reduce or eliminate some
of the symptoms of menopause
7. 7
Ways to Reduce Symptoms
Control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other
risk factors for heart disease.
Do NOT smoke. Cigarette use can cause early
menopause
Eat a low-fat diet.
Get regular exercise. Resistance exercises help
strengthen your bones and improve your balance.
If you show early signs of bone loss or have a strong
family history of osteoporosis, talk to your doctor
about medications that can help stop further
weakening.
Take calcium and vitamin D
8. 8
Treatment
Menopause is a natural part of life and does not
necessarily require treatment
Decide how to best proceed by talking with your
doctor
A treatment plan must be considered on an
individual basis- also called a personal health
strategy
Hormonal Therapy (HT) : Drawbacks
TCM
9. 9
Hormonal Therapy (HT)
Many women turn to estrogen replacement therapy
as a means of finding relief from the burden of
menopausal symptoms
Estrogen replacement has been shown to
significantly reduce the frequency of hot flashes, and
patients receiving this treatment reported improved
sleep quality and sense of well being.
It has also been found to decrease sleep latency
10. 10
Hormonal Therapy Side Effects
Menopausal hormone therapy once seemed the
answer for many of the conditions women face as
they age
In fact, long-term use of hormone therapy poses
serious risks and may increase the risk of heart
attack and stroke
Hormone therapy may cause other side effects:
Bleeding, bloating, breast tenderness or
enlargement, headaches, mood changes, and
nausea
11. 11
Ginseng - the Natural Alternative
Ginseng acts as an adaptogen, meaning it
can bring abnormal physiology into balance
by helping the body increase resistance
against noxious or stressful physical,
chemical, or biological influences
Ginseng's potential capacity to increase
nonspecific resistance to various stressors is
the reason it has been used as an alternative
treatment for menopausal symptoms
12. 12
Ginseng and Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are experienced by 60 - 85% of
menopausal women
Many women experience the accompaniment of
palpitations, vertigo, weakness, or feeling of
anxiety to their hot flashes
the effects of ginseng on body temperature and
the release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone
(ACTH)
ACTH stimulates the release of fatty acids and
the utilization of glucose, which are important for
providing energy to deal with stressors
13. 13
Ginseng and Sleep
Many women will experience interrupted sleep or
even insomnia during menopause
This results in a high instance of irritability,
forgetfulness, difficulty in concentrating, and fatigue
Ginseng is believed to possess bipolar properties - it
can instigate sleep and also help reduce fatigue
The results revealed a decrease in the amount of
wakefulness and an increase in slow wave sleep
14. 14
Ginseng and Its Hormonal Effects
Ginseng has been reported to produce an
estrogen - like effect on the vaginal mucosa
Resulting in the relief of the vaginal dryness
which accompanies menopause
15. 15
Ginseng and Mood
Animal studies have given evidence that
ginseng's ability to change the central
neuroendocrine system results in enhanced
mood following ginseng administration
In a study of the effect of ginseng versus
placebo on mood, significant increases in
subjective feelings of vitality, concentration,
sleep, work output, and mood were noted in
older females ages 40-60 years old
17. 17
Bing Han Ginseng Effect
Bing Han Ginseng is not drug nor medicine
No herbs added.
Therefore, not toxic
Low heat (28°C) preparation
Therefore, 2-way balancing
Western: Acid-base balance
TCM : Yin-yang balance