Menopause

Soy is the original hippie food that gave birth to the words Natural and Organic. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the AHA (American Heart Association) for more then twenty years have questioned the risks and benefits of soy. In the meantime, soy has become an extensively overused ingredient. So while Americans consume soy either by choice or for lack of reading a label, it's uncertain whether soy has a negative effect on the thyroid and does soy in fact, offer any health benefits at all.

Tofu, tempeh, miso, soy milk, soy flour, soy chicken, soy tuna, soy protein, soy in condiments and per-prepared foods, burgers, sausage, and hot dogs, soy supplements and soy in menopause wellness formulas, soy in breads and pastas, soy in lotions, potions and hair dye, soy oil, soy cheese, soy in lipsticks, cosmetics, candles, shampoos and household cleaning products, soap, crayons, paper, and clothing. Even if you are a soy devotee, the ingredient has morphed from fermented bean curd into everything else.

Soy and the Thyroid

During perimenopause and menopause it is not unusual for women to develop thyroid problems. Since 1970, the number of thyroid incidences has more than doubled and approximately80% of thyroid disease is experienced by females.

Soy is a food that is categorized as a goitrogen. These are foods that promote the formation of goiter, a swelling in the thyroid gland, which can lead to a swelling of the neck or larynx. Soy is capable of interfering with the thyroid's normal function causing thyroid disease such as Hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone or Graves' an autoimmune disease that can cause over activity of the thyroid -- a condition known as Hyperthyroidism.

During perimenopause and menopause many women develop digestive problems that can easily interfere with daily life. Because we think we are doing all the right things to manage menopause naturally, we simply may not be connecting the dots.

Soy is it a common allergen, so even if it is not affecting your thyroid function specifically, it may be triggering symptoms of an allergic response, which include gastric upset, indigestion, gas, bloating constipation, acne, nausea, a stuffy nose, diarrhea, stomach pains, cramps, headaches, heart palpitations, skin rashes, hives, swelling in the throat, brain fog and fatigue. Also, if you take a thyroid medication for any reason soy can interfere with its proper absorption.

Christiane Northrup, MD, the author of The Wisdom of Menopause, has been a frequent guess on the Oprah Winfrey Show to talk about menopause. As an advocate of soy, Dr. Northrup suggests that women incorporate soy into their diets. Today, both Dr. Northrup and Oprah are hypothyroid. Coincidence or not, we will never know.

Thanks to Oprah she has graciously once again shared from her own unfortunate thyroid story and has created awareness for many women about soy, hormones and thyroid health.

Some women might believe that bioidentical hormones are the right treatment for thyroid problems - and they're not.Some women might think that bioidentical hormones such as estradiol or progesterone are risk-free - and they're not.Some women might believe that soy milk and other soy foods are beneficial for thyroid function - when they can actually harm the thyroid.

Does Soy Have Heart or Bone Health Benefits?

After 19 clinical studies on soy the National Institute of Health (NIH) states "there are no significant effects on HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein, or blood pressure. Among the 19 studies of soy isoflavones, the average effect on LDL cholesterol and other lipid risk factors was nil.

Soy protein and isoflavones have not shown to lessen vasomotor symptoms of menopause, and results are mixed with regard to soy's ability to slow postmenopausal bone loss. The efficacy and safety of soy isoflavones for preventing or treating cancer of the breast, endometrium, and prostate are not established; evidence from clinical trials is meager and cautionary with regard to a possible adverse effect. For this reason, use of isoflavone supplements in food or pills is not recommended."

The American Heart Association has also declared that soy has little or no effect on cholesterol and is unlikely to prevent heart disease.

If you eat, drink or take soy in a supplement and are concerned about your thyroid, speak with your doctor and get tested. Until there is a clear answer to soy's toxicity and risks, please use your good sense and not marketing mania as your purchasing guide.

Sabina E. Fasano is the founder of Solutions for Women, the developer of Femmerol®, a patented, clinically tested micronized herbal formulation for addressing hormonal imbalance due to menopause, perimenopause, and monthly hormonal fluctuations. Femmerol is manufactured by the Capsugel Division of Warner-Lambert. To learn more about Femmerol visit http://www.solutionsforwomen.com/ or call 1 + (800) 846-0866

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Menopause Symptoms are one of the most commonly found healthcare issues among women across the world. It is believed that in most nations, irrespective of their socio-economic conditions or ethnical differences, more than 50% women are likely to be suffering from some form of menopausal condition at any time. There is no defined age when these indications can arise. However, their onset is usually in the early 40s where general guidelines suggest that a woman officially enters the menopausal phase past 45 years. These symptoms begin during the perimenopause period. This is the time when menopausal indications become more regular and the female's body is slowly shaping towards menopause which essentially means a decreased ability to conceive and faster aging due to significant dip in the concentration of progesterone and estrogen. These are the two, primary female hormones and when their levels start falling, the overall health of a woman is affected, including her ability to procreate, reproduce and retain youthfulness apart from her psychological composure.

Understand Common Menopause Symptoms:
Menstrual Irregularities
This problem can arise in the form of heavy periods, delayed periods or painful periods. Dipping volumes of estrogen are the primary cause for this. It is perhaps the most common and yet, the most confusing of all symptoms. This is because menstrual irregularities can arise due to a wide range of reasons. This includes stressful lifestyles, exposure to environmental pollutants, smoking, drug/alcohol abuse or the overuse of birth control pills. Even obesity and conditions like PCOS can cause menstrual cramping and bleeding apart from inducing absence of menses in some women. Some females are prone to having untimely periods from their teenage years. As a result, it is usually very hard to diagnose menopausal progression based upon this symptom alone. Thus, other indications listed below are cross-checked. Hot Flashes
Also referred to as temperature flushes or cold flushes, these are a typical symptom of women gradually progressing towards menopause. These are essentially sensations of sudden warmth that rushes through the body for a moment. This is often followed by a similar surge of coldness in the face or upper back. These temperature flushes are a result of rapid fluctuations in the hormonal system. Decreasing estrogen levels are believed to induce hot flashes. Night Sweating
Night sweating occurs in the late evenings or night while hot flashes are more likely to happen during the daytime. However, night sweats can be more intense and discomforting, hampering sleep. This is a state of extreme precipitation, often accompanied by some degree of anxiety, during the night. Lowered Libido Levels
Menopause is medically referred to as the body's way of indicating that the woman is now past her prime of sexual and reproductive health. This also includes the psychological part of sex. Lowered libido refers to a decreased liking for sexual activities, physically and mentally. The patient might not be aroused in the manner before and might complain about decreasing sexual desire. Extreme Mood Fluctuations
Women are prone to suffering from hormonal mood fluctuations. However, with the onset of menopausal bodily changes, the mood swings become increasingly pronounced and intense. This includes sudden onset of bouts of crying, anxiety, depression, happiness or a fatigued feeling. In extreme cases, the condition might seem akin to a psychological disorder. Vaginal Dryness
Along with falling libido levels, the compromised sexual health of the female is further impaired with physical deterrents to sexual activities such as vaginal dryness. With estrogen levels falling appreciably, the vaginal tissues start losing their flexibility, becoming increasingly dry. This makes intercourse painful along with making the entire area irritating and itchy. With increased dryness, the incidence of vaginal infections is also raised.

Yalila Moreno is a full time health and nursing student. To learn about issues and solutions to problems like menopause symptoms and articles relating to treatment, causes, effects, what is information, and best information articles, visit estroven for natural menopause relief.

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