Carrie Louise Daenell, ND

Definition of Menopause: Menopause is defined as the cessation of menses (periods) which is caused by the body’s decreased production of sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone). Most women will experience the beginning of menopause between ages 50 and 55, although some women may note changes earlier. Surgical menopause is caused by removal of the ovaries and uterus. There are three phases of menopause, 1) the climacteric phase in which the periods become irregular, 2) actual menopause which is the last menstrual cycle, diagnosed only in retrospect and 3) post-menopause which begins one year after the cessation of the menses. In this last phase, there may be signs of declining estrogen.

What to expect: Please remember that you may have one, some or none of the below symptoms as well as experiences that are not on this list. Factors such as prior health history and fitness levels, stress, diet, and smoking, may affect how you are affected by menopausal changes.

• Changes in the menses: heavier or lighter, more or less frequent.
• Emotional/mood changes: more or less labile, moods may be unpredictable, may be more or less optimistic, memory loss
• Body changes: more or less vaginal discharge, vaginal lining may become drier, skin may become drier, "hot flashes", headaches, fatigue, weight changes, bone density changes, decreased libido
• Infections: may be more disposed to vaginal or urinary tract infections.
• Urinary incontinence: "leaking" urine while laughing or sneezing
  

HORMONE REPLACEMENT

The questions of how to manage problems that arise during your peri- and post-menopausal years and whether or not to take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) are some of the most difficult decisions that a woman will face regarding her health care. Dr. Daenell has the expertise to make individual assessment of whether or not HRT would help you achieve your health and comfort goals. In many cases, they find that it is not necessary to use HRT in the management of menopausal symptoms, or in the prevention of osteoporosis. In other cases, natural HRT may be your best option, as it may relieve more symptoms and insure greater health than either conventional HRT, or going through menopause without HRT. Dr. Daenell will evaluate your past medical history, current medical problems, medications and most importantly, review your goals regarding menopause with you in order to help you make the decision that is best for your individual situation.

All of the symptoms brought on by the process of natural physiologic menopause can be treated with natural therapies. Additionally, Dr. Daenell treats women who are already taking HRT and who are still not feeling well. The addition of natural therapies can make these women more comfortable and often leads to the discontinuation of conventional HRT altogether. Probably the most refreshing aspect of the care that Dr. Daenell provides, is that each woman is treated as an individual, and her treatment is carefully tempered for her specific situation, until she is satisfied with how she is feeling.

NATURAL THERAPIES FOR MENOPAUSE

Natural therapies used to decrease and eliminate hot flashes, prevent osteoporosis, increase energy, eliminate menopause-related depression, encourage proper metabolism, combat incontinence, and ensure an over all sense of well-being include:

Nutrition: Dietary recommendations can be made to support proper bone density and decrease risks of breast and other cancers. Dr. Daenell is able to make specific recommendations which tailor this diet to a woman's other health issues and personal needs.

Nutritional Supplements: The need for mineral, vitamin, or glandular supplementation is indicated for most menopausal women. Use of these supplements will be determined from the overall evaluation of physical, emotional, and mental health. Dr. Daenell has hand selected these supplements for safety, quality, bioavailability and most of all, proven clinical effectiveness. This expertise can be extremely valuable. Today there are so many choices available in the natural products industry and no federal regulations that guaranty quality.

Botanicals: There are very specific plant extracts that have the ability to restore normal hormonal balance. Women who have hot flashes or mood changes find that they feel dramatic improvements within 1-2 weeks with the use of some of these plant extracts. A comprehensive plan using other natural approaches can be incorporated with the use of these herbal medicines.

Homeopathy: Homeopathic medicine can be one of the successful drugless therapies in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. If a woman has mental or emotional challenges that include depression, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, anger, etc. Homeopathy can offer dramatic relief and stability with no side effects. Homeopathic medicines are made from plant, animal, and mineral substances and are completely drug and chemical-free.

Naturopathic Medicine as a Complement to HRT: There are medical situations where Dr. Daenell recommends a complementary approach to menopause management. In cases where a woman's ovaries have been removed or damaged surgically, she would not hesitate to support HRT or more safely and effectively, natural HRT. In these cases, naturopathic therapies are aimed at reducing the risks of conventional HRT therapy while enhancing overall health and reducing the risks of osteoporosis and heart disease. Natural HRT therapy does not carry these same risks, causes fewer side effects, can be suggested in lower doses, and treat more of the symptoms of menopause.

Know Your Options: Dr. Daenell believes that educating women about their health, physiology and their medical choices places them in the role where they deserve to be – able to decide for themselves, that which is best for them. She also feels that making every option available is the most holistic way to support a woman’s comfortable experience with menopause. As a doctor with training and licensing as a primary care physician in the state of Washington; and as an expert in the field of natural health, she is able to provide women with the necessary information for making individual decisions. Knowledge is power. Women deserve to know their options regarding this very normal life process, and no woman needs to suffer unnecessarily. No two women are alike. Every woman deserves to be treated as an individual, and her optimal health depends upon that individual treatment. Dr. Daenell offers this unique and very successful approach to the management of menopause