Outsmarting the Flu: The Art of Fever Management   Fevers -- part of a thorough, natural defense against infection.

Flu Shots: Yes or No?   Avian flu is in the news. Should you get vaccinated against the flu?

Phenylpropanolamine Use in Dietary Aids & Cold Medications More Good Info on Cholesterol

Hysterectomy Hysteria:
or .... How to hang onto your uterus

by Carole Tashel

Imagine you were unlucky enough to be a menopausal woman in the mid- to late-1800s, perhaps with irregular painful periods, hot flashes and a dash of depression. You most certainly would have been diagnosed with “hysteria,” a catch-all diagnosis with a misconception at its foundation: that the uterus (Latin hystera) was the origin of women’s physical maladies and psychological “neuroses.”

The cure, then, for this distress was hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus, cervix and ovaries). Perfected in the 1870s, hysterectomy was eagerly adopted by doctors as a quick fix for a variety of women’s problems.

If you think that modern doctors in the late 20th century would surely have jettisoned these old-fashioned misogynist ideas, you’re wrong. At a 1971 meeting of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the prevailing attitude toward the uterus was summed up by Ralph W. White, MD: “It’s a useless, bleeding, symptom-producing, potential cancer-bearing organ.”

But things are better now in the 21st century, right? Think again. Hysterectomy is still the second most commonly performed surgery in the US (after Cesarean section). The most frequent recipients are women just approaching menopause, age 40 to 44.

In 1988, the American Medical Association got curious, did a study and found that about 50% of the 700,000 annual US hysterectomies were unnecessary. Perhaps more accurate than the AMA’s conclusion, the experience of the Hysterectomy Education and Resource Services organization reveals a much more chilling reality: Of the 110,000 women HERS has counseled and referred to board-certified gynecologists for second opinions, 98% of them discovered they didn’t need a hysterectomy after all! The lesson? Get a second opinion, and educate yourself about tests (like laparoscopy and ultrasound) that can determine whether you really need a hysterectomy.

Is Your Doctor Your Advocate?

Hysterectomy is not the simple, benign procedure many docs make it out to be. For too many women, hysterectomy is merely the beginning of a new set of problems. During surgery, ligaments and nerves are frequently damaged or severed, leading to problems such as constipation, urinary incontinence and disturbed sexual response.

If you have fibroids (a common reason for hysterectomy) you may be able to have only the tumors removed. If you must have your entire uterus removed, find a doctor willing to preserve your cervix and ovaries. Cervix removal leaves some women with a shortened vagina resulting in painful intercourse for the rest of their lives. Few doctors know the important role the cervix plays in urinary, bowel and sexual function; older MDs have been trained to always remove it, which they do—98% of the time.

And though women have less than a 1% chance of ovarian cancer, 60% of hysterectomies also remove the ovaries. Ovaries have an important function throughout a woman’s entire life, producing androgens, affecting her sense of well-being, muscle strength and libido.

Beware of doctors who press their ill-advised opinions on you and seem not to be your advocate. When one of my friends planned a necessary hysterectomy, her doctor recommended removal of her ovaries as well, because they were “just a cancer waiting to happen.” (Are men encouraged to preemptively remove their prostates? I don’t think so.) This is not my idea of prevention. And according to a 2003 survey of 700 gynecologists in the Washington, DC area, women are rarely or never counseled on the disadvantages of hysterectomy or their choice as to the extent of the surgery. This is not my idea of informed consent.

Ending the Medical Nightmare

There are some very good reasons to surrender your uterus to the knife: Invasive cancer, trauma or damage to the uterus, life-threatening bleeding or other long-standing conditions that interfere with quality of life. Otherwise, you have ample time to make a truly informed decision while exploring viable alternatives to relieve symptoms and/or correct your condition.

Two major reasons doctors suggest hysterectomy are heavy or prolonged bleeding and fibroid tumors (which are often the cause of heavy bleeding). Abnormal bleeding is rarely caused by cancer, but it does happen, so it’s imperative to get a medical diagnosis before trying natural alternatives. Uterine prolapse (descent of the uterus due to weakened support) is less common, but it is treatable by an ancient Maya uterine massage technique. See www.arvigomassage.com.

Bleeding is disruptive and can be pretty scary. Once you determine your bleeding is not life-threatening, work with a practitioner to identify appropriate remedies. Since many women have only a couple of episodes of abnormal bleeding while heading toward menopause, it’s worth treating it naturally to avoid hysterectomy. Susun Weed puts it succinctly in The Menopausal Years: “Menopausal flooding doesn’t last forever; hysterectomy does.”

Natural treatments might focus on addressing the anemia, enhancing vitamin K production in the colon (helps clotting), increasing bioflavonoids to strengthen capillaries and balancing prostaglandins. Herbs can strengthen uterine walls, regulate hormones and check abnormal bleeding.

Fibroids are firm, non-malignant uterine growths that occur in the majority of women over 40; most remain small and cause no problems. They develop in the context of high estrogen levels, then shrink after menopause as estrogen levels drop. Symptoms depend on the size and location of the fibroid. Natural therapies such as acupuncture, dietary changes, herbs, homeopathy and compresses can frequently stop fibroid growth and alleviate symptoms.

Avoiding Unnecessary Hysterectomy

It’s important to deal with reproductive abnormalities early, before they turn into full-blown problems. If you have a small fibroid that’s not causing any problems, it’s possible you can shrink it. If your cycles are difficult or you have PMS, balance your hormones before things get worse. Watchful waiting is not the best choice.

Reducing excess estrogen levels (“estrogen dominance”) is a critical part of any attempt to avoid unnecessary hysterectomies, as well as other serious problems like cancer. Approaches are varied and surprisingly effective for many women.

In order for doctors to realize that women’s body parts are not dispensable, women will need to educate themselves, then share what they learn with their doctors. It wouldn’t surprise me if proactive, menopausal Baby Boomers begin to reduce the number of unnecessary hysterectomies.


RESOURCES:

Hysterectomy Education and Resource Services, http://www.hersfoundation.com/, 888-750-4377. An independent, nonprofit, international women’s health education organization. Telephone counseling by appointment.

National Uterine Fibroids Foundation, http://www.nuff.org/, 800-874-7247
Earth Medicine Gazette, free e-mail health newsletter. Subscribe at ctashel@cybermesa.com

 

---

---

MENOPAUSE MEDICINE:
Minor miracles to make it easier

by Carole Tashel

Contrary to popular rumors, menopause does not necessarily turn you into a female time bomb. It does not sentence you to debilitating hot flashes, insomnia, fibroids and terminal forgetfulness, with only crumbling bones and heart attacks to look forward to in the future. Perhaps you know someone whose experience was like that. Well, it doesn’t have to be so grim.

In cultures where age is venerated or where people enjoy healthy traditional diets, the change of life is largely uneventful (other than to celebrate it), and symptoms are rare. What are these women doing — or not doing? If you are hovering around the edges of menopause, the following practical hints can make a big difference in how you will experience this time. If you have troubling symptoms now, try these ideas for three months; I bet you will feel better. This is not to imply that menopause is a breeze for everyone, or that you have failed if it is difficult. Just know that the dust will eventually settle. The question is how to retain some balance during the ride.

Paradoxical Plant Hormones

In the years leading up to menopause, estrogen levels fluctuate, and high levels (in relation to progesterone) can lead to fibroids, PMS, endometriosis and breast problems. After menopause, your ovaries cease producing estrogen, but there will still be enough estrogen for a woman who is not menstruating or planning to grow a baby! Your ovaries and adrenal glands continue to make a steroid hormone that is then transformed into a weak estrogen, primarily in muscle and fat tissue. That’s why in the years before menopause, taking off that extra 15 pounds can help if estrogen is too high … and why putting on a little extra weight can help after menopause.

A great place to look for help is in foods and herbs that contain mild estrogen-like substances (phytoestrogens). Paradoxically, these plant hormones allow your body to correct either excessively high or low estrogen levels. They also protect tissues rather than promote cancer, like pharmaceuticals.

Plant hormones abound in many whole grains, beans, dark green leafy vegetables, root vegetables, olives and olive oil, garlic and onions, nuts and seeds, many fruits, all fermented soy (tamari, miso, tempeh), and seaweeds (see Resources). Though the powerful soybean industry wants you to think its products are the only or the best place to find phytoestrogens, it is not smart to use tofu or soy milk as your primary source. Unfermented soy interferes with protein digestion and has potential adverse effects on the thyroid gland; worse, studies show that soy isoflavones isolated in pills or powders increase the risk of breast cancer. Of course, tofu is just fine to eat occasionally.

Humble, tiny flax seeds pack a huge phytoestrogen punch. For a few dollars a month, you can relieve hot flashes, protect against breast cancer, nourish vaginal tissues and mellow out high estrogen levels. (Tell your men flax protects the prostate, too.) Grind the dark brown seeds to a powder, refrigerate, and sprinkle two Tablespoons per day over cereals or salads — do not heat them. Flax oil has its good points but does not measure up to the ground seeds in terms of hormone balancing.

Two marvelous herbal phytoestrogens safe enough to ingest freely are dandelion (extract of root or leaf) and nettle (in this instance, nettle tea works best). Others, such as black cohosh, chasteberry (Vitex), ginseng, sage, dong quai and licorice work differently, and can be combined into an individualized formula or used one at a time for specific effects. Some herbs actually normalize function of the glands that control everything, like the hypothalamus and pituitary. Have I convinced you that herbs are uniquely suited for the job of hormone balancing? They have such widely varied personalities and profiles, you are sure to find one or more that work perfectly for you. And they are so beautiful that you can enjoy a relationship with them you could never have with Premarin (made from pregnant mare’s urine).

For phytoestrogens to work, though, you have to eat some bugs! Colonies of healthy bowel bacteria are needed to convert plant hormones into usable form, and these are fed by cultured dairy products like yogurt, acidophilus and kefir, fermented foods like miso and homemade sauerkraut, as well as condiments like umeboshi plums. Antibiotics kill good bugs as well as bad, so be sure to replenish your supply afterward.

But hormonal balance is only a small part of the story. To reap the full benefit of natural remedies, look beyond estrogen and progesterone.

Soothe the Stress Monster

Women’s hormonal systems are complex and depend on constant communication among a number of endocrine glands. This intricate, potentially fragile dance can be easily upset. Stress, especially if prolonged, can trigger hot flashes, increase menstrual and menopausal discomforts, along with a host of other unsavory effects like thyroid problems and compromised adrenal glands. Stress is unlikely to disappear, but regular use of Eleutherococcus (formerly known as Siberian ginseng) extract can enhance your capacity to handle it and is virtually free of side effects. The usual dose is 20-30 drops twice a day for several months.

For the short-term, if you find yourself in the midst of an emotional storm, complete with hot flashes, pounding heart and insomnia, try motherwort (Leonuris cardiaca is her Latin name, which means lion-hearted). This plant, easily grown in your back yard, also helps menstrual cramps, and strengthens and moistens thinning vaginal tissues. (Check with an herbalist for suggested dosages.)

Beyond Calcium

Though midlife women are urged to ingest huge amounts of calcium pills to protect them from bone thinning, I remain skeptical. I am not against supplements per se, but it seems better to use them in smaller amounts to actually supplement a diet rich in all the nutrients. Have a professional guide you through the bewildering number of choices of combinations, dosages and forms.

Rather than buying products for a supposed deficiency, focus instead upon improving absorption, eating nutrient-rich foods and halting depletion of important minerals. Consider the following:

A good diet can easily supply 600-800 mg. of calcium per day. Many foods offer generous amounts, such as sardines with bones, parmesan cheese, yogurt, almonds, salmon, dried figs, etc. But you can do even better. Stellar sources are sea vegetables, bone broths and wild greens like dandelion, amaranth greens and lambsquarters. Seaweed boasts highly absorbable minerals in exactly the proper trace element matrix for optimum health. Old-fashioned bone broths (fish, chicken or beef — use organic, please) prepared with a little vinegar to draw out the calcium are also excellent.

A yummy way to nourish bones is by drinking a “Mineralizing Tea — one cup offers 250-300 mg. of highly absorbable calcium along with other vitamins, minerals and trace minerals. Here’s a recipe:

Combine 1/2 cup each of oatstraw, red clover blossoms, raspberry leaf, horsetail and nettle, and 1 tsp. each peppermint and licorice root for flavor. Store dry herb mix in a jar. To extract the most minerals, put two Tablespoons (yes, Tablespoons) dry herb mix into a 16 oz. mason jar, pour in 8 oz. boiled water, cover tightly so no steam escapes, and steep 4 to 8 hours (yes, hours). Strain, pressing out all liquid in the herbs. Will keep 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Drink one or two cups per day, warm or cool.

Love your Liver

All hormones eventually pass through the liver, where they are decommissioned and excreted. A congested or otherwise compromised liver is not just inefficient; you feel terrible and have more headaches, PMS, constipation, dull, aching pains, etc.

Your liver will be happier if you feed it foods that are bitter (like endive, radicchio, dandelion leaf and root, mustard greens, grapefruit) or rich in methionine (beans, eggs, legumes, onions, garlic). Here's a good-tasting tea featuring one of the liver's favorite herbs, dandelion root.

SUPER ROOTS TEA
Mix together and store in a glass jar:
raw dandelion root pieces (4 Tablespoons)
roasted chicory root (1 Tablespoon)
licorice root pieces (2 tsp.)
marshmallow root pieces (2 tsp.)
cinnamon pieces (1 tsp.)
cardamom seeds (1 tsp.)
Place 2 teaspoons of the mixture in a small pan, add about 5 oz water. Simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Add milk (any kind) to total 8 oz. Warm, strain and enjoy.

Move it!

We all know that aerobic movement shuts off the inappropriate stress response, calms the nerves, improves sleep, and benefits heart and blood vessel health. It can also completely eliminate period pain, relieve PMS, reduce heavy flow and help balance hormones. Regular, rhythmic, long-distance exercise is the best.

Of course, exercise improves bone density, too. But we want much more — we want to be agile, alert, healthy women! (Dense bones are of limited value to a weak-muscled elderly woman taking prescription drugs that make her drowsy, and living in a house full of scatter rugs to trip on.) Besides, bone density is hardly the whole story; a hefty percentage of women who fracture their hips have neither low bone density nor any of the risk factors for osteoporosis. Just another one of those mysteries that show us how little we know! People frequently defy their test results; you could be one of them.

What makes flexible, resilient bones? I do not have the definitive answer but suspect it involves countering the tendency of all living things to dry out and become brittle as they age. Ayurvedic medicine understands this and uses strategies such as avoiding cold, dry foods, rubbing sesame oil on the body, eating oatmeal, etc.

Cultivate a great attitude

Reject anything you hear about menopause that disempowers you. How do these phrases make you feel? “Mother nature never meant us to outlive our ovaries;” “periods turn quirky and treacherous;” “endocrine starvation;” “raging hormones in frantic response to desperate signals from the pituitary.” Definitely not helpful.

Menopause is a normal, sometimes arduous process of change and a profound, highly individual transformation of a woman’s body, mind and spirit. When it is viewed as a gateway through which a new self emerges, one may see the discomforts in a softer light.

Safety first: Treating abnormal bleeding or unusual pain yourself without knowing the cause is unwise. Medical diagnosis is vital. If you have a medical condition, don’t use herbs without supervision.

RESOURCES

* New Menopausal Years, The Wise Woman Way, by Susun S. Weed. An essential resource. (www.susunweed.com)

* The Canadian Women's Health Network (www.cwhn.ca/resources/hrt/index.html) offers a wealth of clearly written articles.

* A Friend Indeed, www.afriendindeed.ca, a newsletter for menopausal and midlife women.

* Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon. This book debunks some of this society’s most cherished food myths as well being a unique cookbook.

* Seaweed: Make sure your sources are as pristine as possible; otherwise, these vegetables can bring elements from contaminated waters to your table.

Good suppliers:

~ Island Herbs, PO Box 25, Waldron Island, WA 98297, e-mail: RyanDrum2020@yahoo.com
~ Rising Tide Sea Vegetables, 707-964-5663, www.loveseaweed.com
~ Mendocino Sea Vegetable Company, 707-895-2996, www.seaweed.net, e-mail: info@seaweed.net

 

Top