Susan E. Mead, M.H.
Incorporated
Medical Herbalist

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Premenopause/Menopause Symptoms

DEPRESSION & CRYING JAGS

Anyone who has had the unfortunate experience of depression knows this isn't just another mood swing. It is most common for those with induced menopause due to surgery, but is no more common among women going through menopause naturally than among the female population as a whole. However, if menopausal symptoms happen to coincide with your last child heading off to college or the death of a beloved parent, you'll be more likely to be sucked into the black hole.

Before trying to 'treat' depression, consider staying with it for a short time to let those emotions of grief and sadness pass through you. Taking a day or two off to do nothing but lie in the grass, go for walks and dig in the garden may be all that's needed for occasional bouts of depression. Staying with the feelings is the best way to get through them.

Depression can be an indicator of hypothyroidism, or can be caused by steroids, HRT (hormone replacement therapy), or drugs used to treat high blood pressure. Depleted adrenal glands from excessive stress can also contribute to depression. However, it most often stems from anger or grief that is blocked or turned inward, or from the belief that nothing you do makes a difference. It is wise to avoid HRT if you already feel depressed during your premenopausal years. Two studies assessing the effectiveness of HRT (especially ERT) on premenopausal depression, found it strongly associated with an increase in suicide attempts.

Anti-depressant drugs are used frequently to relieve (control?) menopausal women's feelings, but adverse reactions to them are much more frequent in women than in men. Women taking lithium can gradually switch over to skullcap tincture with the guidance of their health care practitioner.

Is it depression or just moodiness? If you feel like you're consistently in a black hole emotionally for two weeks or more, it's likely to be depression. It's important to get help if you are depressed for more than two weeks.

QUICK TIPS

• Black cohosh is an herb I reach for when someone needs to dig out of that black hole of depression - with or without premenopausal symptoms
• A congested liver is often involved with depression; milk thistle can help increase the functioning of your liver.
• Ask your health care practitioner to do some testing to learn if you're deficient in essential minerals. Magnesium is a common culprit and explains why premenstrual women crave chocolate which has quite a bit of magnesium in it.  Ahhhh…..

For more specific suggestions and dosages consider an herbal phone consultation with Ms. Mead, click here for more information on herbal consultations and to contact Ms. Mead.

Click below to get more information on other premenopause symptoms:

The Path to Better Living

You have already taken the first step on your journey.  I work directly with you to uncover the sources of your body's imbalance and create remedies to restore, rejuvenate, and heal.

1. We'll begin by filling out your Health History Form, to determine the best approach for your personal needs.  Download a PDF file of the form here.  If you do not have downloading capabilities, contact me and I will mail it to you promptly. 
    

2. Once you have filled out the appropriate information, send me the form, via email or snail mail, along with a recent photograph of yourself. 
    

3. We will next engage in a one-on-one private consultation, either in person or over the phone, where I can pinpoint the right herbal remedies and lifestyle changes for you.  For pricing, see my Herbal Consultations page.
    

4. I then create for you a customized health plan which will include suggestions for diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes that will work in conjunction with a specially formulated herbal remedy that I design to target your personal needs.  Potential herb/drug interactions are taken into consideration.
    

5. Many patients begin treatment with one pound of dried herbs selected from my personal pharmacy, which you will enjoy as a strong tea known as an herbal infusion.  But most remedies are supplied in tincture form, with only a teaspoon or two per day needed to make it easy for you.
    

6. Approximately 80-85% of clients start seeing positive results within 2-4 weeks, often in just a few days.
    

7. I will continue to communicate with you via phone or email consultations, and we will work together to help you re-create the strongest, healthiest body possible.  In the case of chronic ailments, you may need to allow one month of treatment for each year you have had the problem. But you should see at least a 10% improvement in the first few weeks.

Begin Your Journey Now

Contact me or download the Health History Form now so we can move on to the next step to making you feel better, mind, body, and soul. 

To your health,

Susan E. Mead, M.H.

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