In spite of what we are told by the media and our doctors, menopause is not a disease, it is not caused by a deficiency, and it certainly does not need to be medicated out of existence. Menopause is that time of a woman’s life when her menstrual periods cease, and I would say most of us have no objection to being done with them. Menstruation ceases when the ovaries cut down on their estrogen production. This happens naturally to all women between the ages of about 45 and 55; it also happens to women who have had surgery to remove the ovaries at any age.

As a woman’s ovarian estrogen production diminishes, certain symptoms appear. It is to deal with these symptoms that our clever scientific system has come up with the notion that -- simple! -- all we need to do is correct the “deficiency” in estrogen and all older women’s problems will be solved. In fact, enough health problems are now being touted as solvable by estrogen replacement (osteoporosis, heart disease, mood swings) to suggest that if it weren’t for that confounded menopause, women would be disease-free, firm, tall, cheerful, and fertile well into their 90's.

The fallacy of such thinking must be readily apparent to all who understand the natural order. It is natural and desirable for women to go into menopause. One of its main advantages is the tremendous sense of solidity and power that can come with the full acceptance of who we are at this time of life. And what about those pesky symptoms? Let’s remember that in most traditional societies, such as Japan, for example, women don’t experience these. In my observation, the societies where women do not suffer from menopausal symptoms have one or more of the following in common:

- They do not consume milk or milk products.
- They do not consume refined carbohydrates.
- Older women have a respected place in society, and their counsel is sought regularly.

All the above are the opposite of what goes on in our own society. Not only do we consume cow’s milk (a hormone-related food, created by the cow’s own hormone system to feed her calf), but the cows are given extra hormones to make them produce more and more milk; thus we get a double whammy. We are regularly exposed to additives, pesticides, and other chemicals that mimic estrogens, and can affect our reproductive systems. In addition, older women in our society generally feel ignored, unwanted or disdained; rarely are they portrayed by the media as useful or able to contribute something valuable to society. And so it is that many of us will suffer from menopausal symptoms one way or another.

Fortunately, the unpleasant physical symptoms accompanying menopause can be prevented, ameliorated, or eliminated with non-drug approaches. Let’s take a look at the most common ones.

HOT FLASHES. They can be worsened by stress, alcohol, coffee, or chocolate. Eliminating these can make an enormous difference! Of course, easier said than done. I know. Nevertheless, give it a try. Be strict for three or four weeks, then challenge yourself with one serving of coffee, alcohol, or chocolate, and see how you react. Try each one in turn, and soon you’ll know what to expect when you indulge. According to Chinese philosophy, hot flashes can also arise from “unused sexual energy” -- you’ll have to interpret that one yourself.

Let’s not assume immediately that hot flashes are so bad for us. Maybe they’re OK, even though uncomfortable. According to Christiane Northrup, MD, body heat kills disease cells, bacteria, and cancer cells. Maybe hot flashes are nature’s way of making a woman healthier! Estrogen replacement does cut down the severity and frequency of hot flashes, but at what cost? Enough studies have implicated it with cancer of the reproductive organs. From a nutrition viewpoint, the following have been of help to ease the discomfort::

• Vitamin E, 400 IU twice day;
• soy foods (tofu, tempeh, soy milk) - one serving daily
• eliminating sugar, caffeine, alcohol
• Meditation, massage, acupuncture, homeopathy.
• To calm down a hot flash as it shows up: drink some Ice water.
• Avoid wool and synthetic clothes, using 100% cotton night clothes and sheets.

VAGINAL DRYNESS AND IRRITATION. Try local applications of flax seed, almond, walnut, or olive oil. Make sure there are enough essential fatty acids in your diet, by using these oils in salad dressings or on steamed vegetables. Eat also daily two or three tablespoons of sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts, or filberts.

ACHES AND PAINS. Menopause or no menopause, for arthritis and general aches and pains in muscles and/or joints, look no further than the nightshades: potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers (red, green, hot, jalapeño, poblano, chili, paprika, etc), and of course tobacco. These infamous and ubiquitous vegetables have been found by many to be directly related to such problems. Go without strictly for four months - then test and see how you react. In my experience, a low fat diet high in both nightshades and vinegar can cause trouble with the calcium system.

MOOD SWINGS AND FATIGUE. Again, these problems happen regardless of menopause. The worst dietary culprits are the following:

A) Daily consumption of white, brown, and other refined sugars, including honey and maple syrup, especially in B) a vegetarian or otherwise low-protein diet; C) The regular use of artificial sweeteners, which are nerve toxins and can damage brain function. In addition, D) lack of sleep (seems obvious, but most of us are regularly sleep deprived). Stay in bed one weekend, with no TV! Tell your family it’s for your mental health, and have them bring you breakfast in bed.

HOT NUTTY PORRIDGE

1 cup steel cut oatmeal, soaked overnight in 4 cups spring or filtered water
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup hazelnuts or almonds
2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
2 teaspoons flax seed oil
1 teaspoon umeboshi vinegar (optional)

1. Simmer the oatmeal in the soaking water with the salt for about 30-45 minutes, uncovered, stirring often, until creamy. Add the rest of the ingredients, and serve. Sweeten, if you must, with pure organic maple syrup to taste. Makes about 2 servings.

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