For women, estimates are as high as 90% of women will suffer the aches, pains and emotional stresses of PMS. Other symptoms affect nearly half of women who report irritability, mood swings, cramps, hot flashes, breast tenderness, migraines or headaches, lack of energy, bloating and bad skin.



For men, there is a 50% chance of developing an enlarged prostate before the 60th birthday. And the loss of libido and sexual desire that is experienced by many men in their forties and beyond can have a serious effect on personal relationships.

There are menopause vitamins and herbal supplements that help support the body and its production of important and needed hormones. What are the hormones?

Estrogen and progesterone are two primary hormones for women while testosterone and progesterone are two important hormones for men. There are herbal supplements and menopause vitamins that can provide support for the production of estrogen and testosterone in women and testosterone in men.

Certain nutrients act as hormone precursors. In the human body, hormone precursors are needed for the body to produce hormones. Examples of nutrients that are hormone precursors include:

Black Cohosh - this herb is used for the treatment of hot flashes, heart palpitations, nervousness, irritability, sleep disturbances, tinnitus, vertigo, perspiration and depression, painful menstruation and premenstrual syndrome.

Dong Quai - is used for premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cramps, irregularity and weakness during the menstrual period. It is also used to manage hypertension, rheumatism, ulcers, anemia and constipation, psoriasis and treatment of allergic attacks.

Isoflavones - soy isoflavones are found in soy-based food products and are thought to protect against hormone-dependent cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. They can support the lowering of cholesterol and also suppress the production of stress proteins in cells, proteins that will help cancer cells survive destruction by the immune system. They are of help in autoimmune conditions, osteoporosis, vaginitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia in men.

Red Clover - red clover is used for menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, cyclic breast pain or tenderness as well as indigestion, cough, asthma and bronchitis.

There are also other menopause vitamins and herbs that are used to support the health of both adult women and men:

Damiana - this plant is thought to have aphrodisiac properties. In addition, it can be helpful for headaches, depression and supporting and maintaining mental and physical capacity. The parts of damiana that are used are the leaf and stem.

Epimedium - this plant is also called horny goat weed. Epimedium is used for impotence, involuntary ejaculation in men, mental and physical fatigue, hypertension and as a general tonic and aphrodisiac. There are studies that suggest epimedium promotes the secretion of semen and stimulates the growth of prostate, testes and anus rector muscles. Some researchers believe epimedium may increase the secretion of testosterone.

Tribulus Terrestris - tribulus terrestris is believed to function as an aphrodisiac. There are studies that suggest that tribulus terrestris is beneficial in increasing testosterone levels, luteinizing hormone levels (LH) and levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

Besides the herbs named above, high-quality menopause vitamins should include other beneficial nutrients such as antioxidants, amino acids, neuronutrients, bioflavonoids, carotonoids, herbal extracts and enzymes. And yes, there are menopause vitamins available online that do include the above herbs and nutrients in a high-quality formulation. Learn as much as you can about the herbs, menopause vitamins, menopause symptoms and natural approaches for supporting your health.

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