By Melinda Martinez & Rachel Hall

Menopause is a condition that affects most women as they age. While it is most commonly associated with aging, a small number of women can experience symptoms as early as a decade before menopause occurs. Symptoms do not always end with the last menstrual period either. One in ten women will experience symptoms for up to 12 years.

Examples of menopause symptoms are:

Headaches
Bleeding Gums
Sore/Tender Breasts
Bladder Issues / Urinary Urgency
Painful or Stiff Joints
Reduced Muscle and Bone Mass
Hot Flashes / Night Sweats
Hair Thinning
Racing Heart
Dry Skin, Eyes, Mouth
Vaginal Dryness
Reduced Libido
Insomnia
Weight Gain or Slowed Metabolism
Concentrating / Memory Problems
Depression / Emotional Changes
Anxiety

The most common treatments prescribed to assist with these symptoms include: hormone replacement therapy (HRT), counselling, dietary changes or exercise regimens. Additionally, low dose antidepressants are often given to combat the depression / emotional changes. These antidepressants sometimes have side effects that can be even worse than the menopause symptoms – these include: headache, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, weight gain, diarrhea, constipation, reduced libido.

At A Healthy Solution we feel it is imperative to spread the word about alternative treatments to help women manage or reduce their menopause symptoms. Our recommended alternatives are CBD, minerals, collagen and menopause relief patches.

How is CBD beneficial?
CBD interacts with the brain’s ECS (endocannabinoid system). While not directly tackling menopause, CBD helps fight menopause symptoms.

CBD Benefits:
1. Helps regulate hot flashes by improving the brain’s signals in order to regulate temperature properly.
2. Can assist in maintaining bone density.
3. Serves as a mood booster to help relieve anxiety, depression and mood swings.
4. Reduces sleep disturbances and helps improve sleep quality.

CBD Recommendation: Our 1500mg Tincture from A Healthy Solutions Wellness Boutique Includes terpenes specifically made to help with menopause symptoms. This blend will also help with anxiety, insomnia, and pain.

How are minerals beneficial?
Minerals are nutrients essential to life. They work behind the scenes, nourishing our organs and making hundreds of body functions possible. Minerals are important in all stages of life, but especially needed during menopause.

Types of minerals and benefits:
1. Magnesium: Binds your amino acids to produce estrogen, progesterone, testosterone & thyroid hormones.
2. Zinc: Plays important role in managing oil glands & hair follicles to reduce hair loss.
3. Selenium: Can help alleviate fatigue.
4. Iodine: Extremely helpful for memory, concentration, cognitive ability.

Minerals Recommendation: Eidon Ionic Liquid Minerals

How is collagen beneficial?
1. Helps Hair, Skin & Nails
2. Supports Healthy Bones and Joints

Collagen Recommendation: Good Life Collagen Gummies

How are menopause relief patches beneficial?
Menopause relief patch contain Black Cohosh/Dong Quai to fight night sweats.

Menopause Relief Patches Recommendation: Menopause Relief Patch by Patch Aid

At A Healthy Solution, we also carry an array of different alternative products. Our Wellness Associates can customize a treatment plan to help manage your specific menopausal symptoms

This cannabinoid has also been shown to help regulate the immune system and works to relieve the pain and inflammation caused by several conditions, including arthritis and Crohn’s disease. A 2019 rat study found that both CBD and CBN were able to reduce myofascial pain in rats. A combination of CBN and CBD was even more effective than either alone. The researchers concluded that CBN and CBD may be able to relieve pain from temporomandibular disorders and fibromyalgia. Did you know while CBD can also act as a mild appetite suppressant, CBN tends to stimulate one’s appetite? Both CBN and CBD are known anecdotally to relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation, by potentially altering pain signals that the brain receives.

Despite their similar names, CBD and CBN are still different molecules. CBD is usually the second most common cannabinoid in a cannabis plant. Manufacturers can breed cannabis plants to have a higher amount of CBD. Manufacturers cannot directly adjust the amount of CBN in a plant, as it is created from the breakdown of THC. Here at AHS, we carry CBD as well as CBN products. A couple examples of CBN products we carry would be our Coastal Clouds CBD:CBN Sleep Capsules. Another being our new Sleep Well gummies that contain the CBD:CBN, as well as melatonin and elderberry! Both being perfect for your sleep needs.

Always consult your primary care physician before starting a new treatment.

Our team of specialists are always available to provide you with education and assist you with any questions regarding CBD.

Eczema is characterized by dry sensitive skin, red inflamed skin, itching, dark colored patches of skin, rough or leathery patches of skin, oozing or crusting and swelling in some areas. Treatment for eczema includes ultraviolet light therapy and prescribed medications such as steroids, antihistamines and topical antiseptics.

Specific medications used to treat eczema include Clobetasol, Fluocinolone acetonide, Methylprednisolone, Hydrocortisone, Cetirizine, Hydroxyzine and Triclosan. Each prescribed medication contains negative side effects that include nausea, heartburn, headache, dizziness, menstrual period changes, trouble sleeping, increased sweating, acne, thinning or softening of your skin, skin rash or irritation around your mouth, swollen hair follicles, temporary hair loss, spider veins, changes in color of treated skin, blisters, stretch marks, weight gain, confusion, restlessness, swelling of your ankles, feet, or hands, infection, drowsiness, abnormal endocrine system/thyroid hormone signaling, weakening of immune system and uncontrolled cell growth.

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound derived from the hemp plant known for its potential therapeutic effects. Studies show that CBD may help alleviate the symptoms of atopic dermatitis without the negative side effects of prescribed medications.

CBD has skin calming and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful in treating conditions like eczema.We all have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) and ultimately, your ECS is forming part of your immune system control. Eczema, psoriasis and other skin issues can be a sign of the immune system faltering. So, the ECS in your skin experiencing issues potentially relates to immune responseand CBD has the ability to influence your endocannabinoid system.

CBD is known as a “perfect molecule” for skin issues, since it’s also plant-based and natural.Our AHS 200mg Eczema cream can be applied topically on affected areas to help reduce the symptoms of eczema.

For more severe cases of atopic dermatitis our AHS 1500mg cream can by applied topically as well.

Always consult your primary care physician before starting a new treatment.

Our team of specialists are always available to provide you with education and assist you with any questions regarding CBD.