I have a paitent of 25 years old girl,whose chief complaints are hairfall and greying of hair.

Friends today I am discussing about a problem known as Thyroid Disease & Pregnancy. Thyroid disease is a group of disorders that affects the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck that makes thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones control how your body uses energy, so they affect the way nearly every organ in your body works—even the way your heart beats. The thyroid is a small gland in your neck that makes thyroid hormones. Sometimes the thyroid makes too much or too little of these hormones. Too much thyroid hormone is called hyperthyroidism and can cause many of your body’s functions to speed up. “Hyper” means the thyroid is overactive. Too little thyroid hormone is called hypothyroidism and can cause many of your body’s functions to slow down. “Hypo” means the thyroid is underactive. If you have thyroid problems, you can still have a healthy pregnancy and protect your baby’s health by having regular thyroid function tests and taking any medicines that your doctor prescribes. What role do thyroid hormones play in pregnancy? Thyroid hormones are crucial for normal development of your baby’s brain and nervous system. During the first trimester—the first 3 months of pregnancy—your baby depends on your supply of thyroid hormone, which comes through the placenta . At around 12 weeks, your baby’s thyroid starts to work on its own, but it doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone until 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Two pregnancy-related hormones—human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen—cause higher measured thyroid hormone levels in your blood. The thyroid enlarges slightly in healthy women during pregnancy, but usually not enough for a health care professional to feel during a physical exam. Thyroid problems can be hard to diagnose in pregnancy due to higher levels of thyroid hormones and other symptoms that occur in both pregnancy and thyroid disorders. Some symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism are easier to spot and may prompt your doctor to test you for these thyroid diseases. Another type of thyroid disease, postpartum thyroiditis, can occur after your baby is born. Hyperthyroidism in Pregnancy Some signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism often occur in normal pregnancies, including faster heart rate, trouble dealing with heat, and tiredness. Other signs and symptoms can suggest hyperthyroidism: fast and irregular heartbeat shaky hands unexplained weight loss or failure to have normal pregnancy weight gain Causes of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy Hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is usually caused by Graves’ disease and occurs in 1 to 4 of every 1,000 pregnancies in the United States.1 Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder. With this disease, your immune system makes antibodies that cause the thyroid to make too much thyroid hormone. This antibody is called thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin, or TSI. Graves’ disease may first appear during pregnancy. However, if you already have Graves’ disease, your symptoms could improve in your second and third trimesters. Some parts of your immune system are less active later in pregnancy so your immune system makes less TSI. This may be why symptoms improve. Graves’ disease often gets worse again in the first few months after your baby is born, when TSI levels go up again. If you have Graves’ disease, your doctor will most likely test your thyroid function monthly throughout your pregnancy and may need to treat your hyperthyroidism.1 Thyroid hormone levels that are too high can harm your health and your baby’s. Pregnant woman having her blood drawn If you have Graves’ disease, your doctor will most likely test your thyroid function monthly during your pregnancy. Rarely, hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is linked to hyperemesis gravidarum —severe nausea and vomiting that can lead to weight loss and dehydration. Experts believe this severe nausea and vomiting is caused by high levels of hCG early in pregnancy. High hCG levels can cause the thyroid to make too much thyroid hormone. This type of hyperthyroidism usually goes away during the second half of pregnancy. Less often, one or more nodules, or lumps in your thyroid, make too much thyroid hormone. Untreated hyperthyroidism during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage premature birth low birthweight preeclampsia—a dangerous rise in blood pressure in late pregnancy thyroid storm—a sudden, severe worsening of symptoms congestive heart failure Rarely, Graves’ disease may also affect a baby’s thyroid, causing it to make too much thyroid hormone. Even if your hyperthyroidism was cured by radioactive iodine treatment to destroy thyroid cells or surgery to remove your thyroid, your body still makes the TSI antibody. When levels of this antibody are high, TSI may travel to your baby’s bloodstream. Just as TSI caused your own thyroid to make too much thyroid hormone, it can also cause your baby’s thyroid to make too much. Tell your doctor if you’ve had surgery or radioactive iodine treatment for Graves’ disease so he or she can check your TSI levels. If they are very high, your doctor will monitor your baby for thyroid-related problems later in your pregnancy. An overactive thyroid in a newborn can lead to a fast heart rate, which can lead to heart failure early closing of the soft spot in the baby’s skull poor weight gain irritability Sometimes an enlarged thyroid can press against your baby’s windpipe and make it hard for your baby to breathe. If you have Graves’ disease, your health care team should closely monitor you and your newborn. How do doctors diagnose hyperthyroidism in pregnancy? Your doctor will review your symptoms and do some blood tests to measure your thyroid hormone levels. Your doctor may also look for antibodies in your blood to see if Graves’ disease is causing your hyperthyroidism. Learn more about thyroid tests and what the results mean. How do doctors treat hyperthyroidism during pregnancy? If you have mild hyperthyroidism during pregnancy, you probably won’t need treatment. If your hyperthyroidism is linked to hyperemesis gravidarum, you only need treatment for vomiting and dehydration. If your hyperthyroidism is more severe, your doctor may prescribe antithyroid medicines, which cause your thyroid to make less thyroid hormone. This treatment prevents too much of your thyroid hormone from getting into your baby’s bloodstream. You may want to see a specialist, such as an endocrinologist or expert in maternal-fetal medicine, who can carefully monitor your baby to make sure you’re getting the right dose. Doctors most often treat pregnant women with the antithyroid medicine propylthiouracil (PTU) during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Another type of antithyroid medicine, methimazole , is easier to take and has fewer side effects, but is slightly more likely to cause serious birth defects than PTU. Birth defects with either type of medicine are rare. Sometimes doctors switch to methimazole after the first trimester of pregnancy. Some women no longer need antithyroid medicine in the third trimester. Small amounts of antithyroid medicine move into the baby’s bloodstream and lower the amount of thyroid hormone the baby makes. If you take antithyroid medicine, your doctor will prescribe the lowest possible dose to avoid hypothyroidism in your baby but enough to treat the high thyroid hormone levels that can also affect your baby. Antithyroid medicines can cause side effects in some people, including allergic reactions such as rashes and itching rarely, a decrease in the number of white blood cells in the body, which can make it harder for your body to fight infection liver failure, in rare cases Stop your antithyroid medicine and call your doctor right away if you develop any of these symptoms while taking antithyroid medicines: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, called jaundice dull pain in your abdomen constant sore throat fever If you don’t hear back from your doctor the same day, you should go to the nearest emergency room. You should also contact your doctor if any of these symptoms develop for the first time while you’re taking antithyroid medicines: increased tiredness or weakness loss of appetite skin rash or itching easy bruising If you are allergic to or have severe side effects from antithyroid medicines, your doctor may consider surgery to remove part or most of your thyroid gland. The best time for thyroid surgery during pregnancy is in the second trimester. Radioactive iodine treatment is not an option for pregnant women because it can damage the baby’s thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy Symptoms of an underactive thyroid are often the same for pregnant women as for other people with hypothyroidism. Symptoms include extreme tiredness trouble dealing with cold muscle cramps severe constipation problems with memory or concentration Woman with a coat shivering outdoors You may have symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as trouble dealing with cold. Most cases of hypothyroidism in pregnancy are mild and may not have symptoms. What causes hypothyroidism in pregnancy? Hypothyroidism in pregnancy is usually caused by Hashimoto’s disease and occurs in 2 to 3 out of every 100 pregnancies.1 Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder. In Hashimoto’s disease, the immune system makes antibodies that attack the thyroid, causing inflammation and damage that make it less able to make thyroid hormones. How can hypothyroidism affect me and my baby? Untreated hypothyroidism during pregnancy can lead to preeclampsia—a dangerous rise in blood pressure in late pregnancy anemia miscarriage low birthweight stillbirth congestive heart failure, rarely These problems occur most often with severe hypothyroidism. Because thyroid hormones are so important to your baby’s brain and nervous system development, untreated hypothyroidism—especially during the first trimester—can cause low IQ and problems with normal development. How do doctors diagnose hypothyroidism in pregnancy? Your doctor will review your symptoms and do some blood tests to measure your thyroid hormone levels. Your doctor may also look for certain antibodies in your blood to see if Hashimoto’s disease is causing your hypothyroidism. Learn more about thyroid tests and what the results mean. How do doctors treat hypothyroidism during pregnancy? Treatment for hypothyroidism involves replacing the hormone that your own thyroid can no longer make. Your doctor will most likely prescribe levothyroxine , a thyroid hormone medicine that is the same as T4, one of the hormones the thyroid normally makes. Levothyroxine is safe for your baby and especially important until your baby can make his or her own thyroid hormone. Your thyroid makes a second type of hormone, T3. Early in pregnancy, T3 can’t enter your baby’s brain like T4 can. Instead, any T3 that your baby’s brain needs is made from T4. T3 is included in a lot of thyroid medicines made with animal thyroid, such as Armour Thyroid, but is not useful for your baby’s brain development. These medicines contain too much T3 and not enough T4, and should not be used during pregnancy. Experts recommend only using levothyroxine (T4) while you’re pregnant. Some women with subclinical hypothyroidism—a mild form of the disease with no clear symptoms—may not need treatment. Pregnant woman with a pill in one hand and a glass of water in the other Your doctor may prescribe levothyroxine to treat your hypothyroidism. If you had hypothyroidism before you became pregnant and are taking levothyroxine, you will probably need to increase your dose. Most thyroid specialists recommend taking two extra doses of thyroid medicine per week, starting right away. Contact your doctor as soon as you know you’re pregnant. Your doctor will most likely test your thyroid hormone levels every 4 to 6 weeks for the first half of your pregnancy, and at least once after 30 weeks.1 You may need to adjust your dose a few times. Postpartum Thyroiditis What is postpartum thyroiditis? Postpartum thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid that affects about 1 in 20 women during the first year after giving birth1 and is more common in women with type 1 diabetes. The inflammation causes stored thyroid hormone to leak out of your thyroid gland. At first, the leakage raises the hormone levels in your blood, leading to hyperthyroidism. The hyperthyroidism may last up to 3 months. After that, some damage to your thyroid may cause it to become underactive. Your hypothyroidism may last up to a year after your baby is born. However, in some women, hypothyroidism doesn’t go away. Not all women who have postpartum thyroiditis go through both phases. Some only go through the hyperthyroid phase, and some only the hypothyroid phase. What are the symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis? The hyperthyroid phase often has no symptoms—or only mild ones. Symptoms may include irritability, trouble dealing with heat, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and fast heartbeat. Symptoms of the hypothyroid phase may be mistaken for the “baby blues”—the tiredness and moodiness that sometimes occur after the baby is born. Symptoms of hypothyroidism may also include trouble dealing with cold; dry skin; trouble concentrating; and tingling in your hands, arms, feet, or legs. If these symptoms occur in the first few months after your baby is born or you develop postpartum depression , talk with your doctor as soon as possible. What causes postpartum thyroiditis? Postpartum thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition similar to Hashimoto’s disease. If you have postpartum thyroiditis, you may have already had a mild form of autoimmune thyroiditis that flares up after you give birth. Woman holding her baby. Postpartum thyroiditis may last up to a year after your baby is born. How do doctors diagnose postpartum thyroiditis? If you have symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis, your doctor will order blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels. How do doctors treat postpartum thyroiditis? The hyperthyroid stage of postpartum thyroiditis rarely needs treatment. If your symptoms are bothering you, your doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker, a medicine that slows your heart rate. Antithyroid medicines are not useful in postpartum thyroiditis, but if you have Grave’s disease, it may worsen after your baby is born and you may need antithyroid medicines. You’re more likely to have symptoms during the hypothyroid stage. Your doctor may prescribe thyroid hormone medicine to help with your symptoms. If your hypothyroidism doesn’t go away, you will need to take thyroid hormone medicine for the rest of your life. Is it safe to breastfeed while I’m taking beta-blockers, thyroid hormone, or antithyroid medicines? Certain beta-blockers are safe to use while you’re breastfeeding because only a small amount shows up in breast milk. The lowest possible dose to relieve your symptoms is best. Only a small amount of thyroid hormone medicine reaches your baby through breast milk, so it’s safe to take while you’re breastfeeding. However, in the case of antithyroid drugs, your doctor will most likely limit your dose to no more than 20 milligrams (mg) of methimazole or, less commonly, 400 mg of PTU. Thyroid Disease and Eating During Pregnancy What should I eat during pregnancy to help keep my thyroid and my baby’s thyroid working well? Because the thyroid uses iodine to make thyroid hormone, iodine is an important mineral for you while you’re pregnant. During pregnancy, your baby gets iodine from your diet. You’ll need more iodine when you’re pregnant—about 250 micrograms a day.1 Good sources of iodine are dairy foods, seafood, eggs, meat, poultry, and iodized salt—salt with added iodine. Experts recommend taking a prenatal vitamin with 150 micrograms of iodine to make sure you’re getting enough, especially if you don’t use iodized salt.1 You also need more iodine while you’re breastfeeding since your baby gets iodine from breast milk. However, too much iodine from supplements such as seaweed can cause thyroid problems. Talk with your doctor about an eating plan that’s right for you and what supplements you should take. Learn more about a healthy diet and nutrition during pregnancy . Homeopathy provides remedies which treat not just the above symptoms but the person as a whole. Sepia Officinalis: Used when the patient presents with the following symptoms. Weak, slightly yellow appearance Tendency to faint, especially when in cold temperatures Extreme intolerance to cold, even in warm surroundings Increased irritability Hair loss Increased menstrual flow that occurs ahead of schedule Constipation Increased desire for pickles and acidic foodstuff Calcarea Carbonica: This popular medicine is useful when patients present with the following symptoms. Fat, flabby, fair person Increased intolerance to cold Excessive sweating, especially in the head Aversion to fatty foods Peculiar food habits including craving for eggs, chalk, pencils, lime, Increased menstruation that is also prolonged and is associated with feet turning cold Lycopodium Clavatum: Useful in patients who present with these symptoms: Physically weakened Increased irritability Excessive hair fall Face is pale yellow with blue circles around the eyes Craving for foods that are hot and sweet Acidity that is worse in the evenings Gastric issues including excessive flatulence Constipation with painful, hard, incomplete stooling Graphites: Presenting symptoms where Graphites are mainly used include: Obesity Intolerance to cold Depressed emotionally, timid, indecisive, weeping, listening to music Bloated, gassy abdomen Chronic constipation with hard, painful stooling process Lodium: Good appetite but lose weight quickly Tendency to eat at regular intervals Excessive warmth and need to stay in a cool environment Anxiety about present Excessive palpitations Lachesis Mutus: These patient present with the following symptoms: Feeling extremely hot, so inability to wear tight clothes Generally sad with no inclination to do any work Tendency to stay aloof and alone Excessive talkativeness Women around menopausal age

one patient is suffered from thyroid since 5 years ago but range are normal medicine-thyroxine 50mcg Due to almost 6 months her weight are increasing day by day almost 11kg increase in. 2 months Her current weight is 66 kg please provide some medicine and some home remedies to losse weight very fast .

35yr married female c/o irregular periods weight gain pt took treatment for hypothyroidism 1 year back. diagnosis and kindly suggest management for pt.

A 26 year old unnmarried female with the complaint of severe hairfall, weight gain and irregular menstruation. Her reports are posted below. Please give your valuable opinion.

Friends today I am discussing about a very common problem faced by the females in there life at some stage of life. Menopause is the process through which a woman ceases to be fertile or menstruate. It is a normal part of life and is not considered a disease or a condition. Symptoms may occur years before a woman's final period. Some women may experience symptoms for months or years afterward. Despite being a natural process in the body of any woman, menopause can cause drastic changes that trigger severe symptoms. This article will explain the symptoms and causes of menopause, as well as how to diagnose and treat any symptoms that arise. Fast facts on menopause Menopause marks the end of a woman's fertility. Symptoms of menopause include night sweats, hot flashes, mood fluctuations, and cognitive changes. A reduction in estrogen levels can lead to the symptoms of menopause. There are a number of medical treatments and home remedies that can help with symptoms, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and self-management techniques. The average age of menopause in the United States (U.S.) is 51 years. Signs and symptoms Menopause hot flash woman fan Menopause is a natural change in the body. It causes symptoms such as hot flashes. While menopause is not a disease or disorder, it does trigger some profound changes in a woman's body. A diagnosis of menopause is confirmed when a woman has not had a menstrual period for one year. However, the symptoms of menopause generally appear before the end of that one-year period. Irregular periods Changes to the menstrual pattern are the first noticeable symptoms of menopause. Some women may experience a period every 2 to 3 weeks. Others will not menstruate for months at a time. Lower fertility Perimenopause is the 3-to-5-year period before menopause. During the perimenopausal stage, a woman's estrogen levels will drop significantly. This reduces her chances of becoming pregnant. Vaginal dryness Dryness, itching, and discomfort of the vagina tend to occur during perimenopause. As a result, some women may experience dyspareunia, or pain during sex . Women experience this pain due to lowering estrogen levels. These lower levels cause vaginal atrophy. Vaginal atrophy is an inflammation of the vagina that happens as a result of the thinning and shrinking of the tissues, as well as decreased lubrication. A hot flash is a sudden sensation of heat in the upper body. It may start in the face, neck, or chest, and progress upward or downward. The skin may become red and patchy, and a woman will typically start to sweat. Her heart rate may suddenly increase, strengthen, or become irregular. Hot flashes generally occur during the first year after a woman's final period. Night sweats Hot flashes that occur during the sleep cycle are called night sweats. Most women say their hot flashes do not last more than a few minutes. However, studies have confirmed that moderate-to-severe night sweats and hot flashes may pose a problem for around 10.2 years. Disturbed sleep It can be difficult for women to fall asleep and stay asleep as they progress through menopause. In some cases, night sweats can lead to discomfort during the night and difficulty sleeping. Sleep disturbance may also be caused by insomnia or anxiety. Urinary problems Menopause can disrupt a woman's urinary cycle. Women tend to be more susceptible to urinary tract infections (UTIs) during menopause, such as cystitis. They may also find that they also need to visit the toilet more often. Emotional changes Women can experience depression and low mood during menopause. Hormonal changes can often trigger depressed feelings and mood swings. In many cases, these emotional symptoms also go hand-in-hand with sleep disturbance. Women may also experience low libido, or sex drive, as a result of these emotional changes. Problems focusing and learning Menopause can affect cognitive functions, such as concentration. Some women may also experience short-term memory problems and difficulty focusing for long periods. Other effects Other symptoms of menopause include: a buildup of fat in the abdomen, sometimes leading to overweight and obesity hair loss and thinning hair breast shrinkage Without treatment, symptoms usually taper off over a period of 2 to 5 years. However, symptoms can persist for longer. In some cases, vaginal dryness, itching, and discomfort can become chronic and eventually get worse without treatment. Complications Menopause can lead to the development of complications, including: Cardiovascular disease: A drop in estrogen levels has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Osteoporosis: A woman may lose bone density rapidly during the first few years after menopause. Low bone density leads to a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Urinary incontinence: Menopause causes the tissues of the vagina and urethra to lose their elasticity. This can result in frequent, sudden, and overwhelming urges to urinate. These urges can be followed by involuntary loss of urine. Women may involuntarily urinate after coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting during menopause. Breast cancer: Women face a higher risk of breast cancer following menopause. Regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk. Treatment HRT menopause pills Treatment for menopausal symptoms can range from hormone replacement therapy to self-management. During menopause, women can pursue a number of treatments to maintain comfort. Most women do not seek medical advice during this time, and many women require no treatment. However, a woman should visit a doctor if symptoms are affecting her quality of life. Women should choose the type of therapy dependent on their menopausal symptoms, medical history, and personal preferences. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) Women can keep the symptoms of menopause at bay by supplementing their estrogen and progestin levels. Hormone replacement therapy can be received through a simple patch on the skin. This patch releases estrogen and progestin. HRT is highly effective for many of the symptoms that occur during menopause. There are benefits to HRT, but be conscious of the risks: Benefits of HRT HRT effectively treats many troublesome menopausal symptoms. It can help prevent osteoporosis. HRT can lower the risk of colorectal cancer. Risks of HRT HRT raises the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. It increases the risk of coronary heart disease risk and stroke. Hormonal therapy slightly accelerates loss of tissue in the areas of the brain important for thinking and memory among women aged 65 years and over. Medicines There are other medicines available to help reduce the effects of menopause. Low-dose antidepressants Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown to decrease menopausal hot flashes. Drugs include: venlafaxine (Effexor) fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) paroxetine (Paxil, others) citalopram (Celexa) Drug treatment for hot flashes Hot flashes can be treated using gabapentin, available under the brand name Neurontin, and clonidine, which is often sold as Catapres. Clonidine can be taken either orally as a pill or placed on the skin as a patch. It is effective in treating hot flashes, but unpleasant side effects are common, including constipation, dry eyes, and nightmares. Vaginal estrogen may be applied to the area as a tablet, ring, or cream. This medication effectively treats vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and some urinary problems. Moisturisers are available over-the-counter. Causes Aging woman A woman's estrogen levels drop during the aging process. A reduction in levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone triggers the effects of menopause. Estrogen regulates menstruation, and progesterone is involved with preparing the body for pregnancy. Perimenopause begins when the ovaries start producing less of these two hormones. By the time a woman reaches her late thirties, the ovaries start producing less progesterone and estrogen. Fertility starts to decline long before the onset of any menopausal or perimenopausal symptoms. The ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone over time until they shut down completely. Menstruation will then stop completely. This change is gradual in most women, but some find that their menstrual cycle continues as normal and then suddenly stops. Ovaries tend to stop producing eggs after the age of 45 years, but they may cease production before then. This is known as premature menopause. Although rare, this can occur at any age. A number of underlying conditions can cause premature menopause, including: enzyme deficiencies Down's syndrome Turner's syndrome Addison's disease hypothyroidism Certain surgeries and procedures may also lead to premature ovarian failure, such as: surgery to remove the ovaries surgery to remove the womb radiotherapy to the pelvic area chemotherapy to the pelvic area There is no way to prevent menopause, but its symptoms and effects can be managed. Diagnosis A doctor should be able to diagnose menopause or perimenopause in a woman using her age, questions about her menstrual patterns, and feedback about any physical signs. The test works by measuring anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in the blood, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This hormone is a marker of ovarian function. Used with other clinical evaluations and laboratory findings, it can give a better idea of a woman's menopausal status than was previously possible. The test may also help those who have symptoms of perimenopause, which is the stage before menopause. At this stage, too there may also be adverse health impacts. Early menopause is associated with a higher risk of: osteoporosis and fracture heart disease cognitive changes vaginal changes loss of libido mood changes Another types of test is for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). During menopause FSH levels rise. However, FSH is also not always a reliable indicator of menopause, as levels tend to fluctuate during menopause and perimenopause. Under certain circumstances, a doctor may order a blood test to determine the estrogen level. Low thyroid activity can cause similar symptoms to those seen in menopause, so a doctor may recommend a blood test to determine the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone. Self-management It is often possible to manage the symptoms of menopause without medical intervention. Exercise Exercise during menopause can have a range of benefits, including preventing weight gain, reducing cancer risk, protecting the bones, and boosting general mood. Pilates, for example, has shown great benefit in reducing all menopausal symptoms not related to the urinary system and genitals, including sleep problems and hot flashes. Women should exercise earlier in the day during menopause to avoid causing any interruptions to their sleep cycle. Kegel exercises can be useful for preventing urinary incontinence. These are exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor. Practicing 3 or 4 times a day can lead to a noticeable improvement in symptoms within months. Nutrition It is important to maintain a healthful and varied diet when managing the bodily effects of menopause. Researchers found that omega-3 may ease psychological distress and depressive symptoms. Omega-3 is available in foods such as oily fish. Supplements are also available. Women experiencing menopause should eat a well-balanced diet that includes: vegetables fruits whole grains unsaturated fats fiber unrefined carbohydrates Try to consume between 1,200 and 1,500 milligrams (mg) of calcium and plenty of vitamin D each day. Deep breathing techniques, guided meditation, and progressive relaxation can also help limit sleep disturbance. Stress can aggravate hot flashes and night sweats, so avoiding known stressors and practicing relaxation techniques can help these symptoms. Other steps to self-manage menopause symptoms There are a few ways for a woman to comfortably accommodate the effects of menopause: Avoid tight clothing. Limit the consumption of spicy food, caffeine, and alcohol. Stay sexually active to reduce vaginal dryness. Keep stress levels to a minimum, and get plenty of rest. Maintain a cool and comfortable temperature in the bedroom at night to minimize night sweats. Wake up and go to sleep at the same times every day to regulate the sleep cycle. Smoking can exacerbate symptoms, so avoiding it is important. Staying active and healthy and responding to symptoms rapidly can help a woman maintain a good quality of life during menopause. Primary Homoeopathic Remedies Graphites A woman who is chilly, pale, and sluggish—with trouble concentrating, and a tendency toward weight gain during or after menopause—is likely to respond to this remedy. Hot flushing and sweats at night are often seen. A person who needs this remedy may also have a tendency toward skin problems with oozing cracked eruptions, and be very slow to become alert when waking in the morning. Lachesis mutus This remedy relieves hot flashes from menopause, especially when hot flashes are relieved by sweating or the occurrence of periods. Sepia This remedy can be helpful if a woman's periods are sometimes late and scanty, but heavy and flooding at other times. Her pelvic organs can feel weak and sagging, and she may have a craving for vinegar or sour foods. Women who need this remedy usually feel dragged-out and weary, with an irritable detachment regarding family members, and a loss of interest in daily tasks. Exercise, especially dancing, may brighten up the woman's mood and improve her energy. Sulphur This remedy is often helpful for hot flashes and flushing during menopause, when the woman wakes in the early morning hours and throws the covers off. She may be very anxious, weep a lot, and worry excessively about her health. A person needing Sulphur often is mentally active (or even eccentric), inclined toward messy habits, and usually feels worse from warmth. Other Remedies Belladonna This remedy relieves hot flashes with profuse sweating and head congestion. Calcarea carbonica This remedy may be helpful to a woman with heavy flooding, night sweats and flushing (despite a general chilliness), as well as weight gain during menopause. People who need this remedy are usually responsible and hard-working, yet somewhat slow or plodding and can be easily fatigued. Anxiety may be strong, and overwork or stress may lead to temporary breakdown. Stiff joints or cramps in the legs and feet, and cravings for eggs and sweets are other indications for Calcarea. Glonoinum This relieves sudden hot flashes with throbbing headaches or congestion, aggravated by heat. Ignatia Ignatia is often helpful for emotional ups and downs occurring during menopause. The woman will be very sensitive, but may try to hide her feelings—seeming guarded and defensive, moody, or hysterical. Headaches, muscle spasms, and menstrual cramps can occur, along with irregular periods. A heavy feeling in the chest, a tendency to sigh and yawn, and sudden outbursts of tears or laughter are strong indications for Ignatia. Lilium tigrinum A woman likely to respond to this remedy feels hurried, anxious, and very emotional — with a tendency to fly into rages and make other people "walk on eggs." She often has a sensation of tightness in her chest, and a feeling as if her pelvic organs are pressing out, which can make her feel a need to sit a lot or cross her legs. Natrum muriaticum A woman who needs this remedy may seem reserved, but has strong emotions that she keeps inside. She often feels deep grief and may dwell on the loss of happy times from the past or brood about hurts and disappointments. During menopause, she can have irregular periods accompanied by backaches or migraines. A person who needs this remedy usually craves salt, and feels worse from being in the sun. Pulsatilla A person who needs this remedy is usually soft and emotional, with changeable moods and a tendency toward tears. Women are very attached to their families and find it hard to bear the thought of the children growing up and leaving home. They usually feel deeply insecure about getting older. A fondness for desserts and butter can often lead to weight problems. Changeable moods, irregular periods, queasy feelings, alternating heat and chills, and lack of thirst are common. Aggravation from stuffy rooms and improvement in open air may confirm the choice of Pulsatilla. Staphysagria A person who needs this remedy usually seems mild-mannered, shy, and accommodating, but has many suppressed emotions. Women around the time of menopause may become depressed, or have outbursts of unaccustomed rage (even throwing or breaking things). Many people needing Staphysagria have deferred to a spouse for many years, or have experienced abuse in childhood.