|
|
At mid-cycle, a critical peak of estrogen production alerts the hypothalamus to create more GnRh. This time it tells the pituitary to release its lutenizing hormone (LH) to the ovaries, a trigger that will chasteberry spur the small explosion that releases the egg from the dominant follicle. Ovulation occurs and the corpus luteum forms to continue estrogen and progesterone production until it dies in the absence of pregnancy. Hormone levels plunge. In perimenopause, the ovaries'' estrogen and progesterone production shifts from vitex one that''s follicle rich (with an emphasis on creating eggs) to one that''s chasteberry stromal vitex rich (less emphasis on eggs, more on the stroma that holds the eggs together). As a result, the hormonal dance changes. A follicle releases an egg less and less often, so estrogen chasteberry and progesterone levels drop. The uterus lining ceases to thicken, so there is little or nothing to discharge. Menstruation stops, and the decline of ovarian hormones sparks elevation of pituitary hormones such as the luteinizing hormone. It is suspected that this rise of LH in the pituitary causes hot flashes. In addition, these dramatic changes to the endocrine organs Since the days of Hippocrates, chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) has been used for gynecological conditions. The Greek physician Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) wrote, "If blood flows from the womb, let the woman drink dark wine in which the leaves of the chaste tree vitex have been steeped." With a rich traditional of use, modern research supports historical wisdom, and has made chaste tree fruit preparations a phytomedicine of choice by European chasteberry gynecologists for treatment of various menstrual disorders, PMS, and other conditions. Chaste tree was associated with ancient Greek festivals. In the Thesmophoria, a festival held in honor of Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture, fertility and marriage, women (who remained "chaste" during the festival), used chaste tree blossoms for adornment, while bows of twigs and leaves, were strewn around Demeter’s temple during the festival. In Rome, vestal virgins carried twigs of chaste tree as a symbol of chastity. According to Greek mythology, Hera, sister and wife of Zeus, regarded as protectress of marriage, was born under a chaste tree Ancient traditions associating vitex the shrub with chastity were adopted in Christian ritual. or whether she took oral contraceptives for birth control. What does influence the time of menopause? Genetics are a key factor. Ask your mother and And, cigarette smoking can cause you to reach menopause two years earlier than nonsmokers. About six years prior to natural menopause is when menopause-related changes begin (perimenopause). Fluctuations in the levels of hormones produced by the aging ovaries lead to normal, physical changes such as: Irregular menstrual patterns. One of the most common and chasteberry annoying symptoms you may notice during your 40s is that your periods become irregular. They may be heavier one month and then very light the next. They may get shorter or last longer. You may even begin to skip your period vitex every few months or lose track of when your periods chasteberry should start and end. These symptoms are caused by irregular estrogen and progesterone levels. For example, if you donąt ovulate one month ‹ which is common for women in their late 40s ‹ progesterone isnąt produced vitex to stimulate menstruation and estrogen levels continue to rise. This can cause spotting throughout your cycle or heavy bleeding when menstruation does start.
|