Natural Remedies for Menopause

Phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens mimic estrogen in the body in extrememly low doses and they are found in the food we eat. They act like natural supplements. They regulate the estrogen in the body, lowering them when they’re too high, and increasing them when they’re too low. They are a natural alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Black Cohosh

In Europe many women have used this plant for menopausal symptoms, but its use in North America is fairly recent. German doctors have been researching and prescribing black cohosh as one of the natural remedies for menopause since the 1950's.

Soy

The benefits of soy for menopause is that it helps to balance your female hormones which in turn helps to reduce your menopausal symptoms. Besides that, it has all the benefits that women in midlife require such as additional prevention against osteoporosis and heart disease.

Red Clover

Although red Clover contains several phytoestrogen compounds, the research has failed to show any real benefit for menopausal symptoms.

However, in the same breath (or document) they say, "Complementary and Alternative medicine, including Black Cohosh, and Red Clover may be recommended for the reduction of mild vasomotor symptoms. Long-term efficacy and safey data are still lacking."

Evening Primrose Oil

The research study results on Evening Primrose Oil for menopausal symptoms have baffled me because they show it is ineffective for menopausal symptoms. However, it has been used for centuries for that very reason, and anecdotal evidence shows that it really helps.

Bioidentical Hormones

The International Menopause Society states there is lack of evidence that the benefits and risks of bioidentical hormones are any different than conventional hormone treatments.

Chinese Herbs

The Chinese doctor has a wholistic approach to menopausal symptoms. He asks questions regarding the patient's cravings, smells and lifestyle before prescribing herbs.

Other Natural Remedies for menopause

The other natural remedies I like to recommend are fitness, diet, relaxation and joy. All of these work well to alleviate the symptoms of menopause according to the Canadian Menopause Society and the North American Menopause Society. Try it!

Natural Menopause Treatment : What the media has to say.

Effectively Managing Perimenopause: Part 1 written for Oromo News on April 24, 2010. This article discusses not only the biological changes that occur at perimenopause, but also the social and emotional changes. Many factors come into play at midlife adding stress to an already stressful time. All of these stressors increase your perimenopausal symptoms. Causes of Perimenopausal Symptoms.

Research has shown that physically fitter older women going through menopause have more gray brain matter and perform better on memory tests than their less physically fit peers, . Aerobic Activity and Memory.

Chinese Herbs and Nutrition which is meant to treat the syndrome, not just the symptoms. A Chinese doctor will look at the whole person when assessing her condition. For example, he or she will check the patient’s tongue, smell the patient (I’m not sure I could get used to that-what about you?), take her temperature, ask questions about any cravings she has and her lifestyle habits including exercise and diet. Chinese Herbs.

More interesting news in the media about menopause: The bonding in your teeth may be affecting your menopausal symptoms. Some plasticizers in dental bonding can be made of the synthetic estrogen bisphenol. This can lead to symptoms of chronic PMS, or it can be confused with the symptoms women normally experience around menopause. March 1, 2010 BPA Dental.

A medical doctor's view on hormone replacement therapy versus alternative measures, April 22, 2010. Based on clinical studies, the jury is still out on the effectiveness of non-traditional holistic methods for treating perimenopause versus hormone therapy, but some patients truly embrace these alternative natural supplements and find relief from their symptoms. So, if the treatment works-why not use it? Treating Perimenopause.

In this article written by Luella May for Natural Health, she talks about the many benefits of blueberries. They improve memory, slow aging, and much more. February 18, 2010 Blueberry Smoothie and the Benefits of Blueberries.