Menopause occurs at the end of a woman's reproductive years, during which time she may experience unwanted symptoms as her hormones fluctuate. The average age of menopause is 51, reports "The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine." Although, it may occur years earlier or later in individual women. During the years preceding her final menstrual period, a woman may suffer from hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, depression, insomnia and other physical and emotional symptoms. While traditional medical treatment includes hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a woman may find relief with some alternative therapies.
Diet and Supplements
A healthy, balanced diet that includes 1,500 milligrams of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D daily may reduce a menopausal woman's risk of osteoporosis, advises the Mayo Clinic. In addition, a daily vitamin E supplement of no more than 400 IU may help reduce hot flashes.
Avoid eating spicy foods and drinking hot beverages that may trigger hot flashes, and increase your consumption of dietary fiber by eating foods with whole wheat or taking fiber supplements. "Gale" notes that the consumption of fiber may increase daily bowel movements, which may assist in balancing hormones in the body.
Dairy foods and meats, especially processed lunch meats and pork, may increase menopausal symptoms, according to "Gale."
Herbal
Numerous herbs may reduce the symptoms of menopause, but a certified herbalist or a doctor of naturopathy should recommend specific blends to suit your needs.
Black cohosh, chasteberry, chickweed, fennel, ginseng, motherwort, sage and violet may reduce hot flashes and night sweats in some women, reports "Gale." Skullcap, valerian and passionflower may ease insomnia. General symptoms, including breast tenderness, water retention, heavy or irregular bleeding, headaches, and mood swings may ease with the use of black currant, sesame, raspberry leaf, oats, licorice root, lady's mantle, flaxseed, ginkgo and hawthorn. Not all herbs may be effective for all women.
Hormone Replacement Alternatives
A woman's estrogen levels may resemble a roller coaster ride during menopause as her body prepares to end the ability to reproduce. Your doctor may recommend alternatives to traditional hormone replacement therapy that include phytoestrogens, plant forms of estrogen. Soy products, legumes, fresh vegetables and nuts provide small amounts of phytoestrogens that may reduce some menopausal symptoms.
Natural progesterone, the hormone that regulates high levels of estrogen, occurs in wild yam, evening primrose, dong quai and licorice root. These herbal products are available in topical creams or in teas and supplements; however, consult your doctor before starting an alternate hormone replacement program.
References
- "The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Volume 2"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
- Mayo Clinic: Menopause: Alternative Medicine
- Mayo Clinic: Menopause: Lifestyle and Home Remedies
