The experts at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) would like women to know perimenopause is not a disease or illness. A temporary but natural part of aging, it likely begins long before you experience that first mood swing. Once they settle in, however, the hormonal shifts and accompanying symptoms can seem treacherous. As you move through the transition of perimenopause and focus on the upcoming benefit of living period free, a few herbal remedies may help control those hot flashes, night sweats and sleepless nights.
Perimenopause
The medical world uses the prefix "peri" to describe something "around" or "about" the root word. Thus, perimenopause refers to the time leading up to menopause or cessation of menstrual flow and fertility. Perimenopause can last a decade, according to UMMC, generally starting gradually with changes in flow at age 40 to 44 and ending in the early 50s. The hot flashes, vaginal dryness and other symptoms associated with dropping estrogen levels and other hormonal changes, however, usually occur about six months before menopause and may continue as long as five years after your last period.
Proposed Benefits vs. Risks
Often noting that natural is better than man-made, manufacturers point to thousands of years of successful treatment as good reason to choose herbal remedies for perimenopause. Along with tradition, they advertise herbs as gentler, thus preferred solutions for treating symptoms accompanying hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopause. Agreeing that "the use of herbs is a time honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease," physicians at UMMC caution that herbs contain natural substances as potent as the chemicals found in many prescription drugs, have shown mixed results in clinical trials and may carry serious side effects.
Herbs Traditionally Recommended
Soy and flaxseed contain estrogen-like substances herbalists recommend for hot flashes, vaginal dryness and mood swings caused by dropping estrogen levels. Black cohosh, used for some time in Europe for hot flashes and mood swings, appears to provide protection against osteoporosis or declining bone density frequently found in postmenopausal women. However, UMMC notes that black cohosh, typically taken at a dose of 20mg twice a day, may increase risk of breast- and other hormonal-related cancers for those already at risk, and thus recommends you only take this supplement under a doctor's supervision. Natural practitioners also recommend sage, red clover, Asian ginseng and kudzu for perimenopausal symptoms.
Scientific Evidence
After reviewing 21 trials regarding the benefits of soy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes inconsistent results about soy's efficacy in treating hot flashes and night sweats. Citing high dropout rates by participants and the same reduction in symptoms among those taking versus those not taking soy supplements, DHHS noted overall difficulty in interpreting results. Studies involving other herbal treatments for perimenopause provided similar mixed results or lacked evidence for benefit, according to UMMC.
Expert Insight
Preferring a multi-factorial approach that leaves room for treating perimenopausal symptoms individually, UMMC suggests you consider a well-rounded plan that may also help prevent some of the conditions associated with menopause, such as increased risk of osteoporosis. UMMC recommends a balance of healthy nutrition, routine exercise, appropriate dietary supplements such as calcium and use of natural products such as herbal supplements under the supervision of a health care practitioner as proactive ways to take charge of your perimenopausal years.
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