Menopause is a time when a woman's hormones often go awry as her body begins its adjustment of estrogen and progesterone levels. Because of reports of serious side effects, many women who previously opted for pharmaceutical hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, are now looking for alternative treatments to help balance their hormones. Certain herbs have been found helpful in relieving the symptoms of menopause, but herbs can cause side effects, so consult your health practitioner before starting new treatments.
St. John's Wort
Many women exhibit signs of depression with the onset of menopause, showing symptoms such as a loss of energy, moodiness and mood swings, insomnia, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, sadness, feelings or worthlessness, restlessness and thoughts of suicide, according to the Depression Center, a division of the University of Michigan Health System. These symptoms and others may come on due to a drop in hormonal levels. However, they might be mitigated by taking St. John's wort, or Hypericum perforatum. St. John's wort helps lift a person's mood, calm the nerves, aid sleep and increase overall feelings of well-being, says the "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook." However, St. John's wort may also worsen depression if you take too much. There is no standardized dose, and your health practitioner should monitor individual dosing. Do not use this herb on its own without letting your practitioner know, especially if you are being medicated for depression.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh has been used for centuries to help regulate women's menstrual and menopausal symptoms, according to "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook." This herb may be used especially for the treatment of estrogen dominance and other symptoms related to vacillating levels of estrogen. Black cohosh may relieve hot flashes, depression and abnormal bleeding, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. In addition, it may be helpful in reducing symptoms of depression, irritability, insomnia, cramping and vaginal dryness. UMMC recommends 20mg to 40mg of standardized extract twice daily. However, speak to your practitioner for dosing guidelines that pertain to your specific needs. Black cohosh can thin the blood, so if you take blood-thinning medicines, speak to your doctor before using this herb.
Wild Yam
Wild yam, or dioscorea, is often used in Chinese medicine as well as in Western medicine to help women control swings in hormones during menopause, according to the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Wild yam may relieve hot flashes, depression, vaginal itching and dryness and mood swings, says "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook." This herb is especially helpful in controlling progesterone levels and is often included in pharmaceutical progesterone creams. Caution is advised if you use progesterone creams, because they can cause severe side effects in the form of depression when too much is used. If you use the actual herb, consult a practitioner or experienced herbalist to advise you on dose, and if you develop unfamiliar symptoms, stop taking it and call your practitioner.
References
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine: Herbs for Women: Alternatives to Prescription Medications
- Depression Center -- University of Michigan Health System: Women and Depression
- "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Your Everyday Reference to the Best Herbs for Healing"; James Duke; 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Menstrual Pain
