Menopause, also known as "the change," occurs when a woman's reproductive years have ended. Between the ages of 45 and 55, women begin to experience symptoms of menopause; some of which are uncomfortable enough to warrant seeking medical options for relief. In this stage, women will experience hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia, fatigue, dry skin and thinning hair. The current treatment option for women going through menopause is hormone replacement therapy, which is used to ease the symptoms of menopause. However, there are also several supplements that may hold similar benefits. Always talk to your doctor about taking supplements to ensure their safety for you.
Vitamins
Vitamins are in just about any food you eat. They are needed for every aspect of your health including reproductive care. During menopause, a woman may require an increased amount of certain vitamins, due to the changes taking place within her. A B-complex vitamin, vitamin B-6, is needed to maintain the immune system and cognitive abilities and to stabilize hunger, sleeping and mood; all of which are thrown out of sync in menopause. Vitamin B-6 also has the added benefit of reducing homocystein levels, which can lower the risk of heart disease, which naturally increases with age. In addition, taking 800 IU of vitamin E can be particularly helpful for reducing hot flashes, according to BreastCancer.org.
Calcium and Bone Loss
As a woman enters menopause, her level of estrogen will decline significantly. Not only will this decline increase her risk of developing cardiovascular disease, but according to the Mayo Clinic, it also increases her chances of developing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that develops when bone is lost quicker than it is replaced; for this reason, a woman's need for calcium increases. The Mayo Clinic recommends taking 1,200 to 1,500 mg of calcium per day along with 800 IUs of vitamin D to reduce this risk.
Black Cohosh and Hot Flashes
Epigee recommends taking black cohosh to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. In fact, Epigee states, 80 percent of women who have taken black cohosh were relieved of symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating and heart palpitations. Although black cohosh is sold over-the-counter, it does have side effects such as headaches or queasiness. Black cohosh has also been linked to liver inflammation if used long term. Ask your physician before taking this supplement.
Considerations
Taking a multivitamin formulated for women in menopause or women over the age of 40 can give you all the vitamins and minerals you need at this stage in your life. Multivitamins are quite big, and some women may be put off by this; however, there are chewable, gummy, liquid and powder options as well.
Warning
Before taking any supplement or vitamin, if you are on medications for any kind of ailment, consult your physician. Some vitamins and herbal supplements cause harmful effects when combined with prescription medications.
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