Menopause usually affects women in their early 50s and occurs when the ovaries stop producing the hormone estrogen. As a result, some menopausal women experience a number of uncomfortable mental and physical effects such as hot flashes, weight gain, night sweats, depression and irritability. Some women find these symptoms difficult to cope with and may seek medical treatment such as hormone replacement therapy. Herbs may also help to alleviate symptoms, although scientific evidence to show they are effective is limited. Talk to your doctor if you are considering using herbal remedies.
Examples and Adminstration
The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests several herbs that may help to alleviate menopausal symptoms including black cohosh and red clover. Black cohosh is a member of the buttercup family and is a traditional Native American remedy, while red clover is commonly employed in Chinese herbal medicine and may have estrogenic effects. Both may be taken as teas or in capsules or tablets. Ask your doctor how much of each herb you should take.
Efficacy
An article published in the January 2010 issue of "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine" notes that herbal preparations containing black cohosh may improve menopausal symptoms by up to 26 percent. However, the article's author, T. Shams from St. Mary's Hospital in Montreal, adds that more data are needed to prove that it is effective. Drugs.com notes that while red clover is often used as a form of hormone replacement therapy, research examining its efficacy is limited.
Safety
All herbs have the potential to cause side effects and interact with other drugs. Red clover is likely safe for most people, RxList notes. However, side effects may include muscle ache, nausea, vaginal bleeding and skin rashes. Do not take this herb if you have a hormone-sensitive cancer such as uterine or breast cancer, or if you have a bleeding disorder. This herb may interact with estrogenic drugs and medicines that are modified by the liver. Black cohosh has been linked with liver disease and should not be used by women with liver problems. Side effects may include stomach discomfort and headache.
Other Measures
UMMC notes that eating a well balanced diet may help to reduce menopause-induced discomfort and adds that eating soy-based foods like tofu may reduce menopausal symptoms including hot flashes. If you wish to take an alternative approach to managing menopausal symptoms, you may also find acupuncture and homeopathy helpful. However, ensure you only use qualified practitioners.
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