Menopause is the end of fertility, marked by a 12-month interval since your last menstrual period, reports MayoClinic.com. Various symptoms can accompany menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness, due to hormonal fluctuations and changes. Hormone replacement therapy is available, but not all women are able to follow this therapy, and others don't want to. Some herbal supplements have been shown to help relieve symptoms of menopause, but they may not be effective for everyone. Prior to using herbs for menopause, consult your physician to make sure it is safe for you to do so.
Step 1
Take a black cohosh supplement daily. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the recommended dose is 40 to 80 mg a day, with the tablets standardized to have 1 mg of 27-deoxyactein. For women who cannot or choose not to use hormone replacement therapy, black cohosh has been used to help relieve symptoms of menopause.
Step 2
Consume 2 to 8 g of evening primrose oil daily, recommends the University of Maryland Medical Center. Evening primrose oil capsules should be standardized to have 8 percent GLA, an omega-6 fatty acid. This supplement may help reduce hot flashes associated with menopause.
Step 3
Take 1 to 2 tablets of red clover, which is typically 40 to 80 mg daily, reports Drugs.com. Study results are mixed, but red clover has been recommended as a replacement for hormone therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms, due to its estrogen-like properties.
Step 4
Consume 25 to 40 g of flaxseed oil daily. According to Drugs.com, flaxseed may be as effective as hormone replacement therapy in treating mild symptoms of menopause because of its estrogenic properties. Study results are mixed, and more research needs to be done because there is a lack of extensive clinical data.
Tips and Warnings
- Using vaginal lubricants and doing Kegel exercises can ameliorate some of the symptoms associated with menopause, reports MayoClinic.com. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and participating in exercise at least 30 minutes a day can help with stress relief and weight gain that some women experience during menopause.
- Talk with your doctor before using any herbal supplements to help treat menopausal symptoms. Some of these herbs may interact with medications, and they may not be suitable for women with certain medical conditions.
Things You'll Need
- Black cohosh supplement
- Evening primrose oil
- Red clover tablets
- Flaxseed oil
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Black Cohosh
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Evening Primrose Oil
- Drugs.com: Complete Red Clover Information
- Drugs.com: Complete Flax Information
- MayoClinic.com; Menopause: Lifestyle and Home Remedies; July 23, 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Menopause: Definition; July 23, 2009
