Menopause is a natural process of aging where a woman's menstruation cycle stops permanently. It occurs between ages 45 and 60. During this time, your body experiences hormonal imbalances. You may also hear the term "premature menopause," which means menopause has been induced at an earlier age. Cancer treatments might cause premature menopause. Many women take over-the-counter vitamins to help with symptoms associated with menopause. You should, however, talk with your doctor before using them.
B Vitamins
B vitamins may help support women who are dealing with menopausal symptoms. These vitamins combat stress and help promote healthy sleeping patterns in menopausal women. B-6 vitamin has been shown to reduce hot flashes and night sweats, the most common complication of menopause. The tolerable upper limit of B-6 vitamin is 200 mg per day. Women over 60 should also take 1,500 mg of elemental calcium per day.
Vitamin E
Use of vitamin E may alleviate some menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings and musculoskeletal complaints. It also plays a role in body composition in peri- and postmenopausal women. Therefore, a deficiency in vitamin E has negative health consequences in women who are transitioning through menopause or are in early menopause.
Vitamin D
Your doctor may also recommend vitamin D to ease your menopausal symptoms. Vitamin D has been associated with a decrease in hot flashes, a well-known effect among postmenopausal women and those transitioning into menopause. Other therapeutic uses of vitamin D include both physiological and bodily symptoms of menopause such as anxiety, depression, vaginal dryness and irregular vaginal bleeding.
Precautions
Vitamins can be dangerous if used incorrectly or in incorrect amounts. Intaking vitamins more than 1,000 mg per day could have dangerous effects on your body. You should use megadose vitamin therapy only under your doctor's care.
References
- Harvard Medical School: Dealing With the Symptoms of Menopause
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine); Steven D. Ehrlich; June 2009
- University of Illinois College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences: Menopause and Soy Review; Clare M. Hasler; August 2001
- Serendip: Information About Menopause; Diana DiMuro; January 2008
- "Menopause Makeover"; Staness Jonekos, et al.; 2010
- National Institutes of Health: Dairy Supplement Research Practicum; What Is Known About the Safety of Multivitamin -- Multivitamin Supplements...; Catherine A Mulholland and Diane J Benford; June 2010
