Perimenopause, sometimes called premenopause, is the period in which a woman's body naturally shifts from regular menstrual cycles and ovulation toward infertility. During perimenopause, your body experiences fluctuations in the production of both estrogen and progesterone. These fluctuations often cause various symptoms, including hot flashes, irritability, erratic sleep patterns, mood changes and vaginal dryness. Various vitamins and herbs help to relieve these symptoms. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements to treat symptoms of perimenopause.
Vitamin B, C and D
As your estrogen levels decrease during perimenopause, you are more at risk to develop heart disease and osteoporosis. The Mayo Clinic suggests eating a healthy diet and taking a calcium supplement that contains vitamin D. Calcium and vitamin D work together to protect you from bone loss, and vitamin D helps your body absorb the calcium more efficiently. The "Texas Medical Center News" also recommends taking doses of vitamin B-6, or pyridoxine, which might help stabilize erratic mood swings.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E contains antioxidants essential for protecting your body from free radicals. In addition, it seems to relieve the intensity and frequency of hot flashes. According to "Gynecology and Obstetric Investigation," hot flashes affect about three-quarters of females going through perimenopause. In one study, researchers gave one group of women daily doses of 400 IU vitamin E, while another group took a placebo. The women who took the vitamin E supplements reported a significant decrease in the severity of their hot flashes and noted that the hot flashes occurred less frequently. Drugs.com warns you to talk to your health care practitioner before taking vitamin E if you are pregnant or take hypertension medication.
Black Cohosh
Native Americans historically used black cohosh, or Actaea racemosa, to treat symptoms of perimenopause, particularly hot flashes, mood swings, sleep problems and irritability. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, modern research indicates that black cohosh is indeed effective for improving these symptoms, but more studies are needed on the long-term use of this herb. German researchers found that black cohosh improved the symptoms of hot flashes, vaginal dryness and night sweats. The UMMC mentions that this plant possibly contains phytoestrogens, or plant based estrogens, which might supplement estrogen loss in perimenopausal females. The Mayo Clinic cautions women with liver disorders to talk to their physicians before using this herb.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed, also called linseed, comes from flax plants, or Linum usitatissimum. Although flaxseed is typically used as a laxative, it might also help to relieve some of the symptoms of perimenopause. The UMMC reports that flaxseed contains a phytoestrogen called lignans, and early research indicates that this substance helps to treat mood swings, vaginal dryness and hot flashes. Flaxseed might also improve your bone health and decrease your risk of osteoporosis. The Mayo Clinic warns you to speak with your doctor before taking this herb if you also take birth control pills or have health conditions affected by hormones, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids or breast cancer.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Perimenopause
- Texas Medical Center News; Perimenopause, Menopause, and Other Natural Wonders of Women's Mid-Life; Colleen O'Brien; March 2000
- "Gynecology and Obstetric Investigation"; The Effect of Vitamin E on Hot Flashes in Menopausal Women; S. Ziaei, et al.; July 2007
- Drugs.com: Vitamin E
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Black Cohosh
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Flaxseed
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