1. Consult Your Physician Before You Buy Herbs
Herbal treatments are a generally harmless and natural way to relieve menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, irritability and night sweats. But the side effects of some herbs have sparked concern among the medical community, particularly after a South African woman suffered organ failure after taking the popular herbal extract black cohosh to suppress symptoms of menopause. While risks of suffering a similar fate are extremely low, all women are strongly encouraged to consult a physician about any herbal medication for menopause or any other medical maladies.
2. How Herbs Work to Treat Menopause
Some herbs, such as black cohosh and St. John's Wort extract, boost levels of the feel-good chemicals dopamine and serotonin in the brain, improving mood and sleep and reducing hot flashes and night sweats. Another popular herb, vitex, is thought to stimulate the release of a hormone from the pituitary gland, increasing progesterone and relieving bloating, breast tenderness, headache and fatigue.
3. Shopping for Herbal Treatments
When finding the right supplement for you, be sure to go to reputable suppliers. Start with your local health or natural food store, and talk to an employee there about your symptoms and what you're trying to treat. Then, buy widely-available brands that that clearly list their ingredients (if you're not sure what an ingredient is, just ask). And as you're browsing products, look specifically for those with the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)-verified mark on their labels; any herbs that lack this label may not have been tested for safety and quality.
4. Cost of Herbal Treatments
Since health insurance generally doesn't cover alternative supplements, one downside of herbal treatments is the out-of-pocket cost. Conventional ways to treat menopause symptoms, including estrogen pills, patches and creams and progesterone pills, cost anywhere from $8 to $50 per month, while the cost of herbs can run up to $100 monthly. But the added benefits of herbs may be worth the extra cost, so it's important to weigh all of your options when selecting your treatments.
5. Diet is Just as Important as Herbs
Supplementing your herbal intake with a low-fat, high-fiber diet will further fight menopause symptoms. Go for greens and grains that have nutrients that mimic the body's natural estrogen, such as broccoli, cauliflower, oats, tofu, miso and flaxseed. Meanwhile, snacking on soy products, calcium supplements, dark leafy greens and low-fat diary products will boost bone density, especially in the first ten years after menopause when lower estrogen levels may lead to rapid bone loss. Decreasing caffeine and limiting alcohol intake also help to manage menopause symptoms.
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