Menopause does not have to be feared or dreaded, it is just a stage of life that every woman must go through. In Western civilizations it is often treated as an illness that demands medical intervention; however, the symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, declining libido, joint pain, osteoporosis, weight gain and headaches can be dealt with naturally. There are several vitamins, herbs and combination supplements available that can help alleviate the symptoms caused by the change in hormones, allowing the body to change and adjust gracefully.
Vitamins
Vitamin C helps to build collagen, a fibrous protein that is found in skin, cartilage, bones and tendons. Building collagen increases the elasticity of the skin, which can help reduce the dryness and discomfort in the vaginal region that occurs as that skin loses its ability to stretch. This increase in collagen can also help the urinary tract maintain its elasticity, which prevents the leakage and stress incontinence that is prevalent among women experiencing menopause.
Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps to restore skin, has been found effective in alleviating vaginal dryness in menopausal women, according to the Menopause Info Center. In addition, it can relieve hot flashes, the most complained-about symptom of menopause.
B vitamins are important for energy production as well as reducing stress and anxiety. For women experiencing a lack of energy or mood swings, taking B vitamin supplements can be very helpful.
Herbs
Black cohosh, a perennial plant found in North America, has been used throughout history to remedy a variety of female complaints. It is the most studied botanical, next to soy, according to a study conducted by Geller and Studee and published in the September 2005 issue of Journal of Women's Health, and has been found effective in relieving both hot flashes and mood swings caused by the decrease in hormones.
Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring non-steroidal compounds found in plants that produce estrogen-like effects in the body. Foods with the highest concentration of phytoestrogens include soy beans and soy products. Eating foods rich in phytoestrogen is suggested as an alternative to synthetic hormone replacement therapies to help reduce the symptoms of menopause.
Agnus castus, also known as chaste-tree or chasteberry, has been used since ancient times to relieve women's problems. Chaste-tree preparations are effective in treating the symptoms of PMS as well as menopause. It is believed, according to the Steven Foster Group, that chaste-tree acts on the pituitary gland and therefore regulates hormone production.
Combination Therapies
There are a number of all-natural supplements available that are made up of a combination of vitamins, herbs and botanicals. Many of them claim to promote or even increase estrogen activity while reducing menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings. These multi-botanical substances, however, have very little science to prove their effectiveness or even their safety, according to the study in the Journal of Women's Health.
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