After 30 or 40 years of menstrual cycles, a woman's childbearing ability ends. In the years leading up to their final period, women may experience physical symptoms as a result of fluctuating hormones. Some women breeze through menopause with few problems while others suffer night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain and other symptoms. Traditional medicine treats the symptoms of menopause with hormone replacement therapy, but natural medications may offer some women relief.
Phytoestrogen: Nature's Alternative
The Women's Health Initiative, a 15-year government study that ended in 2003, found that women taking chemical estrogen had fewer fractures but their risk of blood clots, breast cancer and stroke rose.
Phytoestrogens, the natural alternatives to hormone replacement therapy, occur in some plants, including the soybean plant. The Gale Encyclopedia of Internal Medicine reports that women who live in countries that consume foods high in phytoestrogens, such as Japan, experience lower breast cancer rates. Only 15 percent of Japanese women complain of hot flashes, compared to 80 percent of women in the U.S.
In addition to soy products, phytoestrogens are present in black cohosh, red clover leaf, lima beans, pinto beans, licorice herb, wild yam and chickpeas.
Herbs to the Rescue
Using herbs to treat medical conditions is an ancient practice that many still turn to today. Gale lists a number of herbs that women may find beneficial in relieving the symptoms of menopause. However, women should consult a knowledgeable herbalist or a naturopathic doctor before starting any herbal regime.
For breast tenderness, try black currant, evening primrose oil or flaxseed. Your hot flashes may lessen in intensity and duration with the use of chasteberry, chickweed, fennel, ginseng, wild yam, motherwort and violet. Valerian and passionflower may soothe insomnia while ginkgo biloba and hawthorn may help you concentrate on your daily tasks.
Additional
Altering your diet may alleviate some of the undesirable symptoms of menopause. The Mayo Clinic suggests eating a balanced diet that includes fresh vegetables and fruits, with a focus on consuming at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium and 800 IU of Vitamin D each day. Avoid foods that can trigger hot flashes, including spicy foods and hot beverages.
Smoking and drinking alcohol may increase a woman's symptoms. However, adding a regular exercise routine, even something as simple as a brisk 20-minute walk every day, may reduce the physical symptoms associated with menopause.
References
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Volume 3"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
- Mayo Clinic: Menopause, Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Dept. of Health and Human Services: Women's Health Initiative
