Menopause and natural treatments

In today’s day and age more women are looking at natural alte
ative ways to treat menopause. One of the biggest reason most women today opt for integrative therapies to control menopause is because most women experience unpleasant side effects from conventional Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT is the use of synthetic estrogen and progesterone that can also cause some health problems such as breast cancer, heart disease or increased blood clots. Some women may also experience side effects such as headaches, vaginal bleeding and nausea.
Menopause usually starts around the age of 52. Many women may start menopause at the early age of 30 or sometimes closer to the age of 60. Menopause is the permanent ending of menstruation in women and marks the end of a woman’s natural ability to bear children. At menopause a woman’s ovary stops producing estrogen and progesterone which are both hormones. Some of the symptoms a woman may experience during menopause are hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and mood swings.
Nutrition is an important part of helping control some of your menopausal symptoms. Eating foods like brown rice, tofu, grains, soy, almonds, wheat, oats and fresh fruits and veggies are all good and healthy for you. Women should avoid drinking and eating foods high in caffeine, meats, carbonated drinks and foods with high saturated fats. Also avoid excessive sugar which impairs your immune system and limits the liver’s ability to metabolize estrogen. Taking probiotics are good for women but especially during menopause to help with the utilization of estrogen and they help your metabolism. Probiotics are also helpful in reducing yeast infections.
Certain vitamins may help with menopausal symptoms as well. Here are just a few of the many vitamin supplements that can help ease some of your menopausal symptoms.

Vitamin A – Helps with vaginal dryness.
Calcium – About 1500 mg daily try to get Calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate may not be fully absorbed. Calcium helps with Osteoporosis
Vitamin C – Good for the immune system.
Vitamin E – Helps reduce hot flashes and night sweats. Can be taken in suppositories for vaginal dryness.
Magnesium – Helps with the absorption of Calcium
Isoflavones - Acts as estrogen in the body. The estrogen effects of isoflavones are much less powerful than the estrogen hormones.
Some herbal treatments work by stimulating glands to produce natural hormones effectively than restoring them with artificial hormones. Some women prefer to use different types of herbs to help alleviate menopausal symptoms. Here is a list of some that may work for you.
Black Cohosh – One of the more popular used herbs for menopausal symptoms. Helps alleviate hot flashes, treats vaginal dryness, depression and mood swings cause by menopause. When taken in a high dose black cohosh can cause headaches. Believed to contain phytoestrogens.
Dong Quai – Helps alleviate hot flashes.
Chaste Berry – Helps stimulate the production of progesterone and helps alleviate a range of menopausal symptoms.
Flaxseed – Ground in grinder can be put in salads and cereals. Good for your heart, constipation, inflammation and vaginal dryness.
Hops – Can be used for insomnia caused by menopause and hot flashes. Do not use this herb if you have severe depression.
Lemon Balm – Great as a tea. Has a calming effect, helps relieve stress, tension and depression.
Lavender - Has a soothing and calming effect and helps reduce depression and is helpful in treating headaches.
Peruvian Maca – Increases energy and helps with mood swings, depression, reduced libido, breast tende
ess and anxiety associated with menopause. It is believed to work by stimulating the glands to produce its own estrogen and testosterone.
Primrose oil – Good for the heart, helps relieve vaginal dryness, and helps promote healthy skin.
Siberian Ginseng – Increases stamina

Valerian - Can be taken in tablet, capsule or tea. Helps to relieve night sweats and helps you relax so you can sleep better.
If you are confused as to what natural treatments you should take there is a great site on line that helps educate women who are in menopause find what simple natural treatments are available. They even assign a nurse who will call you and guide you during this transitional phase in your life. The name of this site is “Women to Women” www.womentowomen.com they help educate you and find alte
ative ways to deal with all your menopausal symptoms. they can also be reach on the telephone 800-261-3594. There is no reason why women should have to suffer from menopausal symptoms anymore.
Remember that each of us has our own bio-individuality. So what works for your friend may not work for you. Before taking any herbs or supplements you should consult with a certified natural practitioner who can guide you. If you are taking prescription medications you should also consult your doctor. Some herbs may interact with prescription drugs.