Natural Menopause Treatment

Let’s face it ladies, we can be controlled by our hormones.  When we are young, they are out of control and trying to find balance.  During our child-bearing years, we attempt to manage them while riding the 'monthly hormonal roller-coaster'. Finally, when we are looking forward to our golden years, these same hormones threaten us with seemingly spontaneous combustion! 

From PMS to birth control and infertility, this article brings us full cycle (excuse the pun!). 

The onset of menopause marks a transitional period which can initiate many symptoms due to the changes in hormone patterns, specifically with the decline of reproductive hormones (known as estrogen and progesterone).  The severity of symptoms can vary greatly from one woman to the next. Some women experience multiple symptoms, while others breeze through this transition virtually symptom-free. 

Most Common Menopausal Symptoms

• Changes in your monthly menstrual cycle (shorter or longer, blood flow heavier or lighter)

• Decreased fertility (ovaries release fewer eggs)

• Vaginal dryness (drop in estrogen affects the vaginal lining making it thinner, dryer and less elastic)

• Hot flashes or flushes (75% of women experience some degree of hot flashes and unfortunately it can happen anytime -day or night.)

• Sleep disturbances (including night sweats or insomnia)

• Mood swings (including irritability and depression)

• Increased abdominal fat (proportion of fat to body weight tends to increase )

• Hair-loss

• Loss of breast fullness

Menopause is denoted as an absence of menstruation for at least one year.  A natural phenomenon, it typically occurs around 45-55 years of age.  In North America most women reach menopause by age 51.  Early (before 40) or premature (before 45) menopause affects 1% of women and can occur for a variety of reasons. 

Factors such as smoking, family history (mother or sister with early natural menopause), never being pregnant or heart diseases can influence menopausal timing, as well as some medical conditions:

Premature ovarian failure:  Affects 1- 4% of women and occurs when their ovaries stop working properly (fertility decline and increases in menstrual irregularities).

Surgical procedure:  Health conditions such as endometriosis, polyps and ovarian cancer can necessitate removal of the ovaries (an oopherectomy) in some women.

Cancer or radiation treatment:  Chemotherapy and radiation treatments to kill cancer cells unfortunately can also kill healthy cells. Often ovaries are particularly susceptible.

When women reach menopause, decreases in estrogen levels can cause other medical issues such as:

Urinary incontinence: due to the thinning of the lining of the urethra, and weakening of the pelvic muscle

Cardiovascular diseases: an increased risk after menopause since estrogen provides cardiac protective benefits

Osteoporosis: as estrogen plays an important role in bone health

At this point in time, you probably feel that your fairy godmother has played a cruel trick on you and is turning you into the pumpkin - overweight, thin haired and brittle boned with plumbing issues!  I think we have good reason to be cranky! 

Being a woman is not easy and going through menopause is challenging even for the best of us.  Embracing the change enables you to get in front of it and do something about it.  Attitude is important and a positive outlook can make all the difference.

Some menopause symptoms may be alleviated with dietary changes, weight management, and lifestyle modification (like quitting smoking, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and increasing exercise). Removing unnecessary stress and coping with unavoidable stress may also alleviate symptoms. 

Natural products can help relieve the symptoms of menopause. Remember that what works for others will not necessarily work for you so be well informed and patient.

Natural Menopause Remedies

Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa):This herb has been used for centuries to treat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. There is conflicting clinical evidence. Some clinical evidence suggests it may help relieve menopausal symptoms (night sweats, migraines, irritability, heart palpitations and vaginal dryness) while other studies show little to no benefit.  While there is not enough reliable data is available to determine the effectiveness of black cohosh in menopause treatments, there is enough evidence to show it is safe. It is worth a try.

Evening primrose oil:  Evening primrose oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and   is taken to help alleviate breast tenderness and menopausal symptoms but there is limited evidence to show how and if it works.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng or Panax quinquefolius):  This herb has been widely used in traditional medicine for its adaptogenic properties. It helps cope with stress and boost the immune system.  It has been used to treat symptoms related to menopause.

Red clover(Trifolium pratense):  Red clover is a rich source of isoflavones (often termed phytoestrogens because of their functional similarity to estrogens). A small amount of evidence indicates red clover may help reduce the side effects of menopause.

Sage (Salvia officinalis):  This herb has many medicinal properties and is very useful to manage excessive sweating and has been used for the treatment of hot flashes.  Look for concentrated supplements as the sage in your spice cabinet is not strong enough.

St. John's Wort (hypericum perforatum):  This can be used as a sedative for relief of mild to moderate depression, restlessness or nervousness and helps treat symptoms of sleep disorders that often occur during menopause.

Soy products:  Isoflavones are the active components in soy which help reduce menopause symptoms.  Soy can be found in tofu, edamame, tempeh, soybeans, flaxseed, soy milk, soy sauce and miso (soybean paste). 

Vitamin E: This vitamin has been used to treat hot flashes but to be effective the dose has to be quite high (400 IU) which is not safe for everyone.

As more people turn to natural products, it is hoped that well-designed studies to prove their efficacy will be performed, as these studies are currently missing.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often prescribed to reduce the negative effects of menopause such as hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness and osteoporosis. Unfortunately there is risk associated with it.  Many factors such as family medical history, your age when you reach menopause, you risk of bone loss and the gravity of your symptoms will affect your decision and practitioner recommendations regarding HRT. 

If you decide to go with HRT, you should carefully research all of your options and be prepared for the side effects such as bleeding, bloating, breast tenderness or enlargement, headaches, mood changes, and nausea.  Also, for some women hormone therapy may increase their chance of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer and gall bladder disease.  Unfortunately the severity of symptoms for some women necessitates hormone therapy for short-term treatment.

Menopause is inevitable and rather than lamenting the ageing process, be thankful that you are experiencing it and have many more years to enjoy your life!  Make informed decisions to handle your menopause. Eat healthy, keep active, and include supplements to help avoid associated issues and risks.  Reach out for help if you need it, and you will be surprised how many women are experiencing the same issues and will offer support. Most importantly, enjoy the many golden years of your life!