Natural and Alternative Approaches for Menopause

While not all women will experience dramatic uncomfortable symptoms during menopause, for those that do, finding a safe way to reduce their discomfort can be important. In the past, women often talked to their doctor and were prescribed synthetic hormones to ease their discomfort.

However, in recent years, multiple studies have revealed increased health risk for heart attacks, stroke and breast cancer as a result of synthetic hormone replacement treatment (HRT). Because of this, there has been renewed interest in natural alternative approaches to menopause have increased.

Herbal Treatments

Herbal remedies have been part of folk and eastern medicine for centuries. Women often went to their local medicine woman, midwife or herbalist for help when menopause began. Herbal remedies can be extremely efficient to help relieve symptoms, such as mood swings, night sweats and hot flashes.

Black Cohosh – Black cohosh contains plant-based estrogen. It helps modulate hormones and provides relief from moodiness, depression, vaginal dryness and hot flashes.

Ginseng – Used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, ginseng can help with irritation, insomnia, hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Wild Yam – Wild yam helps modulate progesterone and helps with depression, irritability and moodiness.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is another complimentary medicine approach that can be extremely effective during menopause.

• Cimicifuga helps to provide relief from numerous menopause symptoms, including mood swings, vaginal dryness, night sweats, hot flashes and bleeding. It can also help with arthritic pain and headaches.

• Lachesis helps with hot flashes and night sweats. It can also help with general irritability and mood swings.

• Sepia helps with mood swings, anxiety and depression. It also relieves vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse.

For many women, the symptoms of menopause can be challenging. Although this can be a wonderful time of transition in a woman’s life, it can also be a time of great physical and emotional discomfort. Other alternative treatments for menopause symptoms include nutritional counseling, acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic care. Speak with your healthcare practitioner about these herbs to make sure they do not conflict with any medication you may already be taking.

– The Alternative Daily