So it was only natural that when Tamara started having symptoms of menopause, she decided that undergoing the traditional medical regimen of estrogen therapy wasn’t going to be the right approach for her. She began investigating alternatives and found that there are several alternative approaches to easing the passage.
Effective Natural Menopause Supplements
First, be warned: Any patient contemplating taking natural herbal supplements as an alternative to traditional hormone therapy should consult a medical professional. This is particularly true if the patient already takes medications for other conditions because some supplemental products may interfere with the function of conventional medication.
Keep in mind that not every product contains the same amount of whatever supplement it claims to contain, and certainly the marketing claims of some natural products are far-fetched when it comes to results. The claims supplement manufacturers make are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and research into many products lacks support.It’s also wise to take only the recommended dose and to be aware that some products may contain heavy metals and other harmful substances.
That said, some options often recommended include:
1) Black cohosh – An herbal extract, this supplement is used to offer relief from hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Black cohosh should be used with caution because it can affect the liver and has consequences for women prone to breast cancer.
2) Phytoestrogens – These are estrogens that occur naturally in foods. They include isoflavones (found in soybeans and other legumes) and lignans (found in flaxseed, whole grains, and some vegetables and fruits). The hormones also may come from soy or red clover. Some studies on phytoestrogens show an unclear connection between them and a reduction in menopausal symptoms. There are some indications that phytoestrogens could interfere with tamoxifen, used to combat breast cancer.
3) Bioidentical hormones – While the term seems to indicate this product is chemically identical to the hormones produced by the body, it is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. There are bioidentical formulations available via prescription that may be more reliable than over-the-counter supplements.
4) Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) – This product is a natural steroid that comes from the adrenal gland and is used as a dietary supplement. Research has indicated no benefits from it, and there are some health concerns about its use. But others swear it is a key and missing element as the body ages.
Other Alternative Therapies
Relaxation is believed to be a key to coping with menopausal symptoms. The 5,000-year-old practice of yoga is one popular way to relax and exercise. There are several forms of yoga, some of them more strenuous than others. Many cities have a number of yoga studios offering classes in this mind-body practice, which began in ancient China.
Acupuncture is another favored relaxation method. Using thin, tiny needles, the practitioner inserts them into key points in the body, hoping to stimulate the chi, or energy, that allegedly flows through the natural body. The needles may be stimulated by electricity or warmth or otherwise manipulated.
Biofeedback is another popular way to gain control of the body. The patient is hooked up to a monitor and learns to focus on certain body parts, telling it to relax and otherwise calm itself. This is a technique that has to be mastered over several sessions, but there are studies showing that it does have a remarkable way of fixing certain issues.
If the foregoing is too exotic, there’s always good, old-fashioned exercise as a way to relax and help the body gain energy and strength. Even walking a few minutes a day can help relieve stress and improve lung function. Stealing a few moments may be as simple as parking farther away in the lot or going for a stroll at lunch. There are also gyms that have relatively low-cost memberships available to aid in the battle of physical fitness.
Coping with Menopause
Like Tamara, women can start having occasional menopause symptoms as early as the mid-30s and early 40s. The conditions are caused by the decreased activity of the ovaries, which can produce varying levels of hormones that wax and wane.
As a result, some women start to experience hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, confusion, memory issues, urinary incontinence, stiff joints, fatigue, mood swings, depression, anxiety, irritability and irregular periods. A woman is not considered fully menopausal until she has not had a period for 12 consecutive months, which happens to many American women around ages 51 to 52 if there are no mitigating factors like surgery to remove the ovaries or uterus, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments that start the onset earlier.
While many women do not notice the subtle changes related to perimenopause, the symptoms gradually will grow more obvious. To ease the transition, hormone therapy is widely used for those experiencing difficulty with symptoms. Estrogen is the most common hormone replacement therapy, but progestin, a synthetic form of the estrogen-related hormone progesterone, can be combined with estrogen in women who still have a uterus. Progestin will stop cell growth in the uterus, which may lead to uterine cancer.
The problem with estrogen and other hormone therapy are the increased risk of certain health problems, particularly in those who are already frail or have an undetected underlying condition. A study done by the Women’s Health Initiative over the past 15 years beginning in 1991 examined hormone replacement therapy in women, looking at the use of estrogen plus progestin in women who still had a uterus and use of estrogen in women who did not have a uterus. The groups were further divided into those receiving estrogen therapy and those who received a placebo.
The hormone-medicated groups were found to have an increased risk of blood clots and stroke compared to the placebo group, while the estrogen-plus-progestin medication group also had an increased risk of breast cancer and heart attack. The concerns raised by the study has led to an increased focus on mind and body practices and natural products to help guide women through menopause.
Before adding any therapeutic regimen, always talk to a doctor about the best path to travel to achieve goals. Whether traditional methods or alternative therapies, there are ways to help with menopause, both traditional and alternative. Just ask Tamara.