Natural Remedies For The Menopause

When our mothers went through menopause, they had few options available to help them with their discomforts. Due to advances in modern medicine however, there are now many options for therapy. While many women still opt for hormone replacement therapy (estrogen), there are equal amounts that wish to use natural remedies.

With all the research pointing to the negative side effects from hormone replacements, more and more women are looking into natural remedies. Please check into all the facts, however, when attempting to take “natural” remedies. While the majority of them have been shown to be safe, there are still many of them on the market that will cause more harm than good.

Some of the very common recommended remedies are Phytoestrogens, which are made from soy and red clover, and black cohosh. According to statistics, women that eat soy-based food on a daily basis have their hot flashes reduced by 45%. Eating soy foods with at least 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving is beneficial because not only is it low in cholesterol and fat, but it will also reduce the risk of heart disease.

From my research on natural remedies, not enough good can be said about black cohosh. It is effective in helping with hot flashes, mood swings, headaches, joint pain, water retention, and fatigue and vaginal dryness. It is available in health food stores as well as online.

Eating a diet high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is very important for regulating the body’s metabolism as well as helping with depression and avoiding breast cancer. Flaxseed oil is a healthy remedy as well because it is unsaturated and is effective for hormone-related symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, anxiety, cramps, and irritability. You can also increase your intake of essential fatty acids by adding raw nuts and sunflower seeds to your diet and by consuming salmon, albacore tuna, or mackerel fish several times per week

Vitamin E is well known for its ability to reduce hot flashes and it helps lessen vaginal thinning and dryness. Take at least 300 IU daily. Licorice, surprisingly enough, decreases some of the symptoms associated with hormone fluctuation from menopause.

A steady diet of the following foods will not only increase your estrogen level, but will give you much needed vitamins and minerals:

• Alfalfa • Soybeans and soy sprouts • Garlic • Green beans • Sesame seeds • Wheat • Yams, pumpkin seeds • Cucumbers, cabbage, and apples • Beets, oats, • Olive oil and sunflower seeds

Vitamin B is very important for help in coping with perimenopause symptoms as well as menopause symptoms such as fatigue and vaginal dryness. Eating foods rich in Vitamin B (whole grains, beans and brewer’s yeast) helps to fight infection and aids in coping with anxiety, irritability, mood swings and even insomnia.

Evening Primrose Oil is used to help with PMS symptoms, which are very similar to menopausal symptoms (bloating, water retention, cramps and vaginal dryness).

There are numerous other natural remedies available on the market today. You have your choice of which ones will work best for you however if you are in any doubt, check with your physician or a qualified herbalist for advice.

Natural Treatment For Menopause