Natural Treatment For Menopause

There are two main ways to treat menopause. One way is through hormone replacement therapy or HRT while the other is through treatment of each particular symptom as and when they occur. Since each woman experiences menopause differently there is no right or wrong solution; you simply need to choose the one that is best in your particular case.

HRT Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) are both ways to treat the symptoms of menopause through the use of hormones. HRT was once highly used as a treatment because not only does it help alleviate or reduce the severity of symptoms but it also has the added benefits of keeping heart disease and osteoporosis risks down. Both of these diseases have a much higher incidence after menopause than before it. HRT however, is now thought to increase the risks of breast cancer and uterine cancer and so these risks must be weighed for each individual to help decide on the best treatment for them. Since there are risks involved in using and not using HRT, the decision should be made with a doctor while taking other individual risk factors into account.

ERT or estrogen replacement therapy uses estrogen alone to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause. ERT has the same benefits and risks as other HRT treatments however it may have different side effects as some women react better to one treatment over the other. There are also different types of treatments available which may be either natural or synthetic. They are also available in different forms, for example as a patch, which may be more convenient than oral treatments.

Other Treatments If you have decided not to undergo HRT treatment then you will need to rely on other treatments for the symptoms you have. Regular over the counter PMS medications are often very effective against the basic symptoms of irritability, bloating and headache while other over the counter medications can be taken for specific symptoms such as a regular pain reliever for headaches and back pain. Your doctor can prescribe stronger medications that will work on these symptoms as well.

Herbal remedies can often prove helpful in the treatment of menopause. For example:

· Red raspberry is known to help relax muscles and decrease heavy menstrual flow. · Licorice root can help to control the fluctuation of hormones. · Black cohash can help relieve cramps and bloating. · Certain teas such as comfrey and chamomile are relaxing and calming and may help with sleep problems. · Ginseng helps combat fatigue.

Any herbal remedy should be taken according to directions and should not be mixed with prescription drugs.

Diet and Exercise The best thing you can do to help your menopause symptoms is to eat a proper diet and get plenty of exercise. Supplement your diet with a vitamin that is specifically made for women going through menopause and remember to drink plenty of water each day to reduce any dehydration that may result from night sweats. Daily exercise is an important factor in making a smooth transition through menopause. Aerobic activity will benefit the heart while weight training is helpful to keep the muscles toned. Keeping an active lifestyle i.e. walking, housework, gardening etc. can also help you ward off some of the long term symptoms and complications of menopause i.e. osteoporosis.

Menopause Help