prescription hormones may want to choose from a variety of "natural" remedies
that may help relieve their menopausal symptoms. Black cohosh root may bring
some relief from hot flashes, with potentially fewer side effects than estrogen.
Creams made from wild yam extract converted in a lab into a form of
progesterone have been promoted by some alternative practitioners for the
treatment of hot flashes and vaginal dryness, although little research has been
done on their safety or efficacy. These products are sold as an alternative to
synthetic progesterone (or progestin).
Be sure to talk with your doctor before trying these alternative remedies, as some
supplements interact with prescription medication or may harm people with
certain medical conditions.
Here's the rundown on alternative treatments:
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh root has long been heralded by herbalists as an effective remedy
for various menopause-related complaints. Germany's Ministry of Health has
approved the herb for the treatment of hot flashes. In one study, 80 women who
took it for three months cut their average number of hot flashes from five a day
to just one. However, the National Institutes of Health conducted a clinical trial
and found no difference between women who took black cohosh and those who
took a placebo, or dummy pill, when it came to how many hot flashes they had.
And research published in the journal Menopause in 2008 showed that black
cohosh had no effect on symptoms such as vaginal dryness or changes in
reproductive hormones. The National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine says there is not yet enough scientific evidence to draw any
conclusions about the effectiveness of black cohosh in relieving menopausal
symptoms. Black cohosh extract is available at most health-food stores; the
majority of the studies have used the product Remifemin at a dose of 40
milligrams per day.
Soybeans
Experts have long known that Japanese women, who eat large quantities of soy,
suffer fewer hot flashes than women in the West, and preliminary studies in the
United States support this observation. If you want to try soy, check the grocery
or health-food store for foods like tofu, tempeh, miso, soy milk, and roasted soy
nuts. Many experts advise against taking soy powder until further research is
done.
Herbal Cocktails
claim to relieve a wide range of menopausal complaints. These cure-all cocktails
may contain ginseng, fenugreek, licorice, sarsaparilla, flaxseed, red clover, or
chaste-tree berry. There is little data on their effectiveness or safety.
Dong Quai
The Chinese herbal remedy dong quai is frequently promoted as a treatment for
menopausal symptoms, but a recent six-month trial of 71 postmenopausal
women found that when used on its own, it didn't offer any relief from hot
flashes. You can buy dong quai in the form of a powder, pill, or tincture, but
taking it alone or in commercially prepared products is likely to be ineffective
and may cause unwanted side effects like a skin rash or heavy menstrual
bleeding. If you want to try it, herbal experts recommend that you see a qualified
Chinese herbalist who can prescribe an appropriate combination of herbs
tailored to your particular needs.
Are these treatments safe?
Nobody really knows for sure. Although a number of these substances have been
used for years by herbalists, most alternative treatments haven't been widely
studied, so questions about safety remain. Many natural remedies are considered
nutritional supplements rather than drugs, and thus aren't as closely regulated by
the government as prescription and over-the-counter medications. Yet some of
them can be just as powerful -- and dangerous -- as traditional drugs. And
because there's so little data on these substances, no one really knows yet how
much of them you need to take to feel better. It's also hard to know what you're
getting; studies have shown that the potency and quality of such products varies
widely.
If you choose to try an alternative treatment, you may need to be patient; the
effects can take as long as twelve weeks to kick in.
It's smart to consult your doctor as well as a qualified herbalist or naturopath
before using alternative therapies. And let your doctor know if you want to try
these treatments; he or she may be able to recommend one that's appropriate for
you (although some physicians might want to steer you away from such
remedies altogether). You should also tell your healthcare providers about any
health problems you have and any medications you're on. Like traditional drug
treatments, some alternative remedies may interfere with medicines you're taking
or cause problems if you have certain conditions.
What else can I do?
Eat a low-fat, calcium-rich diet; don't smoke; if you drink alcohol, do so in
moderation; and exercise regularly. These are the most important steps you can
take to ease the discomfort of menopausal symptoms. They're also crucial in
keeping heart disease and bone loss at bay. Some women have also reported that
reducing stress through yoga has also helped reduce bothersome symptoms.
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