Many women have heard the stories of menopause symptoms and do not look forward to when they experience it themselves. Menopause symptoms can be uncomfortable, embarassing and frustrating. It is a time in a woman’s life, usually between 45-55, when her periods stop and bodily changes result in an inability to get pregnant. During this time, women produce less estrogen and progesterone in their body. Menopause is considered complete when a woman has not had a period for a year. While it is a natural biological process and not an illness, it has many symptoms that can make it feel like an illness. Symptoms of menopause include disrupted sleep, energy loss, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, mood swings, thinning hair and more. Luckily, there are natural ways that you can treat symptoms of menopause. For decades the treatment of menopause symptoms has been Hormone Replace Therapy (HRT), but this has been linnked to increased risk of breast cancer, stroke and blood clots. Due to these potential complications many are turning to alternative forms of treatment. Luckily, there are natural ways that you can treat symptoms of menopause. A naturopathic doctor can make recommendation as to what your body specifically needs or may be deficient in.
There are many natural ways to treat menopause symptoms. One way you can treat symptoms of menopause naturally is with an anti-inflammatory diet can be beneficial. Exercise and relaxation such as yoga can be beneficial as well. According to Mayo Clinic, “Preliminary studies show that yoga – an exercise regimen that involves controlled breathing, posing and meditation – may be effective at decreasing the amont of hot flashes in perimenopausal women.” You should also avoid caffeine later in the day or evening as this can effect nighttime sleep. Soy foods can also be helpful in treating menopause symptoms. Soy foods contain isoflavones that can help balance hormone levels. Food options include tofu, soy milk, roasted soy nuts, tempeh, and edamame. Soy foods can reduce symptoms such as problems with insulin regulation, hot flashes and night sweats. Soy foods are also great for heart health. Consuming additional flaxseed may also be beneficial. Flaxseed contains a substance called lignans that can help reduce hot flashes and night sweats. Another nutritional supplement you can take is Black Cohosh. Black Cohosh is one of the most commonly used herbal supplements for menopause. It works to help maintain hormone levels and reduce hot flashes. Lastly, Vitamin E can help symptoms as well. 400iu of Vitamin E has been shown to help reduce hot flashes. As always, you should consult your doctor before using any supplements. The value of consistent exercise and a balanced, healthy diet cannot be overlooked for treating menopause symptoms.
If you begin to experience menopause symptoms and you feel uncomfortable and not like yourself, you have somewhere to turn. By consulting a naturopathic doctor, you can find healthy alternative to traditional treatments that involve medication and hormone therapy. There are many natural ways that you can treat menopause symptoms and enjoy your life with minimal menopause symptoms to slow you down.