Alternative Therapies And Herbal Remedies

Alternative Therapies

HRT is not the only method of helping to:

There are a number of vitamins, herbs and other nutrients that can help you manage your early menopause.

Warning
Always consult your doctor before taking any alternative therapies or supplements. There are many preparations available and you should investigate the pros and cons of taking them as you would with HRT.
Always remember that although some preparations may help with hot flushes, they may not necessarily protect your bones from osteoporosis.
Some herbal remedies have strong oestrogenic properties and, as such, may not be suitable for you if you are unable to take oestrogen for other medical reasons.
Note
For more information on this subject an Alternative Therapies Fact Sheet is available.

Phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens are plants and foods that have either plant-based oestrogen or precursors to oestrogen in them, such as soy, red clover, flaxseed and alfalfa. They act as a balancing agent where oestrogen is concerned, boosting levels and thus relieving menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and vaginal dryness. Food sources are:

Soy

Eating soy products seems to be a healthy choice. Japanese women suffer fewer menopausal symptoms than their Western counterparts and this is thought to be due to the large amount of soy in their diet. Soy is widely available in many different forms as an alternative to dairy and meat products. As well as helping to eliminate menopausal symptoms, soy can also help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer (particularly breast cancer). When choosing soy products, you may wish to go for organic produce where possible, as otherwise it could be genetically modified, and it may be best to eat it as traditionally eaten rather than as textured vegetable protein or such like.

Flaxseed (also Linseed)

Flaxseed contains another source of phytoestrogens called lignans. Although lignans are found in other foods such as beans, rye, fruit and vegetables, linseed has an exceptionally high concentration. A tablespoon a day is all you need. However, if you buy linseeds, you will need to grind them before sprinkling on food to obtain the nutrients. Like soy they also contain essential fatty acids. Flaxseed is good for lowering cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease and breast cancer, as well as alleviating menopausal symptoms.

Red Clover

Rich in phytoestrogens, red clover is taken as a supplement to help alleviate menopausal symptoms. This should not be taken at the same time as HRT.

Herbal Remedies

Black Cohosh

Relieves hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.

Evening Primrose Oil

Contains essential fatty acids. May benefit women who suffer from breast tenderness as a result of taking HRT.

Sage

Can relieve hot flushes and night sweats. Can be taken in the form of a tea.

St John’s Wort

Do not take this without consulting your doctor. Effective treatment for depression, sleep problems and anxiety.

Dong Quai

Often used for hot flushes.

Siberian Gingseng

Believed to increase oestrogen levels, boost energy and vitality, and reduce anxiety and tension.

Chaste Tree

Also known as Agnus Castus this is a strong but slow acting herb, to be used with care. May be useful for hot flushes and mood swings.

Wild Yam

Often confused with natural progesterone, wild yam roots can be used as a hormone balancer.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamin D

Essential for healthy bones as it helps the body absorb calcium. An estimated 15 minutes of sunshine is all that is required. Other sources are eggs, milk, mackerel and fortified margarines.

Vitamin E

May help to reduce vaginal dryness and hot flushes. Sources include wholegrain cereal and rice, nuts and egg yolks.

Calcium

Calcium is a must in the prevention of osteoporosis. What you eat can make a huge difference to your bone health since calcium, whether in the form of low-fat dairy products, dark-green leafy vegetables or nuts, is vitally important for bones. Current UK government recommendations are that perimenopausal and postmenopausal women should not allow their calcium intake to fall below 1500mg per day (1 pint of semi-skimmed milk contains 750mg). Again you may wish to choose organic produce when choosing dairy products. See fact sheet on Osteoporosis

Note
For more information on this subject an Osteoporosis Fact Sheet is available.

Zinc

Important for the immune system. The body is not able to store Zinc and its absorption is lowered by taking hormones. Helps Vitamin D to absorb calcium. Sources are seafood, eggs, green vegetables and pumpkin seeds.

Magnesium

Important for bone health and good for sleep problems. It is just as important as Calcium in the prevention of osteoporosis. Sources are apples, seeds, nuts and dark-green leafy vegetables.

Other resources

The following websites offer useful information:

Marilyn Glenville's website contains useful sections on menopause and osteoporosis written by Marilyn, a leading nutritionist who is also a patron of The Daisy Network.

The National Institiute of Health - dietary supplements website this is an American website which will enable you to search for supplements so that you can make informed choices.

Sponsored link

Isovon contains soy isoflavones - phytoestrogens - which work naturally and holistically to lessen many of the unpleasant effects of the menopause, including hot flushes, night sweats and aches.