Natural Remedies for Menopause Can Be Highly Effective
Prescription drugs aren’t always needed to get relief from menopause symptoms. There are a lot of herbs that provide effective natural menopause relief for a great number of women. You can pick up many these natural treatments in pharmacies and at health retailers. Just keep in mind that some things work for some women and they might not always work for another. It’s a hit and miss situation. Therefore, it’s a good idea to try natural remedies and keep taking them for at least three months to see if they work.
Black cohosh is one of the most effective herbs for menopause relief. This herb is also known for its ability to lower blood pressure. It will only continue to work for about 6 months, however. Side effects include nausea, vomiting and gas.
Dong quai is a Chinese herb that has been known to alleviate hot flashes. It appears to help regulate hormonal levels that are out of balance, likely due to the phytoestrogens it contains. It hasn’t been shown whether it works because of its estrogen-like effects or if it blocks estrogens in the body. This herb is also a blood thinner.
Chasteberry is another popular herb for easing the symptoms of menopause. Chasteberry, either by itself or used together with other herbal remedies like black cohosh and dong quai, tends to stabilize your hormone levels. It appears to work by restraining the secretion of prolactin from the pituitary gland.
St. John’s Wort is good for mood swings and depression experienced during menopause. Studies of women who utilized it in conjunction with black cohosh showed that it provided substantial relief from menopausal symptoms. But don’t stay in the sun long when taking it, as you will get sunburned more quickly, and the herb will lose its effectiveness. This herb will only work for about 2 years.
Vitamin E also seems to be able to lessen hot flashes, as does soy. You can take Vitamin E in capsule form, and soy can be ingested by eating soy milk, tofu, green soybeans, also called edamame, or by eating soy nuts.
There are also many lifestyle changes you can make to take the edge off the discomfort of menopause. Specific substances must be avoided, including caffeine, wine or other alcoholic beverages, and spicy foods. You must also make an effort to control your stress levels. Ice packs can be utilized to alleviate a hot flash. Women who exercise regularly seem to have less difficulty getting through this phase of life. Avoid taking hot baths or showers before going to bed to diminish the likelihood of night sweats.
You can also go to the health food store and get some other recommendations from their knowledgeable staff. Just remember to keep taking the remedy for at least 3 months to see if it will work. Any less and you’re wasting your time and money because it often takes that long for the effects to show. Always check with your doctor before utilizing any herbs since they may severely conflict with specific medicines, both prescription and non-prescription.
Menopause is a difficult time for many women, and requires them to make a number of adjustments to their lifestyle in order to combat the symptoms. They also need to make decisions regarding what form of menopause relief will best ease their distress.