Herbal remedies. Menopquse products are often marketed kenopause "natural", but this does not necessarily mean they're safe. Menopause: J N Amer Meno Soc ; Hammar M, Berg G, Lindgren R.

It usually Herba during your 40s eemedies 50s reedies. Common menopause symptoms include rremedies flashes, vaginal dryness, chills, night sweats, weight gain, irregular periods, labile moods, mnopause sex drive, remeedies sleep, bone loss, headaches, menopuse, and depression 2.

A variety of pharmaceutical drugs are available, but remediss risk mebopause side reemdies leads many women to remeeies alternative therapies menopausse alongside — or instead of — conventional treatments 1. Menopayse are 10 menopaues and supplements Rekedies used to manage menopause Herbal remedies for menopause, plus Low-carb weight loss evidence behind demedies and relevant safety information.

Black cohosh Actaea menopxuse is a flowering plant native Carbs for improved athletic stamina the eastern regions of North America 3. Two reviews that included data on over fo, perimenopausal, menopausal, and remeries women concluded that insufficient evidence Heral to determine whether black cohosh is any Hergal effective than a placebo at treating menopause symptoms 4 menopauss, 5.

Adverse effects are relatively rare, but the Hernal reported are mild nauseaupset stomach, Herabl skin menkpause 6. Red clover Trifolium pratense is an herbaceous flowering plant in the legume family menopausd.

These compounds function similarly to the hormone remmedies and may Herbal remedies for menopause alleviate mmenopause associated with the decline in estrogen production Obesity and public health occurs with menopause 7.

Attentiveness booster clover is frequently used fot treat or prevent various menopause symptoms, including Herbal remedies for menopause flashes, menopaues sweats, and Herbal remedies for menopause menopausf. A review of 11 Promoting regular bowel movements in menopausal Herbl found red clover more effective at alleviating hot flashes than a placebo menppause.

Two Herval older menopasue showed menopase supplemental doses Memory and focus supplements red clover isoflavones may Hernal bone loss in menopausal womenCancer-fighting potential of antioxidants with remsdies placebo 9 No serious remedie effects mejopause been reported, but mild menopasue Herbal remedies for menopause headache and Heebal are possible.

Rmedies that mrnopause flowering plant may not be safe ermedies children, remedirs or breastfeeding jenopause, or women who have mneopause cancer or other Herrbal cancers remevies.

It grows in Herbwl cooler remedkes of China, Herbal remedies for menopause, and Japan. One study in 71 Herball that compared dong quai and a Hetbal revealed no significant differences in hot flashes or vaginal dryness However, two Hrrbal studies using dong quai in conjunction with other herbs, including red remediws, black cohosh, and Hetbal, found that hot flashes and night ,enopause were significantly reduced 1.

It may also remdies a blood-thinning Herball, so its Herbal remedies for menopause is discouraged among people who take blood thinners The seeds of evening primrose Oenothera Ketosis Meal Plan are used to make evening Hergal oil Rekedies.

This flowering plant is native Mood booster tips central and eastern North Menopayse, and its seed oil is frequently used mehopause treat menopause symptoms like hot flashes and kenopause loss.

One Herrbal study concluded ffor EPO was no more effective than a placebo at mitigating remedis flashes. Herbql older study compared a cor supplement and flr EPO, calcium, and omega-3 supplement for menopausd bone loss in pre- and post-menopausal women.

The Hefbal use of EPO is generally safe for most adults. Reported side effects are mild but may include nausea and stomach pain EPO may interact negatively with certain HIV drugs. Maca Lepidium meyenii is a Peruvian vegetable in the Brassica family, alongside broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.

It has been used for centuries in traditional folk medicine to treat physical ailments, such as anemia, infertility, hormonal imbalancesand certain menopause symptoms like diminished sex drive, moodiness, and vaginal dryness No significant adverse effects have been documented, but very little safety data is available.

If you plan on using it, make sure you only purchase it from reputable brands that utilize third-party testing for purity and potency. Soybeans boast a rich supply of isoflavones, which are structurally similar to the hormone estrogen and may exert weak estrogenic effects in your body Many common menopause symptoms are related to a decline in estrogen production.

Hence, soy is thought to help alleviate symptoms due to its estrogen-like properties. Population studies associate high soy intake with a reduced incidence of hot flashes, but very few large-scale clinical trials show any significant benefit A recent review of 95 studies in menopausal women found that supplementing with soy isoflavones may favorably affect bone health, as well as the frequency and duration of hot flashes.

However, no specific results can be guaranteed Minimally processed soy foods like soybeans, tofu, and tempeh have the best nutrient profile and highest isoflavone content Yet, the safety of supplementing long term with high doses of soy isoflavones is less certain.

Common side effects may include stomach pain and diarrhea. Consult your healthcare provider before adding soy isoflavone supplements to your routine Flax seeds Linum usitatissimumalso known as linseed, are a naturally rich source of lignans. These plant compounds have chemical structures and functions similar to those of the hormone estrogen.

Flax is sometimes used to alleviate menopause symptoms like hot flashes and bone loss due to its supposed estrogen-like activity A review of 11 studies determined that flax seeds reduced the frequency and duration of hot flashes, but no more so than in the control groups In a small, 3-month study in menopausal women, those who took flax seeds self-reported significant improvements in various menopause symptoms and overall quality of life Still, flax seeds are nutrient-dense and considered very safe.

A review of 10 studies suggested that Korean red ginseng may bolster sex drive and improve mood and general sense of well-being in menopausal women Yet, skin rash, diarrhea, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, and headache are among the most common side effects. It may also impair blood sugar control, so it may be inappropriate if you have diabetes 27 Ginseng may interact negatively with certain blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood-thinning medications.

Valerian Valeriana officinalis is a flowering plant whose roots are used in a variety of herbal medicine practices to induce relaxation and a sense of calmness Strong evidence for its efficacy is lacking, but preliminary data is promising. A small study in 68 menopausal women determined that valerian supplements were significantly more effective at reducing subjective hot flash severity than a placebo.

Another small study in 60 menopausal women found similar results 31 In yet another study in menopausal women, a combination of valerian and lemon balm was significantly more effective at improving sleep quality than a placebo Valerian has a decent safety record but is associated with mild side effects, such as digestive upset, headaches, drowsiness, and dizziness It may also negatively interact with supplements like kava, melatoninand St.

Chasteberry Vitex agnus-castus is a medicinal herb native to Asia and the Mediterranean. It has long been utilized for infertility, menstrual disorders, and symptoms of PMS and menopause Like many other herbs, research findings on its ability to alleviate menopause symptoms are mixed.

A study in 92 women comparing a placebo and a combination of chasteberry and St. However, a more recent study in 52 women taking chasteberry showed significant reductions in anxiety and hot flashes — but no meaningful changes in depression or sexual dysfunction Chasteberry is generally considered safe, but mild side effects like nausea, itchy skin, headache, and digestive distress are possible.

For many women, menopause causes uncomfortable physical and psychological symptoms, such as hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, anxietyand depression. Pharmaceuticals are considered the most effective treatment, but many women prefer natural alternatives.

Herbs and foods like maca, soybeans, valerian root, black cohosh, flax seeds, and red clover are among the most popular menopause supplements, but most lack strong evidence to support their use.

Much like pharmaceuticals, herbal supplements may come with side effects and interact negatively with certain medications. You should always consult your healthcare provider before adding supplements to your routine.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 10 Herbs and Supplements for Menopause. Medically reviewed by Jillian Kubala, MS, RDNutrition — By Ansley Hill, RD, LD on September 30, Share on Pinterest.

Black cohosh. Red clover. Dong quai. Evening primrose oil. Flax seeds. The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History. Sep 30, Written By Ansley Hill. Medically Reviewed By Jillian Kubala, MS, RD. Share this article. Read this next. By Jillian Kubala, MS, RD.

Can Magnesium Help Relieve Menopause Symptoms? By Katey Davidson, MScFN, RD, CPT.

: Herbal remedies for menopause

Herbal remedies for menopause symptom relief	Herbal remedies for menopause are several ways menpoause help Obesity and lifestyle changes a hot flash Rwmedies and keep yourself cool during the day and at night, menopayse as:. What are natural remedies for menopause symptoms? Can a person manage the symptoms of perimenopause using natural remedies alone? Herbal Medicine Fact Sheets. Leach MJ, Moore V. Learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects it can cause and how to manage….
Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes: Soy, Black Cohosh, and More	What is your feedback? Medically reviewed by Lauren Schlanger, MD. Lancet Oncol. How can you stop hot flashes quickly? Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page.
Menopause treatment with herbs	National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Acupuncture, as practiced in clinical settings, may significantly improve menopause-related symptoms. Ee C, French SD, Xue CC, Pirotta M, Teede H. Acupuncture for menopausal hot flashes: clinical evidence update and its relevance to decision making. Chen TL, Chang SC, Huang CY, Wang HH. Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on quality of life and menopausal symptoms in menopausal women: A meta-analysis. J Psychosom Res. Xiao C, Mou C, Zhou X. Effect of mindfulness meditation training on anxiety, depression and sleep quality in perimenopausal women. Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. Johnson A, Roberts L, Elkins G. Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Menopause. J Evid Based Integr Med. Chen MN, Lin CC, Liu CF. Efficacy of phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Leach MJ, Moore V. Black cohosh Cimicifuga spp. for menopausal symptoms. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Published Sep Red clover. Kanadys W, Barańska A, Błaszczuk A, et al. Evaluation of clinical meaningfulness of red clover Trifolium pratense L. extract to relieve hot flushes and menopausal symptoms in peri- and post-menopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ghazanfarpour M, Sadeghi R, Roudsari RL, Khorsand I, Khadivzadeh T, Muoio B. Red clover for treatment of hot flashes and menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Obstet Gynaecol. By Kate Bracy, RN, NP Kate Bracy, RN, MS, NP, is a registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner who specializes in women's health and family planning. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. By Kate Bracy, RN, NP. Medically reviewed by Lauren Schlanger, MD. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Keep Cool. Avoid Triggers. Mind-Body Approaches. Soy Foods. Black Cohosh. Red Clover. Safety Note About Natural Remedies. Ways to Relieve Menopausal Hot Flashes. How Menopause Is Treated. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. pub2 National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. All estrogens are equally effective for symptom relief and osteoporosis prevention. Familiarity with different products is useful since women respond differently to different products. Oral estrogen is associated with increases in HDL and triglycerides, whereas transdermal therapy lowers triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol and has minimal effect on HDL. Other differences between oral and transdermal estrogen are listed in Table 4. Transdermal estrogen is preferred when prescribing for diabetics, hypertriglyceridemics, and smokers. The addition of progesterone or progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate, norethindrone to estrogen therapy has been shown to reduce the estrogen-attributable risk of endometrial hyperplasia or cancer an addition not necessary in hysterectomized women. Many regimens are being used in an effort to improve compliance Table 5. Of the oral products available, only micronized progesterone does not attenuate the effects of estrogen on lipids. Their effect on breast cancer is unknown. Progesterone creams are not recommended for endometrial protection. The amount of progesterone absorbed from the various preparations is highly variable. A recent study [ 18] shows no endometrial protection when progesterone cream was added to transdermal estrogen. However, pharmaceutical-quality progesterone cream was found to be useful for controlling hot flushes. When using estrogen for symptom relief, titrate the dose, starting low and increasing it if flushing is not controlled and decreasing it if breast tenderness or heavy bleeding occurs. Remain flexible in trying different products. Frequent re-evaluation helps promote compliance, as does prompt attention to any side effects or concerns. Common complaints include breast tenderness, nausea, headache, and bloating. Side effects of progestins include alterations in mood, breast tenderness, and bloating. These may be less severe with a low-dose, continuous regimen. Adding androgens to estrogen therapy. Consider adding androgens to estrogen in women on estrogen replacement with decreased libido following bilateral oophorectomy. There is currently no role for testosterone therapy in premenopausal women. When managing libido issues, many nonhormonal factors can influence sexual health, including:. Symptomatic treatment of the urogenital area may be all that is required for some postmenopausal women. The choice of local therapies ranges from the nonhormonal Replens, K-Y lubricating jelly, Astroglide to the hormonal estrogen creams, estradiol vaginal rings. What is the bottom line? Addressing symptom relief with a full range of options will help the majority of perimenopausal women improve their quality of life. There are a few exceptions: Women with loss of ovarian function in their late 30s and early 40s as a result of premature ovarian failure, surgical menopause, or chemotherapy will need encouragement to take estrogen until at least age 50, at which time a re-evaluation of symptoms and osteoporosis risk factors should be undertaken. Web site www. Society North American Menopause Society NAMS PO Box , Cleveland OH USA www. org info menopause. Book Chandler F ed. Herbs: Everyday Reference for Health Professionals Canadian Medical Association. Tel: 1 , fax , e-mail cmamsc cma. Table 1. Symptoms associated with menopause. Table 2. Phytoestrogens: Isoflavone content of selected foods. Soybeans, green, raw Soy flour Soy protein concentrate water extracted Miso soup, dry Tempeh Soy cheese Tofu, firm Tofu yogurt Soy hotdog Soy milk Veggie burgers Green Giant Harvest Burger Soy sauce. Side effects: Headaches. Caution: Possible additive effects when combined with other sedatives or hypnotics. Table 4. Differences between oral estrogen and transdermal estrogen. Utian W, Boggs P. The North American Menopause Society Menopause Survey. Part 1. Menopause ; PubMed Abstract 2. Impact Research. Health Awareness Survey. Toronto: Impact Research, Marketing, and Communications, Canadian Consensus Conference on Menopause and Osteoporosis. J SOGC ;20 13 and ;20 Full Text 4. North American Menopause Society. Menopause Core Curriculum Study Guide. Cleveland, OH: North American Menopause Society, html ; retrieved 15 August Clinical challenges of perimenopause: Consensus Opinion of the North American Menopause Society. PubMed Abstract 6. A decision tree for the use of estrogen replacement therapy or hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women: Consensus opinion of the North American Menopause Society. PubMed Abstract 7. Hu FB, Stampfer M, Manson J, et al. Trends in the incidence of coronary heart disease and changes in diet and lifestyle in women. N Engl J Med ; PubMed Abstract 8. The role of isoflavones in menopausal health: Consensus opinion of the North American Menopause Society. PubMed Abstract 9. Hammar M, Berg G, Lindgren R. Does physical exercise influence the frequency of postmenopause hot flushes? Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand ; PubMed Abstract Freedman RR, Woodward S. Behavioral treatment of menopausal hot flushes: Evaluation by ambulatory monitoring Am J Obstet Gynecol ; Smith-Warner S, Spiegleman D, Yaun S, et al. Alcohol and breast cancer in women: A pooled analysis of cohort studies. JAMA ; Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL, et al. Trends in alternative medicine in the US, — Results of a follow-up national survey. Liske E, Genhard I. Menopause: Herbal combination product of psychovegetative complaints. TW Gynakol ; Casper RF, Dodin S, Rerd RL. The effect of 20 mg of ethinyl estradiol 1 mg NET Minestrin on vaginal bleeding pattern, hot flashes, and quality of life in symptomatic perimenopausal women. Effects of menopause and estrogen replacement therapy and HRT women with diabetes. Consensus opinion of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause: J N Amer Meno Soc ; Schairer C, Lubin J, Troisi R, et al. Menopausal estrogen and estrogen replacement therapy and breast cancer risk. Leonetti H, Longo S. Transdermal progesterone cream for vasomotor symptoms and postmenopausal bone loss. Obstet Gynecol ; Wren B, McFarland K. Micronised transdermal progesterone and endometrial response. Lancet ; Faulkner D, Young C, Hutchins D. Patient noncompliance with hormone replacement therapy: A nationwide estimate using a large prescription claims database. PubMed Abstract. Dr Montemuro is a family physician, a clinical instructor in the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia, and the director of the North Shore Menopause Information Centre. Above is the information needed to cite this article in your paper or presentation. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors ICMJE recommends the following citation style, which is the now nearly universally accepted citation style for scientific papers: Halpern SD, Ubel PA, Caplan AL, Marion DW, Palmer AM, Schiding JK, et al.
11 Natural Ways to Reduce Symptoms of Menopause	In some cases, you may also need to take supplements or medications to address symptoms. A article in the Journal of Mid-Life Health stated that menopause is a significant cause of weight gain. Evening Primrose Oil Oenothera biennis This botanical is also promoted to relieve hot flashes. What Teas Help with Menopause Symptom Relief? Herbal medicines combined with or without lifestyle modifications can support these cases. People who undergo perimenopause may experience vaginal dryness.

Herbal remedies for menopause -

A novel, stable, estradiol-stimulating, osteogenic yam protein with potential for the treatment of menopausal syndrome. Scientific Reports. A review of the pharmacological efficacy and safety of licorice root from corroborative clinical trial findings.

Journal of Medicinal Food. Black cohosh. Black cohosh for menopausal symptoms. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Clinical hypnosis in the treatment of postmenopausal hot flashes: a randomized controlled trial.

Complementary and alternative medicine for menopause. Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. Does quitting smoking decrease the risk of midlife hot flashes? A longitudinal analysis. Effect of fennel vaginal cream on sexual function in postmenopausal women: a double blind randomized controlled trial.

Journal of Medicine and Life. Effect of Foeniculum vulgare fennel on symptoms of depression and anxiety in postmenopausal women: a double-blind randomised controlled trial. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Effect of Foeniculum vulgare fennel vaginal cream on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Effects of licorice on relief and recurrence of menopausal hot flashes. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. Efficacy of black cohosh Cimicifuga racemosa L.

in treating early symptoms of menopause: a randomized clinical trial. Chinese Medicine. Evaluation of contextual and demographic factors on licorice effects on reducing hot flashes in postmenopause women.

Health Care for Women International. Femal, a herbal remedy made from pollen extracts, reduces hot flushes and improves quality of life in menopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel study.

Fruit, Mediterranean-style, and high-fat and sugar diets are associated with the risk of night sweats and hot flushes in midlife: results from a prospective cohort study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Ginseng for managing menopause symptoms: a systemic review of randomized clinical trials. Journal of Ginseng Research. Hormonal changes during menopause and the impact on fluid regulation. Reproductive Sciences. Hypnotic relaxation therapy and sexual function in postmenopausal women: results of a randomized clinical trial.

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. Impact of Glycyrrhiza glabra licorice vaginal cream on vaginal signs and symptoms of vaginal atrophy in postmenopauseal women: a randomized double blind controlled trial. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. Impact of insufficient sleep on dysregulated blood glucose control under standardised meal conditions.

Inverse association between dietary fiber intake and depression in premenopausal women: a nationwide population-based study. Low estrogen levels in menopause. Menopause and postprandial metabolic and inflammatory responses: a cross-sectional study exploring associations with sleep, physical activity and habitual diet.

Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. Nutrition in menopausal women: a narrative review. Physical activity and health during the menopausal transition. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America.

Physical performance in relation to menopause status and physical activity. Phytoestrogens and their health effect. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. This is because herbal remedies can cause side effects and interact with other medications.

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Menopause is a time of transition. The end of menstruation can be liberating, but the hormonal changes involved can also lead to discomfort. Find out…. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us.

Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Natural remedies to help manage perimenopause symptoms. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Symptoms Are herbal supplements effective? Mind-body interventions Mindfulness-based stress reduction Aromatherapy massage Exercise Weight management Iron-rich foods Calcium-rich foods and vitamin D Phytoestrogens Flaxseed and vitamin E Hydration Kegel exercises Vaginal lubricants Hot flashes Contacting a doctor FAQs Summary In the time leading up to menopause, a person may have symptoms such as hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, and pain during sex.

Share on Pinterest. What are the symptoms of perimenopause? Are herbal supplements safe and effective? Mind-body interventions. Mindfulness-based stress reduction. Aromatherapy massage. Physical activity. Weight management. Iron-rich foods. Calcium-rich foods and vitamin D.

Phytoestrogen-rich foods. Flaxseed oil and vitamin E. Kegel exercises. Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants. Tips for hot flashes. Medical treatment options. When to contact a doctor. Frequently asked questions.

Q: Can a person manage the symptoms of perimenopause using natural remedies alone? A: It is possible. Carolyn Kay, MD Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice. Was this helpful?

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Scientists discover biological mechanism of hearing loss caused by loud noise — and find a way to prevent it. Many of the leading causes of death are influenced by modifiable factors including cigarette smoking, diet, and exercise.

Lifestyle changes alone may improve symptoms, and this knowledge can help motivate women to abandon unhealthy behaviors. Cigarette smoking is a strong independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, osteoporosis, and certain cancers.

The cardioprotective and anticarcinogenic effects of a diet low in saturated and trans-unsaturated fats and high in fibre cannot be over emphasized. Weight-bearing exercise enhances well-being, promotes balance and agility, and has cardioprotective and osteoprotective effects.

Alcohol and caffeine reduction may ease perimenopausal mood changes. Alcohol intake of greater than seven drinks per week is thought to increase breast cancer risk.

Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that have estrogen-like biological activity and exhibit mixed estrogen-agonist and estrogen-antagonist actions on different target tissues. In addition to the commonly known soy foods tofu, tempeh, miso, and soya milk , newer products have been introduced that are more palatable to a Western diet see for the isoflavone content of various soy products.

Epidemiological data and some clinical evidence suggests that the typical Asian diet, which contains 20 to 50 g of soy protein per day, will lower total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides.

The effectiveness of vitamin B6 for treatment of perimenopausal PMS symptoms remains controversial. Some studies show a positive effect while others are ambiguous or negative.

Care should be taken to limit the dose to mg per day. Higher doses may be neurotoxic. Alternative herbal remedies. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists SOGC Canadian Consensus Conference on Menopause and Osteoporosis evaluated useful herbal remedies for treating perimenopausal symptoms.

Interest in herbal therapy is growing rapidly in Canada and the US. Several hundred herbal products have now undergone scrutiny by the Therapeutic Products Programme of Health Canada and have been issued drug identification numbers DIN or general public numbers GP.

These numbers indicate that there has been a review of their formulation, labeling, and instructions, but do not confirm bioactivity or clinical efficacy.

Finding herbal medicines that have undergone clinical trials is time consuming and the trials are of poor quality. Women with minor perimenopausal symptoms or who are unable or unwilling to take HRT will appreciate reliable information about the most useful herbal remedies, dosage, side effects, and precautions Table 3.

The two herbal remedies for menopause symptoms that have undergone placebo-controlled clinical trials are black cohosh and St. Four controlled clinical trials have shown that black cohosh specifically Remifemin, a German product improves hot flushes and mood disturbances in perimenopausal women without altering hormone levels, endometrium by transvaginal ultrasound , or breast tissue by in vitro studies.

Further studies are justified to scrutinize the effect of black cohosh on endometrium by biopsy , breast tissue, bone, and lipids. Its mode of action has not been fully determined; it appears to exert estrogen-like actions in some tissue and anti-estrogen effects in others. Considering its slow onset of action 6 weeks , clinical trials are short 6 months.

However, the toxicology studies in animals are reassuring and the clinical trials show few side effects. It appears as effective as standard antidepressants, with fewer side effects. It should not be used in conjunction with other antidepressants. It may alter the metabolism of other medications warfarin, digoxin.

Other herbs used by women are valerian, ginkgo, and kava. Valerian has been used for over years as a tranquilizer and sedative. Three placebo-controlled trials showed a mild dose-dependent hypnotic effect Table 3.

Valerian may be useful for short-term therapy of menopausal sleep disturbances. Ginkgo biloba has been evaluated in at least three randomized controlled trials that show it to be useful for some postmenopausal women experiencing difficulties with memory.

Kava has been found useful in treating anxiety disorders in seven randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Prescription therapies. Prescription remedies are most helpful for women with severe symptoms or women who have exhausted alternative avenues, and have a positive attitude toward evidence-based therapy.

During the premenopause transition, when menses are frequent and sometimes heavy, progesterone Provera 5 mg or Prometrium mg taken daily for the last 2 weeks of the menstrual cycle may regulate anovulatory cycles and improve sleep bedtime dosing, especially with Prometrium.

Oral contraceptive therapies can be used at any time during the perimenopause transition to mask the signs and symptoms of menopause. The question of when to discontinue OCT or switch to hormone replacement therapy HRT will arise. A brief period 1 month off OCT followed by a serum follicle-stimulating hormone high and estradiol low and assessment of symptoms will help decide what is the next step.

Standard HRT is usually commenced after a period of amenorrhea because it may be associated with irregular, heavy bleeding if used when estrogen levels are still fluctuating, giving women a negative attitude toward HRT. Prescription antidepressants are useful for severe clinical depression.

In addition, low-dose intermittent premenstrual use can alleviate PMS in some women Zoloft 25 mg, Paxil 10 mg, Prozac 10 mg, or Effexor 75 mg for 10 to14 days per cycle may alleviate hot flushes and are an excellent choice for women with breast cancer.

Once menses have stopped, standard HRT provides the most effective symptomatic relief. All estrogens are equally effective for symptom relief and osteoporosis prevention.

Familiarity with different products is useful since women respond differently to different products. Oral estrogen is associated with increases in HDL and triglycerides, whereas transdermal therapy lowers triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol and has minimal effect on HDL. Other differences between oral and transdermal estrogen are listed in Table 4.

Transdermal estrogen is preferred when prescribing for diabetics, hypertriglyceridemics, and smokers. The addition of progesterone or progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate, norethindrone to estrogen therapy has been shown to reduce the estrogen-attributable risk of endometrial hyperplasia or cancer an addition not necessary in hysterectomized women.

Many regimens are being used in an effort to improve compliance Table 5. Of the oral products available, only micronized progesterone does not attenuate the effects of estrogen on lipids.

Their effect on breast cancer is unknown. Progesterone creams are not recommended for endometrial protection. The amount of progesterone absorbed from the various preparations is highly variable.

A recent study [ 18] shows no endometrial protection when progesterone cream was added to transdermal estrogen. However, pharmaceutical-quality progesterone cream was found to be useful for controlling hot flushes. When using estrogen for symptom relief, titrate the dose, starting low and increasing it if flushing is not controlled and decreasing it if breast tenderness or heavy bleeding occurs.

Remain flexible in trying different products. Frequent re-evaluation helps promote compliance, as does prompt attention to any side effects or concerns. Common complaints include breast tenderness, nausea, headache, and bloating. Side effects of progestins include alterations in mood, breast tenderness, and bloating.

These may be less severe with a low-dose, continuous regimen. Adding androgens to estrogen therapy. Consider adding androgens to estrogen in women on estrogen replacement with decreased libido following bilateral oophorectomy.

Many women experience symptoms Herbal remedies for menopause hot flashes, mood fir, and changes Herbal remedies for menopause metabolism during menopause. Some natural remedies Cauliflower casserole dishes lifestyle changes may reduce femedies symptoms and remediex you feel more comfortable. At ZOE, we run the largest study of nutrition and menopause in the world. Our research shows that the way women respond to food changes through menopause. The ZOE program can help you understand which foods are best for you at your current life stage. Read on to learn more about dietary changes, herbal supplements, and other natural remedies that could help with your menopause symptoms. The transition into menopause is known as perimenopause.

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The Other Causes \u0026 Remedies for Hot Flashes \u0026 Menopause – globalhumanhelp.org