Five Natural Remedies for Menopausal Symptoms

There are many uncomfortable things all women face as they get older; perhaps the most uncomfortable is menopause. Not only do women going through menopause experience annoying and painful physical and emotional symptoms, they are also at a much higher risk of developing dangerous problems such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

If you are going through this change, you have probably seen a doctor and discussed medical treatments, but before you start on hormone replacement therapy or other drastic treatments, why not try treating your menopause the natural way.

Here are five natural supplements that can help you solve your menopause problems:

Soy

Soy protein contains chemicals called isoflavones, which act as a mild estrogen and can help with hot flashes and night sweats. It may also help keep your bones healthy. Just be sure not to take too much, about 50 grams of soy protein per day is enough. Getting more too much soy may actually be harmful.

Black Cohosh

This supplement can be used to alleviate hot flashes, help with mood changes, and even help you sleep better. While it has been tested and found to be safe, studies have only been conducted on a 6-month trial period.

Red Clover

Taking this supplement daily has been shown to not only decrease the number of hot flashes (one study showed a 58% decrease!); it can also help stop some of the long-term health problems associated with menopause. Red clover contains isoflavones and may decrease loss of bone mass, improve cardiovascular health, and may even protect you against certain cancers.

St John's Wort

Along with physical symptoms, many menopausal women also experience symptoms of depression. St John's Wort can be taken up to two years to help alleviate mild depression. Just don’t take it if you are already on an antidepressant because there can be interactions.

Vitamins and Minerals

You probably already know that you should take a calcium supplement to help decrease bone loss, but did you know you should also take magnesium to help you absorb and use all that extra calcium? You should also increase your intake of Vitamins E and C to help with estrogen absorption. You should be able to find a quality multivitamin for older women that will give you these nutrients and more.

There are a few things you should be aware of when using these or any other herbal remedy. First is that you should consult your doctor before you take anything. Many people equate the word natural with safe, but these remedies can have harmful drug interactions and side effects. You should also take care to get a high quality supplement. Check ingredients, look for seals (and research what the seals mean), and ask around on health websites or with a medical professional.

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