Menopause: the natural solutions
In Western society the menopause is regarded as a disease that needs to be treated with corrective drugs. The menopause however is not an illness but just a collection of symptoms that occur as a woman’s body adjusts to hormonal changes. Supporting the body during these changes can be a more beneficial way to treat menopausal symptoms than using drugs. Medication merely masks the symptoms by compensating temporarily for what the body has naturally lost.What causes the menopause?
Women are born with 2 million or so eggs. As the years progress the body uses up the eggs and when this happens less oestrogen and progesterone are produced. A hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which normally triggers ovulation, also goes into overdrive in an attempt to stimulate ovulation. In fact, if you are experiencing menopausal symptoms, your GP will probably check your FSH levels as an indication of whether or not you are suffering from the menopause.Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. They range from hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, declining libido, changes in weight, ageing skin, depression and anxiety.HRT
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is often prescribed to mimic hormones which decline during the menopause. HRT does not eliminate symptoms, and only works to put them on hold.“Many women are dissatisfied with HRT.”
Many women are dissatisfied with HRT. A recent survey of 2,000 women revealed that 6 out of 10 women had tried HRT, and 33% had chosen to come off it after less than a year. Also, interestingly, three quarters of menopausal women said they would not recommend hormone replacement therapy to their daughters.
The main reasons women stopped HRT were concerns over breast cancer risk (47% of women), feeling unwell (33% of women), and worries about heart disease (26% of women).
It is also worth remembering that experts recommend that HRT should only be used for the short-term relief of menopausal symptoms and not as a long-term solution.
Contraindications for HRT
HRT is not suitable for anyone with a history of:- Breast Cancer
- Liver disease
- Thrombosis
- Caution should be exercised if history of / currently suffering from:
- Hypertension
- Benign breast disease
- Fibroids
- Migraine
- Endometriosis
Natural Alternatives to HRT...
If, like many women you are concerned about the safety of HRT, there are many natural options to consider.Phytoestrogens
These are naturally occurring plant hormones. During the menopause when oestrogen levels decline, phytoestogens work to mimic oestrogen and can help to increase natural oestrogen levels.Food sources of phytoestrogens include virtually all fruit, vegetables and cereals. However, ‘isoflavones’ – found in beans and lentils – are an even better source of phytoestrogens and look out for supplements containing Soy Isoflavones.
