Menopause Remedies Provide Excellent Relief
Since women have been experiencing menopause since before recorded history, it only makes sense that even in pre-history women discovered menopause remedies that provided effective relief from the troublesome and uncomfortable symptoms of this normal phase of life. Women now have a variety of choices to cope with these symptoms. Menopause can't be avoided, but its physical and emotional ill effects can.
Women have three options in selecting a menopause remedy: mainstream medical remedies through prescription medications, herbal remedies, and nutritional remedies. Keep in mind that these three remedies are not mutually exclusive; you can use all three safely as long as you inform your physician that you're using an herbal preparation to make sure it doesn't negatively interact with any prescriptions medications you're taking for various medical conditions.
Medical, Herbal and Nutritional Menopause Remedies
Menopause results from the body's cessation of estrogen production; this results not only in the end of a woman's childbearing years, but it also causes the many uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause mentioned above. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) involves taking a pill or wearing a transdermal patch that replaces the estrogen no longer produced naturally. HRT has become the subject of intense medical debate because of its possible link to breast cancer. Since this debate has yet to be solved, women who have risk factors for breast cancer such as never having borne a child, smoking, and a family history of breast cancer generally avoid HRT as a menopause remedy.
Herbal menopause remedies have existed for thousands of years by ancient Native American and Asian healers. If used correctly, they are safe and quite effective. Black cohosh root is a very popular herbal menopause remedy. This shrub is found in Canada and parts of North American; it has long been used by Native American Aboriginal people and traveled to Asia when the land bridge between what is now Russia and Alaska still existed. Black Cohosh root acts as a remedy for all the troublesome symptoms of menopause although its exact mechanism of action remains unknown. It has no side effects, but should not be taken for more than six months without consulting a physician.
Soy isoflavones are strongly favored as a menopause remedy. Soy is a safe and nutritious substance found in soybeans, tofu, and soy milk. It acts very similar to estrogen, thus relieving menopause symptoms without the possible danger of HRT.
Dong quai has been used in ancient Chinese medicine for a variety of women's problems such as menstrual cramps, PMS and as a menopause remedy specifically for hot flashes. Since it causes sensitivity to sunlight, dong quai users should use a sunscreen-based make up.
Shatavari and red clover as menopause remedies act similarly as soy isoflavones as a plant-based estrogen mimic and are very effective for reducing hot flashes and night sweats. Feverfew leaves prevent and relieve the migraine headaches that often occur during menopause. Valerian root has been a remedy for insomnia of all types for hundreds of years. As a menopause remedy it should not be used in conjunction with prescription sleep medications or alcohol.
Nutritional menopause remedies include eating natural soybean products rather than taking soy capsules or pills. Nutritionalists recommend foods that are high in vitamins E, C and bioflavinoids, boron and gamma-oryzanol. These foods include whole grains, brown rice, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, potatoes, dill, soy nuts, legumes and beans, seeds, nuts, cumin, cinnamon, aloe vera juice and spinach. Thus, with the proper research, a woman is sure to fins a remedy that works.
