Women who have entered menopause or that are pre-menopausal experience a variety of symptom that are uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. Conventional medicine treats menopause with hormone replacement therapy. Over the last ten years or so there has been a lot of controversy about hormone replacement and women have ventured away from using it in fear of the increased risk of certain cancers and heart disease. More and more women are moving in the direction of herbal remedies to relieve their menopausal symptoms.
Symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness and a decreased sex drive. These symptoms are a direct result of the fluctuation in hormone levels in a woman’s body. Once the hormones are regulated the symptoms are relieved. The fluctuation can start as early as age 35. This is the period called pre-menopause; where women start to experience some menopausal symptoms. Although most pre menopausal women’s symptoms are mild, they are nonetheless annoying. Most medical Doctors will not use hormone replacement therapy on these women because the fluctuation in hormones is unpredictable. Most women would be placed on birth control pills, providing it is appropriate, remember there are increased risks for older women who take these pills. The answer for these women lies in herbal remedies. There are several herbs and plants that can replace some of these hormones naturally without the side effects of conventional medicines.
Vaginal dryness is a very uncomfortable symptom and is often the cause of painful intercourse in menopausal women. It is caused by a decrease in the reproductive hormones which in turn decreases the natural lubricant and also retards the sex drive. The natural way to replace these hormones is through wild yams and progesterone cream. Hot flashes can be combated by taking one black cohosh tablet, or ginseng. Women who still experience cramps and intermittent bleeding can take red clover to relieve those symptoms. Sarsaparilla can also help with a woman’s libido. Valerian root is one way to combat insomnia and stress. Most of these herbal medicines come in the form of pills; however, some are creams, teas and tincture.
Just as conventional medicine, you must follow the recommended dosages on the label. Overdoses of herbal medicines can be just as dangerous as prescription medicines. Every woman is different and some of these remedies may not work for you; but does work for someone else. Trial and error is the only way to discover which herbs, or combination of herbs, works for you. Once you find the right combination for you; your body will thank you for the natural remedy without the harmful side effects.
