6 Herbal Remedies for Menopause That Help

Around the age of 45 to 50 years, most women undergo menopause, which is a very big change in the body. Menopause is a condition where the ovarian functions cease, leading to an end of the production of ova in the female body. This condition has many very troublesome symptoms that can prove to be difficult to handle and control. The symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, migraine, rapid heartbeat, dryness of the genital area, urinary frequency and urgency, back ache, joint pain, breast atrophy, decreased elasticity of the skin, fatigue, irritability and sleep disturbances. While not all symptoms are controllable, some of them can be controlled with the use of herbal remedies for menopause.

Scientific studies have, over the years, proved that certain herbal remedies for menopause are extremely effective and ease the discomfort considerably.

Six Herbal Remedies for Menopause
Phytoestrogens are compounds found in some plants that mimic the estrogen found in the human body. Since a major chunk of the symptoms of menopause are caused by the cessation in the production of estrogen, intake of the hormone helps a great deal in alleviating the symptoms. Herbal remedies for menopause predominantly include the intake of various herbs containing compounds that help. They are also safe and free of side effects.

1. Licorice and Black Cohosh: Since licorice has a known estrogenic effect, it has been one of the more successful herbal remedies for menopause. The regular use of black cohosh is also very helpful in reducing hot flashes. A dose of eighty milligrams a day, divided over the day, has proven to be helpful.
2. Bioflavonoid: Bioflavonoid are commonly found in fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C. Fruits like elderberries and bilberries are high in this substance and help in relieving hot flashes.
3. Vitamins A & E, Calendula and Aloe Vera: These substances are helpful in battling vaginal dryness. Calendula solution can be used as a douche and has been found to be very helpful.
4. Dong Quai: Dong Quai is a Chinese herb, also known as Chinese Angelica, and is useful in balancing hormones, post menopause. The recommended dose is 3-4 gram a day.
5. Chamomile and Valerian Root: Insomnia is also a common symptom of menopause. Sleeping pills might be helpful but are not recommended due to their addictive quality. Chamomile tea and Valerian Root tea are herbal remedies for menopause that are very soothing and help the individual sleep better.
6. Soybean Products: Soybean is rich in Phytoestrogens, and is a very effective remedy to battle hot flashes, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. Asian women are known to have a high intake of soybean and therefore usually do not suffer from the symptoms mentioned earlier to a great extent.

Menopause is a difficult time for a woman to go through, and the use of herbal remedies for menopause is highly recommended as they are natural and not otherwise harmful. These remedies have been in use for centuries and their value as aids to menopausal symptoms have been well established.

How Natural Remedies for Menopause Can Help

Menopause is experienced by women around the age of 42 to 55 years. The average age of onset of menopause is about 50 years, and the transition can last for up to five years. Menopause is essentially the phase in a woman’s life when the ovaries cease to function, signifying the end of the reproductive years. Since menopause is a result of a decrease in the production of the female sex hormones, there is an ensuing hormone starvation in the body, which leads to myriad symptoms.

The decrease in the production of the female hormone, estrogen, can result in an increase in the risk of heart disease, vaginal problems and osteoporosis. The symptoms are, therefore, of a varying nature. Symptoms include hot flashes, backaches, bladder problems, insomnia, dizziness, mental instability, headaches, heart palpitations, dryness and aging of the skin, shortness of breath, irritability and disturbances in calcium metabolism.

The usual course of action for treatment has been hormone replacement therapy. This therapy has, however, received criticism after studies have linked it to increased risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, stroke and blot clots. This is why natural remedies for menopause have witnessed increasing adoption. Natural options are equally effective as well as safer. Natural remedies for menopause might, however, require certain dietary precautions and changes.

Five Natural Remedies for Menopause Natural remedies for menopause can be taken along with the usual synthetic hormone replacement therapy, and can even help reduce the course of strong medications. They are easily available and have proven to be extremely helpful.

1. Vitamins: Vitamin E is the most essential vitamin in this phase, and simply must be taken. It is commonly found in almonds, hazelnuts, spinach, mangoes and olives. Along with Vitamin E, Vitamin C and B complex must also be taken. Capillary strength is maintained with the intake of Vitamin C, along with bioflavonoids.
2. Calcium: Calcium is found in milk and milk products. It is one of the important natural remedies for menopause. Since the risk of osteoporosis increases, calcium intake is a must to maintain the calcium-phosphorous balance of the body.
3. Protein: Proteins are an important part of a menopausal woman’s diet. The intake of protein should be increased, with a concomitant decrease in carbohydrate intake.
4. Fruits and Vegetables: Raw food is one of the natural remedies for menopause that is often ignored but can prove to be extremely helpful. Juices, brewer’s yeast, kelp and cold pressed vegetables must be taken. Nearly 50% of the diet should be in the form of raw food.
5. Exercise: An effective way to deal with menopause, along with natural remedies for menopause, is exercise. One must exercise and get sufficient amount of rest along with it. This helps in dealing with the stress as well as the insomnia.

Apart from these natural remedies for menopause, there are certain things that should be avoided during this time. Alcohol, caffeine, sugar and spicy foods should be avoided completely. They can make the mood swings worse and hard to deal with. They also increase the acidity in the blood, which in turn results in increased calcium absorption. Increased calcium absorption can lead to a lack of calcium in the bones. Menopause sounds like a scary time for any woman, but with the right treatment and care, it can be a breeze.

Causes and Natural Treatments of Night Sweats After Menopause

One of the symptoms of menopause that is very similar to hot flashes is night sweats. Night sweats after menopause is experienced by nearly 75% of all menopausal women. Medically, night sweats are known as sleep hyperhidrosis and are episodes of sweating during the night that can range from mild to severe.

One of the more irritating symptoms that occurs with the onset of menopause is that one wakes up in the middle of the night, sweating profusely, sheets drenched and heart pounding. It usually takes a lot of time to calm down and go back to sleep, and more often than not, sleep doesn’t come easily or peacefully, and women end up spending a fitful night.

Causes of Night Sweats after Menopause
Night sweats after menopause are a result of some very complex interactions within the body due to the fluctuating levels of estrogen. So, the major cause of night sweats is hormonal imbalance, which affects the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining the body’s temperature, and since hormonal imbalances affect the functioning of this gland, the body temperature fluctuates. In its attempt to regulate body temperature, the hypothalamus may dilate the blood vessels to heat up the body, resulting in hot flashes.

On the other hand, if the hypothalamus gets the signal that the body temperature has risen, it triggers the sweat glands and as a result causes profuse sweating, leading to night sweats.

Apart from the hormonal imbalance, night sweats after menopause are can also be caused by pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, sleep apnea or a thyroid disorder.

Treatment of Night Sweats after Menopause
Night sweats after menopause can be treated in different ways. Changes in lifestyle and alternative medicines are two treatments that help immensely. Hormone replacement therapy is recommended in severe cases, but treatment through natural means is a healthier and safer option in the long run.

• Lifestyle Changes: Exercise and yoga can help a great deal in the treatment of night sweats after menopause. Yoga has some exercises that are especially meant for dealing with night sweats, like breathing and relaxation exercises. These are especially handy after an episode when there is a need to go back to sleep. Deep breathing and relaxation help a lot. Also, dietary changes like a reduction in caffeine intake, as well as alcohol and processed foods intake, can go a long way to minimize night sweats after menopause. Smoking should be stopped if one is a smoker.
• Alternative Medicine: Alternative medicines, such as herbal remedies, are also very effective for night sweats after menopause. Phytoestrogens are plant estrogens and are available in herbs such as black cohosh and dong quai. Also, an increase in the vitamin in take is highly recommended. Soy products are also highly recommended and have been known to help menopause symptoms to a very large extent. Herbal remedies and natural remedies are safe and effective treatment options, since they don’t stress the liver for synthesis like other medications often do.

Night sweats after menopause can leave a woman feeling very disturbed and irritable, owing to the fact that sleep is directly affected. Lifestyle changes, especially exercise, can go a long way in the treatment of night sweats.