Hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, memory loss, mood swings, waning libido - if these sound like the way you have been feeling lately, you're not alone. Every peri-menopausal woman will experience these symptoms to some degree. Unfortunately, the conventional treatment for these symptoms isn't much better. Weight gain, irritability, breast tenderness, intermittent vaginal bleeding, blood clots, liver inflammation, and increased cancer risk are all potential side effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). As a result, 70% of women do not take HRT as prescribed! Is there a natural alternative? Yes!
First, isoflavones have been studied extensively and are a great alternative for women who can't or do not wish to take HRT. In addition to menopausal benefits, studies on large Asian populations have shown that isoflavones may play a role in cancer prevention, cardiovascular health, and bone and mineral metabolism. Isoflavones have been shown to have many estrogen-like effects in the body, but without estrogen's risks! There appears to be no negative effects on breast or uterine tissue and no apparent risk of blood clots or migraines.
Black cohosh is another popular natural treatment for many menopausal symptoms. Numerous studies on the standardized extract containing 27-deoxyacteine, have repeatedly shown its clinical benefit without any safety issues. The research on the menopausal benefits of black cohosh is even stronger than for isoflavones! Again, this is a great alternative for women who can't or do not wish to take HRT.
Selected Sources
- Nachtigall, LB, et al., The effects of isoflavone derived red clover on vasomotor symptoms, endometrial thickness, and reproductive hormone concentrations in menopausal women. Presented, 81st Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society, Jun 1999.
- McKenna DJ, et al., Black Cohosh: efficacy, safety, and use in clinical and preclinical applications. Altern Ther Health Med 2001 May-Jun;7(3):93-100.
