As women age, many experience physical side effects during menopause, a time when the ovaries reduce the production of estrogen and progesterone. Side effects can include hot flashes, insomnia, depression, anxiety, fatigue, thinning hair, aching joints and muscles, vaginal dryness and more. Doctors place many women on hormone replacement therapy, a combination of estrogen and progestin (synthetic progesterone). But this therapy may cause dangerous side effects.
Women may often choose to take a more natural route to helping ease the effects of menopause. Clinical studies have shown black cohosh extract to be as effective as hormone replacement therapy for the relief of hot flashes, depression and vaginal dryness. It’s also used for night sweats, sleep disturbances and decreased libido.
Progesterone creams have been used to help relieve the typical symptoms associated with menopause. Combination products contain ingredients such as isoflavones (plant estrogens including daidzein, genistein and glycitein), which can help ease the hormonal transition of going through menopause.*