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Herbal Remedies:  A Long History of Natural Health
By Melanie Shearer, MT(ASCP), CMA(AAMA)

The symptoms of menopause can vary widely from woman to woman.  The severity of these symptoms can vary, as well.  What one woman may describe as being merely, “annoying,” another may find that same symptom being so bothersome that she seeks medical treatment.   However, not every woman is comfortable with taking commercial medications to ease her suffering.  This leads many women to look to Mother Nature for guidance and relief.

Why Look to Natural Remedies?

The pharmaceutical industry has been a source of controversy over the last several years.  A number of medications that have received FDA clearance have subsequently been pulled from drugstore shelves due to adverse reactions in patients who have relied on these medications to aid or cure their ailments.  Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is experiencing its own moment of controversy.  Some studies have shown that women choosing HRT for their menopause symptoms have higher rates of developing cancer.

Natural Remedies:  A Long History of Use

Natural medicine can be traced back many centuries.  The use of plants and naturally derived tonics has been documented for thousands of years.  Using this time-tested method of reducing suffering can serve as a way to make the most of natural products without resorting to manufactured pharmaceuticals that may be riddled with unsafe medications and lead to poor health outcomes. 

Natural Ingredients for Menopause Relief

There are a number of herbs that have estrogen-like chemical structures, which allows them to function much like the hormone, itself.  These chemicals, known as phytoestrogens, come in plant form and have been shown in studies to reduce the severity of the symptoms of menopause.  Some of the most effective herbs used as ingredients in menopause supplements include:

• Rice Bran Oil
• Soy Isolates
• Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)

Not all natural menopause remedies contain rice bran oil, but of the ones that do contain this effective plant-based ingredient, many positive outcomes have been noted by users.  Decreases in hot flashes, night sweats, and difficulty sleeping have all been expressed by women who have taken supplements with this ingredient. 

Soy Isolates are phytoestrogens that work naturally with a woman’s body to balance out the irregularities of estrogen flow during the menopause time period.  When estrogen levels fluctuate during menopause, phytoestrogens can serve as a temporary replacement, thereby greatly, or in some cases, completely reducing symptoms.

CLA is an ingredient that has been found in some studies to help with weight gain.  During menopause, hormone fluctuations make managing the appetite a bit difficult in some women.  CLA may help to control weight gain in individuals who take supplementation with this ingredient.

Talk with Your Doctor

Not all women will experience a difficult transition from perimenopause into menopause, but for the ones that do have issues, know that there are methods to treat your symptoms that don’t require dangerous and expensive pharmaceutical prescriptions.  There are a variety of menopause supplements available that may suit your needs.   All women are encouraged to discuss their options with a licensed healthcare professional.  Physicians can recommend forms of treatment and other lifestyle changes that can reduce the effects of menopausal hormone fluctuations. 

Disclaimer:  This article is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.  The claims presented here or on the Femestra website about health and dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration.  Patients interested in obtaining information on health supplements should contact their primary care providers.  It is never wise to self-diagnose any health condition; consult a licensed medical doctor for diagnosis of any medical condition.