Menopause

Some women celebrate "The Change." It's a rite of passage, they say; it's a welcome transition. Other women hear this and ask, incredulous, "Are you KIDDING me?!"

Chances are, if you fall into the former category, you're not here, reading this, looking for something, anything to eliminate those hot flashes, night sweats, loss of libido, changes in skin tone, and moments of sheer miserable foggy-brained lethargy.

Natural medicine can help!

For example, there are phytoestrogens, plant compounds, that mimic estrogen in the body. They do this, less by direct estrogenic activity, but more by tricking the brain into thinking there's enough estrogen -- so the brain is less likely to trigger hot flashes. Phytoestrogenic plants include black cohosh, dong quai, and soy.

Tonics for the adrenal glands can help, since the adrenals can pick up some of the slack when the ovaries stop producing estrogen, and make some on their own. In Chinese medicine, the concept of kidney yin is roughly analogous to our western adrenals. Chinese kidney yin tonics include prepared rehmannia, schizandra berries, and lycium ("Goji") fruit.

It appears as though the first few years of menopause or perimenopause are, for most women, not an issue of lowered estrogen, but lowered progesterone. In this situation, it might be worth looking at chaste tree berry (Vitex agnus-castus), which indirectly increases our bodies' own production of progesteron; or progesterone creams which absorb through the skin.

Finally, some women report they get relief from hot flashes by applying a little bit of peppermint oil to their temples. Even if it doesn't work, you'll at least smell good.

For further reading, check out The Woman's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Tori Hudson. This fabulous book examines both natural and conventional approaches to all sorts of women's issues. Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, by Christine Northrup is also very popular. A Woman's Book of Herbs, by Deb Soule is a wonderful resource if you want something less medical, more down to earth (and we're not putting it down by saying that!)

.....more about Menopause.

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Black Cohosh

Progesterone Cream

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