Natural Menopause Treatment Offers Fewer Risks

The simple thought of going through perimenopause can be stressful to some women, especially those who have witnessed relatives suffer from severe symptoms of this naturally occurring change of life. As women transition from their reproductive years, their bodies slow down the production of hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. Until they have completely adjusted to the lack of these hormones, some symptoms will interfere with their daily living. For this reason, many seek out PMS treatment solutions and other options.

Hot flashes and mood swings are some of the most common symptoms associated with menopause. Yet the use of hormone replacement therapy is not being well received by many women due to the numerous, possibly devastating side effects that they have caused. Instead of taking a one-drug-cures-all approach to relieving the symptoms or the change of life, many are seeking natural menopause treatment for the symptoms, which have the most detrimental affect on them individually.

One of the most common natural menopause treatments involves behaviors that can counteract the symptom. For example, hot flashes can be triggered by drinking too much caffeine, alcohol and from smoking cigarettes. By eliminating these triggers, the hot flashes have been shown to diminish in frequency as well as in intensity. Dressing in layer clothing as well as avoiding tight fitting clothing has also shown beneficial to reduce the occurrence of hot flashes.

Vitamin E and soy are being used to reduce the incidences of hot flashes in many women during the perimenopause stage, but while they have shown some success, they have not been proven in repeated tests. A plant estrogen found in red clover is also being cited as being successful against the frequency and duration of hot flashes. One of the most common herbs used in the treatment against hot flashes is black cohosh. In trials, it has shown to be effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of hot flashes.

Topical applications of progesterone cream has significantly reduced hot flashes in about 85 percent of women in perimenopause. It is widely available both by prescription as well as over the counter and the recommended dosage of about one fourth of a teaspoon per day applied to the skin is typical. However, attention will need to be paid to the label to determine the content of the progesterone as it can vary from five to 400 mg per dose.

While hot flashes are one of the most consistent complaints for perimenopause, other symptoms can be equally devastating to normal activity. Mood swings, along with trouble sleeping and fatigue can wreak havoc on a woman's lifestyle. There are numerous natural products that are recommended to alleviate stress and provide help in sleeping without the need for synthetic products that have serious side effects and can also be habit forming.

Hormone imbalance can also be affected by stress, which is exacerbated by always feeling fatigued and a lack of sleep. Aromatherapies as well as many botanicals have been proven to be effective in reducing stress. Natural menopause treatments containing botanicals have been used to help the woman achieve restful sleep and reduce the amount of stress can help eliminate many of the symptoms of menopause.