Alternative Treatments Based On Natural Hormones Are Becoming Increasingly
Popular For Treating Perimenopause Or Menopause Symptoms
by: Lynn Donn
Many women who are experiencing unpleasant perimenopause or menopause symptoms
are considering alternative treatments based on natural hormones as a means
of alleviating them. Conventional hormone replacement therapy is generally
regarded as a very reliable and effective treatment for a wide range of perimenopause
or menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness,
fatigue, a decline in libido, mood swings, depression and memory lapses. However,
the issue of whether or not it may increase the risk of breast cancer and
other serious health problems such as blood clots remains controversial. Many
women are seeking treatments based on natural hormones as an alternative,
believing them to be free from the same potential health risks. It’s very
important to understand that any kind of medical treatment, whether naturally
derived or not, carries with it the risk of side effects, harmful interactions
and allergic reactions. It’s very wise to discuss your symptoms and your concerns
with your doctor, and get individual, professional advice on the treatment
options which are most suitable for you.
Treatments for menopause symptoms derived from natural hormones.
There are a number of types of natural plant based treatments for perimenopause
symptoms. Perhaps the most widely used are made from plants rich in natural
phytoestrogens, sometimes known as isoflavones, which are chemically very
similar to the natural estrogen produced by the ovaries. The effectiveness
of these types of treatments relies on the assumption that phytoestrogens
have the same effect in the body as the body’s own natural hormones. High
levels of phytoestrogens are found in food products made from soy, and herbs
such as dong quai, licorice root and black cohosh.
Some doctors believe that declining levels of progesterone have a more significant
role in causing menopause symptoms than is conventionally believed. Natural
treatments which are designed to restore progesterone levels most commonly
take the form of a topically applied cream made from an extract of Mexican
wild yam, which contains a substance similar to human progesterone. Natural
progesterone treatments may also involve taking supplements of extracts from
herbs such as chaste tree berry.
See Also Menopause and Estrogen
About The Author
Lynn Donn is the webmaster for www.menopause-symptoms-perimenopause.com
Her website includes helpful articles on perimenopause and menopause symptoms
including hot flashes and night sweats. Site offers suggestions on how to
ease symptoms of menopause and perimenopause naturally using black cohosh,
soy and natural progesterone cream etc.