Effective Natural Treatments For MenopauseMenopause is that stage of life that no woman can evade or avoid. Thus, it is perhaps sensible to be on the lookout for effective natural treatments for menopause even at a young age. Of course, there is always hormone replacement therapy as a quick fix but nothing beats the natural and safe methods for battling menopause symptoms. Despite the dependence of modern women on laboratory-formulated medications, menopause relief can be had using alternative treatments. While some women resort to buying estrogen patches or menopause creams, there are those who settle for natural treatments for menopause in the form of herbs. Here are the top herbs and nutrients for the life change: Beta Carotene Beta carotene is converted to Vitamin A and is responsible for keeping your skin supple. So if you are encountering problems with skin dryness or vaginal dryness (in the case of menopause) you can increase your intake of beta carotene. The dryness occurs as a result of the decreasing levels of estrogen in the body so should be helped to fight back through Beta Carotene or Vitamin A. Try carrots, apricots, papaya, melons, mangoes, spinach and sweet potatoes. Calcium and Magnesium The minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium should be known to you especially during the menopausal stage. These minerals help you fight not just the symptoms of menopause but other illnesses as well. Osteoporosis is an accompanying illness common to menopausal women because of bone decay and calcium can help you with this. Magnesium usually comes with your calcium supplement. It helps calcium do its job as well as help you fight fatigue, a usual symptom of menopause. Think milk for calcium - and also seafood, tofu, yoghurt and cheese. Potassium This is one mineral that can help improve your energy and combat menopause fatigue. It also helps fight palpitations, bloating and water retention common menopause symptoms. Eat foods like pureed tomato, raisins, nuts, baked potato, soya beans and of course, banana. As a tip, potassium rich foods are best eaten with their skins on. Chasteberry This herb has been used to alleviate the symptoms of PMS. Today, it is becoming popular as a treatment for menopausal symptoms like irregular bleeding, breast tenderness and hot flashes. Europeans have been using this herb and found it quite effective. It has the same effects as black cohosh, another popular menopause herb. Kava Kava One of the common menopause symptoms is mood swings and if you have them, taking this sprawling shrub named kava kava may just be the solution. This herb is said to be effective in fighting the emotional symptoms of menopause like mood changes, depression, and anxiety. Valerian This herb (which is endemic to Europe and has been used by the ancient Romans) has been recognized as safe for humans by the US Food and Drug Authority. It is commonly used as an aid for insomnia or sleeplessness, a common condition during menopause. Lactobacillus The walls of the vagina become thinner during menopause (and when a woman reaches a certain age) thus causing problems like vaginal dryness and itching. Estrogen is also at its lowest levels during menopause thereby causing a change in the PH level of the vagina. The receding acidity of the vagina during this period causes a decrease in the growth of good bacteria that prevents the growth of yeasts thus causing UTIs and infections. Introducing Lactobacillus in the vaginal environment (through the use of products like Florajen Acidophilus) can help ease the effects of menopause. Choosing a natural treatment for menopause is not a challenge after all, considering the alternatives readily available to women. The only thing you need to do is research their pros and cons and of course, check with your doctor to make sure they are safe for you. |