Great Natural Options for the Troubling Reminders of Menopause

To learn about menopause along with both popular and effective natural remedies for its symptoms, keep reading.

Introduction to Menopause

Typically, menopause will start in a woman's early 50s, but that's not definite. Some women experience menopause earlier and others later. Menopause is by definition, the end of a women's reproductive age when she ceases to menstruate.

The perimenopause, or stretch of time leading up to menopause, is marked by irregular periods and generally begins when a woman is in her 40s. Menopause can go on for many years - however, once a woman hasn't had a period for a full year, she is considered post-menopausal.

Menopause Indicators

Menopause isn't a disease, but the most common "symptoms" associated with it include dry or itchy skin, dry eyes, hot flashes, trouble sleeping, night sweating, dryness of the vagina, weight gain and a decreased sex drive.

Reducing Menopausal Symptoms

Often to reduce menopausal symptoms, doctors prescribe estrogen treatments that are designed to regulate the hormone levels. However, increased doses of estrogen have also been demonstrated to increase a woman's chances of developing breast cancer.

Herbal and Natural Solutions for Menopause

Black Cohosh Herb

Black cohosh is recognized for its ability to reduce or eliminate menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and mood swings. Black cohosh also acts as an anti-inflammatory, digestive aid, generic and mild sedative and blood pressure lowering agent.

Black cohosh has been proven to help alleviate menopausal annoyances in multiple clinical studies. It's even been shown to be just as effective as small estrogen doses but without the side effects, like thickening of the uterine lining. However, women with a history of breast cancer in their family should not take black cohosh.

Dong Quai Herb

Dong Quai is typically administered in liquid form or as part of a tea. It's commonly used to regulate hormone levels and reduce the common symptoms associated with menopause. It's not recommended for those who are also taking anti-coagulant drugs.

Liver and Adrenal Tonic

Any form of stress on the adrenal and liver will increase and aggravate the symptoms of menopause. However, a relieving tonic can help mollify those symptoms. Simply combine black cohosh, Dong Quai, wild yam, licorice, burdock, milk thistle and bupleurum and boil into a tea to drink three times every day.

While many of these natural remedies for menopause won't relieve or eliminate your symptoms completely, they can help to dramatically reduce them. In addition to trying these various herbs, you should also focus on improving your overall health, exercising and eating a healthy diet.