Menopause is not a disease but rather a natural process the female body goes through. It occurs at an average age of 47 to 50 years old. Periods often stop suddenly or else gradually fade away in an irregular pattern. Menopause is usually diagnosed when there has been no period for approximately one year. Although menopause can occur without the development of symptoms, most women experience some signs, ranging from mild to severe. Hot flushing and sweating are the most common affecting the majority of women. Other symptoms include major emotional upheaval such as irritability, nervousness and depression. Fatigue, sleep disturbances, weight gain, dizziness, rapid heart rate, nausea, constipation, poor memory, muscular pain, vaginal dryness and urinary incontinence are also common complaints.
Many of the symptoms of menopause may be treated by hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which supplies oestrogen. For some women, especially those with a high risk of osteoporosis, this is the preferred solution. However, many women are not happy with the option of HRT believing that this phase in life should be eased by more natural means. Herbal remedies can prove beneficial in relieving troublesome symptoms and helping the body adjust to new levels of functionality. A healthy lifestyle, wholesome diet, regular exercise and a positive outlook are sometimes all that is needed for a smooth transition.
Natural Help
If you are opting for herbs, your question may be “Do I need to take these herbs for life?” Most women begin to feel better within a couple of weeks of using herbal medicine. Some take a few months before the systems of the body are balanced and in harmony.
There are many excellent herbs that help to ease menopausal symptoms. You can experiment with different alternatives to find what works best for you. Some of the more popular ones include Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa), Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) and Sage (Salvia officinalis). A reduction in hot flushes is a good indicator of these herbs hormone-balancing effect and there is evidence that they confer a variety of health-protective activities for menopausal women. The quickest results are achieved when the herbal regime is started at the first signs of menopause.
Vitex: The berries of this plant are included in most menopause formula to help ease hot flushes, vaginal dryness, depression and dizziness. According to David Hoffmann, one of Britain’s most influential herbalist, Vitex is the most popular herb of choice in the UK for menopausal problems. This herb is thought to regulate the hormone, progesterone, through its effect on the hypothalamus and pituitary. The suggested dose is half a teaspoon of the liquid extract first thing in the morning.
Red Clover: A study published in the Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology found that this plant relieved various symptoms of menopause and could be a possible alternative to HRT. Red Clover tea is pleasant tasting and may be taken a couple of times a day. However, I prefer to use liquid extracts whereby it is mixed with other hormone-balancing herbs for more potent results.
Wild Yam: A firm favourite of herbalists for women’s conditions, including relieving hot flushes and other menopausal complaints. Wild Yam is often listed as having progesterone-like action, there is no scientific evidence for this. However, it may modulate the balance of hormones (oestrogen to progesterone ratio) through a complex effect on the hypothalamus-pituitary axis.
Black Cohosh: The root of this herb is the most commonly prescribed by European practitioners to reduce hot flushes, emotional tension, vaginal dryness and relieve insomnia. Take one cup of tea twice daily or a teaspoon of the liquid extract daily.
Sage: A key ingredient in Christmas turkey stuffing, this herb has anti-hydrotic activity. This term refers to the quite extraordinary property of Sage to reduce sweating. Drinking an infusion of Sage leaves reduces perspiration within a few hours and the effect is said to last up to several days. It is popularly used for night sweats accompanying menopause, night sweats in TB sufferers and any other situation where sweating become a nuisance.
Nutritional Supplements For Menopause
Multivitamin tablet
Calcium / Magnesium
Antioxidants eg. vitamins A, C, E
Flaxseed oil
Food For Smoother Transition
Tofu
Tempeh
Edamame
Soy milk
Legumes
Sprouted seeds like soy bean sprout, taugeh, alfalfa
Patricia Loh is an educator and writer on natural therapies. She is a qualified clinical herbalist and operates a herbal centre in Subang Jaya. Comments and inquiries: herbz@tm.net.my or 03-5631 7751.
THE SUN, INSERTION DATE 15th APRIL 2003
