What are natural methods to treat menopause symptoms?

Menopause is the permanent end of menstruation and fertility, defined as occurring twelve months after the last menstrual period. It is a natural biological process, however, many women seek relief from uncomfortable symptoms that affect day to day life. Common symptoms of menopause are:

• irregular periods
• decreased fertility
• mood swings
• increased abdominal fat
• vaginal dryness
• sleep disturbances
• decreased libidoalternative
• vasomotor symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats

As women age, their hormone levels decrease over time, specifically estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Hormones may begin to decline around ages 35-45, though there is significant variance.

Hormonal Changes in Menopause

The hormonal changes include:

• a steep decrease of progesterone
• a slower, more steady decline of testosterone
• decreasing fluctuating levels of estrogen that may be causal in hot flashes and mood swings

Post-menopause, all these hormones are lower in comparison to younger years. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, along with other hormones and neurotransmitters, form an intricate symphony of signals that can often become “out of tune,” especially in the menopausal person.

Addressing Menopause Complaints

Hormonal support is often given during menopause. While effective for some, many women seek other natural methods to treat menopause symptoms for various reasons.

Natural Methods to Treat Menopause

Current research shows efficacy for alternative methods to help with a variety of menopausal symptoms.

Yoga

Yoga has been shown in some studies to improve the quality of life in menopausal women, reduce sleep issues, and reduce hot flashes. [1, 6, 7]

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, essential for brain health, have been successful in reducing the number and interference of hot flashes. [3]

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is a flowering plant with mood lifting and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also useful in improving quality-of-life and sleep disturbances in menopausal women. [4]

Acupuncture

Acupuncture, in combination with other treatment methods, can relieve hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. [4]

Ginseng

Ginseng has been shown to improve sexual dysfunction, overall health status, physical well-being, and low mood. [4]

Hops

Hops may be effective for menopausal people experiencing hot flashes, sweating, palpitations, and sleep issues. [4]

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is a plant used historically by Native Americans for dysmenorrhea, menopause symptoms, sore throats, and low mood. This plant’s action is mediated by dopamine receptors and blocks the reabsorption of serotonin. [4] Today, research supports the use of black cohosh for reducing vasomotor symptoms, improving sleep, reducing emotional disturbances, and improving sexual symptoms. [4, 5, 8]

Isoflavones

Isoflavones are a type of phytochemical, many of which act as phytoestrogens. Soy, red clover, and magnolia bark extract are isoflavones that have been shown to be effective natural methods to treat menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, poor sleep, discomfort, mood swings, and cognitive concerns. [4, 9]

Addressing Key Nutrient Deficiencies in Menopause

Additionally, it is essential to address key nutrient deficiencies in order to properly balance hormones in menopause.

For example, magnesium is needed for phosphorylation, essential fatty acids, sleep, and is a cofactor for many amino acids, and calcium is necessary for vitamin D and bone health. Many women have nutrient deficiencies, including low calcium, folate, vitamin E, iron, and magnesium.

These deficiencies can be improved through eating whole foods and using supplementation. Some other key nutrients include iodine for thyroid function, zinc, vitamin B6, methyl donors, cobalt, chromium, and boron. Using a nutraceutical composed of plant extracts, vitamins, and minerals may improve the quality of life for menopausal women. [2]

The best treatment is suited to the individual’s needs and specific imbalances. Women seeking natural methods to treat menopause symptoms can have these imbalances identified through testing sex hormones and neurotransmitters to determine the best options for them.

Practitioners should also include therapeutic lifestyle changes such as stress management and dietary habits, including ensuring adequate micronutrients.

References

1. Avis, N. E., Legault, C., Russell, G., Weaver, K., & Danhauer, S. C. (2014). A Pilot Study of Integral Yoga for Menopausal Hot Flashes. Menopause (New York, NY),21(8), 846.
2. Comhaire, F. H., & Depypere, H. T. (2015). Hormones, herbal preparations and nutriceuticals for a better life after the menopause: part II. Climacteric,18(3), 364-371.
3. Freeman, M. P., Hibbeln, J. R., Silver, M., Hirschberg, A. M., Wang, B., Yule, A. M., … & Cohen, L. S. (2011). Omega-3 fatty acids for major depressive disorder associated with the menopausal transition: a preliminary open trial. Menopause (New York, NY),18(3), 279.
4. Kim, M. Y., Choi, S. D., & Ryu, A. (2015). Is complementary and alternative therapy effective for women in the climacteric period? Journal of menopausal medicine,21(1), 28-35.
5. Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi, S., Shahnazi, M., Nahaee, J., & Bayatipayan, S. (2013). Efficacy of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa L.) in treating early symptoms of menopause: a randomized clinical trial. Chinese medicine,8(1), 1.
6. Newton, K. M., Reed, S. D., Guthrie, K. A., Sherman, K. J., Booth-LaForce, C., Caan, B., … & Cohen, L. S. (2014). Efficacy of yoga for vasomotor symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. Menopause (New York, NY),21(4), 339.
7. Reed, S. D., Guthrie, K. A., Newton, K. M., Anderson, G. L., Booth-LaForce, C., Caan, B., … & Freeman, E. W. (2014). Menopausal quality of life: RCT of yoga, exercise, and omega-3 supplements. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology,210(3), 244-e1.
8. Shahnazi, M., Nahaee, J., Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi, S., & Bayatipayan, S. (2013). Effect of black cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa) on vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of caring sciences,2(2), 105.
9. Thomas, A. J., Ismail, R., Taylor-Swanson, L., Cray, L., Schnall, J. G., Mitchell, E. S., & Woods, N. F. (2014). Effects of isoflavones and amino acid therapies for hot flashes and co-occurring symptoms during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause: A systematic review. Maturitas,78(4), 263-276.

Clinical Contributors

Emily Harrill

Clinical Support Specialist at Sanesco International, Inc.

Emily Harrill is our newest Clinical Support Specialist, and a graduate of UNC Asheville with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness Promotion. Improving quality of life for others is her ultimate goal. She enjoys being a part of the team at Sanesco, exploring wellness through the HPA-T Axis and encouraging others to use holistic, integrative means to achieve balanced health. She loves participating in challenging, empowering, and fun activities – especially Olympic weightlifting and belly dance.