Guide To Alternative Medicine
We explore alternative medicine for menopause in this guide. Every woman should have the luxury of receiving individualized treatment and care when it comes to menopause. They should be made aware of all the different options available, which could potentially help their symptoms. This is not a realistic option for many due to the constraints and pressures on health systems.
At Menopause Experts we aim to guide you through a comprehensive overview of the different options available, helping you to manage your symptoms. That could be discussing relevant lifestyle choices, HRT, and then of course there is a multitude of other options from the world of alternative medicine, covered within this guide.
A Quick Disclaimer About Alternative Medicine
Before we get too deep into this guide to alternative medicine, let’s just say something very obvious – this is a huge industry and a competitive one. The most important thing to consider if you decide to go down the herbal or supplement route is to make sure you know exactly what you are taking, what the side effects are, and will it react to any other medication you might be taking. Sounds basic advice doesn’t it? But the amount of people who trundle off to their local shop, buy a variety of supplements or herbs, and don’t have an inkling of how they might be interacting is quite alarming.
Some facts about herbs
Herbal medicines are made from plant parts such as leaves, roots, or flowers. These are active ingredients. Just because they are natural doesn’t mean they are safe to take and won’t have side effects. Herbal medicines like conventional medicines will have an effect on your body and can be potentially harmful if not used correctly.
- Herbs are treated as food supplements so aren’t subjected to the strict regulations of conventional drugs.
- In comparison to conventional regulated drugs, there is little scientific evidence.
- The choice can be confusing with many different strengths and contents available.
- Some herbs are not recommended for women who have had breast cancer as they have oestrogenic properties.
Seek Advice
Always consult a medical herbalist or a phytotherapist. They have the medical knowledge, skills and scientific understanding of plants plus they know what will interact with other medication you might be taking.
If buying over the counter always check the contents on the back and look out for the THR Traditional Herbal Registration logo (see below): This signifies these products are approved, you can be confident they have the correct dose of herb and that they are of high quality.
Do they work? Due to the lack of scientific research and evidence, you won’t get many Health Care Professionals recommending them. However, they definitely provide an option for women who choose not to go down the hormonal route, whether that be for personal or medical reasons.
But please do be cautious about what you are taking, don’t run into your local supplier grab half a dozen bottles and jars off the shelves in sheer desperation because various friends said they worked for them!
Note: Always remember that symptoms can change as you go through this menopausal transition so, the treatment you choose might need to change and be tweaked along the way.
Some Examples of Herbs
Black Cohosh
Can help with hot flushes and night sweats, mixed results so not as good as HRT, and can interact with other medicines.
Sage
Another herb that can potentially help hot flushes but again watch out for interactions with other medication
St John’s Wort
Said to help relieve hot flashes/flushes and can help with mood swings. Again watch levels of dosage and interaction. Important message: St John’s Wort cannot be mixed with some antidepressants.
Phytoestrogens & Alternative Medicine for Menopause
There is growing interest in Phytoestrogens, plant substances found in the diet. Phytoestrogens have similar effects as estrogens.
Basically, they have a similar chemical structure to estrogen which binds to the estrogen receptors in your body acting like hormone regulators.
There is a lot of research being done with phytoestrogens because in countries where they consume a diet rich in these isoflavones, e.g; Asia, there are lower reported levels of menopausal symptoms, lower rates of cardiovascular issues, osteoporosis, and various cancers.
Find them naturally within our diets through:
- Cereals: oats, barley rye, brown rice, couscous, and bulgur wheat.
- Seeds: sunflower, sesame, pumpkin, poppy, linseeds.
- Pulses: soya beans and all soy-based products.
- Beans: chickpeas, kidney beans, haricot beans, broad beans, green split peas.
- Soya, linseeds, and red clover being the richest sources.
It would be very hard to emulate the Asian diet with their different plant sources but adding some of these foods to your diet can be beneficial. Effects will obviously be variable depending on the type and quality of the source.
Supplements & Alternative Medicine for Menopause
Another option would be to use a supplement. There are so many supplements on the market, which can become quite confusing! Try to only use a recognized supplement that has evidenced-based research, spanning several years. Red Clover products for example carry quite substantial evidence and provide isoflavones.
Note:
- If you are taking a phytoestrogenic supplement then you should not combine this with certain food supplements or HRT as they may interact.
- High amounts of phytoestrogens are not recommended for anyone who has had breast cancer.
- Remember this market is not regulated as strictly as mainstream medicines.
Alternative Therapies & Menopause
Everyone should try and engage in some form of alternative therapy alongside having really good lifestyle choices. Remember that a fabulously healthy, nutritious diet and plenty of exercises really are the best ways to combat symptoms and manage menopause better. It is so important.
Which ones should you try? Well, essentially that’s a matter of finding one which suits you. We would definitely recommend either doing weekly pilates or yoga, known for strengthening and toning. This can also help with the tone of your pelvic floor and provide essential rest and relaxation techniques.
Reflexology, acupuncture, aromatherapy, positive mindfulness, are all therapies that can provide excellent and much-needed individualized therapy. There are so many choices out there. There may not be studies that can definitely say these therapies are beneficial to menopausal symptoms, but anything you do which is restorative and relaxing will help.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
It is now a recognized treatment option for helping ease vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes/flashes and night sweats) alongside anxiety and low moods. CBT helps to reduce stress and can help with insomnia.
To learn more about alternative medicine during menopause, look at our Menopause Experts Training.
‘As with any information created for or by Menopause Experts Group, the information in this post is accurate at time of posting and is for information purposes only. It is not intended to replace or substitute the judgment of any medical professional you may come in contact with. You should always seek advice from your health care professional regarding a medical condition’
