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"A Good Menopause Remedy Could Be Hard To Come By - Here Are The Facts!" Finding a Menopause remedy that works can be quite difficult. The sad truth is, there are very few remedies that have proven effective in treating the symptoms of Menopause. Many remedies found on other sites are 'folk remedies', remedies that have not been validated by scientific research. These herbal remedies claim to be helpful in treating the symptoms of Menopause. However, the FDA does not regulate these products, and there is little research backing up their claims. Each Menopause remedy that you decide to take should be thoroughly discussed with your physician. For a list of 'traditional' home remedies that you can make, plus additional herbs that help to alleviate Menopause symptoms, click on this link: Google News reports on a story from Medical, Health News and Articles that claims certain herbs may prove beneficial as a treatment for Menopause symptoms. Here is a list of the herbs mentioned: On this page, we hope to give you a factual overview of what works, and what doesn't. What Is Menopause [Top] Menopause is a normal condition that all women experience as they age. It happens in midlife and marks the end of a woman's fertile period. They will see a cessation of their monthly menstrual periods. At this time, a woman's reproductive glands, the Ovaries, cease to function. They will no longer release eggs as part of a woman's monthly menstrual cycle. There are many hormonal changes a woman may undergo. These changes may begin some 3 to 5 years before Menopause begins. This period is called Perimenopause. Starting at Perimenopause, a woman's ovaries begin to produce less of three essential hormones, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormonal changes will cause a woman to experience numerous symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety, feelings of dread, vaginal dryness, and Tinnitus. Check with your physician for a more complete list. Menopause most commonly occurs between age 48 and age 55. If a woman goes for a period of one year without menstruating, she has reached Menopause. Premature Menopause  [Top] Some women will experience Menopause before the age of 40. This condition is known as Premature Menopause. Premature Menopause can occur for a number of reasons, including:
However, in some women, Premature Menopause may be hard to diagnose from symptoms alone. You may need to have tests done to check the levels of two hormones produced by the ovaries. 1) Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) [Top] The first menopause remedy we will discuss is Black Cohosh. Black Cohosh has long been used by Native Americans to treat a variety of conditions, including: rheumatism, sore throat, respiratory tract infections, and various female conditions. Studies on this herb's effectiveness as a Menopause remedy are mixed. In one clinical trial, postmenopausal women were studied over a three-month period. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Black Cohosh against low-dose transdermal Estradiol in treating hot flashes, a menopausal symptom. Other symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, were measured at the start and end of this study. Additionally, hormonal and cholesterol levels were also recorded. Over this three-month period, these women kept a daily diary of the number of hot flashes occurring each day. These women were given either 40 milligrams of Black Cohosh daily or a 25-microgram patch of transdermal Estradiol every 7 days. Those women on the patch also received 10 milligrams of the prescription medicine Dihydrogesterone for the last 12 days of this period. At study's end, both Black Cohosh and the transdermal patches were found to be equally effective in relieving hot flashes. Additionally, they were both found to be equally effective in relieving depression and anxiety in these women. However, a search of seven computerized databases was done to find all randomized clinical trials (RCT) concerning Black Cohosh as a treatment for menopause. In the 4 studies found, there was no compelling evidence for the efficacy of this menopause remedy as a treatment for menopause. Dosage Recent data indicates 20 milligrams twice daily is sufficient. It is also available in tincture form; the proper dosage is two milliliters, taken twice daily. Contraindications Do not take this menopause remedy if you are taking any of the following medicines:
Do not take it if you have a history of breast Cancer. Side Effects You should stop taking Black Cohosh immediately if you're experiencing any of the following symptoms: Any kind of allergic reaction such as hives, swelling in the hands and face, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, or a rash Taking too much of Black Cohosh may cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, shaking, and a 'hyper' feeling. 2) Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis)  [Top] The second Menopause remedy we will discuss is Evening Primrose Oil (EPO). It has long been used to treat a variety of disorders ranging from Rheumatoid Arthritis to Dermatologic disorders. The essential ingredient in EPO is an essential fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid. Regarding its usefulness as an effective menopause remedy, there is little substantive research available. In two clinical studies, subjects received 4 - 6 grams daily of EPO or placebo for 3 - 4 months. At the studies' end, results indicated neither of the two trials demonstrated EPO was effective in treating menopausal symptoms. In another study, 56 women were given either 4 - 6 grams of EPO or placebo for a period of 6 months. The results of this study indicated EPO was not effective for treating Menopause. In 2002, researchers at Columbia University in New York analyzed 58 randomized, placebo-controlled studies of the effects of EPO on menopausal hot flashes. They came to the conclusion that EPO was ineffective as a treatment for hot flashes. The North American Menopause Society does not support the use of EPO as a treatment for hot flashes as there is not enough positive data to corroborate its use. Dosage The recommended dosage of EPO is 4 grams daily. Contraindications EPO is generally safe when taken at recommended dosages. Overdoses of EPO have been known to cause Gall Bladder attacks. If you are pregnant, or breast-feeding, contact your physician before taking EPO. It would be wise to avoid taking it if you are currently taking blood thinners such as Coumadin. Individuals taking the medicines Mellaril®, Prolixin®, Stelazine®, or Thorazine® should avoid taking it as it may cause life-threatening seizures. 3) Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)  [Top] The next Menopause remedy we will discuss is Dong Quai.It has long been used in traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean medicine. In these cultures, it is considered the “female Ginseng”, due to their belief that the root of this herb is effective in treating numerous female disorders. However, there is little scientific research confirming its usefulness as a Menopause remedy. Several medical databases were searched for clinical trials regarding herbal remedies and their effect on menopause symptoms. 58 trials were found, one of those was concerned with Dong Quai's effect on menopausal symptoms. The results of this database search indicated that Dong Quai was not an effective Menopause remedy. Another study of 71 postmenopausal women who had high levels of follicle-stimulating hormone. The objective was to determine what estrogen-like effects this herb had on vaginal cells, and the thickness of the endometrium, which is the inner surface of the female uterus. For twenty-four weeks, these women were given either Dong Quai or placebo. Their conclusion was this Menopause remedy did not produce any estrogen-like capability regarding endometrial thickness, and was no more effective then placebo as a treatment for the symptoms of menopause. Another study was done to investigate the estrogen-like activity of a number of herbs, which included Dong Quai. They studied the effect this Menopause remedy had on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells, which are breast cancer cells. The results of this study indicated that Dong Quai significantly increased the growth of MCF-7 cells. There is an oil in this herb called Safrole, that may be carcinogenic, or Cancer-causing. Dosage The dosage of this herb will vary from individual to individual; it is generally 3 to 15 grams Side Effects Side effects associated with Dong Quai consumption are:
Individuals that are allergic to members of the Apiaceae family should not take Dong Quai. Individuals taking this Menopause remedy are at increased risk of sensitivity to the sun (photosensitivity), with severe skin reactions occurring. Therefore, individuals that are taking medicines that cause photosensitivity should avoid taking this Menopause remedy. Do not take it if you are taking: Retin-A®, Renova®, and some types of antidepressants, antibiotics, Cancer medications, and anti-psychotics medicines. Check with your physician for a more complete list. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should not take this herb. It may increase your risk of bleeding, especially when taken with blood-thinners such as Coumadin. It may increase the time it takes your blood to clot. It may intensify the effects of heart medications such as:
4) Natural Progesterone Cream  [Top] The last Menopause remedy we will discuss is Natural Progesterone Cream. Prior to Menopause, the ovaries regularly secrete the hormone Progesterone. This hormone is necessary for the maintenance of a normal pregnancy. They will produce 20 to 30 milligrams of Progesterone over a two-week period after the egg has been released into the fallopian tubes. Progesterone normally counteracts the effects that Estrogen has on the body. During Menopause, Estrogen levels may drop 40 to 60 percent, but Progesterone levels may drop to near zero. Progesterone hormone therapy is important for a number of reasons, but the most important reason is to balance the effects of Estrogen. If Estrogen levels are not controlled, a woman is at greater risk for developing breast and other Cancers. One study done in 1999 by the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, found this Menopause remedy reduced hot flashes when compared to the placebo group. Some women 10 to 15 years before Menopause will produce adequate levels of Estrogen, enough to cause menstruation. However, they may fail to produce adequate levels of Progesterone. Natural Progesterone Cream is easily absorbed through the skin. It is best absorbed in areas of the skin were people blush. For Premenopausal Women, the usual dose is 15 to 24 milligrams daily, taken 14 days before the start of her period. She should stop using the cream a day or so before menstruation begins. For Postmenopausal women, a dose of 15 milligrams daily, taken 25 days each month should be adequate. Subscribe to the Home Remedies Blog by clicking on this link:  Return From Menopause Remedy to Home Page
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