Menopause Symptoms and Herbs for Menopause
As the body of a woman begins to change, moving into perimenopause and heading towards the state of menopause, a woman will experience a number of symptoms along with physical changes to the chemistry of the body. While most women opt of Hormone Replacement Therapies, many in recent years have turned to what some would call "Alternative Approaches". To combat the Hot Flashes, Insomnia, Mood Swings, Forgetfulness, Fatigue, Headaches, Anxiety and other changes that begin to occur in perimenopause women and their doctors have been choosing herbs, vitamin and natural remedies to deal with some of these symptoms and side effects.
We will look at the alternative herbs for menopauses provided to relieve suffering for women. Herbal substances are naturally occurring chemicals, often roots or plants, which have been harvested and prepared for medical purposes. One of the most important things to remember when considering the herbs for menopause treatment is to consider that herbs, just like any other prescription medication, must be managed, as there can still be harmful interactions and dangerous side effects.
Most common known menopause symptom is hot flashes. Many recent studies have recommended Cimicfuga Racemosa for hot flashes. A plant found in the forest of America, popularly named of Black Cohosh but is also known as Black Snake Root, Rattle Weed and Squaw Root. A widely popular drug in Germany, early native American women used the root for many medicinal purposes. There have been no documented toxic side effects and it is considered one of the few herbal options available for the treatment of hot flashes.
Another common known menopause symptoms is insomnia. Noted here are few herbs for menopause used for the symptom of insomnia. While melatonin has become a popular natural remedy for good sleep there are a wide variety of other herbs, which also help promote sleep. Kava Kava is found to have no known side effects and to be very effective over time in promoting sleep. Valerian root (Capon's Tail) is used widely in Europe to help aid with mild sleep disorders and anxiety. Finally, Humulus Lupus(Hops), a roadside shrub found in Europe helps to aid menopausal woman suffering from sleeping problems.
Anxiety is one of the menopause symptoms and numbers of herbs for menopause used in the treatment of anxiety vary. Anxiety can be treated with Valerian Root and Kava Kava. St Johns' Wort or Hypericm Perforatum(Goats Weed) can be used. While St. John's Wort has grown in popularity recently there are serious precautions to be taken before beginning the use of this herb. When taking St. John's Wort one must avoid cheese, alcohol and foods with tyramine. St. John's Wort must not be taken if on any other prescribes anti-depressants. Passion Flower or Maypop is a climbing vine from the America's, used widely in Europe for its sedative nature.
Vaginal and Bladder Infections can also be treated with herbs. Bearberry can be used for chronic bladder infections. The caution with bearberry is that it can have a number of significant side effects if taken in too large of a dose. Goldenseal can be taken to effectively reduce the problems of cramps along with the irritation and inflammation of the vagina.
Fatigue is one of the common menopause symptoms. Ginseng, a Chinese drug, has been known not only to ease fatigue suffered during menopause, but also to prevent thinning of the vagina. Its side effects include mild breast tenderness, which should be temporary in nature.
Forgetfulness is yet another menopause symptoms that is treated with herbs. Ginko Biloba is the herbal answer if the memory skills tapered off a bit. It has properties associated with the relief of breathing difficulties. Forgetfulness, 'foggy brain' and lack of concentration are common symptoms in menopausal women for which Ginko Biloba has provided an herbal relief.
Evening Primrose and Flax Seed Oil are good herbal treatments for PMS symptoms.
Few herbs are known for the treatment of uncommon hair growth during menopause. Saw Palmetto has been gaining notoriety in studies for men, some believe it has a use in reducing unwanted hair growth for women. Too few studies have been done in this area and results are still tentative.