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Menopause encompasses more than a permanent absence of the
monthly menstrual cycle; it includes a series of events and changes
in the female human body. The ages at which these changes start to
take place vary widely between women. Some women may begin menopause
as early as their 30’s, and symptoms may last well into one’s 60’s.
Others may not begin menopause until they’ve reach their late 40’s.
Doctors have officially described menopause as the time period
beginning 12 months after your last menstrual cycle.
Although
its signs and symptoms may be uncomfortable, it is important to
realize that menopause is not an illness or disease. It is a natural
process related to physical, psychosocial, and hormonal changes that
the body must go through. Women should not fear menopause as being
the end of their sexuality or youth. Whereas historically very few
women lived beyond the menopausal mark, in this day and age many
women live at least half of their life after menopausal changes have
taken place.
Nutritional supplements that may help
with menopause
Studies have shown soybeans,
which contain phytoestrogen compounds that are similar in structure
to the make up of estrogen, to have a positive influence on the
menstrual cycle of pre-menopausal women. And, although some research
has reported the estrogenic properties of soy to be relatively
faint, it has been observed that women living societies
traditionally inclined to consume large amounts of soy products have
a minimal occurrence of hot flashes throughout menopause.
In
years past, the use of supplemental vitamin E was
studied in relation to its effect on menopausal symptoms. The
majority of the research found vitamin E to be beneficial; and now,
many doctors are suggesting that menopausal women take a supplement
containing 800 IU of vitamin E once a day for at least three months.
If symptoms decrease and the supplements are deemed useful, the
treatment can go on. Some studies have shown statistically
substantial changes in menopausal women who were given a lower dose
of vitamin E for a shorter amount of time; however, only minor
clinical improvements were observed.
Herbal
supplements that may help with menopause
The use of
black cohosh
as a treatment for women suffering from menopausal hot flashes is
supported by numerous research studies. It has been found to be both
effective and safe with many doctors recommending a dose of
concentrated extract to be taken twice a day in the amount of 20mg.
A dose of 2-4 ml of tincture taken three times a day has also proved
beneficial.
Supporting
Literature
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et al. Dietary intervention study to assess estrogenicity of dietary
soy among postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab
1995;80:1685–88.
Christy CJ. Vitamin E in menopause: Preliminary
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1945:50:84.
Liske E. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of
Cimicifuga racemosa for gynecological disorders. Advances Therapy
1998;15:45–53.
Lieberman S. A review of the effectiveness of
Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) for the symptoms of menopause. J
Womens Health 1998;7:525–9.
Cassidy A, Bingham S, Setchell KD.
Biological effects of a diet of soy protein rich in isoflavones on
the menstrual cycle of premenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr
1994;60:330–40.
Gozan HA. The use of vitamin E in treatment of
the menopause. NY State J Med 1952;52:1289.
Knight DC, Eden JA. A
review of the clinical effects of phytoestrogens. Obstet Gynecol
1996;87:895–903.
Perloff WH. Treatment of the menopause. Am J
Obstet Gynecol 1949;58:684–94.
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