Natural remedy for menopause to prevent hot flushes and balance hormones

Perimenopause is the period of gradual changes that lead into menopause. Although it can pass almost unnoticed for some women, others experience changes in mood, sleep, weight, appetite and concentration and may also suffer from uncomfortable and embarrassing hot flashes and night sweats. Menopause can be a stop-start process that may take months or years.

During perimenopause, the balance between the hormones oestrogen and progesterone begins to change. Hormone levels fluctuate, causing changes just as they did during adolescence. Sometimes oestrogen levels decline, while at other times there is a condition called 'oestrogen dominance', which may be a factor in some of the more troublesome symptoms of menopause as well as PMS and complaints like PCOS.

Induced menopause occurs if the ovaries are removed or damaged as in hysterectomy or chemotherapy. In this case, menopause begins immediately, with no perimenopause. The time after menopause is called postmenopause.

The average age for a woman's final period is 51, but it can occur as early as age 40 and as late as age 60. Each woman's experience with menopause is unique. Some women experience very few changes during this time, while others report noticeable symptoms.

It is useful to remember, however, that an alteration in the ratio between oestrogen and progesterone is a normal part of female aging and, in itself should not cause problems. Some researchers believe that it is the increase in female stress levels, as well as xeno-oestrogens (synthetic chemicals that mimic oestrogen in the body and found in pesticides, certain plastics, and the food and water supply) that have been responsible for the increase in troublesome menopausal symptoms caused by oestrogen dominance. Other sources of xeno-oestrogens are synthetic hormones found in the contraceptive pill and HRT. Xeno-oestrogens are thousands of times stronger than systemic oestrogen and can cause severe hormonal imbalances. Many naturopaths believe that the key to a healthy menopause is to keep these xeno-oestrogens out of the oestrogen receptor sites in the body, thereby encouraging healthy oestrogen/progesterone ratios.

Black Cohosh is one of the more thoroughly researched herbs which contains phytoestrogens and is approved by the German 'Kommission E" - a body similar to the FDA. Because Black Cohosh has mild oestrogen-like effects it will bind to oestrogen receptors, without raising oestrogen levels in the body - thereby lowering the oestrogenic activity of the body. Phytoestrogens can compete with excess systemic oestrogen and xeno-oestrogens and therefore help to balance systemic oestrogen production. In addition, research suggests that Black Cohosh also suppresses Luteinizing Hormone (LH), high levels of which are responsible for hot flashes, among other things.

Black Cohosh is one of the principle ingredients in our MellowPause remedy, along with Pasque Flower which is a well known tonic for the female reproductive system. In the case of severe menopausal symptoms, we recommend that MellowPause be taken together with Don Quai, which has been used for many centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Don Quai is also well researched and apart from its phyto-oestrogenic properties, it has also been shown to be effective in the induction of progesterone receptor activity, thereby further balancing the oestrogen/progesterone ratios. The changes leading to menopause may seem much more intense than those during puberty. The intensity may be affected by a woman's feelings about aging, including her reactions to social judgments about aging.

The more you know about menopause, the better prepared you will be to manage menopause-related problems.

• achy joints
• hot flashes
• temporary and minor decrease in the ability to concentrate or recall
• changes in sexual desire
• extreme sweating and 'hot flashes'
• headaches
• frequent urination
• early wakening
• vaginal dryness
• mood changes
• insomnia
• night sweats
• conditions commonly associated with PMS

Healthy transition during menopause can be assisted in a variety of ways, especially by maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. Avoid foods high in salt and fat, eat plenty of fresh fruit and salads, drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and stay away from the coffee! Follow a regular exercise routine and make sure that you take time to relax and 'chill' every day.

• Cimicifuga Racemosa (Black Cohosh) is a relaxing nerve tonic and has been used over the ages as a remedy for female gynaecological problems. Recent clinical studies done in Germany have confirmed that Cimicifuga is strongly estrogenic and that it is effective in relieving menopausal symptoms. It has as its main constituents triterpene glycosides, cinnamic acid derivatives, chromone, isoflavones, tannins and salicylic acid.
• Pulsatilla Vulgaris (Pasque Flower) is an important nerve relaxant and mild sedative, which is also a soothing analgesic for the female reproductive organs. Pulsatilla has also been used by patients trying to recover from dependence on benzodiazepine tranquillizers.