Natural Menopause Remedies
and Solutions

 

I'm sure many of you have heard of the dangers of hormone replacement therapy, but what specifically are the dangers? Are they really that risky, or do some make a big deal out of nothing? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons behind the scare, and discover what choices are available for women to ease their menopause symptoms.

 

Until recently, it was typically believed that boosting estrogen levels after the beginning of menopause symptoms could also protect against heart disease and osteoporosis, while improving quality of life and keeping women feeling younger. For many years these forms of therapy were taken for granted, by both women and the medical establishment.

 

Is there proof of this danger?

Recently, the safety of HRT was put into doubt when in 2002 a large clinical trial called the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) reported that hormone therapy actually posed more health risks than benefits for women. As the number of health hazards attributed to hormone therapy grew, doctors became less likely to prescribe it.

 

These trials were stopped due to some concern that the frequency of negative health risks were indeed too great to continue. The study found, among other things, that women who took combined hormone replacement therapy had higher risks of heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, and other health problems. Although some of the data may be still in dispute, for the most part it has cast a shadow on this form of treatment. Women are more likely today to be wary of such drug treatments, and are seeking more natural alternatives.

 

With these increased risks in mind, long-term HRT is no longer recommended, especially in women who smoke or have other health risks. Short-term use may be recommended for some symptoms of menopause, and may be prescribed by your doctor. It is always a good idea to ask your doctor for his advice and to weigh the risks versus the rewards provided. If your doctor has no concerns about the therapy, perhaps it is time to seek another opinion as some may not be aware of the consequences to women.

 

What are the alternatives for treatment?

 

Many women today are turning towards alternative treatments such as herbal and plant-based remedies. Although they have sceptics, many women find relief from the symptoms of menopause in these natural forms of medicine, and the risks appear to be reduced or eliminated compared to the dangers of HRT.

 

The health risks of some natural remedies are not known, since conclusive research has not been done on their long-term use as of yet. The main things a woman can do to increase the likelihood of avoiding negative health issues is to take care of her self, getting plenty of exercise, eating a more natural wholesome diet, drinking plenty of water, and of course staying away from smoking entirely. Learn as much as you can about how to stay healthy, and you will see better management of your menopause symptoms.