Menopause is a tough time in any woman’s life, and there are certain normal body changes during this natural process that terminate her chances of getting pregnant. If a woman does not get periods for 12 months in a row, and there is no other medical cause for it such as illness or pregnancy, she has reached menopause. The time of change is called menopausal transition, or perimenopause by the doctors, and if you feel that you might be going through this transition phase, it is advisable to talk to your physician and let him or her know the symptoms. Menopause affects each woman differently, and the only common symptom you might experience is end of your periods.

Some of the most commonly experienced menopausal symptoms include change in the period pattern, vaginal dryness, hair loss, hot flashes, trouble sleeping through the night, trouble focusing, crying spells, flushed complexion, fuzzy thinking, weight gain, diaphoresis, breast tenderness, irritability,  and forgetfulness. 

Agnus Castus, black Cohosh, dong quai, femal, evening primrose oil, ginkgo biloba, kava kava, St John’s wort, sage, maca, and wild yam offer alternative treatment options, however, keep in mind that natural does not mean safe and certain herbal preparation may contain contaminants such as lead, arsenic and mercury which are extremely toxic to kidneys and liver. 

If used properly, menopausal hormone therapy can be quite useful in relieving the moderate to severe symptoms of menopause and also prevent the bone loss. MHT helps menopausal women by reducing hot flashes and night sweats, treats vaginal symptoms such as dryness and discomfort, increases the level of hormones progesterone and estrogen, eases mood swings and also slows down bone loss, but it may also increase the risk of certain medical conditions such as stroke, breast cancer and heart disease.

Menopause is not a disease and does not require any definitive treatment or cure. Using vitamin E, SSRI drugs, megestrol acetate, and neurontin for hot flashes, vaginal moisturizers, low dose vaginal estrogen ring, water-soluble lubricants and estrogen by mouth for dry vagina and painful intercourse, counseling, estrogen and SSRI drugs for depression and mood swings, and raloxifene, bisphosphonates, vitamin D, calcitonin, estrogen, and tamoxifen for bone loss during menopause have been quite helpful to alleviate the symptoms. 

So far, estrogen is considered the most effective treatment for hot flashes, however, the benefits and risks associate with this therapy must be carefully considered. Meditation, relaxation therapy massage, and acupuncture are the alternative therapies to help relieve symptoms of menopause, and certain natural remedies are quite useful for women who cannot take estrogen due to side effects.

Tags: menopause treatment guide, menopause treatment, black cohosh