If you are going through the process of menopause, you more than likely are looking into every possible treatment plan to help you reduce the symptoms associated with this process.  While there are a number of medications and therapies available to help women go through menopause more comfortably, many of these treatments have potentially harmful side effects that make them undesirable.  As such, it is worth looking into alternative medicine strategies that can be used instead of these medical methods or complementary strategies that can be used along with other medical treatments.

 

Phytoestrogens

 

Since treatment of menopause often involves hormone therapy, phytoestrogens can be used to aid in this process.  Phytoestrogens occur naturally in certain foods, with the primary forms of these hormones being lignans and isoflavones.  Lignans can be found in flaxseed and whole grains.  It is also found in some vegetables and fruits.  Isoflavones, on the other hand, are found in soybeans and chickpeas, though some other legumes contain isoflavones as well. 

 

Phytoestrogens first gained the attention of researchers when they noticed that women in China and Japan tended to have less of the symptoms associated with menopause.  Since these women tend to follow diets that are high in isoflavones, researchers wondered if there might be a connection. Although research is taking place as to the effectiveness of phytoestrogens in helping to reduce menopause symptoms, its effectiveness still remains to be proven.

 

Black Cohosh

 

An herb that is used extensively for treating menopause symptoms of women in Europe, black cohosh has only recently started to gain in popularity in the United States.  Although there are few scientific studies into the effectiveness of black cohosh, numerous women claim to have found relief from hot flashes with the help of this herbal supplement.  In fact, so many women stand by its effectiveness that the North American Menopause Society has officially supported its use on a short term basis.  The long term effects of using the herb are unknown, but research has shown that there is a very low risk of experiencing side effects when taken for six months or less.

 

Vitamin E

 

Vitamin E is not just good for your skin, it may also help you battle mild hot flashes.  Although there is no scientific data to support that Vitamin E is helpful, many women have experienced relief with the help of the vitamin.  Just be sure to consume no more than 400 IUs of the vitamin as taking more than that each day may not be safe.

 

There are other alternative medicine strategies that some women swear by.  These include taking evening primrose oil, licorice, dong quia, wild yam, and chasteberry.  Before following any of these alternative treatments, however, it is important to consult with your doctor because some herbal products interact with medications in an undesirable way.  In addition, if you experience side effects while following an alternative treatment program, be sure to stop immediately and talk it over with your doctor or health specialist.