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The Menopause — Naturally The menopause is a significant change in a woman's life, but it is not an illness. The changes of the menopause are normal — natural. This does not mean, however, that the menopause is always easy. Hot flushes, vaginal dryness, aches and pains and signs of ageing can be difficult to adjust to. Women seeking help around the menopause are often given information only about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This online booklet looks at natural and complementary approaches to the menopause. During the menopause, a woman's body begins to slow its production of oestrogen. This change in hormone levels can cause irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. Some women also experience aches and pains, mood swings, anxiety and insomnia (difficulty sleeping). |
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 To relieve these symptoms, many women are advised by their doctors to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But HRT may not be right for every woman. Some women feel the risks that come with HRT are greater than the benefits. For example: if a woman takes HRT for more than five years, her risk of developing breast cancer increases. There are also higher risks of developing blood clots. Other women simply do not want to use chemical treatments for what is a natural, normal stage in life. A natural approach The treatments, therapies and approaches in this leaflet acknowledge that the menopause is a natural change in every woman's life. They take a holistic approach to relieving symptoms. That is, they focus on the whole body, the whole person. They do not involve surgery or the use of pharmaceutical drugs. This leaflet introduces the main natural approaches to the menopause: This is followed by a look at how each approach can help to ease specific symptoms of the menopause. Some of the treatments and approaches in this article have limited clinical research to back them up. This does not mean they do not work. Unlike conventional medical treatments, natural therapies are personalised. This can make them more difficult to study in a controlled environment. They are, however, supported by the personal experiences of thousands of women who have tried them. We have chosen approaches with the most evidence to support them. Note: Many women use natural progesterone cream as an alternative to HRT. This leaflet does not look at natural progesterone because, although part of it comes from a wild yam, it is chemically created. Women's Health does not endorse one health care approach over another. We believe all women should have the information they need to make informed choices about their own health and well-being. | |||||||||||||||
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Written by Tamara Beus and published in printed format (2000) by Women's Health
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