Natural Hormones for Treating Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms

Many women who are experiencing unpleasant perimenopause or menopause symptoms are considering alternative treatments based on natural hormones as a means of alleviating them. Conventional hormone replacement therapy is generally regarded as a very reliable and effective treatment for a wide range of perimenopause or menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, fatigue, a decline in libido, mood swings, depression and memory lapses. However, the issue of whether or not it may increase the risk of breast cancer and other serious health problems such as blood clots remains controversial. Many women are seeking treatments based on natural hormones as an alternative, believing them to be free from the same potential health risks. It's very important to understand that any kind of medical treatment, whether naturally derived or not, carries with it the risk of side effects, harmful interactions and allergic reactions. It's very wise to discuss your symptoms and your concerns with your doctor, and get individual, professional advice on the treatment options which are most suitable for you.

Treatments for menopause symptoms derived from natural hormones.

There are a number of types of natural plant based treatments for perimenopause symptoms. Perhaps the most widely used are made from plants rich in natural phytoestrogens, sometimes known as isoflavones, which are chemically very similar to the natural estrogen produced by the ovaries. The effectiveness of these types of treatments relies on the assumption that phytoestrogens have the same effect in the body as the body's own natural hormones. High levels of phytoestrogens are found in food products made from soy, and herbs such as dong quai, licorice root and black cohosh.

Some doctors believe that declining levels of progesterone have a more significant role in causing menopause symptoms than is conventionally believed. Natural treatments which are designed to restore progesterone levels most commonly take the form of a topically applied cream made from an extract of Mexican wild yam, which contains a substance similar to human progesterone. Natural progesterone treatments may also involve taking supplements of extracts from herbs such as chaste tree berry.