Menopause Health Article

Diagnosis

The clearest indication of menopause is the absence of a period for one full year. It is also possible to diagnose menopause by testing hormone levels. If it has been at least three months since a woman's last period, a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test might be helpful in determining whether menopause has occurred. FSH levels rise steadily as a woman ages. The FSH test alone cannot be used as proof that a woman has entered early menopause. A better measure of menopause is to determine the levels of FSH, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and other hormones.

Treatment

Some women also report success in using natural remedies to treat the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Not all women need estrogen and some women cannot take it due to adverse side effects. Many doctors do not want to give hormones to women who are still having their periods, however erratically. Only a third of menopausal women in the United States try HRT and of those who do, eventually half of them drop the therapy. As for alternative therapies, most have only received attention in the United States in the past decade or so. Debate continues until scientific studies can prove these treatments' effectiveness on menopausal symptoms. As interest in alternative therapies for menopause continues, so will research. In the meantime, women should consult their physicians when adding alternative therapies to treatment of menopause symptoms.

General dietary recommendations include raw foods, fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fresh vegetable juices. Some foods are recommended because they contain phytoestrogens. Intake of dairy products and meats should be reduced. Pork and lunch meats should be avoided.

Herbs

Herbs have been used to relieve menopausal symptoms for centuries. Women who choose to take herbs for menopausal symptoms should learn as much as possible about herbs and work with a qualified practitioner (an herbalist, a traditional Chinese doctor, or a naturopathic physician).

The following list of herbs include those that herbalists recommend to treat menopausal symptoms:

• black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa): shown to reduce hot flashes, other menstrual complaints at a recommended dose of 20 mg twice daily
• black currant: breast tenderness
• chaste tree/chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus): hot flashes, excessive menstrual bleeding, moodiness
• chickweed (Stellaria media): hot flashes
• evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis): mood swings, irritability, breast tenderness
• fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): hot flashes, digestive gas, bloating
• flaxseed (linseed): excessive menstrual bleeding, breast tenderness, and other symptoms, including dry skin and vaginal dryness
• ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba): memory problems
• ginseng (Panax ginseng): hot flashes, fatigue, vaginal thinning
• hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata): memory problems, fuzzy thinking
• horsetail (Equisetum arvense): osteoporosis
• lady's mantle: excessive menstrual bleeding
• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root: general menopausal symptoms
• Mexican wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) root: vaginal dryness, hot flashes, general menopause symptoms
• motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca): night sweats, hot flashes
• oat (Avena sativa) straw: mood swings, anxiety
• passionflower (Passiflora incarnata): insomnia, pain
• raspberry leaf: normalizes hormonal system
• sage (Salvia officinalis): mood swings, headaches, night sweats
• skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): insomnia
• sesame oil: vaginal dryness (applied topically)
• valerian (Valeriana officinalis): insomnia
• violet (Viola odorata): hot flashes.