Menopause 
With all the symptoms that can appear as a result of hormonal imbalance, the menopausal transition can be a difficult time. Some of the most common symptoms are night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, and fatigue, which can all have a significant impact on daily life. Keep reading for four natural ways to treat your menopausal symptoms.
A Good Diet
Not only does a healthy diet help balance hormone levels, it also improves overall health. Replace saturated fats with healthier vegetable oils. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains helps provide the body with all the essential vitamins and minerals. A deficiency in any of these nutrients can often make menopause symptoms worse. Finally, consuming more phytoestrogenic foods, like soy products, can directly increase hormone levels.
An Exercise Routine
Exercise is one of the best ways to curb menopausal symptoms. It both makes your body healthier, and boosts hormone production by increasing blood flow. This offsets common symptoms like fatigue and loss of libido. The recommended amount of aerobic exercise is 30 minutes five times a week.
Stress Relief
Menopause can often feel like a vicious cycle. Your symptoms cause stress, but stress make these symptoms worse. Try to break the cycle with relaxing activities like doing a hobby, spending time with your friends, or reading. Meditative activities like yoga may also help.
Herbal Supplements
To accompany healthy lifestyle changes, some natural herbal supplements have been found to help relieve menopausal symptoms. Phytoestrogenic herbal supplements like black cohosh, dong quai, and ginseng are thought to relieve symptoms by adding more estrogen to the body, but they can cause some adverse side effects. Hormone-regulating herbal supplements may help boost hormonal production naturally without side effects.
Lifestyle changes, coupled with natural remedies, can alleviate most menopausal symptoms. If you find your symptoms are worsening, you may want to consult a medical professional. Click the following link to learn more about treatments for menopause symptoms.
Sources
- BMJ Group. "Menopause: What is it?" Patient Leaflet. 2007.
- Hopkins, Virginia. Lee, John R. M.D. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause. New York: Warner Books Inc., 1996.
- Love, Susan M.D. Menopause and Hormone Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
- Martin, Raquel. The Estrogen Alternative. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 2000.
