It's also hard to know what you're getting studies have shown that the potency and quality of such products varies widely. And because there's so little data on these substances, no one really knows yet how much of them you need to take to feel better. Yet some of them can be just as powerful - and dangerous - as traditional drugs. Many natural remedies are considered nutritional supplements rather than drugs, and thus aren't as closely regulated by the government as prescription and over-the-counter medications. Although a number of these substances have been used for years by herbalists, most alternative treatments haven't been widely studied, so questions about safety remain. There is little data on their effectiveness or safety. These cure-all cocktails may contain ginseng, fenugreek, licorice, sarsaparilla, flaxseed, red clover, or chaste-tree berry. If you want to try it, herbal experts recommend that you see a qualified Chinese herbalist who can prescribe an appropriate combination of herbs tailored to your particular needs.Ī host of other over-the-counter nutritional supplements and herbal mixtures claim to relieve a wide range of menopausal complaints.
You can buy dong quai in the form of a powder, pill, or tincture, but taking it alone or in commercially prepared products is likely to be ineffective and may cause unwanted side effects like a skin rash or heavy menstrual bleeding.
The Chinese herbal remedy dong quai is frequently promoted as a treatment for menopausal symptoms, but a recent six-month trial of 71 postmenopausal women found that when used on its own, it didn't offer any relief from hot flashes. If you notice any symptoms of liver damage when taking black cohosh, such as abdominal swelling or dark urine, stop taking the herb and see a doctor immediately.) (Caution: There have been reports of liver damage from some commercial black cohosh products, although it is not clear if the black cohosh itself was to blame, according to the National Institutes of Health. Black cohosh extract is available at most health-food stores the majority of the studies have used the product Remifemin at a dose of 40 milligrams per day. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine says there is not yet enough scientific evidence to draw any conclusions about the effectiveness of black cohosh in relieving menopausal symptoms. And research published in the journal Menopause showed that black cohosh had no effect on symptoms such as vaginal dryness or changes in reproductive hormones. However, the National Institutes of Health conducted a clinical trial and found no difference between women who took black cohosh and those who took a placebo, or dummy pill, when it came to how many hot flashes they had.
In one study, 80 women who took it for three months cut their average number of hot flashes from five a day to just one. Germany's Ministry of Health has approved the herb for the treatment of hot flashes. Many experts advise against taking soy powder until further research is done.īlack cohosh root has long been heralded by herbalists as an effective remedy for various menopause-related complaints. If you want to try soy, check the grocery or health-food store for foods like tofu, tempeh, miso, soy milk, and roasted soy nuts. Here's the rundown on alternative treatments:Įxperts have long known that Japanese women, who eat large quantities of soy, suffer fewer hot flashes than women in the West, and preliminary studies in the United States support this observation. These products are sold as an alternative to synthetic progesterone (or progestin).īe sure to talk with your doctor before trying these alternative remedies, as some supplements interact with prescription medication or may harm people with certain medical conditions.
Creams made from wild yam extract converted in a lab into a form of progesterone have been promoted by some alternative practitioners for the treatment of hot flashes and vaginal dryness, although little research has been done on their safety or efficacy. Black cohosh root may bring some relief from hot flashes, with potentially fewer side effects than estrogen. Women who decide not to supplement their declining levels of estrogen with prescription hormones may want to choose from a variety of "natural" remedies that may help relieve their menopausal symptoms. What natural alternatives to hormone replacement therapy are there?