Menopause is marked by the loss of regular menstrual cycles. It occurs at an average age of 51 in American women and up to 80% of them will experience hot flashes or other symptoms. The lack of menstrual bleeding for a year or more defines menopause. The average time is 4 years from early menstrual changes to complete lack of menses.

Vasomotor symptoms, which include hot flashes, night sweats, and cold hands and feet, often cause women to seek relief. Other symptoms include vaginal dryness, urinary tract problems, mood changes, facial hair growth, increased wrinkling, osteoporosis, and heart disease.

A variety of nutritional and herbal products are used to help control or prevent symptoms. Some of these are soy, Dong quai, vitamin E, flaxseed, red clover, and black cohosh. Of these soy has been most extensively studied. Amounts of 25 to 200 mg/day of soy protein appear to improve hot flashes and vaginal dryness. In addition, the FDA has recently stated that soy protein in these amounts improve cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease. Animal studies show that soy may also prevent osteoporosis and breast cancer. Black cohosh has also been shown to improve hot flashes, although its effects on vaginal dryness have varied. Vitamin E and flaxseed oils are protective antioxidants and may help with dryness; however, they have not exhibited effects on hot flashes.

As with all natural products, it may take months for you to see improvement in symptoms with these products. You should avoid smoking, alcohol, and spicy foods to help decrease hot flashes. Soy protein in your diet of at least 25 gm/day before you begin to experience symptoms of menopause may help you avoid them.

Medical treatments include hormone replacement therapy. Various forms of estrogen and progesterone are used to replace decreased hormone production. Testosterone is often added to help increase interest in sex. Women at high risk of osteoporosis may also be started on medication to prevent bone loss. Women are often concerned about the increased risk of cancer with hormone replacement therapy, but appropriate combinations can help to minimize this risk. Of increasing popularity are natural hormone creams that combine low-dose estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone. These can be formulated at the lowest effective doses to reduce the risks associated with hormone therapy.

Taos Pharmacy stocks a variety of natural products for women's health. We also are Taos' only compounding pharmacy. Working with your doctor we can prepare natural hormone replacement therapy formulated especially for you.

[Return to Archive Index]

[PageTop]