Treating Menopause Symptoms With Alternative Medicine

Trying to describe all of the symptoms a woman may experience during menopause is difficult. Many women have different symptoms and suffer from them at different levels. For example, some women may suffer from insomnia, while others may experience joint pain as their major symptom.

Medical doctors have difficulty explaining why some women suffer from joint pain related to a decrease in hormone levels and why some women may even experience a psychological impact due to this aging process. Other women may hardly be bothered at all.

Hot flashes, another symptom, are also experienced at different levels. Some women may experience short periods of mild hot flashes, while others will actually suffer from night sweats and break out in perspiration during the day.

Menopause may actually feel like an illness to some women as they suffer through the natural process of aging, but it is actually just symptomatic of estrogen levels declining.

Whatever the level of severity of menopause symptoms may be, it is becoming increasingly popular for women today to treat symptoms naturally, thus avoiding any negative side effects that can stem from using prescription hormonal medications.

If you would like to consider some natural remedies for the treatment of hot flashes and menopause symptoms, there are some lifestyle changes that may ease your symptoms.

As hard as it may seem, you may want to begin with cutting back on your caffeine intake. Caffeine is a stimulant and may actually worsen the symptoms of hot flashes. If you love having your favorite cup of coffee every morning, try to limit yourself to about one-and-a-half cups per day. If you normally drink more than that, you can begin cutting back gradually and replacing your cup of coffee with water or decaf coffee.

Due to the stimulating effects of nicotine, women who smoke may actually experience more intensified effects of menopause symptoms including hot flashes. If the worsening symptoms of menopause drive you to stop smoking, you can contact 1-800-QUIT-NOW for help from local resources in your area.

It is also important to exercise while going through menopause. Studies have shown that engaging in regular physical activity is not only healthy for you, but may actually lessen the severity of hot flashes. Engaging in activities such as yoga, aerobics and muscle-strengthening exercises will do wonders for improving your overall health and stamina.

Many women are also choosing herbal remedies to ease their menopause symptoms. One of the most common herbal remedies is black cohosh. Research has shown that black cohosh may relieve symptoms of menopause. However, it is best to consult your physician before beginning any herbal treatment.

Another way to help ease menopause symptoms is to take a look at your daily diet and see if there are needed changes. Make sure you are eating a variety of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, which will help maintain a healthy weight and lessen the severity of hot flashes. Scientific studies have shown that consuming foods rich in soy may also decrease symptoms of hot flashes. Soy contains isoflavones, which can have effects similar to estrogen supplements. You may find soy in products such as milk, tofu and edamame. It is also possible that decreasing your intake of alcohol and spicy foods can lessen the symptoms of hot flashes.

Wearing clothes that are loose and made of cotton may also help when you are experiencing hot flashes or night sweats. You may also want to dress in layers, so that you are able tolerate effects of the hot flashes.

Adjusting the thermostat in your house to a lower temperature will also help you feel more comfortable when combating hot flashes. Other ideas that may help give you quick relief during a hot flashes are fans in your office, ceiling fans in your house, cool showers when possible and avoiding warm places or being outside for long periods during the summer months.

For women who suffer from joint discomfort during menopause, using hyaluronic acid may be a natural treatment to try. Hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant in the joints and other tissues and is used as a treatment for various joint disorders such as osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic can be taken in pill form or by injections. As with any other new health regimen, get the go ahead from your health care professional before starting anything new.