Menopause is the time in a woman's life when she stops menstruating, often occurring sometime after 45 years old. Ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Symptoms of menopause include changing period patterns, hot flashes and night sweats, sleep disturbance, mood swings, concentration difficulties, hair growth on the face and vaginal dryness. Women often try natural alternatives to menopause medications due to the side effects associated with hormone therapies.
Black Cohosh
Take 20 to 40 mg, one to two tablets, of this natural alternative for treating hot flashes. This supplement is not a long-term menopausal treatment. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements website says most women only take this supplement for about six months. Side effects include stomach discomfort, headaches, gastric complaints, weight problems and liver damage in rare cases.
Evening Primrose Oil
Take two to four 500 mg supplements as an alternative to menopause medications. According to the National Institute of Health National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine website, this natural alternative contains the essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic. Use this supplement to treat anxiety and breast pain associated with menopause. Side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort and headaches.
Grape Seed Extract
Use this natural alternative to treat skin dryness associated with menopause. This natural alternative comes from grape seeds and repairs cell damage caused by free radicals. This supplement helps heart and blood vessel conditions like high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries and poor circulation. According to the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine website, this natural alternative to menopausal medications has no side effects, and clinical trials show that you can take this supplement for up to eight weeks. Follow dosing instructions on the cover of the supplement.
Calcium
Keep bones healthy during menopause by taking calcium, magnesium and vitamin D. Estrogen deficiency after menopause reduces bone strength, but these natural supplements work together to keep bones strong. Magnesium helps metabolize calcium and vitamin D helps calcium absorption. Get 1,200 mg of calcium by consuming three servings of low-fat dairy a day. Get 400 mg of magnesium from foods like dark chocolate, halibut, whole grains, nuts and legumes. The sun and fortified cereals provide vitamin D.
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