Natural Menopause Solutions

Menopause is a natural phase of a woman's life. It is intrinsically no more distressing or negative than the onset of menstruation, yet the media and the medical community are extremely invested in convincing us that it is a "disease" that must be treated with pharmaceuticals and averted. The problem with the pharmaceuticals, themselves, is that they are expensive and often cause unwanted side-effects and have been known to increase the risk of breast cancer. Aside from that, the production of them, disposal of them, and the disposal of wastewater that inevitably contains them is an environmental nightmare.

The problem with the concept of menopause as a disease is that it is untrue. Menopause can be an uncomfortable experience, but it is not a disease. It is a life passage that all women who reach middle age encounter. Approaching menopause with an open mind and an attitude of capability goes a long way toward overcoming the discomfort of the symptoms.

There are a lot of natural, inexpensive things you can do to treat the symptoms of menopause. These may include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia, tiredness, weight gain, and depression or nostalgia. These symptoms can be effectively addressed with herbal supplements, nutritional supplements, hydration, a good eating plan and exercise.

First, and foremost, be sure you drink plenty of pure water! It is the single-most positive step you can take toward managing just about any health condition. Many of the maladies we experience from skin conditions to arthritis can be eased with proper hydration. Staying hydrated will help with hot flashes, aches and pains, and vaginal dryness as well as improving your general health. Get yourself a water purifying pitcher and use it constantly to provide yourself with plenty of fresh pure drinking water. Also enjoy herbal teas and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to stay well- hydrated and well-nourished.

Herbal treatments that I have found quite effective against hot flashes are Black Cohosh and Red Clover extract. You will find that Black Cohosh is the main ingredient in a number of over-the-counter medications directed at menopause symptoms. The preparations are often quite expensive. Black Cohosh is relatively inexpensive at about $7 for 100 capsules. When I tried taking Black Cohosh (40 mg capsules) alone, it did not have much effect, so I added Red Clover(100 mg capsules). It is another ingredient commonly found in over-the-counter menopause preparations. It, too costs about $7 for 100 capsules. When I started taking the Red Clover with the Black Cohosh, my hot flashes diminished. I tried taking it alone, and they returned, so for me, a combination of the two herbs is necessary. I take three capsules of each daily, interspersed throughout the day.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids have also been found effective in managing the symptoms of menopause. One study, conducted in 2008 showed that women who took three gel capsules (1 gram) of Omega 3 Fatty Acids of marine origin (fish oil) daily experienced a significant lessening of hot flashes and depressive symptoms. In fact the incidence of hot flashes was decreased by almost half, and the women reported feeling more positive and upbeat. It is unclear if this result is a direct physical result or a positive side-effect of the lessening of the hot flashes, but either way, it is good news.

I have taken Omega 3 Fatty Acids on an ongoing basis for many years, so I am unable to say that taking it caused any change in my own menopause symptoms. However, I will say that my symptoms were relatively moderate from the outset, and surely the Omega 3 Fatty Acids that I have been taking all along must have something to do with that.

I have also found that stress reduction is very helpful in alleviating the symptoms of menopause. This is especially true with hot flashes. I found that changing activities suddenly or any upsetting situation would exacerbate this symptom. So I think it is important to avoid stress, choose your battles, and practice stress reduction techniques as much as possible.

Of course, exercise is an excellent stress reduction technique. It doesn't have to be anything major. A 15 minute walk once or twice a day or a swim can be really helpful in lowering blood pressure and reducing stress. Having down time in the form of prayer, meditation or simply time alone to think is also an excellent way to reduce stress.

For a combination of these two techniques, yoga may be the ultimate in stress reduction exercise for women experiencing menopause. Breath control helps with stress, cools the system, and helps relieve anxiety. Meditation techniques can help with sorting emotions and keeping them under control. The physical motions and stretches of yoga can help diminish stress related aches and pains and remove some of the physical discomfort associated with menopause. Yoga also is helpful in maintaining health and flexibility as we age.

By combining exercise, a healthy food plan, herbal and nutritional supplements and techniques to quiet the body, mind and spirit, it is possible to manage menopause symptoms. The ability to manage the symptoms gives us control, and that can help alleviate feelings of helplessness. Menopause is a natural transition in life that I have actually found empowering. I am more calm, more settled, more sure and stronger now than I have ever been. I have gone through menopause without drugs and experienced only moderate symptoms. I believe that any woman who has faith in her own power to determine her life combined with a willingness to proactively manage her own health can do the same.

Favorite things to help with Menopause Symptoms:

Evian Spelled Backward is Naive
http://hubpages.com/hub/Evian-Spelled-Backward-is-Nave

The Fill Your Plate Eating Plan
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Fill-Your-Plate-Eating-Plan

Advice On Lifting Anxiety With Exercise
http://www.advice.com/article.jsp?id=3e9a84fc115b40dabe7de83695f40b4e