Natural Treatment For Menopause

Menopause
Written By Michelle Blum - Acupuncturist & Naturopath

What you need to know about natural menopause treatments

Night sweats? Hot flushes? Bizarre mood swings? Welcome to menopause!

Officially, “menopause” is when your periods have stopped for 12 months due to lack of estrogen.(1)

Peri-Menopause on the other hand, is the phase in which a woman’s body gradually ceases to menstruate. Oestrogen and progesterone production decline, eggs are no longer released in the ovaries, and the body slowly switches off its ability to reproduce. 

While this transitional phase is natural and inevitable, the significant change in hormone levels can cause symptoms that many women struggle with. It is estimated that around 80% of women aged 40–60 experience menopausal symptoms, which can include: (2)

  • Vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats

  • Emotional struggles such as mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression

  • Difficulty sleeping 

  • Musculoskeletal pain

  • Genitourinary issues such as vaginal burning, dryness, irritation, pain during sex

  • Fatigue, headache, dizziness, palpitations

  • Loss of libido


Vasomotor and emotional symptoms are the most common, with most women reporting combinations of these symptoms varying in severity from mild to severe. Some find that their daily activities and quality of life are severely affected.


Pharmaceutical Solutions for Menopause

Pharmaceutical treatments for managing menopause and perimenopause symptoms generally include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), in which medicated oestrogen (and sometimes also the synthetic form of progesterone) are taken to restore depleted hormone levels. These medications can help to reduce menopausal symptoms, particularly night sweats and vaginal dryness.

However, HRT can come with some side effects, such as bloating, nausea, breast tenderness or swelling, headaches, indigestion, and muscle cramps.(3) Some studies suggest that HRT is also associated with a higher risk of some cancers and cardiovascular issues. (4) For these reasons, some women may be reluctant to choose HRT.  

But rest assured. There is an alternative: a natural one at that ! 


Natural treatments for Menopause

Herbal extracts and other natural modalities have been used by women for hundreds of years, and many are now backed by scientific evidence. 

Plant oestrogens - known as phytoestrogens - are plant compounds that have oestrogenic properties. Several plants are shown to be effective in reducing some menopausal symptoms. However, as every plant has its own specific activities and benefits, it’s important that a herbal remedy is tailored to the individual and her unique needs. This is why it is essential that you sit down with a Naturopath to discuss your condition so that a tailored treatment plan can be designed.

Herbal medicines for menopause

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is most often used specifically for menopause symptoms. Studies suggest that it is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and a selective estrogen receptor modulator, and evidence from experimental studies suggests that black cohosh can relieve several vasomotor symptoms associated with low estrogen. (5) It is also shown to bind to the body’s opioid receptors, providing pain-relieving benefits. (6)

For women with intense hot flushes, black cohosh is reported to be both effective and safe. It’s also reported to help improve mood symptoms such as irritability and anxiety. (7)

Zizyphus

Disrupted sleep is a common symptom of menopause, and zizyphus is well known for its benefits in supporting the nervous system and inducing calm, restorative sleep. Otherwise known as spiny jujube, zizyphus appears to influence the neurotransmitters that support restfulness, and studies show it can help with improving the sleep quality and other night-time symptoms of postmenopausal women. (8)


Sage

Sage has a long history as an effective antiperspirant. It has been traditionally used to reduce sweating, and appears to be particularly effective in treating sweating caused by menopause-related hot flushes. A study investigating the efficacy of sage in postmenopausal women concluded that sage significantly reduced the severity and number of hot flushes. This was even more effective when sage was combined with alfalfa. 

Sage is also shown to help reduce night sweats, panic, and fatigue, while improving concentration. (9)


Rehmannia

Rehmannia has long been used as a kidney-tonifying herbal medicine, and believed to assist with joints and bone health. Scientific studies suggest it may help prevent bone loss without influencing estrogen levels, which can make it helpful for women at risk of low bone density following menopause. (10) Another study found that Rehmannia may have antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, possibly by mediating brain neurotransmitters that influence mood. (11)

Shatavari

Shatavari is an adaptogenic herb used to support the stress response. It is particularly useful for relieving stress and anxiety induced by hormonal changes during menopause. (12) Ayurvedic medicine also refers to Shatavari’s “cooling and calming” properties. 

It also contains phytoestrogens that mimic female hormones, helping to balance depleting oestrogen and reduce both menopausal symptoms and low mood.

Chaste-tree (Vitex agnus-castus)

Vitex agnus-castus extract has numerous uses in traditional medicine, and primary studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in decreasing menopausal complications. Several studies have provided pharmacological evidence for its dopaminergic activity and ability to increase melatonin secretion, and Vitex is shown to be effective in reducing both the major vasomotor symptoms of menopause (such as night sweats, hot flushes, and vaginal dryness) as well as anxiety. (13)

Acupuncture For Menopause

Acupuncture is a soothing, non-invasive treatment with notable benefits for women going through menopause. 

Several clinical studies have shown that acupuncture is particularly effective at reducing the frequency and severity of hot flushes while also helping to reduce sweating, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, and skin and hair issues. 

It is thought that low oestrogen reduces beta-endorphins in the hypothalamus, which then causes hot flushes. Acupuncture appears to alter these endorphins, reducing the frequency of hot flushes.

A study involving both perimenopausal and postmenopausal women aged 45-60 found that a course of acupuncture treatments significantly reduced many menopausal symptoms as well as improving several quality of life measures, compared with no acupuncture, and that the benefits lasted for at least 6 months after treatment.

Another recent meta-analysis of 12 trials concluded that acupuncture not only improves the frequency and severity of hot flushes, but also improved other menopause-related symptoms and overall quality of life during menopausal transition. These effects were found to last for up to three months. 

So, if you need help navigating all of the changes you and your body are going through right now feel free to get in touch !

About Me

Michelle Blum - Acupuncturist & Naturopath

I am an Acupuncturist and Naturopath based in Brisbane south, Queensland and my clinic is located in Moorooka. I have been working in the field of Natural Medicine for over 22 years and am passionate about all aspects of Acupuncture and Naturopathy.

I combine my Acupuncture, Herbal and Chinese Medicine skill base with my Naturopathic training. This ensures that my clients receive thorough, comprehensive, integrative care.

Ask me anything. Please click the link below and book a free 15 minute phone call to discuss this topic in further detail.

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