What is the best natural hormone replacement for menopause?

Going through the change? Let's talk about the best natural hormone replacement for menopause.

Did you know that almost a third of a woman’s life is in her postmenopausal years?

This is a wonderful stage of life that should be both celebrated and enjoyed! But for many women, the transition to this phase isn’t easy. 

Hormonal fluctuations during “the change” can bring on a range of symptoms that make everyday life rather, well, uncomfortable. There are the hot flashes, night sweats, wild moods, and yes, intimacy issues due to vaginal dryness and low libido. 

On top of that, many women also struggle with depression, anxiety, and cognitive difficulties, which are also linked to hormonal flux. Postmenopausal women are also at a higher risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease due to the amount and distribution of their adipose tissue.

Understandably, many women seek relief from these symptoms. One study involving 386 Australian women showed that 86% consulted a clinician at least once to discuss menopausal symptoms.

Although hormone therapy is considered the “standard” treatment for menopause symptoms and has been shown to reduce the risk of bone fractures, it is not without risk. Medical trials have shown even short-term use of HRT comes with potentially serious consequences, including an increased risk of both cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. 

Fortunately, hormonal drugs aren’t the only way to manage these symptoms. The use of natural alternatives has increased substantially in recent years and studies suggest the benefits are real. Phytoestrogens are used as hormonal therapies in menopausal women and are typically shown to have significantly fewer side effects than pharmaceutical treatment. 

So, what is the best natural hormone replacement for menopause?

In traditional medicine, there are dozens of phytoestrogenic herbs that may be used to help women through hormonal change. But two of the most-researched herbs for treating menopause are Black Cohosh and Vitex agnus-castus. The benefits of these herbs have been widely documented and the extracts are often included in a naturopathic treatment plan.

Here’s a quick overview of how these two amazing herbs can help to make menopause more manageable.  

Black cohosh

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a herbaceous perennial plant found in the rich woodlands of North America. It has a long history of treating a range of ailments, including rheumatoid arthritis, musculoskeletal pain and fever. Today, black cohosh is most commonly used for its benefits in relieving menopausal symptoms and an alternative to oestrogen therapy. Studies suggest that black cohosh harbours direct oestrogenic activity, and it has been shown to alleviate hot flashes, reduce depression, and possibly even protect against bone loss.

Difficulty sleeping is also a major part of menopause, typically due to hot flashes. These sudden bursts of extreme heat can occur both day and night, with the night time hot flashes often disrupting sleep. 

A six-month study investigating the effects of black cohosh on sleeping problems in postmenopausal women was largely positive. Black cohosh was found to help reduce hot flashes and night time awakenings, which in turn improved overall sleeping patterns. The researchers concluded that black cohosh could provide a safe alternative to other drugs in managing menopausal sleep disturbances. 

Low mood and depression is also commonly reported by women going through menopause, due to falling oestrogen and progesterone levels. Black cohosh’s oestrogenic properties may help to support normal mood by stabilising hormone levels.
A 2013 study compared the efficacy of black cohosh with fluoxetine. Fluoxetine is a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI), which may be prescribed at a low dose to help reduce vasomotor symptoms. However, the drug can produce numerous side effects such as nausea, headache, dry mouth, and increased sweating.

While both black cohosh and fluoxetine were shown to improve a range of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and depression, black cohosh produced significantly fewer adverse effects than fluoxetine. 

Vitex (chaste tree)

The fruit of the Vitex plant has numerous uses in traditional medicine, particularly in menopausal issues. Pharmacological investigations have noted that vitex has dopaminergic activity and also the ability to increase melatonin secretion, which may explain its effectiveness in managing menopausal problems.

In a Korean study involving 52 women, it was found that Vitex significantly improved menopausal symptoms including anxiety and vasomotor dysfunction. These results are similar to that of several previous studies. Researchers explain that the flavonoids within Vitex directly affect the pituitary gland, particularly the part of the gland that secretes luteinizing hormone. This helps to increase levels of progesterone and also modify symptoms caused by hormone decline. Vitex also contains phytoestrogens, which means that when oestrogen is low (as in menopause) Vitex helps to modulate oestrogen levels. 

Vitex may even hold promise for pre-menopausal women who are struggling with fertility. As an oestrogenic herb, Vitex appears to influence the pituitary-gonadal axis, which regulates the release of ovarian hormones. In this way, Vitex may assist with reproductive function in women affected by premature ovarian ageing (POA). POA is a condition in which younger women have a lower ovarian reserve relative than should be expected for their age.

A 2017 study found that women with POA who took Vitex for four months had significantly increased endometrial thickness and higher pregnancy rates than women taking placebo. The study authors suggested that this may mean Vitex could be used as a natural means of promoting fertility when ovarian reserve is low. 

In summary, there are many other ways to get through menopause without having to rely on HRT. But the best way to figure out what works for you personally is to see a qualified naturopath - preferably one who specialises in women’s health. 

I’m Michelle, and that’s what I do. 

If you’re battling the highs, lows, and total unpredictability of menopause, book yourself in for a Naturopathy appointment though the online portal or you can contact me directly if you would like assistance with your booking. We’ll go through the symptoms you’ve been experiencing and talk about how you’d like to be feeling instead. From there, we can work out a treatment plan that fits into your lifestyle - naturally.