Choose Your Menopause Supplement Wisely

When searching for a menopause supplement, the options are simply astounding. Health risks associated with HRT have many women searching for more natural options for menopause symptom relief. The menopause supplement market has responded in kind. There are thousands of formulas to chose from, each one offering safe, natural relief from the discomforting symptoms of menopause. How does one decide which to choose?

What’s In a Name?

Women should be wary of any product claiming to be a "miracle cure" for menopause. In fact, menopause needs no cure since it’s neither a disease nor an illness! A menopause supplement that makes believable claims or advertises its ingredients upfront is probably a better choice.

Consider the name of the menopause supplement you are considering for purchase. How does a product called "Soy and Calcium" differ from one called "MenoCure"?

For one thing, "Soy and Calcium" is marketing two supplements, each commonly thought to have benefits for women in menopausal transition. At the very least, we know that Calcium may aid in maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis. Meanwhile, Soy products are well-known to be associated with a reduction in hot flashes. It would still be wise to check the label of this product to see exactly how much soy and calcium it contains. But based on the name, "Soy and Calcium" looks worthy of consideration.

What do we know about "MenoCure"? Its name distinctly implies it can cure menopause. Since menopause is not an illness, of what benefit is a cure? What exactly does it do if it cannot cure menopause? What are its ingredients? "MenoCure" could consist of nothing other than soy and calcium. But based on the name alone, "MenoCure" becomes suspect as a worthwhile menopause supplement.

When shopping for a menopause supplement, it is best to first research the vitamins, herbs and minerals that are most likely to provide real benefits. Limited as they may be, find out as much as you can about the results of clinical studies. Discuss your choices with your doctor, and shop with specific products in mind.

Avoid the temptation to try the "newly discovered" or "recently tested" herbal menopause supplement. Just because vitamin and herbal supplements are available over the counter does not mean they are harmless. Don’t consider the lack of approval or regulation by the FDA indicative of indifference. Rather, translate the lack of approval a translation for "anything goes." At best, "Mystery Supplement X" may be a harmless waste of your money. At worst, it could be dangerous to your health and cause serious health risks and side effects.