Natural Menopause: A Matter of Choice

All women experience menopause as part of the natural aging process. Under normal health circumstances, it is not a "condition" requiring medical care or intervention. Many women do not find symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, headache, or emotional instability significant enough to warrant treatment.

For women who do find symptoms bothersome, HRT treatments may be an additional cause for concern. Results of the now infamous Woman’s Health Initiative study raised real concerns about the risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy. In the study, long-term treatment with a specific combination of estrogen and progesterone increased the risk for heart attack and stroke as well as breast cancer in a small number of participants. It is now generally accepted that short-term, low dose HRT is safe and effective in the absence of certain preexisting conditions. But by choice, more and more women are opting for more natural menopause treatment options.

What Are Natural Menopause Treatment Options?

Menopause can be treated naturally in a variety of ways. New research indicates that a healthier lifestyle including a mostly vegetarian low-fat, high-fiber diet featuring phystoestrogens can help prevent and alleviate common menopause symptoms. In addition, adequate exercise, vitamin supplementation and herbal remedies are also helpful.

In cases of more severe symptoms, there are plenty of other natural menopause remedies available to women today. Acupuncture and aromatherapy are two such remedies:

1. Acupuncture: An alternative treatment that originated from Chinese traditional medicine, this involves stimulating certain points in the body to restore balance to the flow of vital life energy, or qi. Research indicates acupuncture may increase levels of serotonin and natural endorphins in the body. It is particularly suited for helping with pain-relief, insomnia, and psychological symptoms such as moodiness, depression and anxiety. Many insurance companies are now covering acupuncture treatments, and specialists are now readily available.


2. Aromatherapy involves using plant and essential oils to provide relief from symptoms. It relies on the sense of smell to produce physical and psychological reactions, including the release of certain neurotransmitters responsible for symptom relief. Oils may be used in baths, distilled by an oil burner, or used in massage.


3. Aromatherapy Acupuncture: An alternative treatment that originated from Chinese traditional medicine, this involves stimulating certain points in the body to restore balance to the flow of vital life energy, or qi. Research indicates acupuncture may increase levels of serotonin and natural endorphins in the body. It is particularly suited for helping with pain-relief, insomnia, and psychological symptoms such as moodiness, depression and anxiety. Many insurance companies are now covering acupuncture treatments, and specialists are now readily available.
   
4. Aromatherapy involves using plant and essential oils to provide relief from symptoms. It relies on the sense of smell to produce physical and psychological reactions, including the release of certain neurotransmitters responsible for symptom relief. Oils may be used in baths, distilled by an oil burner, or used in massage. Aromatherapy is 100% safe and provides pleasurable, natural symptom treatment.

Common oils used for treating menopause symptoms include:

• Roman Chamomile, Geranium and Sage Oils to help balance hormones. Sage may also help relieve symptoms of PMS


• Lavender which has a calming affect on the body


• Peppermint Oil for relieving hot flashes.

There are several other essential oils that may be used in menopause symptom relief. Although natural menopause treatments may not help in all cases, it is worthwhile exploring the many options available. Alternative treatments offer women choices, and in the long run may promote a healthier, more positive experience throughout the transition into mid-life.