Alternative Medicine

Phytoestrogen rich food

Brown & Golden Flaxseed

There are a few options to reducing menopausal symptoms besides using conventional therapies provided in hospitals and clinics. Here are a few that you may like to try; 

*consult your doctor before trying these options out
        Black cohosh

• Used to treat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. 
• Relatively safe, but avoid it if you have a liver disorder. 
• If you'd like to try it, discuss it with your doctor first.
• Phytoestrogens
• Plant-derived compounds that have estrogen-like properties. 
• 2 main types of phytoestrogens : isoflavones and lignans. 
• Isoflavone supplements are generally extracted from soy or red clover. Helpful for mild hot flashes and have a protective effect on your bone density. May also help decrease blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol. 
• Lignans are derived mainly from flaxseed. Be careful using phyotestrogen supplements if you have an increased risk of a disease or condition that's affected by hormones, such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or breast, uterine or ovarian cancer. 
• Also, be cautious if you're already taking a medication that increases your level of estrogen, such as birth control pills, hormone therapy or tamoxifen.
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
• Natural steroid that's produced by your adrenal gland. 
• DHEA supplements help minimize menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, sexual dysfunction and bone loss. 

References:

Mayo Clinic. (2012). Perimenopause > Alternative Medicine. Available: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/perimenopause/DS00554/DSECTION=alternative%2Dmedicine. Last accessed 21 Jan 2013.

Eat Seed. (2012). Black Friday Sale: Free Flax!. Available: http://www.eatseed.com/black-friday-sale-free-flax/. Last accessed 21 Jan 2013.

Crossfit, Athlete Inside. (2013). Phytoestrogens, Not all plants are created equal. Available: http://crossfitai.com/2012/07/phytoestrogens/. Last accessed 21st Jan 2013.