Natural Supplements for the Menopause

Herbal and Natural Nutrients to Help Reduce Symptoms

Oct 6, 2008

Certain nutrients and herbs play a key role in managing the menopause and it symptoms. Taken correctly they can help alleviate symptoms like hot flushes.

The body uses many nutrients in larger than usual amounts and some can have a therapeutic effect if taken in the correct dose to combat symptoms. The key nutrients and herbs are listed below. The doses suggested are not specific to everyone and all these should not necessarily be used in combination. You should always consult a Nutritional Therapist or other qualified practitioner before embarking on a supplement program.

Key food supplements and their uses

These are incredibly important in dealing with stress and boosting energy. Symptoms of low B vitamin status are anxiety, low energy, poor concentration and tension.

Magnesium is really important as it is involved in maintaining both bone strength and reducing inflammation. It is used up in large quantities during the menstrual cycle and can help reduce stress, anxiety and balance mood.

Calcium is involved in maintaining bone strength that may drop off after oestrogen production falls, post menopause. Crucial to calcium uptake are vitamin C and D which both increase absorption.

Vitamin E can be effective in reducing hot flushes and vaginal dryness. It has also been shown to have cardio protective properties, which is important because risk of heart disease increases greatly after the menopause.

Key herbs and their uses

Black Cohosh is historically used by the North Americans and is effective in restoring hormonal balance and particularly at relieving menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flushes with doses of 40mg a day over a 3 month period.

Dong quai is a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic for the female reproductive system. It is also rich in iron so is useful in cases of heavy bleeding. It is often used in combination with other herbs as a female complex. Like many other herbs it is phyto-estrogenic and can have a regulatory effect on estrogen levels if taken through out the menopause.

Red Clover exhibits adaptagen phyto estrogenic qualities similar to mentioned above for dong quai due to its high isoflavones content and as such may be useful in controlling menopausal symptoms. Studies have shown benefits with doses of 80mg a day.

Agnus Castus has been shown in many studies to have a balancing effect on the female sex hormones by regulating the action of the pituitary gland, which is responsible for regulating sex hormone production. Agnus castus has been shown to be effective in situations where the luteal phase is inhibited by acting on the pituitary gland to regulate Lutenising hormone (LH). This is often the case in the perimenopause where low levels of LH lead to low progesterone production in the second half of the cycle.

St Johns Wort has long been recognised for its use as a mild anti depressant, at which it has a record of success to the point that it has been as effective as some prescribed anti depressants and exhibits very few of the side effects. Its role in the menopause is in alleviating menopausal depression.

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