What health supplements can I take to reduce symptoms of perimenopause?

Many women do not like to take prescription medications and have been seeking alternative health care products to treat their menopausal symptoms. There are many health supplements for menopause but evidence for most of them is lacking. The one supplement that has been reported to relieve hot flashes and vaginal dryness is black cohosh. This herbal extract has been used for decades in Europe and Asia to treat a variety of perimenopausal symptoms. While reports do show that it works, the benefits are not seen in all women. Moreover, it is difficult to predict in which women the product will work. Black cohosh is generally a safe product but should not be taken by women who have any type of liver disease. When black cohosh works, it generally tends to relieve symptoms in 2-4 weeks.

There are a variety of plant Phytoestrogens which are known to contain the female sex hormone, estrogen. These plant products include soy and red clover. These products only relieve the mild symptoms of perimenopause like hot flashes and also prevent bone thinning. There are also claims that these Phytoestrogens can lower blood pressure and your bad cholesterol. However, it is highly recommended that women who take these products should first speak to their doctor. Phytoestrogens should not be combined with other hormonal pills. Finally, prolonged use of phytoestrogens is not recommended.

What Is Custom-Compounded bioidentical hormonal Therapy?

Bioidentical hormones are now in fashion and many women use them on a regular basis. The bioidentical hormones are naturally occurring and it is believed that they do not contain any artificial chemicals or synthetic compounds. However, bioidentical hormones do have to be processed or what is known as custom compounded in a pharmacy. The compounded formula usually contains the right amount of the estrogen and progesterone. However, compounding also requires the addition of many other substances. These substances may be additive, preservatives and chemicals to make the bioidentical easy to ingest. Moreover, chemicals are added to hold the hormone together, or to convert them into a spray or a gel. Thus, even though bioidentical hormones are naturally occurring, by the time they are custom designed they are no different from the conventional hormonal products available on the market. The only difference is that these hormones are custom designed to fit the individual’s needs. A custom designed – compounded bioidentical hormone can provide just the right amount of estrogen and progesterone which is not true of conventional hormones.

One the negative side, there are some risks for the consumer. The bioidentical hormonal preparation has little quality and the preparation may vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. Depending on how it is made and what is added, the hormones may not be adequately absorbed into the body. Further, the amount of inactive substances added to each formula may vary because there are no universal preparation guidelines. Making a custom designed hormone in a pharmacy also risks sterility and contamination. Most conventional drugs are made in clean laboratories under strict aseptic conditions.

While no one has shown that custom-made bioidentical hormones are dangerous, it is important for the consumer to know the above  facts. There have been plenty of cases from the Orient where hormonal products have been contaminated with other real drugs and chemicals. So if you are going to buy bioidentical hormones form a pharmacy, get to know the pharmacist, ask questions and stick to one pharmacy only. The more you change, the higher the risk that problems will occur. Bioidentical hormones are safe when taken for a short time, but it is important to discuss this with your bioidentical doctor.

Do I need hormonal therapy?

In the past, women who entered menopause were frequently started on hormonal therapy to treat their symptoms of hot flashes, mood disturbances and vaginal dryness. Over the last decade, a considerable amount of evidence has revealed that perhaps not all women should undergo these hormonal treatments. In the past hormonal replacement therapy containing the female sex hormones, estrogen and 5 were standard therapy. Besides treating the symptoms of menopause, these hormones also had long-term benefits like prevention of heart disease and bone thinning. Now our attitudes have changed as we get to know more about these hormones. There is no doubt that these hormones can help overcome the symptoms of menopause. The symptoms of itching, menopause weight gain, vaginal dryness, hot flashes and discomfort during sexual intercourse can be relieved. In general, estrogen is not taken alone for long periods because it can increase the risk of uterine cancer. Only women who have had a prior hysterectomy can take estrogen alone. However, these hormones also have many unpleasant side effects when used for long periods. Whether you use bioidentical hormones or the conventional synthetic products made by the pharmaceutical industry, both carry a variety of side effects.

The latest data indicate that women who take hormonal replacement therapy are at much greater risk for heart disease, breast cancer, stoke and, development of blood clots. Moreover, these hormones can cause changes in your breast that are often falsely read as cancer, which results in a high number of unnecessary surgeries. The studies on these hormones indicate that hormonal replacement therapy is not safe for more than 1-2 years. However, if these hormones are taken for short periods like 6-12 months, the benefits are great and outweigh the risks. All women should understand that the risks seen with the conventional hormones also occur with bioidentical hormones. Just because bioidentical hormones are derived from natural sources does not make them safe. Lead is naturally occurring but it is deadly when ingested.

While some women will benefit from hormonal therapy, there are others who should be very cautious about these products. Women with breast cancer, heart disease and a history of blood clots should not take these hormones. Women who have no symptoms of menopause should avoid these hormones. These women are best served by making changes in lifestyle, which can help decrease heart disease, strengthen bone and improve self-esteem