Many women who are transitioning to Menopause are interested in a natural way to minimise their perimenopause symptoms.
The controversy around Hormone Replacement is slowly settling and body-identical HRT is the most effective medication in treating the numerous symptoms associated with perimenopause according to the International and British Menopause society.
However, what are your options if you cannot take Hormone replacement therapy due to medical history?
What if you still have concerns about HRT prefer a natural alternative to HRT or are interested in complementary therapies that you can take alongside it?
Store assistants' knowledge is limited, and even buying supplements based on recommendations of a friend may prove to be ineffective to help your perimenopause symptoms to improve as absorption rates vary. So what works for a friend may not work for you
The challenge to manage your symptoms can become stressful if what you have tried has not given you the desired outcomes, so I researched 6 herbs that have been examined scientifically as to the effectiveness of helping your perimenopause symptoms.
6 useful herbs to help improve your menopause symptoms
1. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is a large tree with fan-shaped leaves.
The ginkgo tree is thought to be one of the oldest living trees, dating back more than 200 million years. It is native to China, Japan, and Korea, but is also now grown in Europe and the United States. It seems to improve blood circulation, and might also act as an antioxidant to slow down changes in the brain.
Ginkgo Bilboa can trick the body and will be treated like estrogen that is declining in perimenopause.
It can not only improve memory and understanding but the strongest scientific evidence that “Ginkgo Bilboa Extract had a positive effect on libido.
2. Ashwagandha root extract
The literal meaning of the word “Ashwagandha” is “smell of horse”. The herb is so named for two reasons. One reason is that the fresh roots of the herb emit the smell of a horse. The second reason is that there is a commonly held belief that a person consuming extracts of the herb may develop strength and vitality similar to that of a horse.
Ashwagandha root extract KSM-66 studies have shown that it helps not only can help diminish the effects of stress in your body but also the internal system that causes it.
It also increases estrogen which is in decline during the perimenopause process and is the main reason why you experience the symptoms you do.
A recent study in 2021 said menopausal respondents had “a statistically significant reduction in hot flashes and urinary symptoms”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34553463/
3. Schisandra chinensis (berry)
Schisandra chinensis (berry) is a fruit-bearing vine. Its purple-red berries are described as having five tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, pungent, and sour. The seeds of the Schisandra berry contain lignansTrusted Source. These are substances which may have beneficial effects on health.
It is a Lignan.
Lignans are a natural way to regulate hormone changes during menopause and in doing so, they can lighten other menopause symptoms such as night sweats, hot flushes & palpitations thus providing menopause relief.
Studies have concluded that Schisandra chinensis can be a safe and effective complementary medicine for menopausal symptoms, especially for hot flashes, sweating, and heart palpitations.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27763802/
4. Rhodiola Rosea
This is a herb plant that helps the body to resist stress. It helps to stimulate hormones. Rhodiola rosea extracts have also been shown to improve energy, mood, cognitive function and memory in menopause
5. Vitex castra Vitex
This is a tropical plant.
The hormone-balancing effects of Vitex agnus-castus may also help relieve symptoms of menopause.
In one study, vitex oils were given to 23 women in menopause. Women reported improved menopause symptoms, including better mood and sleep. Some even regained their period.
Like many studies into natural herbs, more studies/funding is needed to get more conclusive data.
6, Black Cohosh
This is a flowering plant with fragrant white blooms on a stem, forming a spike-like structure of up to 5 feet tall.
Black cohosh is used for menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes (also called hot flushes) and night sweats (together known as vasomotor symptoms), vaginal dryness, heart palpitations, tinnitus, vertigo, sleep disturbances, nervousness, and irritability
There have been few clinical studies to confirm its effectiveness in improving these menopause symptoms The consensus is that it has potential but more studies are required. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) stated “Black cohosh may alleviate symptoms like hot flushes, but the quality of the product varies”.
(Please seek a professional medical opinion before trying herbs to prevent contraindication issues)
Conclusion
I hope this article can help you to see that even though hormone replacement therapy is the most effective treatment, there are other alternatives you can try too to alleviate your perimenopause symptoms
If your Perimenopause symptoms are affecting your work performance and your quality of life is suffering. Or are worried about how Perimenopause is making you feel, please email ‘help’ mon@perimenopausewarriors.co.uk and I am happy to offer some tips to support you.
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