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Menopause is the time in a woman's life when she stops menstruating. This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 60. Menopause does not happen suddenly. There are three stages of menopause. Perimenopause is the time (usually in the mid-40s) when a woman starts producing fewer female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. It may last between two to eight years. During menopause, the woman's body cuts back on the production of female hormones, which, in turn, leads to fewer eggs being released and less menstruating. Postmenopause takes place in the years after menopause.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Bladder problems
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sleep problems
A word of caution: Talk to your doctor before taking any supplement or herb. You have no way of knowing if your herb or supplement interferes with a health condition you have or a medication you take. You do not know about the purity or quality of a supplement, and much of the research on these substances is scant and questionable. Also, supplements in high concentrations can be dangerous. Your doctor is the best person to talk with about your concerns.
| Herb |
Claim |
Potential Interactions, Side Effects and Dangers |
What the Experts Say |
| Black cohosh |
A natural way to treat menopausal symptoms of hot flashes, mood swings, sweating and vaginal dryness. |
Slow heartbeat, drop in blood pressure, loss of bone mass and risk of liver damage. Upset stomach, weight gain, constipation and dizziness. May increase the risk of miscarriage. |
Some researchers believe the herb has plant estrogens that provide a "natural" way to deal with menopause. Most authorities say there is no evidence to date that black cohosh can do anything to relieve menopausal symptoms. |
| Red clover |
Treatment of hot flashes and touted as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. |
May interact with birth control pills and hormonal medications. Women with a history of breast cancer should not take this. Weight gain and breast tenderness have been reported. |
Research is conflicting, and it's not clear if red clover should be used. Better research is needed. |
| Flaxseed oil |
May help decrease symptoms of mild menopause. |
May increase blood sugar levels and may increase the risk of bleeding. Upset stomach, diarrhea and nausea. |
Flaxseed oil is believed to affect hormones. Few studies have been done. More research is needed. |
| Wild yam |
Treatment for hot flashes and headaches. |
Upset stomach or a rash. A chemical called diosgenin in wild yam may interact with estradiol, a naturally occurring hormone in the body |
There is no scientific evidence that wild yam can treat menopausal symptoms. Studies that have been done are too flawed to make any conclusions. |
Supplements
| Supplement |
Claim |
Potential Interactions, Side Effects and Dangers |
What the Experts Say |
| Magnesium |
May relieve hot flashes. |
If you have heart or kidney disease, do not take magnesium supplements. You probably won't overdose on magnesium if you get it through foods. Effects of too much magnesium include vomiting, dangerously low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, coma and death. Often upset stomach and diarrhea. |
Magnesium levels in the body tend to drop during menopause. Although more research is still needed, you can increase your magnesium intake by eating foods like tofu, almonds, cashews, pine nuts, peanuts and leafy greens. |
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External Sources
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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