Is menopause something to be cured, as if it were a disease? Probably not.
What most women want is a little relief from some of the most of the more aggravating symptoms.
Menopause normally happens after a woman's 45 birthday, but, technically, it can happen after a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months, assuming there are no other reasons for the cessation.
Most women report that the symptoms they find the most annoying are night sweats and hot flashes, PMS-like symptoms, mood swings and insomnia.
Over the last few years, hormone replacement therapy has gone under some strict scrutiny, terrifying women that giving in to their desire for a cure for hot flashes will potentially cause them breast or uterine cancer later.
While most are not ready to grit their teeth through what might invariable be five years of symptoms, many would like to find some remedies for hot flashes that will provide them some relief.
Hormone replacement therapy, once thought to be the potential fountain of youth, underwent intense fire in 2002, as many in the medical field were now considering the damning consequences.
HRT was being linked to everything from breast cancer to blood clots.
Women who held fast to their HRT were told to expect repercussions later for their vanity.
As Colette Bouchez (2007) stated in her article, HRT, Revisiting the Hormone Decision, "The moment the estrogen hit the fan, women began rejecting hormone use in droves.
" As with every drug decision, we are now realizing that benefits and drawbacks need to be weighed, as do other factors, like lifestyle and risk factors.
Menopause happens because a woman's body begins to produce less and less estrogen.
There are, however, other sources for estrogen then simply tablets.
Some research has been done into plant estrogens called phytosterols (figs, soy, corn, legumes, among others).
There are also many herbs that naturally raise a woman's level of estrogen.
Anise, black cohosh, fennel, fenugreek and red clover all have estrogenic properties.
In fact, a German study investigated the use of back cohosh in a drug for hormone replacement.
It was found that this drug alone helped a woman manage her hormones, without any other hormone replacement therapy, although "success was not instant" but rather given over time (Castleman, M.
, 1991).
Given that a woman's menopausal symptoms, though individual, tend to last at least three and more so five years, this might be a viable option.
Menopause relief research is still going strong.
What is particularly important to note, however, is that the presence of estrogen alone is not optimal.
High levels of estrogen by themselves have been linked to breast and uterine cancer.
Progesterone acts counter to this and lessens the risk.
Thus, simply raising one's level of estrogen is contraindicated and women should speak with a physician before undergoing their own course of treatment.
There are various other remedies for hot flashes and "natural" menopause treatments, including acupuncture, massage, reflexology and natural progesterone cream.
Many things that will alleviate symptoms are rather simple.
Skin becomes drier; nails become a little more brittle.
A good vitamin and rich lotion will certainly help.
Exercise and good nutrition never hurt either.
Ultimately, this is not your mother's menopause and options exist where few did previously.
What needs to exist is good communication between doctor and patient to discuss options other than pills.