Natural ALTERNATIVES to HRT

Women look to safe natural alternatives to help them through menopause. Some reasons for this are; they prefer natural care, studies have identified concerns about the use of HRT, HRT has not proven beneficial for long term problems. Women who feel that HRT is not a good choice for them may consider alternative approaches.

Things that may be good for womens health:

1.       A healthy lifestyle decreases the risk of bone loss. Exercise regularly, healthy fresh foods, reduce or eliminate poisons such as nicotine, caffeine, alcohol.

2.       To prevent osteoporosis, health professionals recommend taking calcium and vitamin D supplements. Ref11.

3.       Some foods and supplements may help reduce the symptoms of menopause. Always consult your health care professional before taking any supplements.

Estrogen containing foods e.g. whole grain cereals, fruit, natural soy based products, vegetables

Evening primrose

Black cohosh

Dong quai

Vitamin E

Vitamin B complex

4.       Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Creams – Ensure that creams used provide bio-identical hormone replacement i.e. the hormone is identical in structure and function to human hormone. If unsure check with your health care professional.

Before taking any dietary supplement, consult with your health care provider. The benefits and risks of most of the above are being researched. Ref11.

References

1. Dr. Madeline Behrendt. Menopause without interference. http://minniepauz.com/madeline3.html
2. American Chiropractic Associaton (ACA). Hormone Replacement Therapy. http://www.amerchiro.org/content_css.cfm?CID=75
3. Brett KM, Madans JH. Use of menopausal hormone replacement therapy: estimates from a nationally representative cohort study. Am J Epidemiology 1997;145(6):536-45.
4. Writing Group for the Women's Health Initiative. Risks and benefits of combined estrogen and progestin in healthy menopausal women: Principal results from the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2002;288:321-333.
5. Chlebowski RT, Hendrix SL, Langer RD, Stefanick ML, Gass M, Lane D, et al. Estrogen Plus Progestin Influence on Breast Cancer and Mammography in Healthy Postmenopausal Women in the Women's Health Initiative Randomized Trial. JAMA 2003;289:3243.
6. Schairer C, Lubin J, Troisi R, Sturgeon S, Brinton L, Hoover R. Menopausal estrogen and estrogen-progestin replacement therapy and breast cancer risk. JAMA 2000;283(4):485-491.
7. Grady D, Herrington D, Bittner V, Blumenthal R, Davidson M, Hlatky M, et al. Cardiovascular disease outcomes during 6.8 years of hormone therapy. JAMA 2002; 288:49-57.
8. Shumaker, SA, Legault C, Rapp SR, Thal L, Wallace RB, Ockene JK, et al. Estrogen plus progestin and the incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment in postmenopausal women. JAMA 2003;289:2651-2662.
9. Rodriguez C, Patel AV, Calle EE, Jacob EJ, Thun MJ. Estrogen replacement therapy and ovarian cancer mortality in a large prospective study of US women. JAMA 2001;285(11):1460-1465.
10. Hays J, Ockene JK, Brunner RL, Kotchen JM, Manson JE, Patterson RE, et al. Effects of estrogen plus progestin on health-related quality of life. N Engl J Med 2003;348: 1839-54.
11. Keller C, Fullerton J, Mobley C. Supplemental and complementary alternatives to hormone replacement therapy. Amer Acac Nurse Pract 1999;11(5):187-98.