About The Herbal Treatment of Menopause
During menopause, a woman's body either stops producing estrogen or produces less estrogen. This cause changes within her body to occur over time. Many women find these changes both uncomfortable and problematic.
Menopause is different for every woman. Some women hardly, if at all, notice change in their bodies or moods, while others are overwhelmed by their symptoms. Symptoms of menopause can include hot flashes and/or flushes, vaginal changes, dryness, burning and itching, loss of interest in sex, pain during intercourse, increased problems with infections, loss of strength and stamina, difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep mood swings and/or depression.Treatment with hormone replacement therapy (ERT and/or HRT) can help to relieve some symptoms of menopause, but some women will wither chose not to use HRT/ERT or will chose to use the lowest possible dosage of hormones while using herbal products to reduce their symptoms. Women also may use herbal products. Some herbal products may be specifically helpful in the short-term treatment of symptoms, whereas others are not. Still others may cause harm.
What Are Herbal Medicines?
Healers have been using herbs as medicine for thousands of years. Most of the drugs we use today originally come from plants. Herbal treatments can be given in many different forms.
Some doctors may suggest herbal treatments in addition to conventional treatments or drugs prescribed. Herbal treatments also may be used by herbalists, homeopaths, acupuncturists other professions:
Many people think of herbal medicines as being more “natural.” They may think that “natural” means safer and better. But this may not be true natural medications can have side effects and cause hurt, if not prescribed correctly and used appropriately. Because something is natural, that does not mean it is good or safe for you.
Herbal products may also interact with prescription medications and this can cause problems for you. Since herbal medications may not have been tested the same way prescription drugs are tested it may be difficult to know how safe they are going to be for you. Because of these factors, women who use herbal products for relief of menopause symptoms should consult their doctors.
The Many Forms of Herbal Medications
Herbs can come as raw or dried plants, ground up into powders which can be used to make teas or dissolve in tinctures. The powder also can be put into pill capsules or pressed into tablet form.
- Oils: Concentrates of the active herb into an oil form. They are most commonly used on the skin. They can be harmful, if taken orally.
- Tablets or capsules: Commonly used to provide specific measured dosages of herbs.
- Teas: Herbs when mixed with hot water can be ingested as a tea. Generally, the ultimate strength of the mixture will depend on how long the herbs was steeped within the water.
- Tinctures: This is generally a solution of the herbal medication which is added to water or placed in the mouth, or under the tongue.
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