Symptoms |
Remedies |
Cautions |
Irregular Periods & Heavy Bleeding |
A daily serving of soy-based foods has beneficial, estrogenlike effects. Natural micronized progesterone, which is synthesized from soybean and/or wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), can help stabilize erratic cycles with fewer side effects than synthetic hormones. |
Report heavy bleeding to your doctor. Test blood for anemia. Rule out hypothyroidism, fibroids, polyps and cancer. |
Hot Flashes & Night Sweats |
Try taking 40 mg (two tablets) of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) solid extract, plus vitamin E (800 IU/day). Regular exercise and plant-based estrogens may help. One study of standardized extract of red clover (Trifolium pratense) (40 mg/day) showed a 75 percent reduction in hot flashes. |
Avoid black cohosh if pregnant or bleeding heavily. Ask your doctor about vitamin E if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, a rheumatic heart condition, or if you are taking anticoagulants or blood thinners. |
Sleep Disturbances |
Exercise, relaxation techniques, and valerian (Valeriana officinalis) extract help. Avoid caffeine and alcohol after 5 p.m. Taking micronized progesterone half an hour before bed also may help. Several studies show that kava (Piper methysticum) (45 to 70 mg/day) may induce sleep. |
Do not take kava with alcohol or antidepressants. |
Cognitive Issues (Irritability, forgetfulness, poor concentration) |
Try stress reduction techniques, including exercise. Ginseng (Panax ginseng) (100 mg/12x per day) has a supportive, estrogenlike effect. Ginkgo biloba extract (30 to 60 drops/3x per day) may improve memory. |
None. |
Low Libido & Vaginal Dryness |
Ginseng (100 mg/12x per day) also has tonic properties. Black cohosh solid extract (40 mg/day) may alleviate dryness. |
Rule out vaginal infections and low thyroid hormone levels. Avoid black cohosh if pregnant or bleeding heavily. |