Health/Natural: Naturopathic Approaches to Menopause

Q. Although my periods are still regular and my doctor tells me that my hormone levels are normal, I'm convinced that I'm entering menopause. For about a week before my periods, I've been experiencing hot flashes at night while I sleep and I've been having increasing difficulty with PMS. I know that there are natural methods I can use to help relieve these symptoms, but I've been having trouble finding information on my own. Can you help?

A. The topic of women's medicine is vast and complex. In naturopathic practice there are certain elements to address, such as: existing PMS symptoms, age, stress, nutrition and regular exercise, to name a few. I cannot stress the importance of a healthy daily diet enough in maintaining healthy hormonal levels. Low saturated fats, low sugar and starch, plenty of fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds, whole grains and minimal lean meats and fish, or no meats at all. Eliminating white sugar, caffeine and all soft drinks is essential for supporting hormonal health. Also, limiting milk and dairy foods is very important to healthy cycles, in general. Consider using soy as an alternative to meat and dairy. We know soy as a marvelous protein-source food, easy to digest for most people, containing virtually no fat. Soy comes in several different versions such as: tofu (which can take on any flavor or seasoning you desire), soymilk as an alternative to cow's milk, soy cheese, tempeh (fermented soybean cakes, wonderful in stirfrys.) A more concentrated source of the active element in soy, called isoflavones, is found in special soy shakes and theraputic supplements with proper dosages included in the formulas. The great thing about soy for women is that it offers support for healthy estrogen levels during all phases of your life, especially menopause. Studies have also shown soy to be very valuable in preventing breast and colon cancers. (A current study is being led by Narula Research from Chapel Hill, NC)

Not knowing how old you are or any details about your individual case, it is impossible to make individual suggestions for you. Seek the guidance of a qualified naturopath or herbalist who can take your case and offer a concise program chosen exactly for you. For educational purposes, I will explain some options which your naturopath may consider for your specific needs.

Before menopause actually comes, many women can experience a flare-up of PMS. Along with this can come irregular periods and lots of emotional sensitivities. This peri-menopausal phase can last a short time or can last for several years. Some lucky women just transit easily into menopause without any noticeable symptoms, especially traditional oriental women whose diets have been based on whole foods with lots of soy and little or no processed foods. The way we eat in the Western world can be a huge factor in so many forms of chronic illness, and it can definately cause more extreme symptoms such a hot flashes and emotional swings associated with the drop in estrogen. The key factor is not actually how much "estrogen" we have, but how much "good estrogen" is available to our bodies. There is a big difference between good estrogen and bad estrogen. (Eating lots of processed foods, meats and dairy products can significantly boost unhealthy estrogens in our system. The synthetic hormones which are injected into animals for the meat industry, for example, are known to transfer into our bodies when we consume meat from them.) But estrogen isn't the only hormone. Progesterone also drops as we go through the change, and it is actually been disregarded by allopathic medicine for so very long. In natural medicine, we acknowledge progesterone to be the most important hormone. If our progesterone levels are at their optimal balance, then our body can self-regulate proper amounts of healthy estrogen. We understand that natural progesterone can actually open up healthy estrogen receptor sites which may have been dormant in the body, and by doing so can help us through child-bearing years, and also menopause, more beautifully. One of the best natural "tools" we have to work with to accomplish healthy progesterone and estrogen levels is natural USP grade progesterone cream. This is a high quality, guaranteed potency pharmaceutical cream derived from wild yam. (Just plain wild yam cream does not work nearly as well.) I prefer to work with the new liposomal delivery system creams, which can give much quicker and longer lasting benefits.

Women for centuries have known how to treat themselves during all phases of their lives, and menopause being one of the most important transitions. The wisdom which our ancestors applied to this special phase of their lives, we now know to be valid in the herbal tradition. So many of the important herbs which women have used to support their bodies during menopause have been validated today in research and in the laboratory. One of the most important which I have worked with for many years now is Vitex agnus castus, also known as Chaste Tree Berry or Vitex. Vitex primarily supports healthy progesterone levels and in doing so can regulate the cycle and directly aid in balancing healthy estrogen levels. This may be a useful herb for you to consider.

Essential fatty acids are extremely important, too. An excellent choice may be Evening Primrose Oil, which is a beneficial plant oil that has significant anti-inflammatory properties (which may make it helpful for those hot flashes) and also is helpful to re-saturate dryness. Evening primrose can also support healthy estrogen. Some other good essential fatty acids to consider are Flax Oil, Borage Oil, Black Currant Seed Oil or Cold-Water Fish Oils.

Some other nutrients to check into may be Vitamin E, Bioflavonoids, Black Cohosh or DIM (Diindolylmethane.) DIM is one of the newest natural supplements which shows great promise for many women to protect against having too much unhealthy estrogen, which can cause everything from PMS to fibroids to cancer. DIM can be especially important to deeply protect the system. Bach Flower Remedies offer assistance on the emotional level. The Bach Flower Essence Walnut is a wonderful remedy to assist with any period of change, especially menopause. You may use it alone, or I sometimes suggest to combine it with Mimulus which is a good choice for "feeling flushed" or hot flashes.

Some other things to consider are a good moderate exercise program such as walking, riding a bike, swimming, dance, yoga or tai chi. The quality of movement is essential to healthy hormonal balance. Another thing to consider is stress. Meditation may be the best option of all to wash away stress. Take a look at your daily life and notice where you have time with "yourself." Do you create space. . . a time to breathe, and time to "muse". . . and time to feel and sense your inner spirit and its expression in your daily life. This, of course, is important no matter what phase of womanhood you are in, but it is incredibly special now. I am not talking about "religion", but rather of a finding of your heart and mind as a spiritual woman. Our connection to and realization of the deepest part of ourselves can become the most important part of transition. Menopause is one of the most important transitions we undergo as women . . . a transformation of self . . . a doorway opens . . . a threshold to cross.

In Peace & Healing,
Dr. Susie

Reading List:
A Woman's Book of Life, Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. (One of my favorite books.)
The New Holistic Herbal, David Hoffmann
The Herbs of Life, Lesley Tierra, L. Ac., Herbalist
Woman, Your Body, Your Health, Josleen Wilson
The Complete Guide to Women's Health, Bruce Shephard, MD and Carroll Shephard, RN, Ph.D.
Bach Flower Remedies for Women, Judy Howard
Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, Christiane Northrup, MD. (Another one of my favorites.)

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Susie Cooper, a community herbalist and homeopathic educator, has worked in the natural foods business since 1991 and has been teaching workshops on herbal and homeopathic medicine since 1993. In addition to presenting numerous talks, she has also appeared on radio programs pertaining to natural health. With her husband, Paul, she owns and operates Blue Mountain Herbs, a small health food store in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, where she also teaches workshops in herbal and homeopathic medicine. “Offering a proper base of education for people interested in maintaining health the natural way is of utmost importance to me,” she says. “So many options exist in the world around us, and it’s important to me to offer the best traditional educational support I can to people wanting a healthy alternative for prevention and wellness.”

Important note: The information contained in this column is not meant to diagnose or prescribe for specific ailments, but is intended for educational support only. Please seek the advise of a licensed health practitioner for specific illnesses and emergency situations.