HOW TO EASE MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS – Part II
(including a recipe for HRT cake)

Sarah Frankel continues her advice about the menopause 

 

1. Vitamins and nutrition

• Good nutrition is vitally important, whether or not you have menopausal symptoms. It is generally believed that vitamins B6, D and E can help with menopause symptoms, although there is no conclusive scientific evidence.

• Vitamin E can help with vaginal dryness, a side-effect of the reducing hormone levels. Jo Redmond, director of the company *Health Works, suggests 400iu daily for best results.

• B vitamins are often called the ‘stress’ vitamins because they are used up in increasing quantities during stressful times. Deficiency symptoms include anxiety, tension, irritability and poor concentration.

• Menopace Plus has been formulated especially for nutritional and botanical balance during and after the menopause. Each active tablet provides a blend of natural plant extracts, including soy isoflavones, sage, green tea and flaxseed. Menopace was tested in international trials involving 1,673 women of whom 85% found significant improvement within 10 days and all symptoms disappeared within 3 months. Many reported particular relief of day and night sweats.

• Another complementary-medicine product, Pharmaton boosts energy and combats fatigue, also a menopause symptom. This contains the plant-based active ingredient G115 Ginseng (unique to Pharmaton, they tell me) – an extract of Panax Ginseng. This combination of G115 Ginseng blended with vitamins, minerals and trace elements, can compensate for nutritional deficiencies that may affect people in later life.

• Too much hair or too little can signal menopausal symptoms. Try laser treatment for the former, though it only works on black hairs. Over time you may have plucked them, causing the symptoms to increase. You can also try isoflavones (see above). Too little hair, on body or head, may benefit from isoflavones as well.

2. Homeopathy

Jo Redmond, a registered homeopath, says homeopathy, like all forms of holistic medicine, focuses on improving the overall health and well-being of the patient, rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms. A homeopathic consultation takes into account mental, emotional and physical symptoms, getting to the root cause of the problem. Homeopathic medicines are made from natural substances and are given in little pillules that stimulate the person's own self-healing capacity.

Jo also suggests a reduced alcohol and caffeine intake (tea, coffee, cola drinks) as they all put pressure on the adrenal glands. Phytoestrogens, naturally-occurring hormones in certain plant foods can be very helpful in supporting hormonal balance. Include more soy, chickpeas, brown rice, oats, lentils and whole grains in the diet. Garlic, fennel, celery, linseeds and rhubarb also contain phytoestrogens. Many women experience a reduction in hot flushes simply by including these foods.

The top three homeopathic remedies used by Health Works for menopause are Pulsatilla, Lachesis and Sepia. Pulsatilla is made from the wind flower, Lachesis from the venom of the Bushmaster snake and Sepia from the ink of the squid! Sounds horrendous but diluted, of course, they are all similar in their action and mainly treat hot flushes and sweats but are also, makers claim, they treat emotional upheavals, too.

When a woman is turned off sex and can’t bear the thought of it, using Sepia can help turn the lights on again. (Or off, if you prefer it in the dark!)

If you tend to be over emotional at times, needy and weepy, you probably need Pulsatilla, a sympathetic ear and plenty of fresh air.
Or are you one of the scary ones, like a coiled snake, ready to lash out at the slightest provocation? Then you may need Lachesis.

If you have menopausal problems you can find any of the above remedies at your local chemist or health food shop and see which is best for you. Jo recommends trying one tablet 3 times a day for a week or so to see the effect. If that doesn’t work, it’s not that homeopathy itself that doesn’t work, it’s just the wrong remedy and Jo suggests you need to try others till you get the right one.

Alternatively, you could seek the advice of a qualified and registered homeopath from the Alliance of Registered Homeopaths. There are 3,500 remedies to choose from, but people often have marvellous results with over-the-counter remedies, so do give them a try.

Another suggestion to help menopausal symptoms is to eat one slice of Jo’s cake a day. Here’s the recipe, and as far as I’m concerned, give me cake!

HRT CAKE

4 oz/115 grams soya flour
2 pieces stem ginger
4 oz/115 grams wholewheat flour
8 oz/225 grams raisins
4 oz/115 grams porridge oats
4 oz/115 grams linseeds
2 oz/55 grams sunflower seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 oz/55 grams flaked almonds
approx 1/4 pint soya milk
1 tablespoon malt extract

Mix the dry ingredients. Then add the milk and malt. Leave to soak for half an hour. Add more milk if too stiff. Spoon into a loaf tin lined with greaseproof paper. Bake in an oven 190c, 375 F, of Gas Mark 5 for 75 minutes. Turn out on a rack to cool.

* www.thehealthworks.co.uk  
http://www.a-r-h.org : Alliance for Homeopaths
www.sda.uk.net : Sexual Dysfunction Association
 

If in any doubt about any of the information covered in health realted articles and it's relevance for you, consult your GP.

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