Health and Healing Newsletter - July

Natural Approaches to Menopause

“So I wake up in the middle of the night, sweating like it’s 130 degrees in my bedroom, but it’s really only 65. I’m a little aggravated with my husband for no apparent reason, other than he is breathing too loudly. This should be the best time of my life, the kids are out of the house, I’m settled in my career, I’m happy with my home, so why am I so miserable? The doctors tell me I’m starting to approach menopause, the last menstruation of my life. Why does it have to take so long? What can I do to ease my symptoms? I don’t want to add yet another pill to my existing list. How will it interact with other medications? Do I have to take it forever? Isn’t there another way?”

This is a story that Dr. Eliot Edwards hears on a regular basis. Dr. Edwards is a Naturopathic Doctor at the Center for Integrative Health and Healing in Delmar, NY. He says that not only do women not want to take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) medication, it also may not be the best approach to dealing with menopause. Results from one of the most recent studies on HRT is contradicting what doctors have originally thought about this menopausal treatment. HRT has been found to increase the rates of cardiovascular disease, stroke and certain types of cancers. Because of this new and conflicting information, many women have become confused and uncertain what to do. The good news is there are many alternative therapies which can support women as they transition through this stage of their lives.

A diet of whole foods is key to any health concern. Decreasing sugar, carbohydrates, dairy, caffeine, and saturated fats in the diet is important. Eat fresh vegetables and whole grains instead of processed foods. Eating non-organic poultry and meat have hormones which can mimic estrogen and may give rise to worsening symptoms.

Supplementing with essential fatty acids and herbal medicines can also benefit women with menopausal symptoms. Some of these herbs include Chaste tree berry, Ginkgo, Black Cohosh, Dong quai, Panax ginseng, Licorice, Red Clover and St. John’s wort to name a few.

Stress reduction plays an important part of any treatment plan. Activities which help lower stress include Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi gong, Meditation, mild to moderate exercise, and taking an active role in your health.

“After meeting with the naturopath at the Center and working with him on my personalized treatment plan I feel 10 times better. I am sleeping at night, my husband’s breathing doesn’t bother me and I am starting to enjoy life again. Best of all I didn’t have to add another medication to my list. In fact I was actually able to decrease some of my existing medications. This natural approach really worked for me.”

Taking a holistic approach toward menopause by working on diet changes, stress management, addressing nutritional deficiencies, and using herbal supplements may offer the relief that women are seeking. With growing evidence that hormone replacement therapy may cause adverse health effects, natural approaches may be a good answer for women to turn to. Women interested in taking a holistic approach to dealing with menopause should consult with a trained naturopathic doctor. Dr. Edwards is taking new patients at The Center for Integrative Health and Healing in Delmar, NY. You can reach Dr. Edwards at 689-2244.