Can I take Herbs to treat menopause?

Almost everyone has had enough with conventional medicine and doctors. Today, there is a big surge among consumers seeking alternative care for their medical problems. One such problem is menopause- which has never been satisfactorily treated with traditional medical drugs. So the question is, "do herbs and supplements help treat menopause"?

Today there are many herbs that are touted to help treat symptoms of menopause. Some of the herbs and supplements include:

Phytoestrogens: There are certain vegetable foods that are known to contain phytoestrogens (similar to the female sex hormone-estrogen). There are two main types of phytoestrogens — isoflavones and lignans. Isoflavones have been found in soybeans, chickpeas and peas. Lignans have been found in flaxseeds, whole grains and some fruits and vegetables. Researchers in the Orient first noticed that women in that part of the World had very mild menopausal symptoms and a much lower incidence of heart disease and osteoporosis. It was later discovered that their diet was rich in Phytoestrogens which possibly provided the protective effect. However, addition of isoflavones to western diets has not been found to be effective at least in the short-term and longer-term follow up is required. There has also been a concern that high estrogen levels after menopause may be associated with an increased incidence of breast cancer. So far, the data on soy products remains unknown and all reports remain anecdotal. However, research on this topic is ongoing.

Vitamin E has been widely postulated to diminish symptoms of menopause. It's effects are claimed to be immediate. However, clinical reports on vitamin E and menopausal symptoms are scant and the supplement only seems to work in a few people. There are many people who take mega doses of vitamin E and see no difference in their menopausal symptoms.

As to why Vitamin E does not work in all women remains a mystery. Some nutritionists recommend higher doses of vitamin E in women who do not respond to the low dose of vitamin E. However, the FDA strongly advises against taking more than 400 IU of this vitamin because of the potential for serous toxicity.