Hormone Replacement Naturally

Menopausal and premenopausal women may benefit from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to stabilize bone loss, and to reduce the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause. In addition, younger women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may find hormone replacement beneficial. Dr. Marsha Lynn Speller, author of the "Menopause Answer Book," reports that natural products could offer some relief of symptoms like hot flashes, but there are very few medical studies backing up the efficiency and the safety of these products.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement

• A Mayo Clinic internist, Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, reports that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is readily available to women seeking natural methods to alleviate their menopausal symptoms. These plant-based substances are custom-blended by a compounding pharmacy to suit each woman's needs. While they may offer some relief, Dr. Pruthi advises that BHRT has not been extensively tested by the Food and Drug Administration.

Herbal Choices

• Some herbs contain isoflavones (phytoestrogens), which may alleviate hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause and PMS, although they are not entirely without risk, according to MayoClinic.com. Red clover and black cohosh teas and supplements may reduce symptoms, but they could also contribute to breast cancer. Herbs in general, however, are thought to be safer than their synthetic hormone replacement counterparts.

Soy Products

• Soy also contains natural isoflavones. MedicineNet.com reports that some women have found that increasing the amount of soy in their diet helps alleviate symptoms of menopause. Since soy contains estrogen, women with a history of breast cancer should check with their doctor before regularly eating soy products.

Progesterone

• During the years just prior to the onset of menopause, a woman's body may no longer produce enough progesterone to balance out high levels of estrogen. Natural progesterone creams can be applied directly to the skin, and be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream to alleviate symptoms. These creams typically contain wild yam extract, and are available in health food stores. Prescription-strength natural progesterone cream are available from physicians.

Diet

• Dr. John R. Lee, author of "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause," explains that by eating a well-balanced diet with enough calcium, premenopausal women could reduce the risk of osteoporosis, a common result of bone loss in menopausal women. He suggests that every woman pay attention to the way her own body reacts to individual foods in order to establish a diet that helps maintain a natural balance during the menopausal years.