Natural Remedies for Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the period of time where you begin to enter menopause. It can last for two to eight years, as well as the year following your last menstrual period. Your estrogen level will fluctuate and your periods may be irregular. Along with these changes, you may have some symptoms that are bothersome, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, lack of concentration, bone loss and loss of interest in sex. While your doctor can treat your symptoms of perimenopause with medications, many women prefer to use natural remedies.

Good Health

• Maintaining good health may help lessen the symptoms of perimenopause. You should eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and try to reduce your stress level through yoga or meditation.

Black Cohash

• Black cohash is an herb that reduces the secretion of luteinizing hormone which can cause hot flashes, night sweats, heart palpitations, vaginal dryness and headaches. Estrogen normally suppresses the luteinizing hormone, but during perimenopause your estrogen level may be too low.

Ginseng

• Ginseng is an herb that can help with symptoms of fatigue and lack of concentration. Ginseng can increase energy and stamina, and improve the activity of your brain.

Valerian, Green Tea and Hops

• Valerian is an herb that contributes to a good night's sleep, with fewer episodes of nighttime waking. Hops helps to relax you for sleep. Theanine is an amino acid found in green tea that has a calming effect, without making you drowsy.

Soy

• Soy contains isoflavones, or phytoestrogens, which can reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes. You can add soy to your diet with tofu, soy cheese, soy milk or soy products that are meat substitutes. Soy can also reduce your risk of breast and other cancers, heart disease and osteoporosis, as well as lower your cholesterol.

Red Clover

• Red clover also has high levels of phytoestrogens and can reduce hot flashes.

Warning

• While irregular periods are normal for perimenopause, you should contact your doctor if your bleeding is excessively heavy, lasts more than eight days, breaks through between periods or occurs more often than every 21 days. These could be signs of serious conditions such as polyps or fibroid tumors.