Hormone Replacement Supplements

For women going through menopause, there are a variety of options available to deal with the symptoms. How disruptive they are often determines the route of treatment women choose. If hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings are too severe, many women choose pharmaceutical hormone replacement therapy (HRT). For those who prefer not to contend with possible side effects of the medications, there are alternatives in the form of hormone replacement supplements.

Black Cohosh

• One of the most common supplements that seems to decrease the severity of menopausal symptoms is the herb black cohosh, long used by herbalists to treat hot flashes. Extract from the herb is widely available in health food and vitamin retail outlets and online.

Herb Mixes

• There are a variety of concoctions that many women find relieve their discomfort that contain a mix of herbs such as ginseng, red clover, flaxseed and licorice.

Proof

• There are few traditional medical authorities that will confirm the efficacy of hormone replacement supplements. Organizations such as the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine have found no research to prove the effectiveness of herbal supplements.

Danger

• Since there is so little scientific evidence about the effects of supplements, there is little known about long-term side effects either. While most supplements have natural derivatives, they can still prove dangerous when combined with other medications.

Doctors

• No prescription is required for hormone replacement supplements, but a physician should be made aware if you are taking them.

Homeopaths

• Professional homeopaths diagnose individual symptoms and prescribe a custom supplement for clients that they make themselves or which can be put together by pharmacies that specialize in homeopathic solutions.