Have you often wondered how you can treat menopause symptoms without hormones? As you know, during your reproductive years, your ovaries usually generate estrogen and progesterone.
Estrogen is necessary for you to have healthy menstrual cycles and fertility, as well as strong bones.
When you reach menopause age, it causes a drop in your estrogen and progesterone levels, resulting in well-known symptoms like hot flashes.
The term “postmenopausal hormone therapy” refers to the use of two hormones (estrogen and progesterone) to alleviate your menopausal symptoms.
You may receive estrogen therapy if you’ve had your uterus removed. Additionally, you may be given estrogen as well as synthetic or natural progesterone.
Estrogen is the most effective medication for easing your discomforts of menopause symptoms.
Although hormone replacement therapy can help with a variety of menopausal symptoms, it is not suitable for every woman.
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You will not receive hormone replacement therapy if you fall into any of the following categories:
- diagnosed with breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive malignancies
- have a history of blood clots or other clotting problem
- 60 years old or older
If you fall into any of those categories or you choose not to take hormone replacement, there are nonhormonal options to address your menopausal symptoms.
There are several alternatives to hormone therapy that are available to you. They provide some alleviation, even though they may not be as effective as estrogen therapy.
Your non-hormonal treatment options include modifying your diet, lifestyle changes, and some over-the-counter therapies.
Hopefully, after reading this, you’ll learn how to survive menopause without hormones.
What happens if you don’t take hormones during menopause? You’re likely to have persistent post-menopause symptoms. If this occurs, discuss with your doctor and explore a possible referral to a menopausal expert.
What is the best non-hormonal menopause treatment? Well, here are some treatment options that are available for you:
Controlling hot flashes
How about knowing the triggers of your hot flashes? Do you often ask yourself, “why are my hot flashes getting worse?”
To manage your menopause symptoms, you should identify and avoid your “triggers” for hot flashes.
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Common triggers for hot flashes include:
- hot weather
- caffeine
- smoking
- spicy meals
- alcohol
- tight clothing
- heat
- stress.
- consuming a lot of sugar
- exercising in warm weather.
Adjusting your diet
You should avoid:
- caffeine,
- spicy meals, and
- alcohol.
This will help reduce the frequency and severity of your hot flashes.
You should also try to increase your intake of plant estrogens. Plant estrogens, such as isoflavones contain estrogen-like properties that can help with your hot flashes.
They actually act like a weak form of estrogen in your body.
Examples of plant estrogens include:
- Soybeans
- chickpeas
- lentils
- flaxseed
- grains
- beans
- fruits
- red clover
- vegetables.
Plant estrogens that you find in soybeans, chickpeas, and lentils will be the most effective for you.
You should understand, however, that their action is much less than human estrogen. Instead of taking supplements, you may try to eat more natural foods.
Keep in mind that only crushed or ground flaxseed is likely to be beneficial to you (as compared to the whole seed or seed oil forms).
Treat menopause symptoms by making changes to your lifestyle
You may try the following lifestyle changes to help to alleviate the discomfort of hot flashes:
- Reduce the temperature in your room.
- Sleep in your room with a fan on.
- Wear your clothing in layers.
- If you’re overweight, you’re more likely to experience bothersome hot flashes. You should consider losing some weight.
- If you’re a smoker, quitting smoking during your menopause has a twofold purpose. Firstly, smoking can leave you at high risk for developing postmenopausal elevated cardiovascular issues. Secondly, as a smoker, you’re more likely to get bad hot flashes.
- Hot flashes appear to be more common in sedentary women. Incorporate some form of exercise in your daily life.
- During exercise, try and practice slow, deep belly breathing. Take 6 to 8 breaths per minute. It is advisable that you exercise in a cool environment.
- Practice deep breathing for 15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes in the evening, and whenever hot flashes occur.
- You may find that wearing socks to bed can help to reduce your core body temperature.
Coping with mood swings and depression
To cope with menopause symptoms related to mood swings and depression, you should try the following:
- Engage in creative activities that give you a sense of accomplishment.
- As much as possible, avoid the use of tranquilizers.
- Practice a self-calming skill like mindfulness, yoga, meditation, or slow, deep breathing.
- Maintain your ties to your family and community, and cultivate meaningful friendships. You can join menopause groups if there are any in your community.
Treating memory or mood changes
You may receive Modafinil for treating memory or mood changes. Modafinil is a medicine that you can take for sleep disorders.
Research has shown that Modafinil has some benefits in treating menopause symptoms associated with memory or mood changes.
Additional research is needed to corroborate and confirm these findings as a treatment for hot flashes in the elderly.
It may also help if you can practice cognitive training, which may improve your memory and thinking
Relieving vaginal dryness and painful intercourse
Perhaps one of your menopause symptoms is vaginal dryness causing painful intercourse? If this occurs, you should use a vaginal water-based moisturizing lotion or lubricant during intercourse.
In most places, these are available at your local drugstore without a prescription. Astroglide® and KY liquid® are two common brand names that you can use.
You should avoid the use of Vaseline®. It might cause you to have a yeast infection.
Menopause symptoms affecting your libido
Studies have shown that you can take Bupropion (Wellbutrin), an antidepressant to boost your sexual satisfaction, arousal, and orgasm intensity.
You should discuss this with your doctor because more research needs to be done to confirm these findings.
Herbal treatments for menopause symptoms
You’ll notice a number of herbal treatments for hot flashes being touted as “natural” remedies for menopause symptoms. Although you can take black cohosh to relieve hot flashes and other menopause symptoms, research trials have revealed that it is no more helpful than a placebo.
______There are also concerns that if you take black cohosh, it may stimulate your breast tissue in the same way as estrogen does. This can raise the chance of recurrence if you’ve already had breast cancer.
If you’ve had breast cancer, you’re advised to avoid black cohosh. More research needs to be done on its efficacy for relieving your menopause symptoms if you’re a qualified candidate.
Read also: The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism
______ ______Supplements for menopause symptoms
You should consult your doctor before taking supplements for menopause. Naturally, vitamins and minerals are necessary for the correct functioning of your body.
It is advisable that you strive to receive all the nutrients you need by eating a well-balanced diet.
______In some circumstances, you may require supplements. You may require calcium and vitamin D supplements to preserve your bone health.
Supplements may be ineffective in the treatment of your menopausal symptoms. Some of them may even be dangerous for you. Discuss this option with your doctor.
Remember, the supplements you buy are not regulated by the FDA. It is therefore impossible to guarantee their safety.
Menopausal weight gain
Sometimes, menopause and weight gain go hand-in-hand, and you experience weight gain. Have you considered how you can beat your menopause weight gain or menopause belly fat?
Watch the video below and discover how you can take control of your life and stop your weight gain on its track.
Read also Belly Fat Is Hard to Lose After Menopause – Simple Reasons Why
“Keep it up!”