Naturopathic Menopause Treatment

Hormonal balance is an important aspect of supporting a good quality of life. Anyone who has experienced hormonal shifts during adolescence, menstrual cycles, or around pregnancy and childbirth can attest to this. The perimenopausal and menopausal shifts are no different. For many people, this can be a time of great change, and for some, it can be prolonged suffering due to symptoms including:

• hot flashes/night sweats

• insomnia

• mood disturbances

• frequent urination and/or reoccurring bladder infections

• body aches

• vaginal dryness/pain

• brain fog

• fatigue

Fortunately, while menopause is inevitable, the suffering that can accompany it is not.

Naturopathy is a holistic approach to healthcare that emphasizes the body's inherent ability to heal itself through natural therapies. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) focus on identifying and addressing the root causes of health issues, rather than merely alleviating symptoms. When it comes to menopause, naturopathic treatments aim to support the body's transition by promoting hormonal balance, addressing nutritional deficiencies, and enhancing overall vitality.

One of the best things about the naturopathic approach is that there are a lot of options available for the treatment of health conditions. This includes menopause too! This also permits the customization of treatment for each person depending on their issues and their desires for treatment.

Herbal Medicine for Menopause

One of the tools that naturopathic physicians can offer is herbal medicine. Herbal medicine can be powerful and is often better tolerated than medication. Some examples of commonly used herbs in the treatment of menopause include:

• Black cohosh can significantly reduce the occurrence of hot flashes/night sweats and has a good safety profile.

• Red clover is not just an invasive weed. It also is effective for the treatment of hot flashes/night sweats.

• St. John’s Wort is another natural way to treat hot flashes/night sweats while assisting with mood support for those who could benefit from it.

• Valerian may help support improved sleep for those suffering from insomnia, a frequent menopausal concern.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the use of prescribed hormones to address the decrease in levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone that begins to occur in perimenopause. Fortunately, naturopathic doctors have prescribing rights that permit us to prescribe HRT in many states including Arizona. In my experience, naturopaths like myself have more experience prescribing HRT than many primary care providers. A number of my patients have been advised by their doctor to consult with a naturopath for HRT assistance.

There has been a revival of the prescribing of HRT in the past few years and it has been exciting to be a part of it.

Unfortunately, many women have discontinued the use of HRT due to concerns that were raised by the research two decades ago. Recently, experts have been debunking the design and findings of that research, the Women’s Health Initiative. A good resource regarding this is the book Estrogen Matters written by an oncologist and social psychologist.

HRT can address most of the symptoms associated with menopause. Frequently, people find that they get rapid relief from symptoms that have been plaguing them for months and years. There can be a remarkable improvement in their quality of life. Another important aspect of HRT is that it can help to prevent many of the health concerns connected to aging. For instance, the rapid rate of bone loss due to low estrogen levels occurs within a few years of hitting menopause. The use of HRT, specifically estrogen, can change the course of this progression.

Big Pharma or Compounded HRT?

There are many options in HRT choices. When a patient is considering HRT, this is one of the important topics that is reviewed. It is possible to have bioidentical HRT prescribed by a local pharmacy. A major benefit of this route is that it will likely be covered by insurance. Another option for HRT is having a personalized prescription ordered at a local compounding pharmacy. In Tucson, we are fortunate as we have a number of them here including Reed’s, Acacia Apothecary, and Prescription Lab Compounding Pharmacy. Formulas from compounding pharmacies offer more diversity in the dosages and methods of delivery available.

Lifestyle and Diet

Lifestyle and diet are always included in the assessment and recommendations of a naturopathic doctor. It’s a holistic approach and it is how we are trained. It’s good medicine. Naturopathic approaches often emphasize the importance of a well-balanced and nutrient-rich diet. Specific dietary changes may help manage menopausal symptoms. Incorporating foods rich in phytoestrogens, such as soy, flaxseeds, and legumes, may provide a natural source of estrogen-like compounds. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, flaxseed, and walnuts, can support cardiovascular health and help manage mood swings.

Not only do people experience hormonal changes, but it’s common for people to experience changes in their blood sugar/insulin levels and cholesterol labs around the menopausal years. Helping to reverse these changes with diet and lifestyle is an important part of the overall health-supporting strategy.

Doctor as Teacher

One of the precepts of being a naturopath is being a teacher “docere”.

To understand one’s body and the options that are available for supporting good health is to empower that person.

This is especially true for menopause. Patients regularly tell me that they don’t feel heard by their mainstream practitioners. Many people report that they haven’t had any education about perimenopause and menopause. It’s not uncommon for them to not realize that the symptoms they’ve been experiencing is related to their hormones and that there are options for treatment. Naturopathic doctors incorporate time into their appointments to be able to thoroughly answer questions and to provide education.

Final Thoughts

The treatment of menopause is not only a quality of life issue for the present, it is also an investment in one’s quality of life for the future. While individual responses to naturopathic therapies may vary, many women find relief from symptoms and an improved quality of life by embracing these natural interventions. An experienced provider can help with navigating this important phase of life.