Keep Your Cool During Menopause
Menopause is not a disease. Just like puberty, women are meant to go through this hormonal transition. The fluctuations in hormones can result in symptoms or
body changes, some manageable, others less so.
As a Naturopathic Doctor, my goal is to address the underlying cause of disease and support the body’s natural processes. I work with the body’s natural change in
hormones and physiology and use supportive therapies to help with the transition.
The basics:
Prior to menopause, the end of menses, women go through peri-menopause. This is the transition from the last regular menses to when you reach menopause. On
average, this lasts 4 years. Once a woman has had a minimum of 12 consecutive months without menses, a diagnosis of menopause is given.
Common signs and symptoms:
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Hot flashes: a sudden feeling of warmth or intense heat and perspiration
Insomnia
Anxiety & Irritability
Loss of memory and “brain fog”
Skin changes like vaginal dryness and thinning of tissues
Reduction in sexuality and libido
Weight gain
Frustration
Can be asymptomatic!
Menopause results in a decline in estrogen:
Estrogen is important in:
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Maintaining smooth and moist skin
Regulating body temperature
Optimizing heart health by promoting HDL and lowering LDL
Building bone
Balancing other hormones
Thus a decline in estrogen can compromise the above benefits and result in symptoms including: dry skin, hot flashes, heart disease, accumulation of fat cells,
osteoporosis, etc.
Many individuals question what the right way is for managing menopausal symptoms. My advice is to do your research, ask questions, evaluate the severity and
manageability of your symptoms, and use approaches that work best for you. This can include traditional hormone replacement therapies, naturopathic modalities
or both!
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):
HRT is an exogenous source of hormones to alleviate menopausal symptoms. There are various forms of Estrogen and Progesterone in the form of pills, creams,
gels, and patches that can help decrease the frequency and severity of symptoms. These can be synthetic or bio-identical hormones and are administered in a cyclic
or continue manner.
HRT can be beneficial in alleviating hot flashes, night sweats, bone density, mood and sleep. However, some of the negative aspects of HRT to be aware of include:
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the potential of lengthening the duration of peri-menopause
withdrawal symptoms when HRT is discontinued
the inhibition of hormone production from organs like the adrenal gland
the increased risks for blood clots, heart disease, liver and gall bladder disease, invasive breast cancer
Other treatments used in conventional medicine to combat menopausal symptoms include:
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Local Gels/Creams with or without hormones for dryness
Hormone modulators (ie: Oral Contraceptive Pill)
Antidepressants
Sedatives
Natural Therapies:
Naturopathic Modalities would include:
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Nutrition
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Incorporate healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and flax, fiber, whole foods, phyto-estrogens
Avoid caffeine, saturated and trans fats, hot drinks, spicy foods
Exercise
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Herbs have hormone balancing & phytoestrogenic effects to help transition into menopause. When used in the right combinations with therapeutic
doses, they can be very effective. Consult your naturopathic doctor on what is best for you, as herbs have interactions with HRT, medications and some
can cause harm if you have pre-existing medical conditions like liver disease. Some herbs to note include:
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Cardiovascular and weight bearing exercises promote oxygen delivery to the cells, releases endorphins (“feel good” molecules) to help manage
pain and mood, prevents unwanted weight gain by increasing metabolism, can help normalize body temperature changes and thus hot flashes,
build muscle mass to combat osteoporosis, etc.
Actea racemosa (Black Cohosh)
Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam)
Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste Tree)
Trifolium pratense (Red Clover)
Other natural therapies include: Acupuncture, Breathing, Homeopathy
Remember, menopause is not a disease. It is a major life transition, different for every woman. How you navigate it is up to you. Do your research, talk to your
friends, get professional advice and then decide what’s best for you.
By Nooreen Sumar, BSc. ND.
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Nooreen Sumar, a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, pursues her passion for Naturopathic Medicine in her practice at Healing Connections Wellness Centre.
If you have any questions or want to book an appointment with Nooreen, please call Healing Connections on (780) 488-9779 or email: drsumar.nd@gmail.com.