The Menopause
Treatments for the Menopause
Conventional treatment has, for many years, revolved around the use
of hormone replacement therapy (‘HRT’). This was based on
three ideas:
1. the menopause may be considered as a deficiency syndrome like hypothyroidism
or diabetes;
2. synthetic hormones relieve many of the symptoms of the menopause;
3. the original scientific evidence suggested that it was safe with many
other health benefits.
The current orthodox view is now less clear and not only have most of
the benefits been disproved, there are many negative factors associated
with HRT – not least being an increased risk of breast cancer.
Fortunately there are many alternative ways to treat the menopause with
different evidence of efficacy. Acupuncture and herbal medicine have
given the best responses. Acupuncture can help with a wide range of hormonal
problems and involves placing needles in the key ‘meridians’ (or
channels) which run over the uterus (i.e. kidney, liver and spleen).
Auricular therapy, which involves placing gold and silver needles in
the ear, has also been found to be helpful.
Many plants have been found to have effects that mimic hormones and,
in particular, Vitex Agnus Castus (The Chaste Tree) can cause a shift
in the ratio of oestrogen and progesterone by altering the LH and FSH
levels. Taken over three to six months it can enable sufferers to adapt
more gently to the hormonal changes of the menopause. Natural progesterone
can be obtained from yams and, when used as a cream applied to the skin,
can not only help symptoms but also help with osteoporosis. Many plants
contain phyto-oestrogens (plant substances which have oestrogen-like
effects). Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga rhizoma), Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis),
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and
Panax ginseng are other herbs that have been shown to be beneficial.
A study using gentle osteopathy has also been shown to relieve menopausal
symptoms.
There is a wide range of homeopathic remedies that can be used to treat
the menopause, whether using the classical approach or choosing from
a variety of complex medicines. Symptoms can be treated by matching those
associated with a specific remedy and using it to treat the whole process
or to relieve one outstanding symptom such as hot flushes. The Miller
technique, using dilutions of hormones, can also help by ‘switching
off’ negative hormonal effects.
The advantage of the complementary approach is the combination of significant
benefits and minimal side effects. The best treatment is the one that
uses the most appropriate combination of techniques to treat the individual
patient.
