Are there holistic remedies for relieving menopausal symptoms?
Many menopausal symptoms can be relieved by diet and lifestyle changes. The hormones needed can be found in tofu, berries, soy bean, citrus fruits, and wild or Mexican yams. Herb sources include dong quei, chaparral, damiana, licorice, black cohosh, motherwort, linoleic acid oils, and fennel. Hot flashes may be alleviated by sleeping in a cool room, regular relaxation, and breathing exercises. A water-soluble lubricating cream (with or without estrogen) can alleviate vaginal dryness. What other estrogen replacement products are available? Only Premarin and PremPro (another Wyeth-Ayerst product that combines Premarin and progestin in one medication) are produced from equine (horse) estrogens. Many of the alternative estrogens available are priced comparable to Premarin. • Estraderm (estradiol transdermal system) is a clear plastic patch that releases small amounts of estradiol (hormone produced by ovaries) through the skin into the bloodstream. • Estrace (estradiol tablets) is derived f