Menopause is something that we will all have to deal with at some point
An expert is urging wome to just deal with menopause.
Symptoms such as hot flushes and mood swings make life miserable for many menopausal women.
But pschotherapist Sue Brayne argues that women should not be so eager to reach for the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and instead should embrace menopause as a “life affirming and natural process for women.
However, for those still struggling to cope with the menopause, Menopret - a black cohosh extract - offers a natural solution to help cope with the physical symptoms, leading to better emotional well-being.
Sue Brayne told the British Psychological Society conference: “Little consideration is given to the psychological, emotional and spiritual changes women go through in this stage of life and no matter how science attempts to ‘cure’ the menopause, evolution cannot be stopped.”
Black cohosh has also been recommended by doctors in Europe for many years as a natural alternative to treat symptoms of the menopause
Nonetheless, moderate to severe menopause symptoms will affect almost 70 per cent of women in the UK with the physical effects making life unbearable.
Many of these women will be placed on HRT and, for many of them, this will help to manage symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats. However, for some women, a more natural approach may be suitable as there are less side-effects and contraindications.
Menopret, a black cohosh extract, was shown in a double blind crossover clinical study to be able to reduce oestrogen deficiency symptoms to the same degree as HRT, but without the same side effects.
“Following a hormone-balanced diet, containing foods such as soya, oily fish, nuts and seeds, can be beneficial. Black cohosh has also been recommended by doctors in Europe for many years as a natural alternative to treat symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flushes, night sweats, poor sleep, mood changes, vaginal dryness and irritability. Recent research has shown black cohosh to be a viable alternative to HRT,” says Dr Pixie McKenna, presenter of Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies.
Professor George Lewith, from Primary Care at the University of Southampton, says: “In consultation with your doctor, it is often worth trying an effective herbal medicine for a few months if you can treat or manage your condition more naturally, and with fewer side effects, in the long term.”
Femalefirst Taryn Davies