Unlike any disease or ailment, menopause is something that every woman will have to experience.  Fortunately you can relieve menopause naturally. It is a natural biological process that occurs at an average of 51 years of age but can also occur in mid to late 40s as well. Menopause is the reduction of hormone production from the ovaries and it occurs over a period of years. Although natural, it can be an unpleasant experience. Women going through menopause may experience symptoms that include hot flashes, mood changes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, weight gain, and thinning hair. There are a few prescriptions that can help with the symptoms but there are also many natural alternatives that relieve the effects of menopause.  It's also equally important to recognize the importance your  nervous system plays in regulating hormone balance.  When your spine is in proper alignment, the nerves are stress free allowing for optimal function of your  body.  Our Austin Chiropractic office offers corrective chiropractic care that helps to make sure your body remains in proper alignment.

Herbs and plants to Relieve Menopause Naturally
The most common herb used to help relieve menopausal symptom is black cohosh. It naturally contains estrogen and can help relieve hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Black cohosh has few known side effects when taken for menopause; the common ones are stomachaches and headaches. Sold as a dietary supplement in pill form, it is available at most pharmacies. Red clover and fermented soy have also been known to relieve hot flashes and night sweats but red clover has more known side effects than black cohosh and soy.

Aside from also treating hot flashes, ginseng can provide relief for moodiness, sleeping problems and vaginal dryness. It is generally safe and often found in combination with green tea in most grocery stores. Wild yam is another helpful aid that regulates progesterone and battles moodiness, as well as menopausal related depression.

Yoga to Relieve Menopause Naturally
Both exercise and mediation can improve moods and relieve sleeping problems. When the two are combined, they are twice as effective. Yoga allows for this combination. It provides an easy exercise as well as the calming effects of mediation. It also leaves a lot of room for modification to make it easier for those that suffer from mobility problems so it’s an option that is usually available to everyone.

Although the link is still undecided, yoga is thought to also help reduce hot flashes. Yoga classes are held throughout the day making it easy for anyone to attend a class.  However, if you have “time constraints” or you'd like to try yoga out in the comfort of your own home, you can always check out online yoga. 

We also highly recommend East Side Yoga here in Austin, Tx!

Vitamin E Oil to Relieve Menopause Naturally
Estrogen is what keeps the vagina lubricated and during menopause, when there is a drop in estrogen, vaginal dryness is common. It can be highly uncomfortable and awkward to deal with, both during sexual intercourse and just during everyday activities. However, there are natural ways to find relief.

Applying Vitamin E oil topically to the vagina can soothe tenderness caused by dryness and help improve lubrication. It can also help with hot flashes but the effectiveness in that area is mild. Vitamin E can be found in gel capsule form or in a bottle, although the capsules tend to be more sterile. When using a gel capsule, the best method is to puncture the capsule with a needle then dab the oil with a fingertip before gently applying to the vagina. There are no adverse effects to using Vitamin E oil topically, as long as hands are washed before application and the needle used to puncture the capsule is sterile.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine

Both alcohol and caffeine are dehydrating and can worsen hot flashes and night sweats. Caffeine also hinders mineral intake, which can have a negative effect on keeping a balanced mood and can contribute to bone density issues, especially with menopausal women. Switching to decaf coffee in the morning, along with avoiding soda and alcoholic beverages can reduce the amount of hot flashes and night sweats. Drinking cold water or juice instead can greatly help with hot flashes as they occur and reduce the amount of night sweat occurrences. Juices that are high in vitamin content are particularly helpful.