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One night you awaken to find your sheets wet with perspiration. You start to yell for no apparent reason at your husband and children. You feel lethargic and just don't seem to have any drive or ambition. Although you suspect the reason, you go to your doctor and he confirms you are in "menopause." When experiencing menopause, you may want to consider natural hormone alternatives. Nutrition expert Ann Louise Gittleman, MS, CNS suggests that using natural hormone alternatives can be just as effective as Hormone Replacement Therapy but with fewer side effects.
According to the Mayo Clinic, hormone therapy (HT) is still used as a safe and effective short-term alternative for menopausal symptoms. However, certain risks exist if hormone therapy is used for long-term treatment.
According to information from Medline Plus, men past age 60 are at higher risk for prostate cancer. The development of prostate cancer can be slowed through the use of androgen deprivation hormone therapy, but the side effects of that treatment are many, including the development of male breast tissue, depression and impaired cognitive ability. As a result, finding an alternative measure of treatment often is necessary for men unwilling to sacrifice their masculinity in the fight against prostate cancer.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is an estrogen or estrogen/progesterone supplement prescribed by doctors to ease menopause side effects, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness and osteoporosis. However, HRT can also increase the risks of breast cancer, heart disease and stroke. Some women may also have moral objections against HRT because Premarin, a commonly used estrogen replacement, is derived from pregnant mare urine. There are many alternatives to HRT.
During menopause the estrogen level in a woman's body decreases. This decrease in hormones causes uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings. Hormone therapy is traditionally used to replace estrogen and progestin levels to relieve these symptoms. However, some women do not want hormone therapy. A number of options are available today for women who want hormone therapy alternatives.
Hormone replacement therapy has become controversial in recent years because of its potentially life-threatening side effects. Still, many doctors still feel HRT is the best way to control menopause, at least in the first few years. Whether or not to be treated with HRT is a very important and personal choice, but if it's not for you, there are alternatives. Small changes to your diet and lifestyle can have a significant effect on the severity of your menopause symptoms.
As women age, they produce less estrogen. This loss of estrogen can lead to an array of problems such as bone density loss, increase in bad cholesterol, heart disease and more. As a result, maintaining a healthy level of estrogen is important. Many women seek alternatives to traditional hormone-replacement therapy in order to avoid some scary side effects such as blood clots, bloating and even cancer.
