"Understanding Menopause Symptoms, Natural Approaches, and Treatment Options"

by Timothy Kang September 27, 2023

Menopause

Menopause is a natural aging process that occurs in women when the ovaries' function declines, leading to the cessation of menstruation. Common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, vaginal tissue atrophy, urinary tract infections, and sexual dysfunction. During menopause, there is also a higher risk of decreased bone density and developing coronary artery disease.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), primarily using estrogen, is commonly prescribed by healthcare professionals to manage menopausal symptoms. Women with a healthy uterus often receive progestin or progesterone alongside estrogen to prevent excessive uterine lining growth caused by estrogen.

Dietary Considerations In terms of dietary choices, it's advisable to avoid fatty meats like beef and pork, dairy products, and reduce sugar intake. Instead, focus on incorporating foods like flaxseeds, nuts, apples, parsley, and alfalfa into your diet, as they contain phytoestrogens and other beneficial compounds.

Natural Supplements Several natural supplements have shown promise in alleviating menopausal symptoms:

Flaxseeds: Research suggests that daily consumption of 25g-40g of flaxseeds can improve hot flashes and yield positive results in menopausal index tests.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E): Vitamin E may influence physical changes during menopause. One report mentioned a 58-year-old woman who experienced a resumption of menstruation and a significant increase in vaginal epithelial cell keratinization after taking 100mg of tocopherol daily for several months.
Flavonoids and Vitamin C: Studies have shown that combining flavonoids and vitamin C can alleviate hot flashes during menopause. The precise mechanisms of action are still being investigated.
Magnesium: According to one physician's report, daily consumption of 250mg of magnesium by postmenopausal women may be effective in addressing psychological and neurological issues that can arise with hormone replacement therapy.
DHEA: DHEA levels naturally decrease after the age of 25, and a deficiency can exacerbate hormonal and metabolic changes associated with menopause. Some studies have suggested that daily DHEA supplementation (25-50mg) can relieve menopausal symptoms.
Progesterone: Women with a uterus receiving estrogen replacement therapy are often prescribed progestin to counteract the potential risk of uterine cancer. However, natural progesterone, produced by the ovaries, is considered to have fewer side effects and lower long-term risks while still inhibiting excessive uterine lining growth.
Melatonin: Melatonin can be used to address insomnia in menopausal women and may also help improve mood swings and depression often associated with sleep disturbances.

Prescription Recommendations Consult with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance. However, some common prescriptions may include:

Vitamin E: 400IU daily.
Flavonoids with Vitamin C: As directed.
Magnesium Glycinate: 300-600mg per day.
DHEA: 5-15mg per day.
Progesterone: As directed, usually once to twice per day.
Melatonin: 3-5 mg per night.

You can access the menopause protocol shared by Dr. Kang on Fullscript. To make a purchase, you'll need to sign up for an account.

https://us.fullscript.com/protocols/tkang-understanding-menopause-symptoms-natural-approaches-and-treatment-options