Have you ever found yourself in deep pain at the time before menopause? Wondered how you could get rid of the symptoms? Also known as perimenopause, this is a time in the life of a woman when it feels like a beast has overtaken her body.
How can one treat the symptoms of perimenopause? Well, there are a number of home remedies that you can fall back on when you are transitioning into menopause, and in this post we are going to be discussing ten such remedies for your benefit.
But just before we get into this, let’s consider some of the symptoms of perimenopause:
If the symptoms are the bad part, then here is the good part – perimenopause doesn’t last forever.
This is one of the best herbal remedies for perimenopause symptoms. Its extract is used as a perimenopause remedy. All you have to do is take 1⁄2 to 1 ml of black cohosh as an infusion 2 to 4 times a day. You can add half a glass of juice or water to the infusion.
Research has shown that black cohosh lowers the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the blood of perimenopausal women. This hormone dilates blood vessels, sending heat to the skin. Perimenopausal women can get other benefits too from the use of the herb, like relief from:
We suggest that you take the herbal infusion for at least 6 weeks (1). And then stop taking for 4 weeks, before resuming it again. Repeat the cycle.
We would suggest that you do not overuse this herbal remedy as there are studies which link it to liver harm on overuse.
Natural soya rich foods like tofu can be consumed, as these contain Phytoestrogens, natural forms of estrogen and a vital female hormone.
The good news is that estrogens occur naturally in certain foods. A type of phytoestrogen called isoflavones is found abundantly in soybeans, legumes and chickpeas. Thus soya helps ease hot flashes and vaginal dryness. We recommend that you eat 200 to 250 g of tofu every day.
These are another good source of phytoestrogens called Lignans. Lignans are also found in whole grains, and some fruits and vegetables.
Just grind some flaxseed in a grinder and add 1 to 2 tablespoons to cereal or yogurt for your daily dose of plant estrogen.
Always consult your doctor before taking phytoestrogen supplements, as there have been studies that link its overuse to breast cancer.
To tame night sweats, we recommend that you take 3 to 15 drops of sage tincture 3 times a day in a half-cup of water (2). The herb sage derives its name from the Latin ‘salvere’ which means ‘to heal’. The extract of salvia leaves is used to treat more than 60 different health problems (3). It helps perimenopausal women by reducing profuse sweating due to its astringent qualities.
You could also try taking vitamin E as it has been found to relieve hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Doctors recommend a dose of 800 mg a day (400 mg twice a day). But, before you start taking Vitamin E regularly, we suggest that you consult your doctor, especially if you are diabetic or hypertensive.
Turn to natural fibres for relief from hot flashes.
Try taking a warm water bath in the morning for preventing hot flashes in the day. This can be an excellent natural remedy for perimenopause.
Aerobic exercise for at least 20 minutes a day will decrease hot flashes and night sweats, and help improve mood and sleep. It has also been linked to more balanced hormone levels. Try resistance training to keep your bones healthy.
The berries of the Chaste tree help restore the levels of the hormone progesterone which decrease significantly during perimenopause. The berries are also useful for combating extremely heavy bleeding which a few of us can experience during perimenopause. It can also help with other symptoms like hot flashes and depression. We recommend a dose of 1 to 2 teaspoons of standardized Chaste extract once a day.
To get rid of hot flashes, avoid alcohol, coffee, spicy foods, and hot drinks as they trigger symptoms.
Eat plenty of protein to stop bone loss. So, include enough chicken, fish, or meat to supply your daily requirement for protein. Also include lots of green salads and fruits like bananas and melons. Green tea is as good as caffeine and can aggravate symptoms. Keep yourself hydrated and drink milk daily for calcium.
Alternate therapies like acupuncture, yoga and deep breathing or pranayama help balance out hormones and relieve perimenopause symptoms. These are also known to reduce stress and improve psychological well-being.
Now that you know effective Perimenopause remedies, let us know if you’ll give it a try. All the best in managing this critical phase of your life! Your feedback keeps us going! Comment in the box below!