| For many women, the side effects of HRT have | | | | natural estrogen in chemical structure, though they |
| made it a less desirable option to manage the | | | | have a milder effect on the body. Thus, when they |
| symptoms of menopause. However, the discomfort | | | | locked into the estrogen receptors, they were |
| of these symptoms mean some treatment is | | | | thought to have an effect that mildly mimicked |
| necessary. | | | | estrogen, thus counterbalancing the reduced levels of |
| Hot flashes, night sweats, panic attacks, headaches, | | | | estrogen in a woman's body. |
| and mood swings can make life difficult for a | | | | However, this is now not believed to be the main |
| menopausal woman, as well as affecting her | | | | way phytoestrogens like black cohosh work. Whilst |
| relationships with her family. When we feel ill, our | | | | they do in fact bind to at least one subtype of |
| whole outlook on life can be affected, making it | | | | estrogen receptor, they may actually work to block |
| more challenging to engage the levels of spiritual | | | | that receptor, rather than activate it. It is now |
| transformation that are associated with menopause. | | | | believed that black cohosh regulates the hormonal |
| Fortunately, there are a number of options available | | | | system in the body. |
| to women who'd prefer to experience menopause | | | | Despite a lack of clear understanding in how black |
| naturally. It's important to note though, that | | | | cohosh works, scientists have found that it works |
| medication may still be needed for some. Dr | | | | very well. One study comparing black cohosh with |
| Christiane Northrup has written of some menopausal | | | | HRT and valium found that it was just as effective in |
| patients of hers that were adamant they were not | | | | helping both the physical and psychological symptoms |
| taking HRT. But after exhausting the herbal and | | | | of menopause. A Japanese study also found that |
| nutritional options, the symptoms were still so bad | | | | black cohosh increased bone mineral density, which |
| that in the end they opted to take hormone | | | | makes it very useful in preventing age related |
| replacement therapy. | | | | osteoporosis. |
| One well known herbal treatment for menopause is | | | | Black cohosh has been found to help 76 to 93% of |
| black cohosh. Also known by the botanical name of | | | | women find an improvement with the symptoms of |
| Cimicifuga racemosa, this powerful herb is a | | | | irritability, hot flushes, heart palpitations, depression, |
| phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens were originally | | | | headaches, and sleep problems. These women took |
| thought to work by binding to the estrogen | | | | a standardized extract, twice a day. |
| receptors in the body. Phytoestrogens are similar to | | | | |