Menopause is a natural transition that all women go through as they age. The symptoms associated with menopause can significantly impact quality of life for many women. A naturopathic doctor can provide tremendous support during this time with an individualized treatment plan to help ease symptoms and promote better overall health.
Naturopathic doctors are trained in both conventional and alternative medical approaches. Their goal is to stimulate the body's innate healing capacity by using "the healing power of nature." Treatments are customized to the unique needs of each patient and aim to address the root causes of disease.
Some key ways a naturopath can help with menopause symptoms:
- Provide education - They help women understand the changes happening in their bodies and empower them to make informed decisions about treatment approaches. This can ease anxiety around menopausal symptoms.
- Lifestyle recommendations - Improving diet, exercise, sleep, and stress levels can profoundly impact menopausal symptoms. Naturopaths provide personalized lifestyle plans.
- Botanical medicine - Herbs like black cohosh, dong quai, and maca have research supporting their ability to lessen hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and more. Naturopaths are experts in herbal therapies.
- Bioidentical hormone therapy - This involves using plant-derived hormones that are molecularly identical to the hormones made in the human body. Some women find this relieves menopausal symptoms with fewer risks than synthetic hormone replacement. A naturopath determines if this is an appropriate option for each woman.
- Nutritional supplements - Symptoms like hot flashes, irritability, and trouble sleeping may be relieved with supplements like vitamin E, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and adaptogenic herbs. Naturopaths determine optimal nutritional support for each patient.
- Acupuncture - Insertion of tiny needles into specific body points has been found to reduce severity and frequency of hot flashes. Acupuncture also helps mood changes, fatigue, joint pain and more during menopause. Many naturopaths are licensed acupuncturists.
The
multi-modal approach used by naturopaths allows them to address all body systems that may be involved in an individual's menopausal symptoms. Research suggests women under naturopathic care experience
significant reductions in hot flashes, irritability, anxiety, and sleep troubles during the menopausal transition. The emphasis on treating root causes can also have positive impacts on overall health that extend beyond just the symptoms of menopause.
If you are struggling with uncomfortable menopausal symptoms,
consult with a licensed naturopath to develop a personalized treatment plan.
At Optimal Hormone Wellness Center, our naturopathic doctors specialize in optimizing hormone balance across the full lifespan. We conduct thorough initial evaluations and provide both conventional and complementary treatments to meet each woman's individual needs for
perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve better health during this transition.
