Menopause HRT Herbal Medicine

80% of UK women experience menopause symptoms and half find it difficult to live with. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may not be appropriate for those with a family or personal medical history of oestrogen dependant conditions or hormonal imbalances. HRT’s long-term and side effects leave many women seeking more natural approaches avoiding synthetic hormones.

Herbal medicine, used for centuries to reduce of menopause symptoms provides gentle yet effective alternatives to HRT.

Hydes Herbal Clinic prescribes tailor-made herbal menopause medicines after a comprehensive consultation, taking into account full medical history, family history, any other conditions you might be suffering from and any medicines you are taking. Herbal medicine is combined from Herb Extracts which Hydes prepare themselves. This allows us to provide an individual treatment to support your own menopause, unlike the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach of over-the-counter medicine. We also give dietary and life style advice and monitor your progress adjusting the medicine as appropriate.

Since Hydes established one of the first herbal medicine clinics in the country in 1908, we have successfully treated thousands of women through a smoother, more comfortable menopause.

Menopause happens usually between ages 45 and 55 with the UK average being 52. In menopause oestrogen production reduces and ovaries stop producing eggs. Reducing oestrogen circulation and changed oestrogen-testosterone balance produces both physical and emotional symptoms of menopause. Periods don’t usually stop immediately but become less regular, missing the odd one before completely ceasing. During this time a woman is considered peri-menopausal and only post-menopausal once she has not had a period for 1 year.

Premature menopause occurs under 45 with 1% of women under 40 affected and 0.1% of women under 30. Although generally self limiting, untreated symptoms commonly last 3-5 years and may continue for 10 years or more.

Menopause Symptoms include

Usual menstrual cycle becomes more or less frequent

Volume of blood loss change, usually increasing, often resulting in ‘flooding’ which can be particularly distressing and debilitating.

Hot flushes; feeling of sudden heat often arising from the face, neck or chest, often accompanied by reddening of the skin or sweating

Heart rate increase with possible light headed feint feeling.

Night sweats, sleep disturbance, insomnia or anxiety.

Vaginal dryness, itching or soreness, painful or difficult sex

Increased osteoporosis risk (brittle bones)

Irritability

Poor memory and concentration

Recurrent cystitis or urinary tract infections

Need to pass urine and increased frequency

Urinary incontinence (uncontrolled urination when coughing, sneezing, straining, exercising, etc)

Dry skin

Thinning hair due to the changed oestrogen-testosterone ratio

Herbal Medicine can help Menopause

Reduce frequency and severity of hot flushes.

Improve night time symptoms

Support adrenal glands which can produce oestrogen as the ovaries slow down to improve energy levels restoring ‘get up and go’

Reduce menstrual flow to reduce flooding and blood loss.

Reduce period pain and pre-menstrual symptoms

Support the nervous system reducing anxiety, low moods and poor self-esteem and improve sleep.

Helping liver function metabolise hormones efficiently to reduce menopausal symptoms.

Reduce vaginal dryness and discomfort.

Improve the condition of the skin and slow or stop the advance of male pattern hair loss

Support the immune system and bladder tissues reducing the incidence of cystitis.

Sooth an irritable bladder.

We help women reduce risks by coming off HRT. Remaining on HRT for as short a time as possible and generally not for more than 2-3 years is recommended, but stopping HRT often returns menopausal symptoms as, in effect HRT has only delayed their onset. We recommend herbal treatment begins whilst you are still taking your normal dose of HRT. Once the herbs are in your system, you can then discuss with your Herbalist and your GP reducing the HRT dose slowly using herbs as a safer treatment to soften the symptoms. Many GPs now suggest that peri-menopausal women see a Registered Medical Herbalist.

Menopause Herbal medicine

Although over the counter herbs such as black cohosh are available there have been quality concerns and this particular herb is not suitable for some women. Hydes Herbalists do not use these herbs on their own, but in combination with several other herbs to address the many different aspects of the menopause and form a well-rounded and individualised prescription. We also monitor your reaction to it. Every woman’s experience is different and her treatment should reflect that. Over the counter herbal products are a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach and unlikely to get the best results.

If you would like to discuss Hydes approach to Menopause or HRT problems
and the use of Herbal Medicine please call us on 0116 254 3178
We have clinics in Leicester and Derbyshire.

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