Menopause
Synopsis
Menopause is the natural biological transition marking the end of a woman's reproductive years, defined as having no menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months due to a decline in ovarian hormone production, primarily estrogen and progesterone. Most women experience menopause between ages 45 and 55, with perimenopause (the transition phase) beginning several years earlier.
Menopause is a normal life stage, not a disease, but it can bring a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms due to hormonal shifts, which vary in severity and duration.
Common symptoms include:
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Hot flashes and night sweats
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Irregular periods (during perimenopause)
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Vaginal dryness and discomfort
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Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
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Sleep disturbances and fatigue
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Reduced libido
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Difficulty concentrating ("brain fog")
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Joint pain or stiffness
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Thinning hair and dry skin
Long-term health concerns associated with menopause:
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Increased risk of osteoporosis
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Higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease
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Changes in metabolism and body composition
When to see a doctor:
While menopause doesn’t require treatment, seek help if symptoms are severe, persistent, or affect quality of life. Hormone testing may confirm menopause, and treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT), lifestyle changes, or natural remedies can help manage symptoms.
Natural Remedies
Dress in Layers and Use Fans: Helps manage hot flashes.
Follow a Balanced Diet Rich in Calcium and Fiber: Supports bone and heart health.
Exercise Regularly: Improves mood, bone density, and weight balance.
Practice Stress Reduction Techniques: Yoga, meditation, or deep breathing.
Use Vaginal Moisturizers or Lubricants: Alleviates dryness without hormones.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat this condition.
ashwagandha
black cohosh
chaste tree
dong quai root
evening primrose oil
licorice root
maca
red clover
reishi mushroom
zinc
vitamin D
vitamin E
vitamin B6
wild yam
7b-hydroxy, 17b-dihydro DHEA
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
Ginseng, American
Ginseng, Oriental
Ginseng, Panax
10-Hydroxy-2-Decanoic Acid
17a-ethyl-estr-5(6)-ene-3B-diol
27-deoxyactein
4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyisoflavone
4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyisoflavone-7
6-Ketodiosgenin
7-Alpha-Hydroxy-DHEA
7-Beta-Hydroxy-DHEA
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
8-Prenylnaringenin
Abalone
Agnuside
Agnusides
Alfalfa
alfalfa
Alfalfa Protein
Alpha acids
alpha bitter acids
amaranth
American Ginseng
amino acids
anemarrhena asphodeloides
Angelica gigas nakai
Anti-aromatase
Antler
Antler Horn
Antler horn
Apigenin
Apigenin
Arame
3b-Hydroxy-androstana-3b-ol,17-one
5-androstene-3alpha,17beta-dio
6 Bromo 3, 17 dioxoetioallochalane
6, 17 keto etiocholeva-3-ol 3, 17 ketoetiochol-triene
7a-alpha-methyl-estra-4-en-3,17-dione
3-deoxy 7-oxo DHEA
3-Ketosteroid
4-DHEA
4-Hydroxyandrostenedione
7-Hydroxy-DHEA (unspecified)
7-KETO-DHEA
7-oxo-DHEA
Achyranthes
African Basil
akebia
Albizia
Alchemilla
Algae (unspecified)
algal oil
Aloe Polysaccharide
aloe vera
amber
Amino Acid (unspecified)
Anemarrhena
anthocyanins
Apricot
Argan nut oil
Ashoka
Asparagus
asparagus
Asparagus racemosus
Astragalin
Atlantic Cedar
atractylodes
Avian (unspecified)
Bacopasides
Bael
Balsam (unspecified)
Bamboo
Banyan
Bassia scoparia
Bean
Bee Pollen
Bee Pollen
bee pollen
Beef liver
Beet Molasses
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium (various species)
bifidobacterium infantis
Bioflavonoid (unspecified)
bitartrate (unspecified)
Bitter principals
Black Cohosh
Black Currant
Black Haw
Black Seed
Blackberry
Blackhaw
Blood vessels
Blue-Green Algae
Boron
boron
Boron
Boron (various)
Boron ascorbate
Boron picolinate
Brandy
19-NorAndrost-4ene-3b-ol,17-one
3b-hydroxy-androsta-1,4,6-triene-17-one
3b-hydroxy-androsta-4,6-diene-17-one
18-Methylestr-4-en-3-one-17b-ol
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
5-androsten-3beta-ol-17-one
5-HTP
7-keto (7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone-acetate)
Adzuki bean
Aga
Agrimonia pilosa
Albizia (unspecified)
Algae
algae
Almond
Almond Oil
Amaranth
Amaranthus tricolor
Amino Acid Chelate
Androstenedione
Ashwagandha
Asoka Tree
astragalus
Atractylone
Australian Sandalwood
Avian (unspecified)
Axocopaque
barrenwort
benegut perilla (proprietary)
Berberis (unspecified)
beta-zeacarotene
Bifidobacteria (unspecified)
Bifidobacterium (mixed)
birch
Bitter Principles
black currant
Black root
Blue-Green Alage
Blue-Green Algae
Boswellia
Brewer's Yeast
Bupleurum (unspecified)
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
Butternut
Cabbage
Cactus (unspecified)
calcium
Calcium
Calcium Magnesium Citrate
California Spikenard
Canadian Goldenrod
Carrot oil
Carthamus (unspecified)
Cassava
Castor Oil
Centidepa (unspecified)
Ceylon Spinach
Chamomile
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Chamomile (not specified)
Chamomile (unspecified)
Chard
Chastetree
Chestnut (unspecified)
Chinese Chastetree
Chinese Cucumber
Chinese Dodder
Chinese Mallow
Chinese Motherwort
Chinese Silkvine
Chinese Tinospora
Chinese Yam
Chloroplast
Cholesterol
Chrysantellum americanum
Cinnamon Bark
Cistanche (unspecified)
Cistanche deserticola
Clam
Clary sage
Cnidium
Cod Liver Oil
Cohosh
Condonopsis
Coral
cordyceps
Coumestrol Dimethyl Ether
Cream
Crinum latifolium
Crioceras
cucumber
Cucurbita (unspecified)
Curculigo (unspecified)
Curcuma comosa
Currant (unspecified)
Cymbopogon Martini
Cynanchum wilfordii
Cynomorium
Daidzein
Damask rose
Damiana
damiana
Dandelion
Danshen
Dendramine
Desoxydiosgenin
DHA
DHEA
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
Didymocarpus pedicellata
Diindolylmethane
Diindolylymethane
Diindoylmethane
Diiodothyronine
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dioscorea
Dioscorea oppositifolia
DIVI-DIVI
dog rose
Dog Rose
Dogwood (unspecified)
Dong Quai
Dulse
Durian
Earthworm
Egyptian lotus
eleuthero
Elk antler
Emulsion
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
Epidedium
Epimedium
Epimedium extract
Equol (proprietary)
Ester derivatives (unspecified)
Estrogen
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European peony
Euryale seed
Eurycoma Longifolia
Evening Primrose
Evening Primrose oil
evening primrose oil
Fenugreek
fenugreek
Fenuside
fibroblast growth factors
Ficus religiosa
Fish
fish oil
Fish Oil
Five-leaf Chastetree
Flavonones (unspecified)
Flax
Flax Fiber
Flax lignans
flaxseed
Flaxseed
Flaxseed Oil
Flosin B
Flower Pollen
Fo-Ti
Fruit acid (mixed)
Gamma oryzanol
Genistein
Genistein
genistein
genistin
German Chamomile
Giant Blazingstar
Gigartina
Ginseng
Ginseng (unspecified)
Ginsenoside
Ginsenosides
Ginsenosides (unspecified)
Gland (mixed)
Glandular Tissues
Glycetein
Glycitein
glycyrrhizic acid
Goji
goji berry
Goldenrod
Gooseberry
Gugglesterone
Haematococcus pluvialis
Heartsease
heartwood
Hempnettle
hibiscus
HMR lignan
Honduran Sarsaparilla
Hops
hops
Horn
Horn
Horny Goat Weed
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Hyacinth bean
Hypericum (unspecified)
Hypothalamus
Indian frankincense
indole-3-carbinol
Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C)
isoflavone (unspecified)
Isoflavones
Isoflavones (mixed)
Isoflavones (unspecified)
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Japanese Elder
Javanese Turmeric
Jiaogulan
Jujube
jujube
Juniper
Ketosterone (unspecified)
knotweed
Korean Angelica
Kudzu
kudzu
l-cysteine
L-Methionine
Labisia pumila
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lady's Mantle
Laminara
Laminaria
lemon balm
lemon Verbena
lettuce
Lettuce (unspecified)
Licorice
Licorice (unspecified)
Lignan
Lignan (unspecified)
Lignans
lignans
Lignans (mixed)
Ligustrum
Lily
Linden
Lindera aggregata
lingzhi
Linolenic Acids
Linseed Oil
liquid liver fractions
Loranthus
Lotus
Lotus (unspecified)
Lycium
Lymph
Maca
Macaenes
Macamides
Magnolia
Marine fat
Marine fat (unspecified)
marine lipid
Marine lipid (unspecified)
maritime Pine
Meadow sage
Meadowsweet
melatonin
Melatonin
Melatonin
melon
Mesua
Mexican Yam
Millet (Panicum miliaceum)
Miroestrol
Montanoa tomentosa
moringa
Motherwort
motherwort
Muira Puama
Mum
nettle
Nettle (mixed)
Nettle (unspecified)
Nicotinamide
Noni fiber
okra
Olive
Omega-3
Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids
omega-3 fatty acids
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
Orange essential oil
Orchid (unspecified)
Organic Greens
oryza
Ovary
Ovary
Ox
Oxypregnane glycoside
oyster
Oyster
P. nigraclens (unspecified)
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
Palmyra
Panax Ginseng
Panax Notoginseng
Panax Pseudoginseng
Paper mulberry
Patchouly Oil
peach
Peach
Pear
Pearl
Pearl
Pennyroyal (unspecified)
Peony
perilla
Phaeophyceae (unspecified)
Phellodendron Bark
Phytoestrogen
Phytoestrogen (unspecified)
Phytoestrol (unspecified)
Pig
Pig
Pimpinella (unspecified)
Pine Pollen
Pituitary
Pituitary
Pituitary Gland
pituitary substance
Placenta
Plant oil (unspecified)
pollen
Pollen
Pollen (unspecified)
Poly-thyronine
Polygonatum cirrhifolium
Polygonum (unspecified)
Pomegranate
pomegranate
Porcine (unspecified)
Porcine (unspecified)
Poria Mushrooms
Potato Yam
Pregnenolone
pregnenolone
Prickly Pear Cactus
Proanthocyanidins
Progesterone
Progesterone
Protein (unspecified)
Protodioscin
Provence Rose
Puerain
Pulsatilla
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pumpkin Seeed Oil
purified silver
Pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarate
Quercetin
Quercetin
Raspberry (unspecified)
Raspberry (various)
Rasperries (mixed)
Red Clover
Red Raspberry
Red Sage
Red-Rooted Sage
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
Reishi
Reishi mushroom
Relaxin
relora® (proprietary)
Rhaponticin
Rhubarb
Rockweed (unspecified)
Roe
Roe
Roman Chamomile
Rooibos
root tuber
Rosa laevigata
Rosabin
Rose (unspecified)
Rose geranium oil
rose oil
Rose water
Royal Jelly
Royal Jelly
royal jelly
rubia cordifolia
Rubia yunnanensis
Rubiaceae (unspecified)
Rubus (unspecified)
Rue
Rugose Rose
Safflower
Saffron
saffron
sage
sage oil
Sagebrush
San-Qi Ginseng
Sandalwood (unspecified)
Sargassum
Sarsaparilla
Sarsaparilla (mixed)
Saturated Fatty Acid (unspecified)
Schisandra
Schizandrol A
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Sea vegetable (unspecified)
seaweed
Seaweed (unspecified)
Selenium
selenium
Semen
Sesbania grandiflora
Siberian ginseng
Sichuan Pagoda Tree
Smilax
smilax
Snail
Soy
Soy Isoflavones
soy isoflavones
Soy Protein
soybean
Spantholobus
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Spinach
Spleen
Squash
Squaw Vine
Squawvine
St. John's Wort
Sterones (unspecified)
Stinging Nettle
Stone Root
sunflower
Sweet Bay
Tamarix (unspecified)
tangerine
Taraxacum (unspecified)
Terminalia
Thyroid
Thyroid
thyroid substance
Tinospora Cordifolia
Tofu
Total Fat
Tree Peony
triglyceride
Tropical jewel hisbiscus
Turnip
Unsaturated Fat
Uterus
Uterus
Valerian
valerian root
Vegetable Juice
Velvet
Vervain (unspecified)
Viburnum (unspecified)
Vitamin A (not specified)
Vitamin A (retinyl acetate)
Vitamin B12 (mixed)
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 (Mixed)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5 phosphate)
Vitamin D
Vitamin D (cholecalciferol)
Vitamin D (mixed)
Vitamin D3
vitamin D3
Vitamin E
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocomonoenol)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopheryl hydrochloride)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopheryl succinate)
Vitamin E (beta and delta tocopherols)
Vitamin E (beta tocopherol)
Vitamin E (delta-tocopherol)
Vitamin E (gamma unspecified)
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols
Vitamin E (mixed tocotrienols/tocopherols)
Vitamin E (mixed)
Vitamin E (mixied tocopherols and tocotrienols)
Vitamin E (tocopherol not specified)
Vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate)
Vitamin E (tocopheryl succinate)
Vitamin E (unspecified)
Vitex (unspecified)
Vitex Agnus-Castus
walnut
Water Chestnut
Western Mugwort
White Fig
Wild Yam
Withanolide
Withanolides
Yam (unspecified)
yeast
Yeast
Yeast (Brewer's Yeast)
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade