As a woman's body enters the transitional period of menopause, many changes take place to her hormone levels. Hormones are the chemical messengers that travel in the blood stream, instigating changes to the body during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. During a woman's menopausal years, changes to her hormones result in an end to her periods, marking the transition from being reproductive to infertile.
Most significantly, a woman may experience a drop in estrogen levels, as her body goes through its menopausal changes. However, this drop in estrogen usually causes undesirable symptoms and side effects. Most commonly, these symptoms include: hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, and night sweats.
The menopausal symptoms caused by a drop in estrogen can result in a confusing and problematic time for a woman. But there is no need for concern, as there are a number of treatments that can help boost estrogen levels, and alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Read on to discover three key treatments that can increase your estrogen levels during menopause.
Changes in Lifestyle
There are changes you can make to your lifestyle which, although not directly altering your body's estrogen levels during menopause, will help to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Taking regular exercise will help to regulate your body, and will have a positive effect on any irregular periods you might be experiencing. Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet will counterbalance any bloating and skin problems that are a product of menopause. Drinking plenty of water will help combat the impact of hot sweats and avoid dehydration.
Alternative Treatments
There are a number of alternative treatments that can be used to increase the level of estrogen in the body during menopause. There are a collection of herbal supplements called phytoestrogens, which includes dong quai, soy, ginkgo biloba, and ginseng. These plants contain a substance that acts like estrogen in the human body. When ingested, they supplement dwindling levels of estrogen experienced in the woman's body during menopause.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
In extreme cases, women may turn to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to increase their estrogen levels. This involves introducing external hormones into the body, to boost the woman's natural hormonal levels. This method of increasing estrogen levels during menopause can be efficient and immediately effective. However, it has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, strokes, and cardiovascular problems, so it is decreasing in popularity as a hormonal treatment.
There is no one right way to treat low estrogen levels during menopause. Different women will react in different ways to the various treatments that are available. It is important to find the way that is right for you. Speak to your doctor and your friends and family, try a few methods, and find the one which works best with your body. For more information about your hormones during menopause, and how to treat hormonal imbalances, click on the link below.