What Are The Best Natural Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Although hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might be an effective treatment for relieving menopause symptoms, because of the serious health risks associated with its use, many women nowadays are seeking alternative treatments that will bring desired hormonal balance without further compromising their health. Luckily, there are several worthwhile options they can choose from.

Keep reading to discover the most popular natural alternatives to HRT in order relieve your menopause symptoms safely and effectively.

Optimize your Diet

Since hormonal imbalance ensues in women' bodies as the production of estrogen and progesterone declines, composing the diet with foods that target the hormonal gap can lessen the effects of the decline and relieve symptoms.

While a balanced menopause diet should consist of lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats, good examples of foods that can be added as natural alternatives to hormone replacement therapy include the following:^1,2,3

• Estrogen-boosting foods include those containing phytoestrogens, like soy, alfalfa, chickpeas, legumes, soybeans, and yams

• Progesterone-boosting foods include those rich in vitamin B6 and zinc, like avocados, beans, nuts, seeds, cabbage, and citrus fruits

• Testosterone-boosting foods include those containing vitamin D, like protein, tuna, oyster, sardines, and eggs

Also, to enhance hormonal equilibrium in the body, it is a good idea to cut down on saturated fats and refined sugars.

Get Moving

It is no surprise that the benefits of regular exercise also extend to menopause. It has been shown to be an effective alternative to HRT since it can help prevent midlife weight gain, protect the heart, increase blood flow, strengthen the bones, and promote hormonal balance.^4,5,6

Once doctor's approval is obtained, a woman can transform her workout routine into a natural alternative for HRT by keeping in mind the following recommendations:⁴

• Opting for 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly

• Adding strength training exercises two times a week, including squats, pull-ups, or lunges

• Choosing safe and effective exercises to balance your hormones, like walking, yoga, swimming, or jogging

As an added benefits, exercise can also trigger the release of endorphins and lower cortisol levels, thus promoting relaxation and improving a woman's mood.

Take Herbal Supplements

Besides optimal diet and exercise, taking herbal supplements is another effective alternative to HRT since they go straight to the underlying cause of hormonal imbalance.

The two types of herbal supplements women can choose from for their menopausal needs include the following:

• Phytoestrogenic supplements, such as black cohosh, dong quai, and red clover, contain estrogenic compounds produced by plants. They help promote hormonal balance by substituting plant-based estrogens for naturally-occurring estrogen in the female body.¹ To avoid dependency, however, they are best used short-term.

• Hormone-regulating supplements, like Macafem, treat hormonal imbalance by nourishing the pituitary and endocrine glands to stimulate their own hormonal production. By doing so, there is no need to introduce external hormones into the body, which makes them the safest way of achieving hormonal balance.

Conclusions

When faced with debilitating menopause symptoms, middle-aged women should not easily give in to their burden and reach for HRT. Instead, they are encouraged to practice strong will and determination in offering their bodies safe and natural options. The aforementioned natural alternatives to HRT are a great start as they strengthen a woman's body inside out, helping take the edge off of menopause symptoms. Meanwhile, it is advisable to consult with your doctor to see if he or she recommends hormone tests to ensure you pass through your transition safely and healthily.