What are the Natural Alternatives to HRT?

by Evelyn Montgomery Oct 13, 20200 comments

Menopause - are you struggling with hormonal imbalance?

Did you know that the only other mammal that goes through the menopause is the whale?
Almost all female animals reproduce until they die, even very long-lived ones like elephants and blue whales. As far as we know, just three species don’t: killer whales, short-finned pilot whales, and humans.

Have you ever wondered why we live for so long after we can no longer have children? I like to think of it from the perspective that is a benefit to human kind if we are here helping pass on our help, wisdom and knowledge to the younger generations. A bit of female solidarity.

Maybe if we can see the higher purpose behind this stage in our lives it could make it easier to cope with the symptoms: our longevity is vital to the success of human culture and society.

It could also be the time in your life for your next adventure, free from monthly cycles and free to choose you.

Every woman’s experience of her menopause is different but many women go through a wide range of symptoms that can make their personal, family and work lives extremely challenging.

The menopause is not an illness but rather a natural stage in every woman’s life. Perimenopausal symptoms usually begin at about the age of 45 and can last around 10 years. Theses years are a huge part of a woman’s life.

During the menopause, a change in the hormonal system takes place and the female body produces ever decreasing levels of oestrogen.

Even though the menopause is not an illness, the changing hormone levels associated with it often cause clinical problems. The most common symptoms include hot flushes, increased perspiration, heart palpitations, dizziness and vaginal dryness.

But women also struggle with undermining problems such as headache, listlessness, nervousness, insomnia, weight gain, ageing and an increased risk of osteoporosis which can all come and go throughout the menopausal stage.

These symptoms occur because oestrogen affects many different areas of your body, including your brain and emotions.

Psychological symptoms

You may experience the menopause with symptoms of hot flushes and night sweats, but the psychological symptoms can be incredibly difficult to cope with. Brain fog, low mood and feelings of depression can be very common symptoms of the menopause and perimenopause.

Other psychological symptoms that women experience include feelings of low self-esteem, having reduced motivation, anxiety, irritability, panic attacks, poor concentration and low energy.

It can also be common to have mood swings and feel more tearful, irritated and angry which can really affect our relationships, families and our ability to function at work. It’s exhausting and stressful managing the changes in our bodies too - mentally exhausting.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one way of tackling these problems. However, HRT is associated with many serious side-effects so seriously consider talking to a doctor that specialises in the menopause.

Besides HRT, a healthy lifestyle and supplementation of the right nutrients can help ease menopausal complaints so it’s a great idea to look at some natural alternatives.

There are some fundamental things you can do to help hormonal imbalance.

Maybe it’s a good time to think of this period of change in your life as an opportunity to look at your lifestyle from 360 degrees?

Good news

The good news is there’s lots to do that you can do that helps make a difference.

Firstly look at your wellbeing and lifestyle:

Things to work on:

Looking at your nutrition and considering ways of eating a more healthy, balanced Mediterranean-style diet - fruit, veg, olive oil, fresh fish, nuts and pulses
Reduce your intake of processed foods - reduce sugar, refined carbs and saturated fats eating less every week
Limiting alcohol intake and stopping smoking- especially important at this time in your life
Regular exercise - do more each day of the things you enjoy
Think about your stress triggers - maybe it’s time to talk it through with a counsellor
Take vitamins, minerals, Evening Primrose Oil and Omega 3

But what supplements to take? I’ve put together a list of some of the ingredients that might help.

Supplements for menopause symptoms:

For hormone imbalance: Vitamin B5, B6
For hot flushes: Vitamin C, Arginine, Vitamin E
For weight gain: Carnitine (“the fat burner”), Methionine
For anxiety: Glutamine, Theanine, Vitamin B6, Magnesium
For energy: Carnitine, Vitamin B12, B5, B6, B9
For depression: Tryhptophan, 5HTP, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Tyrosine, Vitamin D3, Omega 3
For brain fog: Vitamin B6, B12, CoQ10, Choline, Inositol
For osteoporosis: Vitamin B2, B6, B12, Magnesium, Vitamin D3, Calcium
For sleep: Glutamine, Theanine, B6, Tryptophan, 5HTP
For ageing skin: Vitamin C, Carnitine, Lysine, Arginine, Omega 3
For hair loss: Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

What to look for in a menopause supplement:

Always look for high quality active ingredients (eg. methylated B vitamins and free form amino acids), high dosages and good combinations without bulking agents, chemicals and fillers.

Interested in trying some of these supplements but there are too many to think about and you don’t know where to start?

Here are some great combinations to make it easy for you:

All of them have a probiotic blend and MoodNutritionPlus in to give you some Carnitine, Tryptophan, Tyrosine and Glutamine to fuel your brain and gut.

Mood Me - 27 essential ingredients for your brain and gut to help hormone imbalance, mental health, boost immunity and to increase energy

Energy Me - with Carnitine, CoQ10 and B vitamins to help reduce tiredness, reduce brain fog, help memory and cognition and boost energy quickly

Calm Me - with clinically backed Magnesium, Theanine and B vitamins to help you sleep and ease anxiety, stress and burn out

Happy Me - a research backed multi vitamin with 5 HTP, Tryptophan and B vitamins to boost serotonin naturally to help you sleep and for people feeling low, flat, stuck or depressed.