Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

If you have found that natural hormone replacement therapy isn’t strong enough to relieve your menopause symptoms, an herb called maca is a perfect option. By some estimates I’ve read about in research studies, approximately 80 percent of menopausal women find menopause relief with maca. 

Maca is most commonly used in traditional medicine to increase libido, promote fertility, and balance hormone levels. An added bonus is that it increases vaginal lubrication, which obviously can improve sexual activity and satisfaction. Because it increases energy, it helps create more vigor for sexual activity, which is why Peruvians have used it for centuries to increase sexual desire.

Dosages are unique to each woman, so you will need to determine the dosage that works for you. You can take it indefinitely—there have been no acute toxic effects, even at very high doses. If you are sensitive to herbs, start with the low end of the recommended dosage, as too much can cause increased menopause hot flashes, breast tenderness, or headaches. Also avoid maca if you have a hormone-related cancer, liver disease, or are pregnant or nursing.

I like the Whole World Botanicals’ Royal Maca brand, which is available at www.wholeworldbotanicals.com.

For my patients whose menopause symptoms do not respond to the various herbs and nutrients I recommend, I have frequently prescribed natural hormone replacement therapy using estriol and natural progesterone. 

Estriol (2–4 mg daily) is prescribed in capsule or cream form to reduce menopause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. Estriol is the weakest and safest type of estrogen and is less likely to promote tissue growth. Unlike conventional estrogen replacement therapy (replacement therapy using estrogen alone) that may cause fluid retention, headaches, nausea, and the buildup of uterine tissue, estriol has few, if any, side effects. You’ll need a prescription and then you or your doctor can contact the Women’s International Pharmacy (www.womensinternational.com) to fill the prescription. If used directly on vaginal tissues, not only will estriol cream rebuild vaginal cells, it can also help restore clitoral sensitivity and orgasmic intensity, and reduce bladder infections.

Women always ask me if they should take hormone replacement therapy to alleviate their menopause symptoms. My answer is always the same, no matter what the situation: Choose bioidentical hormone replacement therapy over conventional.

Conventional hormone replacement therapy has been shown to have a wide range of risks, including increased risk of breast cancer and heart disease. Why take this risk? Instead, choose more natural forms of hormone replacement therapy, including estriol.

Estriol is produced in the lab from active steroid molecules found in soy. The resulting molecules are structurally the same as those produced in your body. Of the three types of estrogen produced within your body, estriol is the weakest and least potent. Several research studies have found that it is as effective as the stronger, more potent estrogens for treating menopause symptoms. And unlike conventional hormone replacement therapy that may cause fluid retention, headaches, nausea, and the buildup of uterine tissue, estriol has few, if any, side effects.

One study published in JAMA found that estriol was particularly effective in treating vaginal atrophy, mood swings, and hot flashes. Researchers selected 52 symptomatic, postmenopausal women and separated them into four groups, giving each group either 2 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg, or 8 mg of estriol per day for six months. On average, women in every group experienced a decrease in their menopausal symptoms after one month of treatment. Plus, in three of the four groups, women who had ranked their symptoms as severe now felt that their symptoms were very mild.

Talk to your doctor about this safe and effective option for menopause relief