Phytonutrients and other natural herbs help ease the difficulties associated with signs of perimenopause.

Life’s non-stop cycle can make a woman feel frazzled and out of sorts. Sometimes these periods of feeling “out of it” last much longer than you’d like, mainly because they occur due to hormonal imbalance. The body needs a natural balance of reproductive hormones—a harmonious relationship, if you will, of progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen, among others. This balancing act potentially affects every function in the body; if disrupted, it can ignite responses in the body that range from minor nuisances to chronic conditions.

Nowhere does this seem to be more true or noticeable than when women reach their 40s and the body begins its journey toward menopause. The onset of a variety of physical signals can suggest that the body is approaching the menopausal stage:

• Hot flashes or night sweats
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Anxiety, irritability and/pr mental confusion
• Fluid retention
• Brittle bones or achy joints
• Diminished sex drive

As common as these symptoms may seem, extenuating circumstances can either bring about or exacerbate their incidence. More importantly, the natural processes within the body are not the only thing at play.

Assaulted by the Environment

Hormones in harmony keep mood balanced, regulate body temperature, ensure optimal organ function and help the body to prepare against heart issues, weak bones, cardiovascular challenges, and other conditions. As a woman enters the menopausal stage, she may become susceptible to hormonal imbalance.

Environmental byproduct can be identified as a major culprit. Today’s toxic environment—which exposes women to chemicals such as pesticides, industrial compounds, and pharmaceutical drugs—can affect hormone levels. As mid-life approaches, women’s systems become sluggish and work less efficiently. Digestion becomes difficult and the digestive tract produces fewer enzymes to help break down food. Fortunately, you can lessen the effects of the chemical environment and the body’s natural “slow down” with proper nutrition and making sure that you supplement your diet with the correct nutrients.

The Perils of Perimenopause

Perimenopause refers to the time that precedes the ending of menstrual periods, usually beginning in the mid-40 age-range. During this time, estrogen levels can fluctuate before finally settling at lower-than-previous levels. The length of perimenopause varies from woman to woman, lasting from one to seven, or in some cases, even 10 years.

During perimenopause, decreasing levels of the hormone progesterone, coupled with the unstable estrogen levels, results in a state of imbalance known as estrogen dominance. To counteract this imbalance, health professionals recommend taking measures to keep your hormones in proper balance.

Phytoestrogens Fill a Role

Specific plants compounds actually possess properties similar to estradiol and other hormones. These compounds, called phytoestrogen, may actually fit perfectly with some of the body’s essential hormone receptor sites thereby easing the burden that hot flashes, night sweats, moodiness and other problematic signs that menopause can cause.

Soy can be a rich source of specialized phytonutrients known as isoflavones. Isoflavones work as powerful antioxidants that may support the arteries, help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and help the body against dangerous blood clots. More importantly, several studies suggest that isoflavones can help manage many of the common signs of perimenopause. For example, a 1998 double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that soy protein helped reduce hot flashes and night sweats up to 45% by the twelfth week of use (Albertazzi, 1998).

In addition, soy isoflavones can provide bone-building support. These molecular compounds seem to help keep bones strong and dense. During one study, a group of postmenopausal women showed significant gains in spinal bone density after taking a soy isoflavone supplement (Potter, 1998).

Botanicals Offer Support

Meanwhile, other nutritional compounds, mainly in the form of several key herbs, can help manage some of the other signs of hormonal imbalance. For example, the herb Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort), seems to have a positive impact on mood. Researchers suspect that hypercin, active component of Hypericum, may affect levels of serotonin, which is known as the “mood hormone.” In 1996, researchers reviewed a set of 23 randomized trials of Hypericum. Many of these studies showed a positive impact on mood, and eight even compared the herb to synthetic mood therapies. Hypericum seemed to be well tolerated, causing only minor gastrointestinal upset in a small percentage of people (Linde, 1996).

Black cohosh traditionally has been used by Native Americans for a number of purposes, including menstrual comfort and childbirth. Scientists believe that the active constituents of the herb may perform like estrogen, while others credit Black cohosh for its ability to ease perimenopausal difficulties. While the research on this herb is incomplete and continuing, a recent review study conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois found that Black cohosh may be useful for hot flashes, night sweats, sleeping difficulties and anxious feelings (Mahady, 2002)

Scientists seem to be also intrigued by the value of chaste tree berry. The herb seems to perform the dual effect of softening the production of estrogen while promoting progesterone production to promote the desirable “hormone harmony.” Chaste tree berry can take as long as three to four months to exert its full effect, which is why you may want to consider natural supplementation that lasts at least this long.

You Are Not Alone

If you are currently bothered by some of the signs associated with perimenopause—or know someone who is—it is essential to realize that you are not alone. Thanks to the abundant wonder of Nature’s medicine cabinet, you can make use of the remarkable herbs and other natural nutrients that have eased female transitions for centuries.

References
Albertazzi, P. et al. (1998). The effect of dietary soy supplementation on hot flushes. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 91(1), 6–11.

Linde, K. et al. (1996). St. John’s wort for depression—An overview and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. British Medical Journal, 313(7052), 253–258.

Mahady, G.B. et al. (2002). Black cohosh: An alternative therapy for menopause? Nutrition in Clinical Care, 5(6), 283–289.

Potter, S.M. et al. (1998). Soy protein and isoflavones: Their effects on blood lipids and bone density in postmenopausal women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 68(6 Suppl), 1375S–1379S.