What is the Menopause?

Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles and fertility. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but can happen earlier or later. Menopause is diagnosed when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period, and it signals a drop in the production of hormones like oestrogen and progesterone. Menopause is an important aspect of a woman’s life for several reasons, both from a biological and a cultural perspective. It can cause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep problems. Many women turn to herbs as a way to help manage these symptoms naturally.

How can herbs help?

Herbs have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to help balance hormones and relieve menopausal symptoms. Some herbs are believed to help support the body’s hormone levels, reduce discomfort, and promote overall health during this time.

While herbs can be helpful for easing symptoms, it's important to talk to a doctor before starting any herbal treatments, especially if you are already taking other medications. Herbs can have side effects or interact with medications, so it’s always good to ensure they are safe for your specific health situation.

In some cases, herbs may be most effective when used alongside other lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a balanced diet, exercising, and managing stress. Herbs can be useful in managing menopausal symptoms, though their effectiveness varies between individuals. Many women seek herbal remedies to avoid or reduce reliance on pharmaceutical treatments, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Here is a review of a few herbs that can be used to treat menopausal symptoms and menopausal complications.

Helpful Herbs for the Menopause

Chaste tree

Biologically known as Vitex agnus-castus L., this is a popular herbal treatment, predominantly used for a range of female reproductive conditions in Anglo-American and European practice. It is particularly known for its potential to balance hormone levels and address symptoms like mood swings, irritability, and other hormonal imbalances during perimenopause and menopause. Chaste tree helps regulate the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin. It may have an indirect effect on progesterone levels, helping to balance estrogen and progesterone, which can fluctuate during menopause. This is particularly helpful for women experiencing symptoms related to hormonal imbalance[1]. Research on chaste tree berry’s main active ingredients, including agnuside, has demonstrated that these are especially helpful for the vasomotor symptoms of menopause: night sweats, hot flashes, and flushes[2]. Chaste tree is believed to help stabilize mood by balancing hormones, reducing feelings of anxiety, and calming irritability[3]. It may help reduce breast tenderness that can occur with hormonal fluctuations during menopause. By helping balance hormones, chaste tree may improve sleep, especially if the sleep disruptions are related to mood swings or hormonal imbalances. Although not a direct treatment for vaginal dryness, improving hormonal balance with chaste tree could indirectly reduce dryness and the discomfort associated with it. Chaste tree is generally not a quick fix; it may take several weeks (usually 4–6 weeks) for noticeable improvements in menopausal symptoms, as it works gradually by balancing hormone levels. Patience is important, as herbal treatments typically take longer to show effects compared to synthetic medications. Chaste tree may interact with certain medications, such as hormonal treatments, birth control pills, or dopamine antagonists. Always consult with a healthcare provider if you are on any prescription medications[4]. It’s important to approach its use with patience and to consult a healthcare provider before starting any new herbal treatment, especially if you have pre-existing conditions or are taking other medications.

Sage

Biologically known as Salvia officinalis. During menopause, many women experience hot flashes, night sweats, and excessive sweating, and sage is often used to help with these. Sage may help control excessive sweating, which can occur during menopause, by balancing the body’s sweating response. While not directly affecting oestrogen, sage may help the body adjust to hormonal changes during menopause, which can help alleviate mood swings and discomfort[5]. If one has a condition like breast cancer or uterine cancer, it’s important to talk to your doctor before using sage, as it can affect hormones in the body. Declining oestrogen is implicated as a cause of menopausal sleep disruption. Sleep deprivation is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and neurobehavioral dysfunction. Sage can be a helpful natural remedy for insomnia during menopause, especially when sleep issues are related to hot flashes, night sweats, and anxiety. It helps regulate body temperature, promotes relaxation, and balances hormones, all of which can improve sleep quality[6].

Maca

Biologically known as Lepidium meyenii, this is an Andean plant of the brassica (mustard) family and has been used for centuries in the Andes as an adaptogenic plant to manage anemia, infertility and female hormone balance. Numerous in vivo experiments suggest that maca has fertility-enhancing properties, likely due to phytosterols or phytoestrogens. Some clinical trials have also suggested that maca may have favourable effects on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women[7]. Maca has been reported to balance hormone levels and give a natural energy boost, which may help with fatigue. Some women use maca to reduce hot flashes, improve mood, and support overall well-being during menopause. Maca may also have a positive effect on sleep quality, which can be disrupted during menopause[8].

In Conclusion

There are a number of herbs available for supporting every woman while she is going through this biological transition of her life, which ultimately affects many aspects of her life. Menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life, and, along with diet and lifestyle modifications, using the most suitable herbs and supplements may help smooth the transition and help manage many of the common menopausal symptoms. While herbs can offer relief, it's important to consult a healthcare provider before using them, especially if taking other medications.

References

[1]. Van Die MD, Burger HG, Teede HJ, Bone KM. Vitex agnus-castus extracts for female reproductive disorders: a systematic review of clinical trials. Planta Med. 2013 May;79(7):562-75.

[2]. Abbaspoor Z, AzamHajikhani NA, Afsharl P (2011) Effects of Vitex-agnus-castus on menopausal early symptoms in postmenopausal women: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Brtt J Med & Med Res 1:132-140.

[3]. Dietz BM, Hajirahimkhan A, Dunlap TL, Bolton JL. Botanicals and Their Bioactive Phytochemicals for Women's Health. Pharmacol Rev. 2016 Oct;68(4):1026-1073.

[4]. Van Die, D. M., Burger, H. G., Teede, H. J., & Bone, K. M. (2009). Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste-Tree/Berry) in the treatment of menopause-related complaints. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(8), 853 - 862.

[5]. Zeidabadi A, Yazdanpanahi Z, Dabbaghmanesh MH, Sasani MR, Emamghoreishi M, Akbarzadeh M. The effect of Salvia officinalis extract on symptoms of flushing, night sweat, sleep disorders, and score of forgetfulness in postmenopausal women. J Family Med Prim Care. 2020 Feb 28;9(2):1086-1092.

[6]. Schaedel Z, Holloway D, Bruce D, Rymer J. Management of sleep disorders in the menopausal transition. Post Reproductive Health. 2021;27(4):209-214.

[7]. Myeong Soo Lee, Byung-Cheul Shin, Eun Jin Yang, Hyun-Ja Lim, Edzard Ernst, Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for treatment of menopausal symptoms: A systematic review, Maturitas, 70, (3),2011, Pages 227-233,

[8] Meissner HO, Mscisz A, Reich-Bilinska H, Mrozikiewicz P, Bobkiewicz-Kozlowska T, Kedzia B, Lowicka A, Barchia I. Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical responses of early-postmenopausal women to Maca in double blind, randomized, Placebo-controlled, crossover configuration, outpatient study. Int J Biomed Sci. 2006 Dec;2(4):375-94.