Health & Fitness

Alternative Health: Advancements In Menopause

There have been several medical advancements in menopause over the past few years that have changed the way we treat menopausal symptoms. Up until a few years ago, the most common treatment for menopausal symptoms such as bone density loss, hot flashes and mood swings has been hormone replacement therapy. Women who were menopausal or postmenopausal were given synthetic estrogen or a blend of estrogen and progestin.

Doctors soon discovered a link between synthetic progestin and endometrial cancer. This should have been their warning bell, but instead they only gave progestin to patients who had undergone hysterectomies and were therefore at no risk of developing endometrial cancer. In the year 2002, a report was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that linked synthetic hormone replacement therapy with several health risks such as breast cancer, strokes and heart disease.

Nutritional Advancements in Menopause
One of the most important advancements in menopause research has been the discovery of plant estrogens called phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens can be found in plants such as red clover, green leafy vegetables and soybeans. Soybeans have been used regularly in cooking in Asian countries like China for years. Interestingly enough, these areas of the world have significantly lower rates of ovarian and uterine cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.

Soybeans are an excellent source of nutrients for the body. They contain omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids and isoflavins. Soybeans are also an excellent food for vegetarians because they contain more protein, calcium and lecithin than animal products such as meat, milk and eggs. Advancements in menopause have lead scientists to create special nutritional supplements that are designed for menopausal and postmenopausal women. These supplements provide a strong nutritional base and ward off bone density loss, heart disease and cancer.