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Quick! - Name the most widely prescribed drug in America. Lipitor? Nope. Viagra? Nope. The answer, which may surprise you, is a drug that doesn't lower your cholesterol (Lipitor) or raise anything either (Viagra) – it's Premarin.
Premarin (from Wyeth-Ayerst) has been around as a menopause treatment for decades. Although worldwide sales of the drug are estimated at over $2 billion last year (and may grow to nearly $4 billion by 2002), many American women know little or nothing about this (or other treatments) to relieve menopausal symptoms. In the U.S., for example, only about a third of the 40 million women aged 50 and over seek treatment for menopause-related conditions.
Premarin used to be prescribed only for the treatment of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings, but it is being used more now for prevention of heart disease and osteoporosis.
Extracted from the urine of pregnant horses, Premarin is a complex mix of at least 10 natural estrogens and other active components – most of which have never been fully characterized. As such, no generic versions of Premarin are available, but several related treatments can be found. For example, compounds isolated from soybeans and yams have been shown to be effective in treating many of the symptoms that come with menopause (hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings). Like prescription medications, these plant-derived extracts may also have heart, bone and cancer-prevention benefits in addition to their effects in relieving menopausal symptoms – yet with few of the side effects commonly reported for hormone replacement therapies.
There are a number of natural options available for reducing the symptoms associated with menopause. Interestingly, Asians don’t even have a word for menopause. Symptoms are ever so slight as their periods just stop. This is most likely due to the composition of their diet, as Asians do not consume a diet high in animal products like Americans. Soy products are widely consumed by the Japanese population. When American postmenopausal women were compared to postmenopausal Japanese women, more than 30 – 35% of American women complained of hot flashes, lack of energy and depression compared with only 6 – 10% of Japanese women. A recent study showed that a daily diet supplemented with soy flour reduces hot flashes by 40%. Soy products contain phytoestrogens, and these phytoestrogens have been shown to aid in the prevention of osteoporosis.
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Soy has both estrogen and progesterone like activity. A total of 200 milligrams soy plant estrogens are equivalent to .3 milligrams of pharmaceutical estrogen. Eating soy can give you the phytoestrogens which block out the more potent estrogen that your body makes along with the toxic estrogens that come from environmental compounds. These environmental compounds are chemicals in the air along with those found in our food supply. A total of 200 milligrams soy plant estrogens are equivalent to .3 milligrams of pharmaceutical estrogen. Eating soy can give you the phytoestrogens which block out the more potent estrogen that your body makes along with the toxic estrogens that come from environmental compounds. These environmental compounds are chemicals in the air along with those found in our food supply. Natural progesterone comes from two food sources, the soybean and the wild Mexican yam. Soy products that actually taste good are quickly becoming available in mainstream grocery stores - and can form the foundation of a nutritious diet. Soy products include soybeans, textured vegetable protein, soymilk and soy yogurt, tofu, tempeh, miso, and tamari. A total of 20 –25 grams of soy protein per day are recommended for its protective effect in terms of cardiovascular health. This translates into two to three servings of soy products daily, depending on the type of soyfood eaten.
Phytoestrogens are also found in whole grains, nuts and seeds, and flax. They are also found in alfalfa, apples, carrots, cherries, chickpeas, corn, green beans, lemon, orange peels, peas, potatoes and yams. Phytoestrogens contain the isoflavones genistein and daidzein. These isoflavone, found only in soy products, help to lower cholesterol and prevent osteoporosis, respectively. A total of 30 to 50 milligrams of isoflavones per day are recommended. Asians consume an average of 100 milligrams of isoflavones per day.
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| Evening primrose oil, black currant oil or borage oil contain gamma-linoleic acid which helps induce hormonal activity and reduces platelet aggregation, which can contribute to blocked arteries. In addition, evening primrose oil helps relieve hot flashes and may reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. |
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Other herbs that can help with menopausal symptoms include:
| Black cohosh | Blessed thistle | Burdock root | Chamomile | Dong quai | Raspberry leaf |
| Sarsaparilla | Vitex | Pregnenolone | Valerian root | Wild yam | Also see Women's Chart |
Before using any herbal remedies on your own, it is advisable to consult a knowledgeable health practitioner in your area, such as a naturopath, in order to advise you properly.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This web site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
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