What is natural hormone replacement therapy?

Hormones are needed in certain quantities in the body and a deviation from this quantity can lead to complications. During stages such as pre-menopause, peri-menopause and menopause, the total amount of estrogen in circulation decreases, leading to complications such as:

• vaginal dryness
• hair loss
• Osteoporosis
• hot flashes

There are several factors that can lead to a decrease in the total amount of estrogen in circulation. Such factors range from age, changes in the system of the body and the onset of menopause. The lack of estrogen present in the body during peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause, demanded a solution, but to what cost?

Enterprisers found huge profitability in addressing these needs but not without a high cost in the health of women.  Natural hormone replacement therapy was created to fill this need in a manner that was / is acceptable to those who were not willing to harm themselves further during these vulnerable years.

Natural Hormone replacement therapy, as the name implies, involves the use of food and or herbal supplements containing phytoestrogens.  Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy’s sole purpose is assisting individuals suffering from menopause to maintain a fairly constant level of the hormone through the use of supplements rich in phytoestrogens.

Phytoestrogens replace or complement the level of the hormones present in the human body.  The use of these supplements assists the body to fight against symptoms of menopause while doubling to assist the body against other forms of medical conditions arising due to depleted levels of these hormones.

Although Natural hormone replacement therapy is still fairly new, there is a growing body of research offering encouragement for women battling menopause and looking for non-pharmaceutical ways to cut down on hot flashes, mood swings and other symptoms associated with menopause.

There is a growing movement of research for sources of Natural Estrogen (mostly estriol) used in Natural Hormone replacement therapy. The most cited natural remedy is soy which contains a high amount of phytoestrogens. Soy unfortunately is an allergen for many people so scientists have turned their efforts to converting wild yam to estriol, as it has been used for decades for the making of natural progesterone.  Other commonly used sources are flaxseed and red clover.

The effectiveness of the system

Scientists are of the view that phytoestrogens have a lower activity than in comparison with the natural or pharmaceutical estrogens. This reduced activity is responsible for how the estrogens enter the cells through a different receptor. This alternative pathway leads the scientists into believing that alternative therapies such has phytoestrogens and estriol – the weaker estrogen –   may not cause breast cancer as observed in the other hormones. This is empowering to the health conscious woman.

Caution

Inasmuch as NHRT, natural hormone replacement therapy, may alleviate symptoms associated with menopausal stages, it is always wise to be careful about the dosage of any new supplement added to your regimen.  Our bodies differ so consider consulting your physician before you kick-start the natural hormone replacement therapy. Adequate care should always be taken not to overtax the body by taking a high dose. More is not better.  Find the safe amount for you.

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