Menopause is a normal process in a woman’s life when she transitions from her child bearing years into the second half of her life. On average, menopause occurs around fifty one years of age, but some women may experience symptoms as early as their mid forties or even in their late thirties.

A major indicator of menopause is hot flashes. Often hot flashes are managed by avoiding spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol. When these avoidances are not enough, natural medical treatment options may well be used successfully. Natural medicine addresses the health issues behind the symptoms of menopause.

As a women approaches menopause she experiences changes in her production of hormones, as well as how those hormones act in the body. The brain measures blood hormone levels and signals the hormone producing centers of the body to produce more hormones as needed. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) signals the ovaries to mature an ovum in preparation for ovulation each month. At menopause the ovaries do not respond to FSH and its level rises in the blood. The hormone progesterone is produced by the ovaries after ovulation each month and balances the three estrogen hormones. During menopause a women’s unopposed estrogen may result in symptoms that include abnormal hair growth, weight gain, breast lumps, and uterine fibroids. Hot flashes are euphemistically referred to as power surges in fact they are hormone surges and imbalances.

The natural medicine approach to treating hot flashes is to feed, clean, and regulate the body. Evening Primrose oil and glandular extracts feed a women’s hormone producing glands, including the ovaries, adrenals, hypothalamus, and pituitary. Better nutrition will help modulate hormone production for a better balance in the body. The liver processes hormones for removal from the body through the glucaronic pathway, which is supported by supplementing Calcium-D-Glucarate. Balancing the effects of hormones in a women’s body is supported by supplementing Indole-3-Carbinol, and the herbs Dong Quai and Vitex agnus castus.

Exercise can also help with hot flashes. Walk, run, ride a bicycle, or do another activity for at least 30 minutes in the daytime. This may help reduce or lessen the severity of the symptoms.

Menopause is a time of transition in a woman’s life, but it need not be an unpleasant one. Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause, but they are not normal. By watching her diet, taking nutritional and herbal supplements, as well as well indicated homeopathic remedies, a woman can take control and re-establish hormonal balance, and make hot flashes a thing of the past.