menopause, drug companies and the rise of HRT

If you are approaching menopause and wondering whether to take HRT, there is an interesting article this week in the New York Times, read it here.

The article discusses how Big Pharma promoted the idea of taking hormone drugs for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.

As a herbalist I would suggest trying all alternatives to HRT. Not only are there health risks involved in taking HRT, but what is often not discussed or considered is that women who finally come off HRT often have menopausal type symptoms anyway, which are much harder to treat at this stage than the menopausal symptoms a woman might experience going through a natural menopause.

There are many medicinal herbs which have traditionally been used by herbalists for menopausal symptoms, especially sage, chaste tree, black cohosh and motherwort. After a consultation a qualified herbalist would be able to choose an appropriate combination from these and other herbs for your individual requirements.