More women are turning to natural remedies and naturopathic physicians to help them manage the symptoms of menopause.
Carol Shaddox first noticed her symptoms two years ago- hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, memory loss- all became too familiar to her.
"It was unmistakable," says Shaddox."It would just hit you, and I couldn't hardly stand a sweater next to your skin.I could no longer wear some clothing I had worn before, it was amazing."
Shaddox decided to use natural treatments, in light of studies that show some hormones used to treat menopausal symptoms, like estrogen and progesterone not only didn't protect against breast cancer and heart disease like originally thought, they actually increased a woman's risk of the diseases.
"The reason why we're giving it isn't the results we're getting, so now that's playing a big question- is this really something a woman should do?" says Dr. Tod Thoring.
Dr. Thoring is a naturopathic physician in Arroyo Grande.About 60% of his practice deals with a natural alternative to conventional hormone replacement therapy.
"Symptoms can be managed very effectively with natural approaches," says Dr. Thoring.
The doctor uses an array of approaches, looking first at diet, lifestyle and exercise.
"Most women find anywhere from a 20% to 50% reduction from dietary and lifestyle changes initially," says Dr. Thoring.
Vitamins and herbal supplements take treatment a step further.Some of the common supplements Dr. Thoring prescribes are: vitamin E, evening primrose oil, ginko biloba, soy, red clover, black cohosh and chase tree berry- all natural hormones, versus the more common synthetic ones.
"If we use more bio-identical hormones that are made naturally, from soy, made from wild yam, they're still processed in the laboratory, but they're more compatible with what's in the body," says Dr. Thoring.
After a year and a half of sticking to Dr. Thoring's recommended natural routine-
"Night and day," says Shaddox."I sleep all night now, and that's amazing.I hadn't slept and had a full night's sleep for quite a while during that hot flash time."
Herbal supplements should only be with the supervision of a doctor, because the combination of different herbs may interact negatively with each other or with other medications.Fore more information on natural alternatives to hormone replacement therapy, contact Dr. Tod Thoring at:
The Natural Balance Wellness Center, Arroyo Grande
(805) 481-3442
