HRT stands for hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy aim is to restore oestrogen levels to a normal pre-menopausal state for menopausal women suffering from the signs and symptoms of oestrogen deficiency and it also postpones other consequences such as coronary heart disease and osteoporosis.

Hot flushes, profuse sweating especially at night, anxiety, feeling of suffocation, hot hands and feet, dizziness and faintness, headaches, backaches, irritability, an increase or lack of interest in sex, constipation, an increase in weight, depression and insomnia are all symptoms of the menopause.

Hormone replacement therapy has been linked with cancer of the uterus and women with kidney problems, headaches, migraines, asthma, heart disease, benign breast cysts, epilepsy and diabetes should not take Hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy also restarts the menstrual cycle.

Many women do not want to take hormone replacement therapy because of the problems associated with it. The side effects of taking HRT by mouth can be nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and bloating. HRT patches can cause blistering, discoloration of the skin and hyperaemia. Studies in HRT have associated the prescription of HRT with an increase chance of developing breast cancer and cancer of the uterus.

To combat the symptoms and health problems associated with the menopause keep meals simple, eat little and often, avoid processed and refined foods, keep to natural whole foods such as fruit and vegetable, consume plenty of fibre, cut down on fat, wheat, rhubarb chocolate, eat plenty of calcium rich food such as Soya beans, sardines, turnips, peanuts, salmon, walnuts, sunflower seeds, dried beans and green vegetables, eat plenty of vitamin D foods such as sardines, herring, salmon, tuna, fish liver oils, liver and eggs will be beneficial and eat plenty of Soya products such as tofu, Soya milk, tempeh. Increase exercise, try to mineralise stress by relaxation methods such as yoga and meditation and try to give up smoking.

Phytoestrol and evening primrose oil are both good supplements to help with the symptoms of the menopause. Phytoestrol offers the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) but without the associated risks. It is a natural product made from potent plant hormones that mimic oestrogen. Evening primrose oil can help with pre-menstrual syndrome by reducing sugar cravings, low moods and emotional symptoms, breast tenderness and swelling. Evening primrose oil contains hormone-building blocks that can aid in the balancing of hormones.

The following supplements may help if you are suffering from HRT.

Bone mineral complex 
 Boron 
 Copper 
 Evening primrose oil 
 Fish Oil 
 Flaxseed oil 
 Folic Acid 
 Magnesium 
 Manganese 
 Multivitamin and multiminerals 
 Silica 
 Soya
 Strontium 
 Vitamin B12 
 Vitamin B6 
 Vitamin C 
 Vitamin D 
 Vitamin K 
 Zinc

Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh

Advice for a healthier natural life

website: http://www.newbeingnutrition.com