If you have consulted your doctor and weighed your risks, you may have decided that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is not the most effective or safest solution for your symptoms. You may be experiencing milder symptoms of menopause that do not require aggressive treatment. Or perhaps you have a history of breast cancer and are not willing to risk redeveloping cancer while taking an estrogen-based form of therapy. There are alternatives available to help you get through the most irritating symptoms of menopause.

Many women advocate using herbs and essential oils as part of a holistic approach to addressing the worst symptoms of menopause. Proponents of herbal therapy claim that certain herbs contain chemicals similar to a woman’s reproductive hormones and may help to stabilize the body and reduce the severity of symptoms. However, women taking herbal remedies should be aware that if the remedies affect their system’s estrogen production or levels, they may still pose the same risks as replacement therapy. The best thing to do is contact your doctor with any questions you may have and discuss your options before deciding to pursue herbal therapy. The mere fact that a remedy is natural does not make it safe. Most over-the-counter herbal remedies are not as highly regulated as prescription drugs like replacement therapy medications. Therefore, the consumer can never be certain about the actual content and origin of the herb and whether the potency of the herb will be consistent from bottle to bottle.

It is important to keep in mind during this often stressful time in a woman’s life that simple diet and exercise can also make a world of difference in alleviating symptoms. Maintaining a healthy body can make dealing with menopause easier on you both mentally and physically. You can try combining aromatherapy or essential oils with your daily routine to promote a more peaceful and relaxed atmosphere during this stressful time. Your body is undergoing difficult changes, and you will most likely be mentally stressed as well. Using essential oils as part of a routine including good diet and exercise could be effective for women with milder symptoms of menopause. It is still a good idea to consult your doctor before beginning any new routine.