Welcome to Menopause Canada

What Is Menopause?

  When Does It Occur?

  Symptoms

Effects Of Menopause

  Short-Term Effects

  Long-Term Effects

Treatments

  Traditional Therapies

  Alternative Therapies

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

Nutriceuticals
Phytohormones

NUTRICEUTICALS

These comprise a class of alternative supplements that assist in maintaining health and in treating various symptoms. The major members are:

Vitamins (A, B, C, D, E)
Minerals (eg Calcium, Magnesium)
Herbs (eg Garlic)
Foods (eg Soya, Fibre)

PHYTOHORMONES

These plant-derived estrogens (phyto, from the Greek word for plant) and progesterones act to mimic some of the effects of human estrogen and progesterone. They are known to be effective in symptom control for mild to moderate cases, but there is no scientific evidence yet that they play a role in the prevention of:

HERBAL AND OTHER SOURCES OF SOME PHYTOHORMONES

SOURCE	DESCRIPTION
BLACK COHOSH	Contains phytoestrogens. Similar in action to estradiol-17ß. Appears useful in decreasing the vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, of menopause. Some women note decreased menstrual cramps and it may help with mood swings and irritability.
DONG QUAI	Contains phytoestrogens. Occupies estrogen sites in the body. However, its effects in decreasing the symptoms of menopause appear to be weak.
GINSENG	Exerts estrogenic effects. May be helpful with vaginal dryness and menstrual cramps. It has been used to improve one's energy level. WARNING: May increase high blood pressure. May cause insomnia and anxiety.
WILD YAM	Contains giosgenin. This product helps the body to make its own progesterone.
EVENING PRIMROSE OIL	Helps decrease the cramping, bloating and breast tenderness associated with PMS. Contains the fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid. Assists in the body's production of certain prostaglandins (PGE1 and PGE3). PGE1 and PGE3 counteract the "bad" prostaglandin, PGE2, which causes perimenopausal symptoms.
VITAMIN B6	Helps decrease depression due to menopause. Aids in replacement of serotonin, a brain neurotransmitter. Low levels of serotonin, which may occur in menopausal patients taking HRT, can give rise to symptoms of depression. The amino acid tryptophan, in the presence of vitamin B6, may help to increase the production of serotonin.
ESTROGENIC ISOFLAVONES	Foods high in phytoestrogens include soy-based products and legumes. The incidence of hot flashes is much lower in Asian women than in those who consume a westernized diet. An Asian diet has a high concentration of isoflavones.
PROMENSIL:	This is a new food supplement recently launched in the Canadian marketplace. It is a rich source of four isoflavones - genistein, daidzein, formononetin and biochanin - which have been extracted from red clover. These isoflavones possess significant biological estrogenic activity. One tablet of Promensil produces plasma isoflavone levels similar to those found in populations consuming high-isoflavone diets. Clinical studies done with Promensil showed that it significantly reduced the frequency and intensity of hot flashes. Its safety profile is equivalent to that of placebo; hematological and biological parameters remained unchanged from baseline, no breakthrough bleeding or endometrial thickening was observed after 3 months of use, with no product-related weight gain.