Proactively Managing Menopause – Phytotherapy and Bioidentical Hormones (Part 4)

byIsabel Lüdi July 3, 2023 0 comments

Isabel Lüdi-Roth, Copywriter, Registered Nurse

Phytotherapeutics

Phytotherapeutics are medicines made from plants. The healing and supportive effects of medicinal plants are used to alleviate physical and mental ailments. The active ingredients are extracted and processed into medicines. Concentrated extracts and tinctures are more potent than teas and are preferable for optimal effectiveness. There are also a number of plants that can help with menopause. Here is a brief selection.

Chaste tree (Agnus castus)

Centuries ago, it was believed that chasteberry reduced sexual desire, and it was accordingly used by monks as a substitute for pepper and was also known as the “chaste tree” or “chaste plant.” Today we know that the opposite is true; as a 2018 study demonstrates, Agnus castus can help improve libido. Quite a few women going through menopause complain of a lack of sexual desire, which is why chasteberry could be helpful here.

Monk’s pepper also has a positive effect on premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which can intensify at the onset of menopause. It also provides relief for menstrual symptoms, such as heavy and irregular bleeding. It is primarily used during pre- and perimenopause when menstrual cycles become irregular, as it helps regulate the cycle. Agnus castus has hormone-regulating properties, primarily stimulating progesterone production. Monk’s pepper can also help with hot flashes.

Studies:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8459874/
https://www.kjfm.or.kr/journal/view.php?doi=10.4082/kjfm.18.0067

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga)

Black cohosh is frequently used for menopausal symptoms. The main indications are neurovegetative symptoms such as mood swings, sleep disturbances, tension, and difficulty concentrating. It can also be effective for hot flashes.

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

True sage offers numerous healing properties; it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects and is therefore often used to relieve sore throats and throat infections. Sage can also be used to reduce sweating during menopause.

Ginkgo biloba

Extracts can be made from the leaves of the ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) to alleviate cognitive issues, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). They are therefore commonly used to treat dementia. The active ingredients in ginkgo can also be beneficial for declines in mental performance, forgetfulness, and difficulties with concentration, memory, and recall during menopause. Key active ingredients include flavonoids and terpentrilactones. Ginkgo extracts have neuroprotective properties and improve blood flow in the small blood vessels, thereby increasing the oxygen supply to the cells.

Studies on Ginkgo biloba:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25822771/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26297531/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26297531/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15602795/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9433905/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21802920/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10890330/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12404671/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19657199/

Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

There are various types of ginseng; here we are referring to Panax ginseng. It has been an integral part of traditional Chinese and Korean medicine for more than a thousand years and is considered effective against various ailments. The key bioactive compounds are ginsenosides, which are steroid-like saponins specific to the ginseng species.

Ginseng is an adaptogen and improves the body’s ability to cope with mental and physical stressors. It is also credited with performance-enhancing properties and can be used to address physical and mental weakness and exhaustion, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Ginseng also stimulates the immune system, the central nervous system, and the endocrine (hormonal) system. All of this makes it a treatment of choice for various menopausal symptoms.

Studies on ginseng:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22925661/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32183094/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31987248/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8069258/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15644271/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25832422/

Note:

There are products that contain CoQ10 in the form of ubiquinol, as well as ginseng and ginkgo biloba.

Maca

The maca plant is native to the Peruvian Andes, where it thrives at an altitude of 4,000 meters despite all weather conditions. The maca root contains many vital substances for which it has been valued for thousands of years. This is why the unassuming tuber is rightly considered a superfood. Maca contains antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, and is also classified as an adaptogen. These are biologically active plant compounds that can help the body adapt to situations of increased physical and emotional stress (from the English “to adapt”). Maca is associated with supporting physical and mental performance, improving mood, and promoting natural sexual activity and energy.

Phytoestrogens

Asian women suffer far less from typical menopausal symptoms than women in our part of the world. This is due, among other things, to a soy-rich diet that contains abundant so-called phytoestrogens. These are secondary plant compounds that largely belong to three structural classes. These are isoflavones, lignans, and coumestans. In terms of structure and function, they resemble the body’s own estradiol and can interact with the receptor to which our hormones also bind and exert their effects. They can both activate and block estrogen receptors, thereby exerting both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects in the body.

However, these substances share only a certain similarity with our sex hormones; their molecular structure is different. The best-known phytoestrogens are the isoflavones genistein, coumestrol, and daidzein. Soybean products are rich in isoflavones, while lignans are found primarily in flax and sesame seeds. Other good sources of phytoestrogens include grains (bran) and legumes. In addition to soy, red clover (also known as meadow clover), which is widespread in our region, contains high amounts of isoflavones. The flowers can be enjoyed, for example, in salads or as tea; however, dietary supplements containing concentrated red clover extract are more effective.

Note

Although phytotherapeutics and phytoestrogens are plant-based preparations, they can still have side effects or contraindications. This occurs significantly less frequently than with conventional medications; nevertheless, it is best to consult a specialist to determine what is appropriate for you personally. Be sure to inform this person about any medications you are taking and any medical conditions you have.

Hormone therapy with bioidentical hormones

Isn’t it unnatural to use hormones to help manage menopause? Many women who want to live as naturally as possible ask themselves these questions. Most think of synthetic hormones, in which case their concerns are certainly justified. These can have side effects, which is why they are prescribed with much greater caution today than they were just a few decades ago. But are there natural hormones or a natural hormone replacement therapy for menopause? Bioidentical hormones—also known as biological or nature-identical hormones—are absolutely identical in molecular structure to the body’s own hormones. They react in the body just like the body’s own hormones and have virtually no side effects (provided they are used correctly).

Although bioidentical hormones cannot be extracted directly from plants, substances derived from Mexican yam (Dioscorea) or soy can be engineered in the laboratory to have the exact same structure as our body’s own hormones. They fit perfectly onto the cell receptor designed for our own hormones and trigger the same effects as our body’s own hormones.

Synthetic hormone derivatives, on the other hand, are very similar to our own hormones—so much so that they can also bind to the cell receptor—but they are not identical. Depending on the body tissue, they therefore sometimes have completely different effects on the cell than our body’s own hormones. For example, synthetically modified progesterone, a so-called progestin, acts on the uterine lining similarly to the body’s own progesterone. It prevents menstrual cramps or excessive and prolonged bleeding and protects against endometrial cancer. However, while the body’s own progesterone alters the built-up endometrium in such a way that a fertilized egg can implant and grow, the synthetically modified progesterone barely builds up or maintains the endometrium.

It therefore does not promote pregnancy; on the contrary. Natural progesterone also affects breast tissue differently than synthetic progestin. The body’s own progesterone protects against breast cancer, while the progestin derivative increases the risk of breast cancer. Supporting declining hormone levels with bioidentical hormones during menopause has several advantages. It offers protection against common menopausal symptoms such as sleep disturbances, hot flashes, urogenital issues, or joint problems. Furthermore, it reduces the risk of atherosclerosis or osteoporosis and has a positive effect on skin and hair.

The risk of developing breast cancer and the risk of thrombosis remain the same when using bioidentical hormones (as they would without hormone therapy); therefore, they are not increased (unlike with synthetic hormone therapy). However, treatment with bioidentical hormones requires an experienced specialist, as they are prescription-only. Treatment is preceded by a comprehensive hormonal assessment to determine whether there is a deficiency and, if so, of which hormones.

Hormone levels can be measured in the blood or saliva; the saliva test can be conveniently performed at home and sent to a specialized laboratory, and the results are more accurate than those from a blood test. Bioidentical hormones are available in capsule or tablet form for oral use or as a cream applied to the skin. Via the gastrointestinal tract, the hormones reach the liver relatively quickly, where they are largely broken down. This is why higher single doses are required for oral administration.

This can be avoided with hormone creams; this method of application requires lower hormone doses and allows for highly individualized dosing. It is important to always view hormones holistically. Our numerous hormones all interact with one another and influence each other. The various hormone-producing glands, such as the thyroid, the adrenal glands, or the ovaries, work closely together.

Last but not least—why do some women suffer from menopausal symptoms while others do not?

Why is it actually the case that certain women feel little or nothing from their menopause? Women who have maintained a healthy lifestyle their entire lives—with a healthy diet, sufficient exercise, and a balanced work-life balance—generally have a better chance of getting through this transition smoothly. It is now known that long-term use of the birth control pill tends to have a negative effect and that these women are more prone to menopausal problems. But perhaps you know women who seem to have always done everything “right” and yet still suffer from problems? Maybe you are one of them yourself?

In her book “Nutrient Therapy – Orthomolecular Medicine & Bioidentical Hormones,” author Dr. Helena Orfanos-Boeckel describes her insights regarding such women. While this book does not primarily focus on menopause but rather on health issues in general, it might hold an answer. Dr. Orfanos-Boeckel refers to the problem as “Individual Biochemical Sensitivity to Metabolism (IBSE).” If this is high, the person reacts much more sensitively to everything than someone with a low IBSE.

The doctor has had remarkably positive results with a combination of individually prescribed high-dose micronutrients and bioidentical hormones, based on precise lab results. So don’t despair and don’t give up if, even though you’ve always lived a healthy lifestyle, you’re still struggling with various health issues and menopausal symptoms. Try to find a specialist who looks far beyond the boundaries of conventional medicine and is knowledgeable about the topics mentioned above.

Finally, it’s important to mention here that menopause is fundamentally a physiological process, not a pathological one. It is not a disease, but a normal part of life. Just as puberty, with its hormonal fluctuations, is physiological, so too is menopause. The biggest difference is probably that, because we are older, all these processes require more energy from our bodies. That is why we should definitely give our bodies the necessary attention and care, as well as enough rest.