Is There Anything Over the
Counter For Menopause?

When it comes to menopausal relief, you'll do anything to ease the symptoms. It's common for women to have everything from brain fog to sleep disturbances. Plus, the truth is that symptoms of menopause can go on for years. This is why finding the right menopausal fighting vitamins and supplements sold over-the-counter is a must. The good news is that you have a few different choices. The right one depends on you. 

Menopausal Symptoms

The North American Menopause Society states that symptoms associated with menopause can have some serious health effects, including:

• Mood swings
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Low libido
• Vaginal dryness
• Weight gain
• Low energy
• Dry mouth and skin
• Depression 
• Weak bones

Not all women experience the same menopausal symptoms at the same strength. For some, the experience is mild, while for other women, bothersome menopausal symptoms are severe. 

Over-the-Counter Supplements for Menopause Symptoms

It's not uncommon for women to believe they have to suffer from menopausal symptoms. The transition is a natural part of life, so why not let it pass without treatment? Fortunately, there are a few multivitamins for menopause and herbal remedies to choose from. 

Black Cohosh

One of the most common supplements for menopause is black cohosh. The natural remedy has a long history with Native Americans for treating irregular menstrual cycles, stalled labor, and easing the menopausal transition. It's made from the roots of a native North American plant and available as a supplement. 

Vitamin B6

Menopausal women may have low serotonin levels, which may cause depression and anxiety. Vitamin B6 has many significant bodily benefits, but one of them may be to increase serotonin levels. 

Serotonin helps transmit pain signals from the brain, and improving the body's amounts may ease sadness and mood swings. 

Red Clover

Red clover is a legume, similar to beans and chickpeas. The flowering plant has a kind of phytoestrogen, which is similar in chemical structure to estrogen. Estrogen is the female sex hormone responsible for causing menopause in the first place. 

Estrogen levels plummet as women enter menopause, and red clover may boost levels naturally. It's long been used in alternative medicines for this reason. 

Estrogen 

Depleted hormone levels cause menopausal symptoms for women. Estrogen hormone therapy has long been controversial, and due to this, many people believe it's not a natural menopausal treatment. However, over-the-counter estrogen is available without a prescription and extracted from soy and wild yams, making it completely natural.  

Estrogen creams can provide multi-symptom menopause relief. Research showed it significantly improved estrogen balance to improve hot flashes, alleviate mood swings, and decrease weight gain, amongst other menopausal symptoms. 

Vitamin D

Estrogen helps support bone health, and low levels may result in weak bones. Women have a higher risk for osteoporosis, and menopause can only increase this concern. Taking calcium and vitamin D may help improve bone strength. 

Vitamin D, or the sunshine vitamin, is made by soaking up the sun's rays and then converting the energy into vitamin D in the body. Obtaining vitamin D is possible through certain foods, such as fatty fish and egg yolks. Still, to ensure you're getting the right amount, a vitamin D cream provides proper amounts in the body. 

Flaxseed

Flaxseed is highly nutritious and thought to help relieve hot flashes and night sweats. Although some research indicates, there's no evidence that flaxseed helps hot flashes. 

But it's long been used to help with menopausal symptoms. Women take flaxseed oil or sprinkle it on cereal to get a daily dose. 

Ginseng

Ginseng has long been used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years to help alleviate inflammation and nausea. It's also used to treat cancer symptoms. Another everyday use is as a menopause supplement to alleviate everything from hot flashes to vaginal dryness. 

Evening Primrose Oil

The popular menopausal fighting natural remedy is evening primrose oil (EPO). It's made from the seeds of the evening primrose plant and contains gamma-linolenic acid. 

The essential fatty acid plays a vital role in producing prostaglandins, which are similar in structure to hormones. Science shows EPO reduces hot flashes and other symptoms associated with menopause due to its hormone-boosting power. 

St John's Wort

For those with depression and anxiety, St. John's Wort has long been used in alternative therapies. It's also proven to help alleviate menopausal symptoms. St. John's Wort is a European flowering plant that blooms around John the Baptist's birthday, an important biblical figure. 

DHEA

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a precursor hormone responsible for harmonizing the body and creating hormones. Small amounts of DHEA are converted into testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen. 

Like estrogen therapy, DHEA supplementation is a type of hormone therapy. When you add back low levels of DHEA, in turn, it may increase estrogen levels. 

Dong Quai

Known as the female ginseng, Dong Quai has been used in Asian countries for thousands of years to help with menstrual issues, menopausal symptoms and boost blood circulation. Dong Quai is thought to nourish or enrich your blood, leading to other positive health benefits. 

In complementary and alternative medicine, Dong Quai is often used to relieve hot flashes. Women can take it in the form of a hot tea or pill form and is often combined with other herbs in Chinese Medicine. 

Soy

Menopausal women may benefit from soy as a remedy for hot flashes and other symptoms. 

Soy foods have soy isoflavones, which are thought to mimic the hormone estrogen. 

Some evidence shows that women in Asian countries where soy is widely eaten have fewer problems with hot flashes. Soy products come in different forms and are a delicious way to find relief. 

Finding the right menopause formula that provides optimal hormone balancing is possible with some over-the-counter supplements. The first line of defense is usually a natural estrogen supplement since low estrogen triggers menopausal symptoms. 

DHEA and vitamin D creams can also boost levels and help build strong bones. The exact choice for you depends on your body and health. Speak to your doctor about what's right for you.