Menopause is a natural life stage, often accompanied by changes that, while not life threatening, can be very uncomfortable and frustrating. For many decades, doctors have prescribed combinations of hormones to alleviate or alter these changes. Over time it became so routine that even the slightest complaint resulted in hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Questions about long term use were overshadowed by praise for the perceived benefit or dismissed as inconsequential.

In the third week of July 2002, researchers who had been following over 16,000 volunteers abruptly terminated a clinical trial using HRT in its fifth year. While the reasons given included vague phrases such as "further review is needed", the truth was out. The trial had violated ethnical boundaries. There was increased risk of invasive breast cancer, heart attack, pulmonary clots and stroke. Although there had been a decrease in hip fractures and colon cancer, these problems were easily addressed through proper calcium supplementation and proper screening. HRT was now shown to be more deadly than the problems it was supposed to help.

While there may still be certain conditions where HRT is still proper, the overwhelming use has been to alleviate non-life threatening complaints such as hot flashes, mood swings, depression, breast pain and tenderness and cravings associated with hormone imbalances. What was ignored by so many prescribing doctors was the availability of natural alternatives that would safely address these complaints. In the absence of a serious medical condition, these alternatives should be considered.

Ongoing clinical evaluations have shown the following properties for these natural botanical alternatives:

WILD YAM - Primarily known as a phytoestrogen, it also contains natural alkaloids that relax abdominal muscles and reduce pain. Also known for diuretic properties.		RED CLOVER - Moderates mood swings. Phytoestrogenic activity also supports bone health and strength.
CHASTE TREE BERRY - Helps reduce unwanted water retention, breast pain and tenderness.		DONG QUAI - Antispasmodic action reduces cramps, helps minimize hot flashes, increases blood flow and provides a mild sedative action in cases of sleeplessness.
BLACK COHOSH - Helps during night sweats and hot flashes by suppressing the release of luteinizing hormone. Also reduces irritability, anxiety and nervousness. Beneficial for severe contractions.		IPRIFLAVONE - An isoflavone which stimulates calcium absorption in bones. Beneficial in osteoporosis, it has none of the dangerous side effects associated with estrogen.