Women who are navigating the journey of menopause may experience a range of symptoms ranging from mildly uncomfortable to severe. Typically occurring in women in their 40’s and 50’s, menopause is a hormonal-led transition in a woman’s body from childbearing years to post-childbearing. 

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As these changes occur, the fluctuating of hormones may manifest a variety of symptoms that make daily life difficult or nearly impossible. Women who are seeking relief from their symptoms will often seek the aid of a trained menopausal health professional to guide them through the best methods of treatment. While there is no “cure” for the natural process of menopause, there are a variety of ways that one can suppress or stop the symptoms that are impeding their ability to enjoy daily life. 

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There are two main methods of treatment for menopause symptoms: naturopathic and medical. Each has its own pros and cons, which we will break down in this article. Let’s take a look at each method, with the hopes that you can make a well-informed decision as to how you can begin to take back your quality of life from some of your most severe symptoms. 

A note before you read on: It is always advised that you communicate with a trusted doctor or healthcare professional before trying to treat any menopausal symptoms. Just as every woman is different, so is their experience with menopause - so it is essential that you work with your doctor to develop the best treatment plan.

Breaking Down Naturopathic & Medical Menopause Treatments

In helping women treat their menopausal symptoms, practitioners will often choose between two methods: medical and naturopathic. In short, the difference between the two comes down to chemical-based treatments and natural medicine. While neither is a guaranteed fix, both are also a great way to help balance out the debilitating symptoms of menopause if handled correctly.

Medical Menopausal Treatment

With medical or clinical treatment methods, healthcare professionals may prescribe hormone-balancing medicines that women can take to help bring equilibrium to their systems. Other medical treatments can help ease the impacts of symptoms while helping women continue living their lives and allowing their bodies to naturally adjust to the menopause process as it occurs.

While most physicians will argue for women to utilize medicinal treatments for treating menopause symptoms, some women will choose to forgo this method due to the ingestion of medications that can potentially counteract the body’s natural changes. Also, antidepressants or other medication prescribed may increase the chances of mental and emotional impacts.

However, it is safe to assume that a licensed and experienced doctor working with women of menopausal age will only prescribe medicine or medical treatments that have been studied and proven both effective and safe. 

Naturopathic Menopausal Treatments

Another option for women to investigate is known as naturopathic treatments. The definition can be found in the name - “naturo” or “natural” and holistic treatments that seek to suppress the symptoms of menopause using natural means. 

While you may seek naturopathic medicine labelled “alternative” in some places, this method of treatment is actually older than medicine itself. By combining the proven power of dietary supplements such as herbs, spices, and other foods with a lifestyle regimen that seeks to increase health and wellness, women can begin to live healthier lives while navigating menopause.

For example, naturopathic methods for treating menopausal symptoms may include eating a nutritionist-approved diet that is high in fibre and protein, along with a weekly workout regimen that encourages cardiovascular exercise and mobility work. Women who take part in a holistic naturopathic treatment process can often lessen the severity of some symptoms and enjoy their menopause season with a healthier mind and body!

While naturopathic medicine can be helpful, women experiencing severe menopausal symptoms that are impeding their ability to live their daily lives may need to seek the aid of medical treatments as well. 

Finding A Balance

So, should you choose naturopathic or medical treatments for your menopause symptoms? While both have pros and cons, the true answer may be “a little bit of both!” Depending on the types of symptoms you are having and the severity of those symptoms, a combination of medical treatments and the holistic mind-body methods of naturopathic medicine may be just what the doctor ordered. 

As always, the key to navigating menopause is to work closely with a healthcare professional. Make sure that you are partnering with a healthcare professional who allows you to communicate clearly and transparently with the amount of comfort you need.

As you learn more about the various methods for treating menopause symptoms, as well as how you can begin to add healthy habits to your daily life, you will be amazed at how you can begin to enjoy this new season of life with even more energy and joy than you thought possible!