MENOPAUSAL TREATMENT Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

MENOPAUSAL TREATMENT - Assignment Example Such symptoms include hot flushes and alteration of the vagina area (Newson, 2013). On the other hand, there are various ways of alleviating symptoms. One of such is through hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, HRT being avoided due to the various risk associated with it (Newson, 2013). Hence, such risks have forced most patients to opt for herbal treatments. The paper will focus on â€Å"herbal† treatments as a first-line option for their menopausal symptoms. It will also address their effectiveness as well as side effects or interactions with the herbal treatments. There are various herbal treatments for menopausal symptoms. The first herbal compounds are known as phytoestrogens. These are plant compounds and have the same chemical components as the female sex hormone oestrogen (State Government of Victoria, 2015). Hence, they act as oestrogen receptor parts in a woman’s body and helps in reducing symptoms (State Government of Victoria, 2015). The first is known as isoflavones. The natural source for this phytoestrogen is soybeans, beans, and red clover (State Government of Victoria, 2015). The other one is known as lignans. It is easily found in fruit, vegetables, grains, and oilseeds. The third one is known as coumestans. It is easily found in sprouting seeds such as alfalfa. The only challenge is that soy products are thought to lead to the development of breast cancer in women. Therefore, there is advice to avoid such products in those women that are at high risk of developing breast cancer (State Government of Victoria, 2015). The drugs have been shown not effective in alleviating hot flushes (Cleveland Clinic, 2014). The other medicine is St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum). It has been shown useful in reducing symptoms. The only challenge is that this medication may interact with other drugs one is taking causing severe side effects (State Government of Victoria, 2015). The other one