Menopause

* 1/3 people self administer natural remedies * More women than men * 70% fail to report use to their MDs * Not necessarily safer than prescription medication * Recognize benefits * Understand risks

* Depression * Hot flashes * Tiredness * Insomnia * Night sweats * Vaginal dryness * Poor concentration * Memory loss

* Safety of menopausal hormone therapy * Recommendations from friends * Advertisements and Infomercials * Ease of acquiring alternative remedy

* Black Cohosh * Red Clover * Soy * Dong quai * Ginseng

* Description * Native to North America, a member of the buttercup family * Effectiveness – hot flashes, anxiety, depression * Side Effects * GI discomfort, dizziness, nausea, vomiting * Interactions * Antihypertensives, tamoxifen, iron supplements

* Description * Belongs to the legume family, contains phytoestrogens * Effectiveness – hot flashes, breast tenderness, possible prevention of spinal density loss * Side Effects * Dermatitis, vaginal spotting, headaches, nausea * Interactions * Antihypertensives, tamoxifen, HRT, amitriptyline, haloperidol, propranolol, the Pill

* Description * A member of the pea family, contains phytoestrogens * Effectiveness – hot flashes * Side Effects * Nausea, bloating, constipation * Interactions * No known interactions

* Description * Belongs to the same plant group as carrots, parsley, dill and celery * Effectiveness – studies have not supported much benefit for the use of this herb for menopausal symptoms * Side Effects * Increased risk of bleeding and bruising, hypotension, and photosensitivity * Interactions * Warfarin and other blood thinning medications

* Description * A root * Effectiveness – depression, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia * Side Effects * Nervousness, insomnia, headaches, dizziness, stomach upset, increased heart rate * Interactions * Diabetes medications, warfarin, depression medications, antihypertensives, and caffeine

* Use of herbal supplements should always be reported to your healthcare provider. * “Natural” does not necessarily mean safe. * Some supplements can have serious side effects. * Label versus actual ingredients inconsistency. * Government approval is not required prior to marketing dietary supplements.

* Tiran, D. (2006). Integrated healthcare: Herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms. British Journal Of Nursing, 15(12), * Weil, A. MD. (2015). Retrieved 2 August 2015 from Weil.html Weil.html * National Center for Complementary and Alternative Health. (2015). Retrieved 2 August 2015 from * Web MD. (2015). Retrieved 2 August 2015 from supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/supplement-guide- ginseng?page=2 supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/supplement-guide- ginseng?page=2