How do Phytoestrogens Affect My Menopause Symptoms?
During menopause, women can experience a number of unpleasant physical and emotional symptoms. Common symptoms that women have to suffer include hot flashes, irregular periods, anxiety and mood swings. There are many treatments available, ranging from hormone replacement therapy to holistic practices.
Among these treatments, phytoestrogens are becoming an increasingly popular and effective way to treat uncomfortable menopause symptoms. Read on to learn what phytoestrogens are, where they can be found, and how they affect your menopause symptoms.
What Are Phytoestrogens?
Phytoestrogens are natural compounds within a plant or herb, which have a similar molecular structure to the human hormone estrogen. When they enter the body, they mimic the role of estrogen. They have grown in the wild all over the world for centuries, but it is only in recent decades that their properties have been discovered and analyzed.
There are three different types of phytoestrogen, called isoflavones, flavanols and flavones. All three have slightly different properties, but work to the same effect.
Where can Phytoestrogens Be Found?
The plants and herbs that contain phytoestrogens are called phytoestrogenic herbs. The main phytoestrogenic herbs are the following:
• Black Cohosh
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Dong Quai
• Ginseng
• Soy
Soy is particularly high in isoflavones. Onions, lettuce, tomatoes, red wine and green tea contain flavanols, and flavones can be found in apples and green tea.
How Do Phytoestrogens Affect My Menopause Symptoms?
The "female" hormone estrogen is responsible for many of the changes and symptoms that you may experience during menopause. During your menopausal years, the level of estrogen in your body fluctuates, before reducing significantly.These fluctuations instigate bodily changes and the cessation of the menstrual cycle. The changing levels of hormones also effects unpleasant menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, loss of libido, irregular periods, headaches and fatigue.
Phytoestrogens can help ease these menopause symptoms as they have a similar molecular make-up to estrogen. Their estrogen-like properties means that they act like estrogen when they are ingested into the body. When consumed during menopause, they can help regulate and supplement the body's changing estrogen levels. As a result, the intensity of your menopausal symptoms is reduced.
Increasing your intake of phytoestrogens through phytoestrogenic herbs can be an effective, natural way to combat your menopausal symptoms. For more information on phytoestrogens, how they work, and how to incorporate them into your diet, click the link below.
