Paulina Nelega R.H.

©Paulina Nelega, Clinical Herbalist (AHG) 

Disclaimer: All information provided herein is strictly for educational purposes. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner prior to commencing any health program. 

Beginning in her early 40s and, for some, their 30s, a woman’s ovaries gradually start to decline in their production of estrogen and progesterone. During this peri-menopausal time, other hormones involved in the menstrual cycle (gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus; luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones from the pituitary) begin ‘working overtime’ in an attempt to signal the decreasingly responsive ovaries.

The result of these fluctuating hormone levels include hot flushes, irregular cycles, insomnia, mood disturbances, and physical changes such as vaginal dryness, loss of bone mass, and change in skin tone. Menopause itself is said to have occurred when 12 months have lapsed since the last period.

In addition to these physical changes, many women also experience mental and emotional disturbances related to the complex symphony of hormonal changes taking place. Sleep disturbances and insomnia can disrupt one’s ability to effectively handle stress, leading to irritability and anxiety which can then further aggravate the stress cycle. Re-establishing healthy sleep patterns can help enormously in offsetting this pattern.

Botanicals to Ease the Transition

Many herbs have traditionally been used to ease the physical and emotional changes associated with menopause. From the Orient comes Dong quai, considered in the TCM tradition to be an “Empress herb.” As such, the Empress functions best when she is supported by some well-chosen “ladies in waiting,” thus, Dong quai is rarely used alone in a formula. She is often combined with other herbs including Blue Cohosh, Black Cohosh, Wild Yam, Red Clover and Motherwort, to name a few.

Black Cohosh is probably the most widely researched western botanical for menopause. Conflicting reports about its helpfulness in alleviating hot flushes may stem from dissimilar preparations being compared in studies. Many women experience improvement in hot flushes and heart palpitations when using this herb, as well as improvement in mood and lessening of depression. The latter is thought to be possibly due to its binding to serotonin receptors.

Chaste berry (Vitex) is another excellent herb for regulating the menstrual cycle and is especially useful for strengthening progesterone production.

Phytoestrogens – What are They?

First, let’s clear up a common misconception as to what these are not: Phytoestrogens are not estrogen. They are estrogen-like in their effect, however.

Estrogen is itself a group of several steroidal hormones, notably estradiol, estriol, and estrone. The most biologically active of these is estradiol. Phytoestrogens describe a class of non-steroidal plant constituents that resemble estradiol in their structural (3-D) configuration. (There are a few plants which do contain steroidal phytoestrogens: French beans, rice, apple seeds, licorice and pomegranate seeds. They resemble estrone, the weakest of the estrogens.)

Phytoestrogens are similar enough to estradiol, in shape, to bind to estrogen-receptor sites and thus mimic estrogen, in vivo. Although weaker in effect than estradiol itself binding, phytoestrogens can, nonetheless, provide appreciable estrogenic activity and alleviate symptoms of menopause including hot flushes, sweating and irritability. They can, additionally, ameloriate other conditions associated with lowered estrogen levels, including osteoporosis. 

Phytoestrogens can, conversely, also act as estrogen-antagonists. In hyper-estrogenic states such as endometriosis or ‘estrogen dominance’ (a common underlying factor of PMS,) phytoestrogens can competitively bind to estrogen-receptors, thereby blocking the binding of one’s own estradiol. This results in less of a physiological effect, relative to estradiol binding.

In “estrogen positive” tumours (the most common type in breast cancer), phytoestrogens can, by blocking estrogen (estradiol) from binding, diminish cellular proliferation and tumour growth. Both of these are promoted under the influence of estrogen. The application of phytoestrogens in this regard should be done under the supervision of a qualified health professional.

Some Plants that contain Phytoestrogens:

• Red Clover
• Soy
• Flax
• Licorice
• Alfalfa
• Wild Yam

Note that many dietary foods are also sources of phytoestrogens: soy beans (tofu, tempeh, soy beverages), flax seed, sesame seeds, wheat, berries, oats, barley, dried beans, lentils, rice, alfalfa, mung beans, apples, carrots, pomegranate, wheat germ, rice bran, ginseng, fennel, anise.

What about Wild Yam and “Natural Progesterone”?

Some companies would have you believe that, by taking their Wild Yam-containing product (either orally or applying topically), you are getting ‘natural progesterone.’ This is not technically correct. The confusion around Wild Yam and natural progesterone arises from its historical use: Mexican Wild Yam was the original source of diosgenin, which was extracted and used as the substrate for making progesterone for birth control pills. The conversion of diosgenin to progesterone, however, requires an extensive, multi-step laboratory process. We cannot convert diosgenin into progesterone in our body – we lack the many enzymes necessary for this process. Wild Yam, itself, does not contain progesterone. Diosgenin’s benefits, as they relate to taking Wild Yam products, are due to the phytoestrogenic activity of diosgenin, as explained under ‘Phytoestrogens’ above. Thus, Wild Yam (diosgenin) is indeed a “natural source” of progesterone, albeit not one that our body can utilise as such. Some manufacturers, however, continue to mislead consumers with claims that Wild Yam = natural progesterone. Not true.

Hygieia Herbal Menopause & Peri-Menopause Formula: Black Cohosh Compound