I'm 34 and starting to have hot flashes. Are there any homeopathic alternatives to hormones? What is Perimenopause?

At the onset of hormonal changes, a woman is often confronted with advice from friends and mothers including a prescription for hormones from the doctor. Currently, statistics show that 30 million women are either going through menopause or have already gone through it. If you are beginning to experience hot flashes at age 34 you could be going through perimenopause.

What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause, the period leading up to menopause, can span up to 10 years and can begin as early as ages 30-35. The average age for menopause is 51.4 years. Common symptoms of perimenopause include moodiness, depression, forgetfulness, insomnia, abnormal periods, hot flashes, vaginal dryness and a decrease in sex drive. Hot flashes are experienced by 85% of women and are the most common reason to seek medical attention.

Homeopathy and Menopause
The use of hormones for perimenopause and menopause (natural or synthetic) is a relatively new phenomenon. A healthy postmenopausal woman is able to still produce small amounts of hormones. There are examples in many cultures where women have lived beyond menopause without taking hormones and have not suffered from heart disease or osteoporosis.

Homeopathy, as a holistic form of medicine, has been used for close to 200 years to treat women with hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. The homeopathic approach takes into account a woman's totality of symptoms. Each person is treated as an individual. The correctly chosen homeopathic remedy can work quickly for perimenopausal symptoms. A visit to a professional homeopathic practitioner for treatment can allow for a smooth transition into menopause. The chart below is a sampler of several commonly used remedies for perimenopausal symptoms:

Lachesis is helpful for the woman who wakes up from hot flashes. She feels hot all the time. She is the type of person who feels worse before her period, with a relief when the period begins. She can suffer from heavy bleeding as well as from fibroids. In addition, she is a passionate, jealous woman who is very talkative.

Sepia is given for hot flashes as well as night sweats, though she tends to feel chilly. There can be a dragging feeling in the pelvic organs, and she often complains of constipation and fatigue. She feels better with exercise. She is irritable, overwhelmed, and has the desire to get away from it all.

Nux vomica known as the remedy for the Type A personality, can also be used for perimenopausal symptoms. She is impatient, competitive and hardworking. She enjoys rich food and wine and suffers from indigestion and constipation.

Natrum Muriaticum is used for the woman who is sensitive and introverted with a serious appearance. She may have suffered from prolonged grief and suppressed feelings. There is a desire for salt with complaints of vaginal dryness and water retention. She also suffers from a variety of migraine headaches.

Many patients come to my office looking for a homeopathic remedy that is natural and safe without any side effects. Menopausal symptoms respond well to homeopathic treatment. For chronic complaints, I recommend constitutional homeopathic treatment, in which a homeopathic remedy is chosen by a trained homeopath after a lengthy interview. This method can be very effective for the long-term resolution of chronic conditions.