Menopause- breast cancer

More than 40 million women are presently menopausal; an additional 20-plus million are entering perimenopause, the several years leading up to menopause. Many of these women have a family history of cancer or have had a previous cancer diagnosis, and should avoid conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But what about taking concentrated herbal supplements that have estrogenic activity (phytoestrogens)?

"Women in the high-risk category should avoid estrogenic compounds altogether, whether synthetic, conjugated, bioidentical, or plant based," explains Lise Alschuler, ND, naturopathic oncologist and coauthor of the Definitive Guide to Cancer. "This includes prescription HRT drugs, estriol from a compounding pharmacist, soy isoflavones, and extracts of estrogenic herbs, such as alfalfa, red clover, ginkgo, and Panax ginseng."

Avoiding these, however, can make it more challenging for some women to manage their menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms.

The Real World of Menopause

When a woman stops menstruating, she is menopausal. On average, women begin the perimenopausal phase at about 47 years old, with menopause occurring at about age 51. According to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), the menopausal transition generally lasts about four years; however, in some cases the transition time is much shorter, and in some cases it can last much longer. NAMS reports that about 10 percent of women will stop menstruating abruptly without experiencing menstrual irregularities.

The hormonal imbalance that occurs during perimenopause and menopause can cause a variety of symptoms, from mildly uncomfortable to debilitating or disruptive of quality of life. These symptoms can include the following:

* Hot flashes
* Anxiety
* Depression
* Insomnia
* Weight gain
* Heart palpitations
* Vaginal dryness
* Irritable bowel syndrome
* Fatigue

In addition to these symptoms, menopausal women also have to worry about increased risk of cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. It was previously believed that conventional HRT would not only help prevent symptoms but also help prevent these serious illnesses. However, the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study changed the landscape dramatically. "Many studies in addition to the WHI have confirmed that conventional hormone replacement therapy increases a woman's risk of not only developing breast cancer but also increases the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or serious blood clot," explains Alschuler.

The Natural Approach

A proactive, targeted, natural approach will help high-risk women manage their symptoms as well as prevent serious illnesses associated with menopause. Through a combination of diet, lifestyle activities, and dietary supplements, high-risk women can make a smooth menopausal transition.