The demand for a natural menopause treatment has skyrocketed in recent years, as baby-boomer women enter their fifties. Recent studies indicating increased risks from traditional hormone replacement therapy have only fueled this demand. There are several alternative approaches, and the question of which natural menopause treatment is best for you is a complex one.

Natural Menopause Treatment Options

One option for natural menopause treatment that is often overlooked is the conscious regulation of a woman's feelings and emotions regarding the symptom. When a hot flash hits, do you tense up, get angry, feel embarrassed or victimized? What if you could train yourself to relax into it and shrug it off, or treat it with a dose of humor? If nothing else, such a change in attitude would reduce your stress level, which is generally regarded as a primary cause of symptoms.

Phytoestrogens are substances that occur naturally in foods that mimic the actions of estrogen on a cellular level. Soy is one of the most important sources of phytoestrogens, but they can also be found in beans, legumes, flax seed and fruit. On the other hand, a diet high in spicy foods or the use of wine and caffeine can increase the likelihood of hot flashes.

Herbs and vitamins are also commonly used in natural menopause treatment. Many women take a multi-vitamin supplement, and perhaps a mineral supplement as well. Most women, though, need to increase their calcium intake. It's also recommended that menopausal women increase their intake of antioxidants, such as Vitamins B and E, beta-carotene and selenium.