by Sheree Zielke

Created on: April 26, 2008   Last Updated: July 15, 2008

Menopausal symptoms and treatment. Sounds like a disease, doesn't it? But that's not so. Menopause is a natural function of a woman's body as she leaves her child-bearing years behind. But going through menopause feels anything but natural.

Victorian women had the perfect solution when it came to menopause treatment. They got the "vapors" and escaped to their fainting couches. Today's modern menopausal woman doesn't have that luxury. She stands and drips.

Hot flashes are all part of the menopause experience. Other symptoms might include dizziness, forgetfulness, fatigue, irritability, and night sweats. Menopause can strike early in a woman's life, but the majority of women experience the most intense menopause symptoms in their late 40s, early 50s.

The most common menopause symptom is the most obvious: flushing and hot flashes. No one knows exactly why a hot flash occurs, but it resembles a niacin-rush in its tingling and rush of heat. Hot flashes are annoying, but they can be endured. The best treatment for this menopause symptom is a natural treatment:

1. Take a breather. Stop any activity. Find a place to settle quietly. Fainting couches are no longer available, but a simple kitchen chair will do.

2. Drink something cool. Water is best. Keep bottles handy especially if hot flashes are occurring repeatedly throughout the day. (Some women at the height of menopause can experience dozens of hot flashes in a day.)

3. Avoid tight clothing, or clothing that can't be easily removed. Dress in layers instead.

Night sweats come with their own complications. Besides the discomfort of waking up in a pool of sweat, there is the added inconvenience of needing to change into dry clothes. That leads to interrupted sleep patterns, and sleep loss. So, prepare in advance.

1. Keep a change of clothing nearby. Change quickly and try to go back to sleep immediately.

2. Keep a thick towel handy. Since the bedclothes will also be wet, lay the towel on top of the dampness, and try to go back to sleep.

3. Keep a small thermostat-controlled heater or an electric blanket near the bed. Night sweats come with chills. A source of immediate heat is very welcome.

Treatment of menopause is not a magic formula. What works for one woman, may be useless for another. But medical professionals and nutritionists agree that the avoidance of certain foods will ease menopause symptoms. Foods containing caffeine, spicy foods, and red wine are almost certain to trigger a hot flash.

Information on treatment of menopause comes in many forms from prescription drugs and hormone replacements to menopause herbal treatments. Women have reported mixed results from both; some say hot flashes were worse with prescription drugs, while others have sworn by the relief brought about by natural menopause treatment.

Black Cohosh is one of the most popular herbs used for the treatment of menopause symptoms. It's usually combined with other herbs like Dong Quai and Chasteberry.

The best treatment of menopause is in knowing menopause is a natural event; it isn't a permanent condition. Like a woman's monthly period, hot flashes and night sweats will come to an end, too.

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