I struggled with the question of using hormone replacement therapy to alleviate my menopausal symptoms instead of using natural remedies. I had been constantly ill as a child and always seemed to be taking some kind of medicine, so as an adult I have always been reluctant to take any kind of drug. Therefore, my natural inclination was towards natural remedies rather than HRT.
I would not try to influence someone in one way or another as I think it is a very personal choice. However, what I would say is that I suggest that you research both options thoroughly. I know women who have used HRT with success and I have used natural remedies with great success.
I think the key is to make the decision that you are most comfortable with. I opted for the natural way and figured if it didn’t help I would consider using THS. In my younger years, when I experienced PMS, I found that vitamins B6 and herbs worked very well to calm my mood swings and depression, so I thought my body would respond well to the natural approach again.
There are good and not so good things about herbal remedies, just as there are good and not so good things about HRT. The good and the bad is that they do not work as fast as HRT and take a few weeks to enter your system and provide relief. This can be good as your body receives a gentle form of assist rather than a quick kick. The downside is that you don’t get quick relief. I preferred the slower option as I felt at the time that my body was on a roller coaster ride and I did not want to increase the dramatic changes. The slower best feelings suited me very well. My friend using HRT loved the instant relief, but it went down with a thud as her body consumed the hormones HRT put into her body.
My naturopath told me that using natural herbs to balance hormone levels allowed the natural process of lowering hormones to take place, whereas HRT kept a woman at unrealistic levels and eventually she would have to stop taking it and come down to earth with a thud. or having to keep taking it for the rest of your life. I remember a doctor telling me that it was okay to keep taking the birth control pill and not have to worry about having a period. I thought it was better to let my body do what it was meant to do to do it, so I opted for another doctor first and then allow my body to have a period the way it was supposed to. I approached menopause in the same way and I can say that once I found out which herbs worked best for me, my journey through menopause wasn’t that bad and I’m doing great now.
I have lost contact with my friend who was taking HRT, so I can’t tell you if she is still using it, but I have heard that she is doing well.
Whichever you choose, make it your choice and don’t be unduly influenced by your doctor, friends, or anyone else. Menopause is so personal that I think there are no right or wrong, only what works best for you.