(NUISM) - Soy, yams, patches, pills and creams - there are more treatment options than ever for the 4,000 women who enter menopause every day in North America. Introduction of these new products may mean a broader range of choices, but it may also mean more confusion for women at a time when they are already experiencing emotional and physical changes.

"In today's information-driven society, women are raising new questions about how to determine what is safe, what is most beneficial for treating the symptoms of menopause," says Dr. Leon Speroff, an expert on menopausal health and obstetrics and gynecology professor at Oregon Health Sciences University. "The answers aren't easy. Products that look good in an advertisement may be ineffective or even harmful."

Alternative therapies -herbal remedies, dietary supplements and vitamins - are a hot trend in medicine today. Many consumers believe that these over-the-counter remedies represent a more 'natural approach' to relieving the symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, night sweats and sleeplessness. However, alternative treatments that have not undergone clinical testing may be unreliable and potentially hazardous.

"When women reach menopause and stop producing estrogen, they are at increased risk for osteoporosis, a debilitating bone disease that affects millions of women every year," said Speroff. "There are proven treatments available, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which provide women with protection from bone loss associated with estrogen deficiency."

The onset of menopause can be a traumatic time. Many women are reluctant to discuss menopause with their doctor. "While it may seem simpler to pick up the latest herbal remedy at the drugstore, women cannot simply trust the label on a bottle because there is no regulatory system in place to guarantee that product's safety or its effectiveness," Speroff said. "Women need to be smart about their health."
　　

(From HealthWorld Online)