The Naturopathic Approach to the Treatment of Menopause
by Harry Adelson, ND
With so much information available today on the use of complementary and
alternative medicine for the treatment of menopause, whom can one reliably
turn to for guidance? The only primary care providers who are trained in the
diagnosis and conventional management of medical conditions such as
menopause as well as a broad spectrum of natural modalities are licensed
naturopathic physicians (NDs).
There exist many natural treatments; particularly botanical medicines, for
the treatment of the symptoms and risks associated with menopause. Some of
the better known effective botanical treatments for relief of hot flashes
are black cohosh and dong quai. However, properly prescribed homeopathic
medicines can be helpful as well. Soy products may help to decrease the
risk of osteoporosis in women with mild to moderate risk of osteoporosis.
Hawthorn is thought to improve memory loss associated with menopause,
as well as lower risk of heart disease.
The first order of business when choosing a treatment plan for menopause is
to assess a woman's risk for developing diseases associated with menopause,
most significantly heart disease and osteoporosis. Women at moderate to
high risk for these diseases are good candidates for drug therapies to
most aggressively prevent these diseases, along with natural therapies
to treat the more benign symptoms, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness
and low libido. Women at low to low-moderate risk can be candidates for
entirely natural treatment plans, supervised by a licensed naturopathic
physician. Healthful diets, regular exercise, sufficient sleep,
nutritional supplements and botanical medicines can significantly
reduce the risk of disease and dramatically optimize health.
Not all NDs are created equal.
Licensed naturopathic physicians are trained at four-year, postgraduate,
in-residence accredited naturopathic medical institutions as family
practitioners that specialize in natural medicine and have further
passed state licensing exams. Naturopathy is not currently licensed
in each of the United States. Health care consumers must investigate
the credentials of NDs practicing in states that do not license
naturopaths.
NDs learn pharmacotherapy and minor surgical procedures, but the majority
the clinical training lies in nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy,
and physical medicine. The profession is defined less by the modalities
employed, and more by the six philosophical principles. Those principles
are:
1) vis medacatrix naturae- the healing power of nature,
2) tolle causam- identify and treat the causes,
3) primum non nocere- first do no harm,
4) docere- doctor as teacher,
5) treat the whole person,
6) prevention.
Dr. Harry Adelson is a board certified Naturopathic Physician currently
completing his residency in integrative medicine at the University of
Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine/Yale-Griffin Hospital.
A graduate of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland,
OR. Dr. Adelson utilizes the naturopathic approach to health and healing
at the Cornerstone Center for Health, Seymour, CT (203-888-8616),
and Griffin Hospital's Integrative Medical Center (203.732.1370)
where he is a resident physician. Dr. Adelson is also an assistant
researcher for the CDC-funded study "Optimizing the Practice-Based
Assessment of CAM", sponsored by Griffin Hospital's Prevention
Research Center.
Disclaimer - Menopause-Online is not intended as medical advice. Its intent is solely informational and educational. The information is not a substitute for talking with your health professional.
