Menopause, the clinical term used for the period when menstruation has ceased for over a year, is a difficult phase for many. In the final 1 to 2 years before menopause, the levels of estrogen increase which cause the menopausal symptoms to become more pronounced. Natural menopause occurs between the ages of 40-58 years. Most of the women experience menopause at this age along with a dozen of symptoms that make this time really hard for them.
Menopausal Symptoms
While there are many different symptoms of menopause, the most common and the most debilitating one is hot flashes. Almost 80% of the women suffer from hot flashes and around 30% of the women report these hot flashes to be so intense that they affect the quality of their lives.
Treating Hot Flashes
Until recently, the most common way of treating hot flashes was hormone replacement therapy. However, recent studies found out that hormone replacement therapy increased the risk of heart diseases, as well as breast cancer. They are only recommended for a short-term use. Thus, finding a long-term, effective and safe way to treat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms was necessary.
Siberian Rhubarb
A special extract of rhubarb has been used in Germany and many other places for years to treat hot flashes related to menopause. The extract is also known as Err 731 and is found to have no estrogens in it. The exact mechanism of the function of Siberian Rhubarb is still being studied by researchers.
Siberian Rhubarb Reduces Hot Flashes
A study examined the effectiveness of rhubarb in treating the menopausal symptoms in 109 premenopausal women. These women experienced frequent hot flashes. Half of these women took tablets containing 4mg of rhubarb extract for 12 weeks while the remaining half received a placebo. The results of the study suggested that the women taking rhubarb extract experienced a clear decrease in the frequency of hot flashes they experienced as compared to the women who were on the placebo.
Err 731 has been found to reduce the severity and frequency of hot flashes in women. It is also found effective in reducing night sweats as effectively as done by a low dose of estrogen. In addition to reducing hot flashes, rhubarb is also found to ease other menopausal symptoms as well including but not limited to mood changes, sleep disruption, musculoskeletal symptoms, and vaginal dryness.
The Final Word
Rhubarb or Err 731 has been used in Germany since 1993. However, it has become available in the U.S. only recently. Thanks to the Siberian rhubarb, women facing severe hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms have been able to find a cure to their problems. Unlike Hormone Replacement Therapy, Siberian rhubarb extract contains neither estrogen nor other potent activators of ERs. Thus, it is an effective and long-term solution for treating menopausal symptoms. Along with personalized lifestyle changes, Siberian rhubarb can offer relief to the women facing menopausal symptoms in an effective and safe manner. It makes transitioning to menopause a little easier for the women out there.
