I have been asked many times about menopause and less about hysterectomy. I can honestly say that hysterectomies should be avoided, and menopause cannot be avoided. However, there are circumstances where even hysterectomies can be lifesaving. In these rare instances we should apply the same support that we give for menopause.

Menopause usually comes on gradually whereas hysterectomies happen suddenly and are usually more shocking and traumatic to the recipient. If a woman is postmenopausal the effect of hormonal loss due to surgery can be diminished, because she has already lost hormonal secretions from her ovaries. 

In both situations, the lost hormones can cause hot flashes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular concerns, vaginal tissue thinning resulting in dryness, infections and injury, urinary tissue thinning - leading to increased bacterial infections and incontinence, and emotional crisis. All of these scenarios can be ameliorated with proper diet, exercise, and herbs.

Phytosterols, or plant hormones, can be found in fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouted grains and legumes, especially organic soybeans and most other beans. These plant hormones take up the same binding sights on your body’s hormone receptor cells resulting in healthier hair and skin, stronger bones, a healthier heart, and most important, improved emotions. Vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acid rich foods such as avocados, mangoes, kiwi and almost all nuts and seeds, especially flax, help prevent hot flashes, night sweats, breast tenderness and vaginal dryness. One tablespoon of wheat germ oil contains 135% of DV for Vitamin E.

Exercise has been shown to prevent hot flashes in many studies. Kronenberg surveyed 2,000 women and found they experienced fewer menopausal symptoms when exercising three times per week.1  A Swedish study showed no hot flashes in women who chose three and a half hours weekly exercise over hormone replacement therapy. 2

Plant hormones are especially high in herbs, particularly Black Cohosh and Ginseng. Dr. Christopher’s Hormonal Changease formula, which employs both, has been successfully used by thousands of women for over seventy years, in easing menopausal concerns. Evening primrose oil is an excellent lubricant. Nettles is abundant in essential minerals especially silica. 

I hope that all women suffering from menopausal or hysterectomy conditions will try the aforementioned solutions that many women swear by in contrast to women who use other products like HRT and swear at, because of all the side effects.

1. Flint, M, F. Kronenberg, and U. Wulf (Eds.) 1990. Multidisciplinary perspectives on menopause. Annals of the New York Academy of Science, Vol. 592.
2. Hammer, M. 1990. Does physical exercise influence the frequency of postmenopausal hot flashes? Acta Obstetrics and Gynecol Scandinavia 69:409-12

David Christopher is a Master Herbalist, director of The School of Natural Healing, and son of our beloved Dr. John R. Christopher. He is continually helping others improve their health and that of their family members. The School loves having him as the director.