Menopause and post menopause is associated with rapidly changing levels of natural hormones, hence the body tries to adapt to these changes. The effects seen are however very variable and each woman respond in a very different way to these changes. Let me add it right here that it is no rule that each female suffers from Post- menopausal syndrome. Also that some effects of Post- menopausal syndrome which may be due to decreased serum estrogen levels like skin drying and vaginal atrophy may remain lifetime while many of the effects caused by extreme changes in hormone levels like mood changes or hot flushes would normally disappear or decrease in severity.[transition phase] Post- menopausal syndrome is characterized by - extreme fatigue - hot flashes, palpitations - sleep disturbances - dryness along with itching of vagina - urgency of urination - joint pain - risk of osteoporosis - formication, a sensation rather like pins and needles, more specifically like ants crawling on or under the skin - breast atrophy - mood disturbances - depression - anxiety - dyspareunia or painful intercourse - decreased libido.

The best way to make up for the imbalance in estrogen levels in the body is to replace it as it gets depleted. This is what estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) does.

Estrogen replacement therapy aims at increasing the levels of estrogen in the body. It may be administered through a patch, vaginal ring, gel or skin cream. It has been seen that administering estrogen transdermally is perhaps the most effective way of taking in estrogen. In this method, estrogen enters the bloodstream directly without it being metabolized by the liver.

Synthetic hormones, it was found, could lead to serious side effects. That is what led to the development and use of natural hormones in hormone replacement therapies.

Natural estrogen has a number of beneficial effects. Its greatest appeal is its molecular structure which is similar to the molecular structure of human hormones. Natural estrogen also has a modulating effect on the hormones in the body. This allows the even metabolism of hormones in the body. This has potent therapeutic effects.

Soy foods such as tofu or soybeans are a natural remedies which seem to help with the ease of hot flashes. Soy products contain he hormone phytoestrogen, this hormone acts as a low dose estrogen. Other natural remedies include Black Cornish. As a member of the buttercup family, this perennial plant has proven in many studies to help reduce the effects of hot flashes.