Women face changes in their hormone levels throughout life, from the drastic changes in puberty to the decline in hormone levels in perimenopause. Additionally, each month hormone levels wax and wane during the menstrual cycle with a noticeable impact. As a result, many women want a solution to these changes, and would prefer a more natural solution than simply taking hormone pills.

Estrogen hormone replacement therapy (or HRT) was once thought to be the fountain of youth and powerful drugs were marketed with glowing promises of being 'forever female'. They were effective in relieving PMS and menopause symptoms as well as helping to avoid osteoporosis, but with time we learned they came with a price.

Cancer of the female reproductive system can often be of great concern for women. One in ten will have breast cancer alone in their lifetime. Artificial hormone replacement therapies sometimes make a woman feel better but also come along with the significantly raising their cancer risk. Some physicians and patients stop hormone replacement thearapy and continue to treat their symptoms in safer ways.

Although hormone replacement therapy was once widely used to treat discomforts experienced by women undergoing hormonal changes, many natural remedies have existed which perform the same functions, but are much safer for the women using them. As an example, Asian women have long benefited from the effects of a high intake of soy beans. Natural ingredients in the soy beans have the ability to mimic estrogen, thus preventing unpleasant symptoms such as hot flashes.

Native American women have found herbs from their traditional medicine that help as well. Red clover has been seen to help decrease the number and severity of hot flashes, while black cohosh works well on cramps and bloating and many other PMS complaints. Each of these has found a role in natural HRT alternative care.

Natural wild yam extract was among the first substances studied by researchers trying to develop the first oral birth control pills. The chemicals in the wild yam act as natural estrogen. It makes sense then that women seeking natural, herbal hormone replacement therapy would return to the wild yam and use it.

Many natural extracts and compounds work as diuretics to help reduce fluid retention. Other natural extracts are effective at relieving spasms and cramping. The most effective products combine different natural extracts that work synergistically for maximum relief. Products containing plant-based estrogen may work as well for some women as the prescription medications, without the risky side affects. There are many alternative therapies to Hormone Replacement Therapy. Always consult with your doctor before taking this or any other alternative therapy or supplement.