Menopause begins in your early 40s as your ovaries gradually produce less and less of hormone estrogen. Your periods become erratic sometimes skipping a month or alternating between light and heavy.

The next period of time is transitioning to actual menopause. During this time you may continue to have erratic periods and “fun stuff” begins to settle in for a long visit. Yes, fun stuff like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings and insomnia are some of symptoms.

The final and actual onset of menopause usually occurs in your early 50s and is represented by absence of your period for a full 12 months. It’s those in between years that can wreak havoc in your life.

Are there natural alternatives for chemical HRT? The good news is yes! It’s a sad fact that less than two percent of doctors even mention alternative therapies and that most of them feel there is no benefit. Thousands of women would disagree. Here are just a few of many natural alternatives:

Try adjusting your diet to include vegetables and fish that are high in Omega-3 as they contain nutrients that can help your body deal with menopause naturally. Conversely, there are foods that can make your menopausal symptoms worse. Caffeine, sugar, fatty dairy products, salt, alcohol and saturated oils can aggravate symptoms.

Be sure and take a daily multivitamin making certain that vitamin contains 100% of daily allowance for nutrients. Just be aware that vitamins are no substitute for following a healthy diet.

Rhodiola Rosea, also known as Golden Root, is a native plant of arctic Siberia. For centuries it has been used by eastern European and Asian cultures for physical endurance, work productivity, longevity, resistance to high altitude sickness, and to treat fatigue, depression, anemia, impotence, gastrointestinal ailments, infections, and nervous system disorders.

The first recorded medicinal applications of rodia riza (renamed Rhodiola Rosea) was made by Greek physician, Dioscorides, in 77 C.E. in 'De Materia Medica'. Rhodiola Rosea has been included in official Russian medicine since 1969.

Despite its long history, Western world has only recently become aware of health benefits of Rhodiola Rosea. It has come to attention of many natural health practitioners because of studies which tested its affects on combating anxiety and stress.

Rhodiola Rosea is considered an adaptogen. This means it has an overall stabilizing effect on body without disrupting other functions. Its ability to normalize hormones may be effective for treating depression and anxiety.

Studies of Rhodiola Rosea show that it stimulates neurotransmitters and enhances their effects on brain. This includes ability for brain to process serotonin which helps body to adapt to stress.