I’m in my mid-40s and I’m noticing hot flashes, headaches, stiff shoulders…
Could it be menopause?
Should I go to a hospital, but going to a hospital for a long period of time is troublesome…” Are you worried?
What is menopause?
Menopause is a condition in which various symptoms appear due to the decrease of female hormones in a woman’s body.
It is experienced by many women, especially in their late 40s and early 50s, but it varies from person to person.
During this period, the amount of female hormones in the body decreases rapidly, resulting in a hormonal imbalance that has many physical and mental effects.
Causes of Menopause
Estrogen affects various functions of the body, and its decrease causes instability in brain and body functions.
In addition to the decrease in hormones, lifestyle disturbances and stress can exacerbate symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Menopause
Symptoms of menopause are diverse and include the following
| Main Symptoms of Menopause | Concrete Examples |
| Psychological symptoms | Depression, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, etc. |
| Vascular System Symptoms | Lightheadedness, sweating, heavy-headedness headache, coldness, palpitations, etc. |
| Skin Symptoms | Dry eyes and mouth, dry skin, hyperhidrosis, rashes, etc. |
| Gastrointestinal symptoms | Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, etc. |
| Muscle and bone symptoms | Shoulder stiffness, back pain, joint pain, etc. |
| Urological symptoms | Frequent urination, residual urine, urinary incontinence, etc. |
| Reproductive system symptoms | Irregular menstrual periods, increased discharge, itching of the delicate zones, etc. |
By taking appropriate measures, it is possible to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
How to Select Over-the-Counter Medicines for Menopause
So how exactly should you choose an over-the-counter medication?
Let’s take a look!
Active ingredients and their functions
Hormone replacement requires a hospital prescription, but herbal medicines and supplements can be purchased over the counter.
Each active ingredient has its own specific effect, and choosing the right one for your menopausal symptoms can provide effective relief.
For example,
The Chinese herbal medicine, Keishibukuryogan, improves the circulation of blood. This helps relieve symptoms such as heavy head and stiff shoulders caused by menopause.
Plant extracts and vitamins, such as Lamour Q, support the stabilization of the autonomic nervous system and are effective for irritability and insomnia symptoms.
命の母A（Inochinohaha） contains a wide variety of ingredients in good balance and can be used to treat a wide range of symptoms of menopause.
All of the ingredients are designed for menopausal women, and it is important to choose the one that best suits your symptoms.
If in doubt, it is recommended to consult a pharmacist.
Choosing Tablets, Granules, or Capsules
Over-the-counter medications for menopause come in a variety of forms: tablets, granules, and capsules.
The key to choosing the right one is ease of administration and lasting effect.
Tablets and capsules are recommended for busy women in their 40s because they provide more ingredients in a single dose and are easy to carry. Capsules can also be taken without tasting or smelling the ingredients. However, some may find them difficult to swallow.
Granules can be dissolved in water and taken, and are recommended for those who have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules. However, they may not be suitable for those who are sensitive to taste and odor.
Since each format has its advantages and disadvantages, it is important to choose the one that best suits your lifestyle and preferences.
Whether you choose tablets, granules, or capsules, take them regularly to keep your menopausal symptoms under control.
Pharmacist Recommendations! Ranking Drugs for Overall Menopause
The following is a list of over-the-counter medications and supplements that are especially recommended for menopause among over-the-counter medications!
Tsumura-Kampo Keishibukuryoganryo [桂枝茯苓丸料] Extract Granules A
Can be taken from 2 years of age and older.
Take with water or hot water on an empty stomach or at bedtime.
| Age | One dosage | Daily dosage |
| 15 years and over | 1 packet(1.875 g) | 2 times a day |
| 7-14 years | 2/3 packet | 2 times a day |
| 4-6 years | 1/2 packet | 2 times a day |
| 2-3 years | 1/3 packet | 2 times a day |
Crude drugs contained in this product: Cinnamon Bark, Peony Root, Peach Kernel, Poria Sclerotium, Moutan Bark
Tsumura-Kampo Keishibukuryoganryo [桂枝茯苓丸料] Extract Granules A is a popular over-the-counter medicine that treats various symptoms of menopause.
This Chinese herbal medicine improves blood circulation and warms the body.
It is also said to be effective in treating symptoms such as sensitivity to cold, stiff shoulders, bruises, frostbite, blemishes, eczema, and acne.
Tsumura Traditional Remedy for Women L’amour Q [ラムール Q]
Can be taken by those 15 years of age and older.
It is an easy-to-swallow film-coated tablet, two tablets twice a day. Take with water or hot water on an empty stomach or at bedtime.
Contains herbal medicines：corydalis Tuber, valerian root, peony root, jpanese angelica root, cinnamon bark, cnidium rhizome, moutan bark, poria sclerotium, atractylodes lancea rhizome, rehmannia root, aurantii pericarpium, glycyrrhiza, cyperi rhizome, persicae semen, coptis rhizome, ginger, caryophylli flos, ginseng
Vitamins ：tocopherol calcium succinate, nicotinamide, calcium pantothenate, folic acid, thiamine nitrate ( V.B1), pyridoxine hydrochloride (V.B6), riboflavine (V.B2), cyanocobalamin (V.B12)
Others：senna extract
Ramul Q is a Chinese herbal medicine developed for menopausal women to support their physical condition.
It contains 19 herbal medicines with sedative and nourishing tonic effects and 8 vitamins that are often lacking in adult women.
It improves unpleasant symptoms that appear during menopause, such as lethargy, stiff shoulders, insomnia, irritability, and sensitivity to cold.
It is recommended by pharmacists and other specialists because it is expected to provide comprehensive care for various physical ailments faced by women in their 40s.
Health supplement for females 命の母A（Inochinohaha）
Can be taken by those 15 years of age and older.
Take 4 tablets 3 times a day with water or hot water after each meal.
Contains herbal medicines：rhubarb, japanese valerian, cinnamon bark, cnidium rhizome, atractylodes lamcea rhizome, peony root, poria sclerotium, Japanese angelica root, cyperus rhizome, evodia fruit, pinellia tuber, ginseng, safflower
Vitamins: thiamine chloride hydrochloride (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), calcium pantothenate, folic acid, taurine, dl-α-tocopherol succinate (vitamin E), phosphoric acid calcium hydrogen hydrate, biotin, purified soy lecithin
Containing 13 kinds of herbal medicines, vitamins, calcium, etc., this product is mildly effective.
It comes in small, easy-to-swallow sugar-coated tablets.
Health supplement for females 命の母A（Inochinohaha） is a very well-known over-the-counter drug for menopausal symptoms.
It contains ingredients that can treat a wide variety of symptoms and is expected to be particularly effective in regulating hormonal balance.
EQUELLE (Supplement) *This is a food product.
Four tablets per day is the standard.
| Expected effects | Nutritional information4 capsules (per 2.6g) |
| Supports physical and mental changes after the age of 40 | S-Equal: 10mg / Soy isoflavone (as aglycones): 6.4mg |
Soy isoflavones contained in soybeans are well known as a health ingredient that supports women in their 40s and older who are prone to physical and mental instability.
EQUELLE is a dietary supplement containing Equol and soy isoflavones.
Equol is an ingredient produced when daidzein contained in soy isoflavones is metabolized by intestinal bacteria.
It is expected that Equol is the source of power to support women because it works stronger than soy isoflavones as they are.
Recommended Chinese Medicine by Symptom
Most over-the-counter medications used for menopause are herbal medicines.
In the previous section, we introduced herbal and over-the-counter medicines that are effective for the overall symptoms of menopause.
Chinese herbs for anxiety and irritability
One of the symptoms of menopause is anxiety and irritability.
For these mental symptoms, Chinese herbal medicine is effective.
“桂枝茯苓丸(Keishibugyougan)” improves blood circulation and relieves menopausal symptoms.
It is recommended for those with relatively good physical strength.
“加味逍遙散(Kamishoyosan)” also reduces stress and stabilizes the mind.
It is recommended for people with normal physical strength who tire easily.
Chinese Herbal Remedies for Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Cold sensitivity is one of the symptoms many women experience during menopause.
To improve sensitivity to cold, Chinese herbal medicine that promotes blood circulation in the body is recommended.
“当帰芍薬散(Touki shakuyaku sansan)” improves blood circulation and sensitivity to cold.
It is recommended for those who are weak, easily fatigued, and anemic.
“桂枝茯苓丸(Keishibukuryo Gan )”, which improves anxiety and irritability, also improves sensitivity to cold.
It is recommended for those with relatively good physical strength.
Over-the-Counter Medicines for Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are a typical symptom of menopause, accompanied by sudden sweating and a burning sensation.
It is advisable to choose herbal medicines that are effective in lowering the fever that rises in the head and for hot flushes.
“加味逍遙散(Kamishoyosan)” is recommended for those with moderate physical strength.
For those with relatively good physical strength, “桂枝茯苓丸(Keishiburyo Gan)” is recommended
For those with low physical strength, “柴胡桂枝乾姜湯(Saiko-Keishi-Kangan-to)” is recommended.
Kampo Medicines for Other Symptoms
Because a wide variety of symptoms can appear during menopause, it is important to select Chinese herbal medicines for each symptom.
For example, “五苓散(Goreizan)” is effective for muscle and bone symptoms such as stiff shoulders and joint pain.
“六君子湯(Rikkunshi-tou)” is also used for digestive symptoms such as constipation and loss of appetite.
In addition, “八味地黄丸(Hachimijiogan)” is effective for urinary symptoms such as frequent urination and urinary incontinence.
By making good use of these Chinese herbal medicines, you will be able to live through menopause with ease.
Cautions for Chinese Medicine
The main medicines used for menopause are Chinese herbal medicines.
There are some precautions in how to take herbal medicines and how they work.
These are summarized below.
Be aware of “when to take” and “for how long to take”.
Do I have to take Chinese medicine before or between meals for it to be effective?
It is believed that Chinese herbal medicine absorbs its medicinal properties better when the stomach is empty, so it is common for dosage instructions to be given between meals or before meals.
However, if Chinese herbs are taken after meals, absorption is a little slower, but the effect is the same.
In addition, since Chinese herbal medicine improves the body constitution, it generally takes two weeks to a month for it to be effective.
If you still do not feel any effect, please consult a specialist.
Do herbal medicines have side effects?
Chinese herbal medicines are said to have fewer side effects than Western medicines.
However, this does not mean that they are completely free of side effects.
Self-care in daily life
What should I pay attention to in terms of diet and exercise?
Here are some examples!
Diet
Self-care in daily life is very important to overcome menopause.
First, let’s talk about diet.
In order to alleviate the symptoms of menopause associated with a decrease in female hormones, it is important to have a well-balanced nutritional diet.
To ensure a good balance of these nutrients, be sure to consume a well-balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, seafood, nuts, etc.
Exercise
Exercise is another effective way to relieve menopause symptoms.
Moderate exercise also helps relieve stress and reduces mental symptoms such as anxiety and irritability.
In addition, exercise that uses muscles without strain is recommended to prevent loss of bone density.
Stress Management
Deep breathing, meditation, and relaxation techniques can help relieve mental tension.
Spending time on your hobbies and favorite activities is also an effective stress reliever.
In addition, communicating with friends and family members and listening to them without isolating yourself can also provide emotional support.
If necessary, consider seeking professional counseling.
Conclusion
Menopause is experienced by many women and can present with a wide range of symptoms.
Choosing the right over-the-counter medications can help alleviate these menopausal symptoms.
Herbal medicines, in particular, are favored by many menopausal women because they have fewer side effects.
In addition, although menopause often begins in one’s 40s, taking care of one’s health from an early stage can delay the progression of symptoms.
A balanced diet, moderate exercise, and stress management are important for self-care.
Menopause is inevitable, but by taking appropriate measures, one can lead a comfortable life.
By combining appropriate treatment at a medical institution with self-care, you can better cope with menopausal symptoms.
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