Menopause can be a real challenge. Many women struggle with symptoms around the time of their last period. The most common symptoms women report include depressive moods, irritability, hot flashes, and sleep problems. However, hormone replacement therapy is not an option for many due to fear of an increased risk of breast cancer. Treatment with preparations made from Siberian rhubarb promises a gentle herbal alternative. But what's the real story? Do such herbal products work, without the side effects? Find out here!
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Siberian Rhubarb - why it's used during menopause
The so-called Rhapontic rhubarb is primarily native to the southern parts of Norway and Siberia. It is closely related to the rhubarb we know from our regions and gladly use for cakes or compotes. However, it has a special characteristic that makes it indispensable for herbal medicine. Its roots have a very high content of phytoestrogens. These natural stilbenes are hormone-like substances that dock to estrogen receptors in the human brain. This helps to alleviate the common symptoms that arise from estrogen deficiency during menopause. Numerous studies have already confirmed this effect, and products with Siberian rhubarb are increasingly being prescribed by gynecologists.
Hormones are hormones - or are they?
Now one might ask, if you don't want to take hormones, why would you take plant-based hormones? Well, the special thing about phytoestrogens from Siberian rhubarb is this:
In the female body, there are two types of estrogen receptors - alpha and beta receptors. Alpha receptors mediate cell growth. This can promote the formation of hormone-dependent tumors. Beta receptors, on the other hand, have an opposing effect. They cause cell differentiation and have an antiproliferative effect, which prevents the formation of tumors. The plant estrogens in Siberian rhubarb appear to exclusively target the beta receptors for estrogen.
In contrast, classic hormone replacement therapy targets both estrogen receptors. This means that while the unpleasant symptoms of menopause are counteracted, the risk of breast cancer also increases.
Choosing the herbal alternative therefore provides symptom relief without the negative side effects of hormone therapy.
The effect of plant-based hormones on a global level
Siberian rhubarb is not the only plant that contains phytoestrogens. They can also be found in, for example, red clover, wild yam, and soy. The latter, in particular, is a staple of the traditional diet in Asian countries. This accounts for the fact that Asian women statistically report menopausal symptoms much less frequently and also develop breast cancer less often.
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However, due to increasing globalization and the Westernization of Asian countries, this difference is steadily decreasing. Nevertheless, the insight was gained that isoflavones from soy contribute to reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence after treatment. This is attributed to the fact that they activate estrogen receptors. Increased iodine consumption in the form of fish in these countries is also suspected to be a contributing factor here.
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