Menopause is a difficult period in a woman’s life. The covers are on and the covers are off repeatedly at night, interrupting sleep. Hot flashes seem to erupt at the most inappropriate times. Irritability, anxiety, weight gain and thinning hair are all among the symptoms that many women can relate to.

For those wanting to avoid the use of hormones, homeopathy and acupuncture offer safe and effective holistic alternatives to help with menopausal symptoms. The homeopathic approach is based on symptoms unique to each patient. For example, if hot flashes start in the pit of the stomach and rise up to a patient’s face, that patient is treated differently than if they begin at the top of the head and spread down, or if palpitations and a bright red face are the onset.

Women are all different and the treatment should reflect those differences. The homeopathic method requires an in-depth consultation with a physician and addresses all the symptoms a patient presents. 

Acupuncture is another non-hormonal way that helps alleviate menopausal symptoms. Not only can it decrease occurrences of hot flashes but also helps with anxiety, depression and insomnia. Both treatment methods work very well, especially in combination with each other. 

Polina Karmazin, M.D., offers free 15-minute information sessions at South Jersey Holistic, located at 2301 E. Evesham Rd., Bldg. 800, Ste. 219, in Voorhees. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 856-528-2258 or visit SouthJerseyHolistic.com. See ad on page 27.