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What are the Best Vitamins for Menopause?

Laura A.
Laura A.

Women entering menopause are often overwhelmed by the deluge of physical and emotional changes that occur. Vitamins are a popular treatment for women who want to avoid the risks of hormone replacement therapy for menopause. Some of the best vitamins for menopause are Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. These vitamins are also useful for perimenopause, the stage that comes before menopause.

Menopause occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs. Most women reach this stage in their 50s. Menopause is accompanied by a number of hormonal and mental changes. Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, mood swings and lack of menstruation. Women seeking an effective yet safe treatment with few side effects often turn to vitamins for menopause.

Most women have reached menopause by their 50s.
Most women have reached menopause by their 50s.

Vitamin E is considered one of the best vitamins for menopause because it can help reduce hot flashes and sweating at night. It also can improve cardiovascular health which is an important consideration for menopausal women because they have an increased risk of heart disease. Vitamin E should always be taken with food for proper absorption because it is a fat-soluble vitamin. Some food sources of vitamin E are broccoli, cauliflower and cold-pressed oils.

Foods high in vitamin E, such as cauliflower, are good during menopause.
Foods high in vitamin E, such as cauliflower, are good during menopause.

Many menopausal women experience a loss of bone density. Vitamin D can help strengthen the bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis or osteoarthritis. Women undergoing menopause also need to increase their calcium intake and Vitamin D is crucial for helping the body absorb calcium. It is possible to get vitamin D from the sun by simply spending 20 minutes outdoors during daylight hours. This vitamin is also present in food such as salmon, liver and egg yolks.

Salmon contains vitamin D.
Salmon contains vitamin D.

Another important vitamin for menopausal women is vitamin A. This vitamin can help improve overall mood which is useful for women experiencing menopause-related mood swings. Vitamin A is part of many commercial vitamins for menopause because it boosts immunity which is very important during this stage of weakened resistance. Dairy food, liver and orange-colored fruits and vegetables are all excellent sources of vitamin A.

Dairy products contain high levels of vitamin A, which combats unpleasant symptoms of menopause.
Dairy products contain high levels of vitamin A, which combats unpleasant symptoms of menopause.

The B vitamins are among the most popular vitamins for menopause because of their ability to provide a boost of energy. Menopausal women tend to sleep very little at night because of the hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia that often come along with this phase. Vitamin B-complex can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Women can increase their intake of B vitamins by taking a supplement or consuming more grains, dairy and leafy green vegetables.

Menopausal women should increase their intake of iron in order to ward off anemia.
Menopausal women should increase their intake of iron in order to ward off anemia.

Vitamins are an inexpensive and safe way to help the body get through menopause and perimenopause. Women taking prescription medication should consult with their doctors before taking vitamins for menopause to avoid possible interactions. The best way to get vitamins is by consuming natural food sources. Supplements can help women who don’t eat a well-rounded diet.

Discussion Comments

fBoyle

@donasmrs-- There are natural estrogenic herbs which act like estrogen in the body that you can take in supplement form. Soy supplements, black cohosh supplements and licorice root extract supplements are some examples. These can relief menopause symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia and night sweats. But please ask your doctor about them first.

In some cases, it is not safe for women in menopause to take menopause supplements like estrogenic herbs. For example, if you have a cysts in your breast, it is not safe for you.

It's always a good idea to take a multivitamin for women. Your doctor can do a blood test to determine if you have any vitamin and mineral deficiencies. That's the best way to determine which vitamins you should be taking.

donasmrs

What other vitamins are beneficial for menopause symptoms, especially hot flashes? I'm taking a vitamin B complex but I still have terrible hot flashes.

SarahGen

I entered menopause last year. Since then, I have been taking calcium supplements with vitamin D. My doctor said that I have to supplement with calcium to prevent osteoporosis which becomes a risk for women after menopause.

I'm also taking vitamin K2. This is another vitamin that helps prevent osteoporosis. It fights inflammation and keeps the bones strong.

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    • Most women have reached menopause by their 50s.
      By: Yuri Arcurs
      Most women have reached menopause by their 50s.
    • Foods high in vitamin E, such as cauliflower, are good during menopause.
      By: ExQuisine
      Foods high in vitamin E, such as cauliflower, are good during menopause.
    • Salmon contains vitamin D.
      By: dulsita
      Salmon contains vitamin D.
    • Dairy products contain high levels of vitamin A, which combats unpleasant symptoms of menopause.
      By: draghicich
      Dairy products contain high levels of vitamin A, which combats unpleasant symptoms of menopause.
    • Menopausal women should increase their intake of iron in order to ward off anemia.
      By: Peter Atkins
      Menopausal women should increase their intake of iron in order to ward off anemia.
    • Vitamin E may reduce hot flashes.
      By: brankatekic
      Vitamin E may reduce hot flashes.
    • Hormone replacement therapy may be recommended for cases of severe menopausal discomfort.
      By: forestpath
      Hormone replacement therapy may be recommended for cases of severe menopausal discomfort.