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Menopause can be a confusing time in a woman’s life. The fact is that many women (and their doctors) struggle with choosing the best method to relieve menopausal symptoms. Gone are the days when menopausal women pop synthetic hormone pills that doctors have touted as a magical solution. In today’s society, menopausal women are reviewing their options and demanding safe and effective remedies.

To help women choose the best treatment for their particular symptoms and situations, we found that three different universal patterns exist, which we have coined as “menotypes.” The following menotype quiz is designed to help you target the menotype that best fits you and your menopause experience. Simply go through the symptom list and mark the blocks that best describe you. Then tally your score and match it to the corresponding menotype to find out about treatment recommendations.

If you fit the description of menotype A, you have an easier time than the other groups in deciding which course of action to take because A types really do not experience strong menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and so on. They do not have any signs of osteoporosis, and hormone analysis does not show a major deficiency. This group accounts for five to 10 percent of the menopausal women we see in our clinic (in other cultures it is much higher).

Symptom Picture

• None or mild menopausal symptoms
• No osteoporosis present
• No strong family history of osteoporosis.

Hormone Testing

• Preferably saliva hormone testing. Second best are blood tests for hormone levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and thyroid.
• Normal to low-normal levels of hormones (based on test results) indicate menotype A.

Treatment Recommendations

• Plant-based diet of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and legumes (especially soy foods), along with some animal products such as cold-water fish and organic poultry.
• Daily supplements: high-potency multivitamin, natural vitamin E (400 IU) and calcium (1,000 milligrams)/magnesium (500 mg).
• Regular exercise.
• Consider homeopathy and/or acupuncture as preventive treatments for menopausal symptoms.
• Herbal therapy such as black cohosh is optional.

In our experience, this represents the largest menotype group, making up about 55 to 65 percent of menopausal women. If you fit the profile of menotype B, you have more choices to make. You may be experiencing some uncomfortable meno-pausal symptoms, possibly while trying to juggle a career and/or home life.

Menopausal symptoms are generally rated in the mild to moderate category. For some women in this group, symptoms are minimal, such as the occasional hot flash, mild insomnia or a reduction in libido. For others, the symptoms are so pronounced that they interfere with daily activities. Some women say they feel scared, confused and angry at the same time because the symptoms they’re feeling are stronger than they had anticipated or they’re becoming aware of their increased risk for heart disease and osteoporosis. They may also be frightened they’ll get breast cancer–which can appear regardless of menotype.

Confusion and anxiety may also arise over deciding which approach to take to relieve symptoms. A woman might be under pressure from her doctor to use hormone replacement, or she may be unsure if the natural treatment she wants to use actually works.

Symptom Picture

• Mild to moderate menopausal symptoms
• No personal history of osteoporosis
• Family history of osteoporosis is not a major factor (although could be present)
• If osteoporosis is a major risk factor, go directly to menotype C

Hormone Testing

• Normal to borderline low

Treatment Recommendations

Doctors Angela and Mark Stengler have worked together to co-author a comprehensive book on menopause entitled Your Menotype, Your Menopause (Prentice Hall Press, 2002). The Stenglers are naturopathic doctors who practise in La Jolla, Calif. They can be contacted through their Web site at thenaturalphysician.com.

Source: alive #249, July 2003

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