Herbal specialists recommend for treatment of menopausal symptoms in general a preparation that contains black cohosh, licorice, and mother wort. Additional herbal remedies may be helpful with vaginal thinning and dryness when they can help replace hormones.

Flax seed is particularly high in lignins. Legumes and nuts such as peanuts, almonds, and cashews. Soybeans and soy based foods, including miso, tofu, and soy milk. Foods that are high in plant estrogens include: Vegetables such as alfalfa (sprouts, powder, and plants), garlic, sprouting green peas, parsley, fennel, anise seeds, and celery. Much more research is needed to standardize dosages of plant hormones as compared to synthetic hormones and no doubt more data will be available in the future as to the specific benefits of a number of these sources of plant estrogens. In post-menopausal or post-hysterectomy women these should not be taken as an equal alternative to hormone replacement therapy with synthetic estrogens and progesterone.

A dose of one to three teaspoons per day may minimize symptoms within one month. Essential fatty acids can be found in flax seeds and flax seed oil. GLA, present in black currant oil, primrose oil, or borage oil supplements may also help with lubrication and possibly improve vaginal tissues. Essential fatty acids, such as gammalinoleic fatty acid (GLA), in doses up to 9 to 45 grams, three times a day have been recommended by nutritionists. This is commonly taken orally, but may be applied directly to vaginal tissue. Some pupular nutritional supplements include Vitamin E, up to 600IU daily for four to six weeks, to help treat atrophy of the vagina and increase lubrication. Usually, the patient notices a difference within one to two weeks. This cream is applied to the vagina and the vulva.

The conventional treatment for vaginal dryness is estrogen cream. These changes explain why intercourse can become uncomfortable and painful at times. Not uncommonly, the blood supply to the entire genital area may decrease with atherosclerosis contributing to compromise in blood flow. As discussed earlier, women who are post-hysterectomy or who are in their post-menopausal years will have a tendency to have a thinning of the vaginal wall with increased dryness due to the decreased supply of estrogen. Whole grains such as oats, wheat, and corn. These sources for plant estrogen certainly are not harmful and are items that we have for years considered part of a well-balanced diet.