Are there alternative treatments for perimenopause symptoms?

Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol, getting regular exercise, and practicing relaxation breathing can help with hot flashes during perimenopause. You also may notice that certain foods or drinks, like caffeine or spicy foods, are triggers for hot flashes, so you may want to avoid them. Nonprescription lubricants can help with vaginal dryness. Other alternative treatments haven't been shown to be effective for hot flashes or for vaginal dryness. Herbal treatments, such as black cohosh, evening primrose oil, soy phytoestrogens, and yam extracts, haven't been shown to help and may be harmful. Herbal remedies may also interact badly with other medications you take or make an existing condition worse.