Even worse being told what they uses is a nonsense and just a placebo effect and HRT is the thing!
The main point about any alternative remedies - if women are casting around for something to use - is to have an objective measure of whether or not it works.
As I have explained before - no amount of personal testimonies will tell you whether a product is worth buying or not or has a track record for being helpful in treating menopausal symptoms.
The only way this is determined is through randomised placebo controlled trials - because yes, the placebo effect is very powerful (not to deny this can be helpful), and also important is that you do not know whether the changes you experience as an individual would have happened anyway.
The whole of medicine is based on this. We take aspirin or paracetamol for headaches because trials have shown objectively that these drugs are effective.
I am sure the OP is interested to know what has been shown to be effective - otherwise anyone will just post - well try Black Cohosh, try this, try that etc, and end up spending a fortune on products whose safety has not been tested, or whose efficacy is in question, and just end up making money for the companies that produce them.
There are products I understand that may look promising and I think trials are being carried out through the recognised research channels.
As CLKD said earlier - sadly, if many of these products were effective they would be available on NHS.
However there are many self help methods I am sure which are helpful to women experiencing flushes and sweats.
Replacing deficient hormones is not administering medication especially with bio-identical hormones like I use!! Natural it may be, and although menopause itself is not an illness, oestrogen deficiency is associated with some serious health problems and when we may spend a third of our life and more in this state it is wise to consider the health implications. Diabetes is also natural - but no-one thinks twice about replacing insulin.
karin - I sincerely wish you well but I would hate to think of you spending large amounts of money on products and alternative remedies to no avail!
Hurdity x