I love working with women with menopausal symptoms because it is one of the most easily supported with natural therapies, diet and lifestyle.

As a woman who has been through menopause myself, I truly understand this part of our cycle.

Incorporating transpersonal therapy at this time is also a beautiful way to bring relief from symptoms.

As women, we go through different cycles in our lives; each cycle to be embraced and celebrated.

How do you think of menopause? - Is it a time of relief from monthly menstruation? Or perhaps it comes with a feeling of loss of fertility and uncomfortable symptoms.

Menopause is a beautiful time in a woman’s life when the body’s hormonal levels shift, just as nature intended.

I have seen such positive outcomes when women allow themselves space, time as well as permission to go through this next phase . The allowing-in process can be so profoundly empowering.

What exactly is menopause?

Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation. The average onset is at around 50 years of age, but it may occur earlier or later. A woman has around 1 million eggs at birth. The follicles which house the eggs during each cycle release oestrogen and progesterone. As the number of eggs decline over the decades, oestrogen and progesterone levels drop. At the same time, the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone by the pituitary gland increases, resulting in increased amounts of androgens. These androgens can be converted to oestrogens by fat cells in the body, although overall oestrogen levels are still much lower during menopause than they were during the reproductive years.

So what is peri-menopause?

Peri-menopause is the time prior to menopause, during which many women ovulate irregularly due to decreased oestrogen levels, and resistance of the remaining follicles to ovulatory stimulation. It is during peri-menopause that many women experience symptoms such as hot flushes, headaches, vaginal changes and mood swings. It’s important to note that not every woman will experience all of these symptoms, and each woman experiences their symptoms to a different degree. That’s the beauty of the human body, we are all different and unique.

Beyond the physical

In western societies, menopause is often regarded as a negative, declining time. We would do well to adopt the viewpoint of more traditional cultures, which regard menopause with respect, and as a symbol of wisdom and positive change. Research even suggests that a woman’s expectations and views of menopause have a direct impact on the severity her symptoms.

So embrace this amazing time of your life, accept the natural transformation that is occurring in your body, and know that natural therapies have much to offer during this time.

How a naturopath can help

A naturopath can assess your individual hormonal balance, through clinical presentation and/or functional testing. A naturopath has many tools to help you balance your hormones for a smooth transition into menopause.

We can:

Advise you on the correct foods to eat (and which foods to avoid) to support your health and wellbeing

Prescribe a tailor-made liquid herbal remedy to relieve symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleeplessness, anxiety and depression

Prescribe supplements including minerals, vitamins, bioflavonoids and essential fatty acids, depending on your individual needs

Provide lifestyle recommendations to help your body and mind adapt to the changes in your body

Identify and address any other underlying conditions which may be responsible for your symptoms (such as underlying infections, impaired thyroid function, digestive issues, stress etc)

Request a free copy of Finding Magic in Menopause e-book – email christine@lovethyhealth.net

If you would like to read more about diet and lifestyle for a healthy menopause Touch HERE