As girls we are taught about puberty at school, but what about the other end of our reproductive life? Menopause has traditionally been a taboo subject, the source of sit-com jokes and anxiety about our future. It’s something few of us know much about until our periods change and our emotions go haywire, and we begin to research it for ourselves.
The menopause is a transition, just like puberty. It marks the end of our fertile years, but also the beginning of a new phase of life.
Although it’s common for the transition to be difficult, many women come out the other side reporting huge changes. These are typically a sense of empowerment, of calm and composure, of finally being able to put themselves first. In ancient societies older women were revered as the holders of wisdom, as healers, as grand matriarchs. The peri-menopausal process is how we grow into our power. As a feminist, I’d love it if we could learn to value this again.
How would it feel to embrace your peri-menopause and make it work for you? To find a natural way to manage the uncomfortable symptoms so you can still enjoy your daily life? I believe that with some lifestyle changes and homeopathic support, this is possible for most women.
The peri-menopause is not an illness or a disease, and it rarely needs to be medicated or resolved with invasive surgery.
Of course, we all know it can be challenging. Our bodies and our hormones are undergoing some big changes, which affect how we feel emotionally as well as physically. Most of us have demanding lives, so it’s hard to put our own well-being first.
Many things have an impact the way we experience peri-menopause. One of these is a history of using hormonal contraceptives like the pill, or having IVF. As well as disrupting our natural cycle synthetic hormones also put a strain on the liver, making it harder for our bodies to cope with our natural ones. For some women the menopause comes with the emotional pain of not having had the family they’d hoped for, or doubts about their career or relationship.
Stress is a common symptom of the peri-menopause, and it’s no surprise when we consider that one role of oestrogen is to keep cortisol in check. As our oestrogen levels drop it becomes harder to sustain the sorts of every day stress that we used to be able to cope with. This can result in depression, anxiety, insomnia, and an increase of fat around our middle. As well as balancing hormone levels, homeopathic remedies can help women understand and release their emotions, giving them the strength to make the lifestyle changes they need to.
For some of us menopause happens instantly, as a result of surgery or chemotherapy. This can be a huge shock for the body, and can produce some different symptoms. Remedies can support the body in dealing with the instant reduction of hormones, and help it adjust to a new way of being.
How Homeopathy Can Help You
In a homeopathic consultation we talk in depth about the specific peri-menopausal symptoms you are experiencing. We explore your medical history, emotional state, and who you are as an individual. It’s your chance to share all the changes you’ve noticed, however big or small.
Based on all these factors, I’ll prescribe you remedies that best match your symptoms. We can work on balancing your hormones, detoxing your liver, and supporting any emotional problems you’re having. Sometimes we need to boost your gut health, which can have an impact on how you produce and process hormones.
Whatever’s going on for you, I’m confident that homeopathy can help. My aim is to make your transition a comfortable one. Please click here to book your free, confidential 30 minute chat about how homeopathy can help you.
Some recent feedback: “I have been suffering for 2 years with awful peri-menopause symptoms – the dreadful hot flashes, fatigue, moodiness, an emotional wreck, lack of sleep, gaining weight, bloating, bad IBS… It was affecting my work and my personal life, but I didn’t want to have HRT, as there are cases of breast cancer in my family. Amanda was recommended to me by the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital. I did not know what to expect. There are so many clinics out there and you need to find the right person. I was really pleased straight away when I met Amanda. I knew I had found a good, patient homeopath who listens, understands my history, my physical and emotional symptoms and asks far more questions than I possibly thought about all of them! With the treatment that Amanda provided, I started seeing a change within weeks. My hot flashes were gone, I was more energetic, I didn’t have headaches, I was able to sleep well and I am emotionally stronger. She has now adjusted the doses to continue on a longer term treatment, with the occasional follow up visits. There is no doubt that I will use her services for other health unrelated issues. She is a great professional on her field and I can’t recommend her enough!" MB
The range of problems I’ve treated in peri-menopausal women includes:
Hot flushes
Heavy or irregular periods
Weight gain
Anxiety
Insomnia
Depression
Irritability
Low energy and lethargy
Low libido
Vaginal dryness
Skin problems including acne
Memory and concentration problems
Frequent UTIs
Hair loss
Click here to book your free 30 minute phone call to find out more and ask any question you might have
Helpful Changes You Can Make:
Empower yourself with knowledge
Eat a good balanced diet, including healthy fats, protein, and a rainbow of vegetables (especially green ones!)
Avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugar
Prioritise yourself. I know this is hard if you have young children or a demanding job, but even small changes can make a big difference
Find some exercise you enjoy and do it regularly – preferably something outside in daylight
Do whatever you can to reduce your daily stress
Talk about your symptoms - I recommend watching this programme to see what a difference that can make: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bt4c3m
Get more sleep
Some Facts:
The peri-menopausal period typically lasts for 4-8 years, but can be as long as 15 years
Menopause refers to the time when eggs are no longer released and periods stop. A woman who has had no periods for 1 year is officially considered to have had her menopause
The average age for the cessation of periods in the UK is 51
Almost half of menopausal women report feeling depressed or anxious
1 in 5 women need to take time off work because of menopausal symptoms
In July 2019, an independent campaigner successfully persuaded the UK government to add menopause to secondary school sex and relationship issues, at some point in the future. It is currently not even mentioned.