The
mid-life changes of women are seen as synonymous with ageing and disease.
However, I like to view these transitional years as marking the beginning of
the second half of a woman’s life, often a time of self-empowerment and
certainly a natural process (not a disease) that can be a rewarding experience
and a positive event in a woman’s life.
Menopause
is when periods stop or become irregular as a result of decreasing function of
the ovaries. It is usually a retrospective diagnosis, made when there has been
no period for a year. Natural menopause occurs on average between 48 and 53
years of age. As the ovaries age, they gradually cease producing their
hormones. These transitional months or years are called the climacteric or perimenopausal stage. Symptoms include the well-known hot flushes
and night sweats, low libido, vaginal dryness, insomnia and depression.
Causes
There
are four fundamental causes of hormonal disruption to menopause: stress, poor nutrition, blood sugar
imbalance and excess toxins. In
particular, years of chronic stress exhaust the adrenal glands, which must take
over oestrogen production from the declining ovaries. If the adrenals are
already exhausted, they become overloaded, causing night sweats.
Menopausal
symptoms are also related to body size. Lean, undernourished woman have less
oestrogen produced in their fatty tissues, so there is less oestrogen to buffer
the declining ovaries’ production. As a result, these women suffer more
menopausal symptoms. However, obesity causes blood sugar problems and insulin
resistance, which also disrupt the hormonal balance. It’s about a balance of
weight and avoiding extremes. Furthermore, symptoms have been shown to worsen
with heavy use of drugs, tobacco, alcohol and caffeine.
Hot flushes & sweating
These
are due to the oestrogen decline, to Lutenizing hormone surges in response to
the decline, and indirectly to exhausted adrenal glands that cannot adequately
take over the role of hormone production from the ovaries. Sage is a wonderful
herb specifically for flushes: a popular home remedy is to chop up 6 fresh sage
leaves, soak them overnight in lemon juice, strain and drink the juice diluted
in water for 7 - 10 days. This will usually control flushing and sweating as
well as improve digestion and concentration, although it should not be
continued for longer than 2 weeks. Obviously, it is important to avoid hot
spicy foods, extremely hot temperature foods and drinks, stimulants such as
alcohol and caffeine, anxiety and emotional upsets which can all trigger hot
flushes.
Vaginal, skin and eye dryness
Black
Cohosh is the herb that works best, and there have been a number of open and
double-blind trials in Germany
to verify its traditional use for alleviating these symptoms. Vitamin E is the
most important vitamin for menopause and older women in general as it is highly
antioxidant, repairs mucous membranes, improves hormone production and
circulation, and decreases dryness. Simply opening a vitamin E capsule and
applying it topically to the vagina is effective as well. It is claimed by some
to be the ‘anti-ageing’ vitamin. However, if there is high blood pressure,
start with a low dose of 200 IU/day.
Fluid retention
Both
celery and parsley work well, either juiced or in salads daily. If symptoms are
severe, the juice will be the more effective of the two. Or try dandelion leaf
tea which is available at most health food stores.
Depression & anxiety
St John’s wort (Hypericum) is widely
used in Europe. It is prescribed by doctors in
Germany
and has been the subject of many scientific studies. It helps restore the
integrity of the nervous system, calm anxiety, and is anti-depressant. However,
it cannot be taken with heart medication, other anti-depressant drugs (SSRIs)
or HIV medication. Additionally, oats and lavender are specific for depression
and anxiety as nourishes and calms the nervous system. Even having rolled oat
porridge or muesli for breakfast will make a difference.
Poor Memory/concentration
Gingko
and rosemary both increase circulation to the brain and our extremities and are
therefore great for memory.
Low libido
To
increase sexual desire and drive, we need to strengthen the circulation to the
genital organs and pelvic region with pelvic floor exercises. However, it is
often essential to decrease fatigue, exhaustion and stress, while increasing
stamina and energy so that we actually feel like having sex! Also increasing
vaginal lubrication as discussed above is important.
All
herbs and supplements should be prescribed by a qualified herbalist to ensure
appropriate dosage and quality Practitioner Only products for therapeutic benefits.
Naturopathic Treatments for Menopausal
Symptoms:
There are many very effective herbal and nutritional
remedies for all menopausal symptoms including hot flushes, vaginal, skin and
eye dryness, fluid retention, increased weight, depression and anxiety, poor
memory and concentration, low libido. All herbs and supplements should be prescribed by a qualified herbalist
to ensure appropriate dosage and quality Practitioner Only products for therapeutic benefits.
The oestrogen decline is buffered to ensure a
smoother transition using specific herbal medicines individually prescribed
which work directly on the adrenal glands, the ovaries, the pituitary gland and
any other glands involved, eg. thyroid can often be involved. Some herbs
contain oestrogen receptor modifiers which help regulate these declining levels
without any risk of over-stimulation so are useful for women who have a history
of breast or other reproductive cancers as compared to hormone replacement therapy, HRT.
Dietary and lifestyle changes are necessary for
successful resolution of perimenopausal symptoms and for optimal maintenance of
your health long term. Extensive information and resources are given to help
you alter your diet and lifestyle to healthier options.
Normalising insulin and blood sugar levels, if
necessary, is an essential part of treatment by using weight management,
exercise, stress reduction techniques, dietary advice, nutritional supplements
and herbal medicines.
You will be referred to your doctor or GP for
extensive blood testing unless this has already been done so as to give a clear
picture of any post-menopausal health problems that we want to prevent now eg.
cholesterol , bone density, cardiovascular checks.
Using the work of Christiane Northrup, author of
Women’s Bodies Women’s Wisdom, the emotional connections to menopause are
discussed to address any underlying issues.
Focus is not only on alleviating perimenopausal
symptoms but also on your long term health to ensure optimal vitality for many
years to come.
Claudette Wadsworth
BA, BHlthSc, AdvND, DN, DRM, AdvNFM, MATMS
Bondi Junction
