Menopause Symptoms and Treatment
“In over a decade working as a naturopath, women often comment that their ‘tried and true’ methods no longer work to restore their health.. This is because your body has changed, your hormone balance has changed and a new approach is often needed. ”
Symptoms commonly experienced by menopausal women:
Vasomotor symptoms; hot flushes and night sweats
Mood changes
Brain fog and forgetfulness
Weight gain
Poor sleep and low energy
Hormonal acne
Hair loss
Vaginal dryness and low libido
Sore and aching joints
Conditions:
Osteoporosis
Cardiovascular disease
Symptoms and Health Conditions related to hormone changes during menopause:
Hormone Changes and Menopause
During this transition, fluctuating hormone levels, such as oestrogen, progesterone and androgens, cause changes to ovarian function and to the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis function.
When these hormones start to fluctuate and decline, there can be downstream effects beyond the menstrual cycle and fertility.
The menopausal transition usually starts for women in their forties and can last up to six years before the monthly period ceases and is called, perimenopause. Some women experience perimenopause for a prolonged period of up to a decade.
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These sex hormones have an influence over our bodies that goes beyond fertility:
Oestrogen affects the reproductive tract, heart and blood vessels, breasts, skin, hair, mucous membranes, pelvic muscles, the urinary tract, bones, the brain and cognition.
Progesterone increases the process of bone formation and has a protective effect in the neuroendocrine system.
Testosterone contributes to bone health, libido, muscle mass and brain health.
The wide reaching impact of these hormones explains why menopause symptoms may not be limited to changes in fertility and our menstrual cycle.
How does naturopathy help treat menopausal symptoms?
As well as hormone changes occurring during the menopause transition, you may have other underlying health issues or imbalances that are contributing to or exacerbating your health concerns.
Naturopathy treats the whole person, not just a symptom or condition.
Naturopathy strives to create balance by addressing the core areas that affect our health and wellbeing. These include:
what we eat and how well our digestion is working
supporting our natural detoxification and the liver
improving sleep quality
stress management
supporting hormonal balance and reducing the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals
If you’re ready to start your journey to improved health and wellbeing, click on the button below to make your first appointment with Colleen
Or send me an email at colleen@clinic21.com.au if you have a question