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. ”
— Colleen Rowe, Naturopath

Hormone Changes and Menopause

Menopause is a life stage not a disease or condition. Menopause usually starts for women in their forties and can last up to six years before the monthly period ceases.  There are different phases of menopause :

  • Perimenopause is the start of changes to hormone levels and to ovulation. Perimenopause usually starts for women in the forties and can last between two to five years but for some women it can last up to ten years.

    During this phase, periods may start to become irregular. Hormonal changes can cause both physical and emotional symptoms at this time including; mood changes, brain fog, forgetfulness, poor sleep, headaches, sore breasts, hot flushes and night sweats.

  • Menopause transition starts with 60 days with no menstrual flow. Oestrogen levels are fluctuating and getting lower. Symptoms continue throughout this time. You are considered Menopausal when you have not had a period for 12 months.

  • Post menopause is the phase of your life after menopause.

Sex hormones have an influence over our body 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.

During menopause, 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.

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Symptoms and Health Conditions related to hormone changes during menopause:

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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

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How does naturopathy help treat menopausal symptoms?

As well as hormone changes occurring during perimenopause and menopause, 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