Herbs can help you keep your balance through the perimenopause and menopause
Some women are unable to take HRT because of their medical history and others simply prefer to take a more natural approach, so herbs can play an important role in helping you through this natural transition in your life. Some herbs - such as Red Clover – contain plant oestrogens. These can never fully replace the body’s own oestrogens which are declining, but they can help ease you through the change and reduce symptoms. But there many other ways in which herbs can help too.
Menstrual Problems
Many women experience irregularity of their periods during the perimenopause. Periods may become heavier or more painful, especially if there are other issues such as fibroids. Premenstrual symptoms may worsen, with mood swings, bloating and breast tenderness becoming more common. Cyclical migraine may also worsen. All these problems can be helped with a whole range of herbs that will help to normalise the menstrual cycle. Ladies Mantle is one herb that might be used for this.
Hot Flushes and Palpitations
These are some of the most common symptoms during the menopause and can be very disruptive to women’s lives. They may find it difficult or embarrassing if they occur at work and sleep is often affected. Sage is one of the herbs used for hot flushes and can be taken in tablet form for convenience. Herbs such as Hawthorn can be used for palpitations.
Mood Swings and Stress
It is common for mood to be affected by the menopause and there is plenty of evidence that any kind of stress will make menopausal symptoms much worse. Specific herbs known as adaptogens can help you to cope with the effects of stress, even if it cannot be avoided. There are also lovely herbs to lift your mood and reduce anxiety. Lemon Balm would be one example, but there are many more.
Sleep
Sleep can be disrupted by hot flushes, by mood changes and by joint pains and restless legs. This leads to a vicious cycle with increasing exhaustion and reduced ability to cope with all the other aspects of the menopause – let alone the rest of life! There are herbs that specifically aid sleep but by working on all the other issues sleep is likely to improve naturally.
Digestive Problems and Weight Gain
Many women are concerned about increasing weight at the time of the menopause and can find that it is hard to lose. Stress and exhaustion can lead you to turn to comfort foods and reduce your activity. Issues such as IBS and a disrupted microbiome can become worse at this time and can contribute to poor digestive function. This can contribute to nutritional imbalances and affects the normal breakdown and recycling of oestrogens which should be happening in a healthy gut. Herbs such as Chamomile can improve digestion, reduce stress and help you to have more energy for exercise.
When to see a Herbalist
It is great to support your own health with over-the-counter herbs*, but they are always going to be most effective when taken as a prescription from an accredited medical herbalist. A consultation with a herbalist provides a great opportunity to be fully ‘heard’ and to be able to discuss your problems in detail - first appointments generally last about an hour. The herbalist will tailor the prescription to your unique needs to provide holistic support for you as an individual and will ensure that the herbs used are safe and effective. They also provide advice on diet and lifestyle to help with stress management, sleep, nutrition and exercise.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your needs confidentially or book an appointment.
If you are not in Sheffield you can find an accredited herbalist near you by visiting nimh.org.uk/find-a-herbalist/
*Please make sure you obtain herbs from a reputable source. Always take advice if you have any allergies, are pregnant, have a medical condition or are on medication.
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