Menopause is a time of life when women’s bodies reduce the levels of oestrogen and progesterone. This usually occurs between 45-60yrs of age. Some estrogen is produced by the adrenal glands so care is recommended to maximise estrogen production e.g. reduced stress and dietary support. The most cause for women to seek support is due to the hot flushes. 20% of women have no symptoms with the majority having mild to moderate amounts of symptoms.
Symptoms
- Hot flushes, dizziness, headaches
- Vaginal dryness
- Night sweats
- Fatigue
- Insomnia, sleep disturbances
- Low libido
- Mood swings, depression, anxiety
- Urinary infections, incontinence
- Memory loss, poor concentration
- Weight gain
Estrogenic Foods & Herbs
These stimulate the body to behave as if it has estrogen and therefore reducing symptoms:
- Soya products – beans, tofu, milk, tempeh, miso
- Sprouts – alfalfa, red clover, soya beans, fenugreek
- Herb Teas – Licorice, sage, parsley, cinnamon elderflower, red clover, fenugreek
- Fruit – rhubarb, apples, plums, cherries, lime
- Seeds – linseed, sesame, sunflower, fennel, aniseed
- Grains – oats, rye, rice, barley
Medicinal Herbs
- Wild yam
- Vitex
- Licorice
- Red clover
- Fenugreek
- Black cohoosh
- Peony
- Rhumania
Heating & stimulants can activate hot flushes
Alcohol (particularly red wine), spicy foods, coffee, sugar, smoking, stress and anxiety are potential triggers for hot flushes. This can include the lack of breathing for the skin caused by synthetic fabrics. It’s recommended to wear natural fibres e.g. wool, cotton or silk.
Conditions that can arise after menopause
- Osteoporosis – bone loss
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Weight gain
- Breast Cancer