Menopause

MENOPAUSE

Menopause usually occurs in the 40’s and 50’s although for some women it can happen sooner due to health conditions.

What are the symptoms of Infertility?

A woman is officially in menopause 12 months after her last period. It is a natural process where the egg reserves in the ovaries become depleted and hormone levels start to drop as a consequence. Menopause usually occurs in the 40’s and 50’s although for some women it can happen sooner due to health conditions or health history. It is typical that there will be variations in the menstrual cycle in the year or so leading up to the cessation of periods.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Irregular periods (perimenopause)
Hot sweats
Mood swings
Weight gain (especially around the abdomen)
More frequent urination
Thinning hair
Insomnia
Dryness in the vagina
Changes in breast tissue
Joint aches and pains

Conventional approach

HRT (hormone replacement therapy) may be recommended if symptoms are particularly challenging. This can be as tablets, creams, patches, or implants. These can cause side effects as well as relieving some of the symptoms. Some HRT has been seen to be linked to an increased risk in some cancers such as breast and ovarian.

Things you can do:

Eat cruciferous vegetables – broccoli, kale, cauliflower, cabbage etc all help to balance hormone levels. Eat at least 2 portions a day.
Eat more phytoestrogen foods – these mimic oestrogen in the body to help to regain balance, e.g., flaxseeds, chickpeas, sesame seeds and lentils.
Reduce stress levels – take up meditation, deep breathing, yoga or tai chi or walk in nature daily. Such practices help to balance the emotions at a time when moods can fluctuate with hormonal changes.
Exercise regularly – daily if possible, even if it is just a walk. Exercise helps to reduce other risk factors such as; bone loss, inflammation, poor sleep, stress.

What can Functional Medicine do to support?

Use food, herbs and supplements to support hormonal balance as an alternative to HRT.
Use food, herbs and supplements to support stress levels, sleep issues, and liver detoxification which are all crucial aspects to support the process.
Use lifestyle medicine to help support stress levels, exercise programmes, better sleep and reducing environmental toxins.
Use functional testing to understand what additional nutrients are needed in the diet to keep the body supported during this change.