An Easier Transition Into Menopause

also be characterised with a shorter menstrual cycle and very heavy periods, be sure to have your iron levels checked if this is the case, as low iron can lead to exhaustion. There are herbal medicines that do well at regulating the cycle, and a naturopath or herbalist can help with this.

Hot flushes

Hot flushes occur due to the fluctuating oestrogen levels and can be somewhat regulated with phytoestrogens. Sage is a great herb for hot flushes with excessive sweating, and whilst it can be consumed as a tea (chilled), capsules may be more convenient. Homeopathic Amyl nit can be taken with each hot flush to reduce the severity, especially in severe cases such as waking to saturated sheets from sweat, or being unable to regulated body temperature afterwards.

Osteoporosis

After menopause, due to the reduced oestrogen levels, women are at higher risk of osteoporosis. Adequate consumption of calcium in foods such as dairy, soy, tinned fish with bones, nuts and seeds are important in the diet. Vitamin D is required to move the calcium into bones, so time should be spent outside each week as this vitamin is made by your skin, but not long enough for sunburn. Weightbearing exercise increases bone density and 30 minutes of exercise is day is recommended.

There is so much that can be done naturally to support the transition to menopause.

Whole Naturopathy can help provide you with natural products to help ease the transition into menopause.

This advice is general in nature and not intended to be prescriptive. For individualised prescriptive advice, please see a naturopath or other health care practitioner.

Kathryn Messenger

BHSc (Naturopathy) kathryn@wholenaturopathy.com.au

Suite 1, 24/1880 Ferntree Gully Rd

Mountain Gate Shopping Centre

Ferntree Gully, Victoria