Alternative therapies for the symptoms of menopause
There’s a lot of talk about menopause at the moment. It seems to be the hot topic – or maybe I’m just more aware of all the references on social media these days. Websites, helpful blog posts and memes are all full of information – but nothing can describe it adequately until you experience it for yourself.
Menopausal symptoms can affect you physically, emotionally and mentally. You may be aware of hot flushes and night sweats, but you may not have realised that low moods, feelings of anxiety and lack of concentration can also be caused by the menopause – making you home and your work life unbearable.
A first option for many women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms is to see your GP. You’ll be prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help treat the reduction of oestrogen in your body. But not all women want, or can take, HRT, or may find it is not helping with every symptom. So, what else can you do?
Natural treatments for menopause
There are a number of natural treatments for menopausal symptoms, helping you through this part of your life a little more comfortably.
-Healthy nutrition
Eating healthily is, of course, something we should all be doing. We get told that every day. But if you don’t already think about your nutrition, now may be the time to start.
Being more aware of what you eat will help you with a number of menopausal symptoms, such as weight gain, while feeling fitter will lift your mood. But there is more you can do to help your body through the menopause.
The hormonal changes during this time can weaken your bones, increasing your risk of osteoporosis. Eating food that contain higher levels of calcium and Vitamin D can help keep your bones stronger and healthier. So, that’s lots more milk, yoghurts, cheese, spinach, beans and even tofu in your dinner.
Certain foods and drinks can also increase the more unpleasant symptoms. Cutting down on caffeine and sugar may reduce hot flushes and help with mood swings, for example.
-Exercise
Another thing we’re told we should do for our health is to exercise more. There are plenty of benefits from increasing your daily exercise, even if that just means walking a bit more every day.
Exercise increases your circulation and boosts your metabolism. You’ll also benefit from a happier mood, a reduction in stress and a better nights sleep – a much-needed relief for many women at this time.
-Reflexology
I, of course, highly recommend reflexology for treating menopausal symptoms. It’s a holistic treatment – which is to say, it works across all parts of the body at once.
Reflexology can help regulate hormonal and endocrine systems, reducing physical symptoms such as hot flushes, and tension in the muscles, which in turn can lead to a better night’s sleep. A relaxing and calming treatment will also focus on emotional symptoms, reduce stress and anxiety, with focus on the right pressure points, you can find relief from irritability.
After all those benefits, it’s not surprising your mood will also improve, and you’ll have feel better in body and mind. Research has shown that regular treatments over a four month period can have notable improvements in your menopausal symptoms.
Alternative therapies for menopausal symptoms
There are other alternative therapies to treat menopausal symptoms. You might be interested in exploring herbal remedies, mindfulness or hypnotherapy. But how do you know which one will be best for you – or which will calm panic attacks, reduce hot flushes or work in harmony with your prescriptions?
There is plenty of advice online, if you have time to research it all. Or, you can join me at my menopause focused workshop this September called “Let’s Talk Menopause”
Listen to a range of different speakers, each one a specialist in their field. You’ll have your chance to ask all the questions, and find all the answers, to a range of alternative therapies.
If you’re menopausal, or peri-menopausal, find out how you can reduce your hot flushes, handle anxiety and manage your symptoms with calm and a greater sense of well-being.