Navigating Menopause and Finding Balance

Menopause is an opportunity to assess your health and become reacquainted with your body. Understanding what is happening to your body and mind, and how natural alternatives like herbs and acupuncture can provide significant relief, will put the controls firmly back in your hands.

Menopause was long referred to, rather euphemistically and confusingly, as “the change of life”. Thankfully, it is now discussed far more openly and honestly, and symptoms which may result from this natural stage in a woman’s life no longer need to be a source of fear or worry.

In fact, many women remark that once they have adjusted to changes such as hot flushes and mood swings – many of which are temporary and short-term – that they feel empowered and look forward to the freedoms and opportunities ahead.

Menopause is defined as having taken place once there has been no menstrual period for 12 months. Hormone levels fall to a point where the ovaries stop releasing eggs. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, the average being around 51. The transition phase before menopause is referred to as perimenopause and typically takes about three years.

During this time, the supply of mature eggs in a woman's ovaries diminishes, ovulation becomes irregular, and the production of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone decreases.

Period cycles may become longer, shorter, or totally irregular, bleeding may become lighter, heavier, and/or unpredictable. Although fertility after the age of 45 is low, falling pregnant is still a possibility, and it may be mindful to discuss with your healthcare professional about contraception.

Each woman experiences menopause differently, and symptoms can include any of the following:

These sudden rapid increases in body temperature usually start occurring before a woman's last period. A hot flush can vary in frequency, intensity, and length for each woman. Some may experience just a brief warmth throughout the body, with possibly a little light perspiration, but others may have a more debilitating form, including a sensation of intense heat, palpitations, and heavy sweating, followed by feeling chilled and shaky.

Night-time can often be worse, with hot flushes resulting in exhausting sweats that flood bedding and sheets, and severely impair sleep.

Common triggers for both hot flushes and night sweats include hot weather, smoking, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, tight clothing, and stress.

Ziziphus jujuba is traditionally used in Chinese Medicine to relieve irritability, insomnia, and night sweats. It's believed to nourish the heart and calm the spirit, addressing 'shen disturbance' symptoms like irritability and shallow sleep

Modern studies support its role in improving sleep quality and mood by influencing GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation. The active component, Jujuboside A, regulates brain chemicals to improve sleep and reduce anxiety. Sage has been traditionally used to treat excessive perspiration and sweats associated with menopause. Its anxiolytic qualities help ease anxiety, lift your mood, and calm your mind. Sage is a phytoestrogen.

Phytoestrogens (plant oestrogens) are substances that occur naturally in plants. They have a similar chemical structure to our own body's oestrogen and can bind to the same receptors that our own oestrogen does. Bupleurum is used for constrained Liver qi which expresses itself in symptoms like hot flushes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Bupleurum is described as cool, dry, and bitter.

Australian Menopause Society
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health