How to treat menopause naturally

Menopause is a natural biological process that occurs in women's lives after the age of 45-50 and is defined by the disappearance of monthly menstrual cycles for a period of 12 consecutive months. Menopause is associated with reduced ovarian function, marking the end of a woman's fertile (reproductive) period and makes the transition to a woman's period of maturity and wisdom but at the same time, it can coincide with the appearance of signs of ageing in the body.

During this period women's reproductive function can and should be replaced by a very productive period mentally and spiritually, and herbs, natural remedies, balanced lifestyle will help her to get through this period as naturally as possible.

It is very important to note that every woman has a different menopause depending on the level of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Thus we can find menopausal women with normal or low levels of oestrogen or normal or low levels of progesterone, which are associated with normal, high or low levels of testosterone.

Therefore, the treatment of menopausal women will depend on the specific hormonal profile of the woman, and the way in which this hormonal profile is adjusted can reduce symptoms and delay menopausal conditions and therefore the ageing process.

Natural menopause treatment

Dietotherapy

Diet plays a key role in reducing menopausal symptoms and should be combined with general herbal treatment:

Avoiding meat, especially fatty meat, which is high in saturated fat, makes it difficult for the body to metabolise oestrogens;
Avoiding caffeinated products (coffee, black tea) and carbonated drinks
Avoiding white sugar and refined sugar products, which limit the liver's ability to produce oestrogens and deregulate the immune system;
Avoid white flour products, fried or semi-prepared or canned foods (which often contain high levels of salt and food additives);

A lacto-vegetarian diet rich in fruits, vegetables, seeds, whole grains, whole milk (but no more than 1-2 times/week), fresh fruit and vegetable juices, salads, cold-pressed vegetable oils (olive, sesame, cold-pressed sunflower) is recommended. Regular water consumption, 2 litres/day, has very good detoxifying effects, reducing digestive symptoms and joint pain.

Studies have also shown that foods high in phytoestrogens (soy, tofu, flaxseed) can significantly reduce menopausal symptoms in women who consume them consistently and may reduce the risk of various types of estrogen-dependent cancers (breast cancer, endometrial cancer).

Phytotherapy

The use of plants with sedative, calming, soothing effects, but also laxative, carminative, digestive stimulant, phytoestrogenic plants, plants regulating the secretion of progesterone, give excellent results in preventing and treating symptoms related to menopause.

So they can be used: Galium aparine (Galium aparine), basil (Ocimum basilicum), red clover (Trifolium pratense), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), acacia (Vitex agnus), rosemary (Mellisa officinalis), acacia (Robinia pseudacacia) , hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantum), linden (Tilia tomentosa), lavender (Lavanda officinalis), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), aniseed (Pimpinella anisum), with excellent results.
The herbal administration is either fine powder held sublingually for 5-10 minutes and then swallowed with water, or as a cold macerate or tincture. The method of administration of the herbs and the dose will be determined after consultation with the herbalist, as only a personalised treatment adjusted to the needs of the woman concerned can give the best long-term results.

Apitherapy

Regular consumption of royal jelly, pollen and parsnip along with honey, due to their therapeutic effects, significantly reduces menopausal symptoms.

Thus preliminary studies have shown that royal jelly can significantly reduce hot flashes and increase libido.

Consumption of bee pollen helps regulate the hormonal balance of menopausal women, reducing hot flashes, night sweats and especially chronic fatigue. With flavonoids, myricetin, rutin, quercetin, it helps the immune system in the fight against cancer, stimulates metabolism, helps reduce fat deposits and their metabolism, increases physical and mental tone.

Natural bee honey can alleviate the excessive desire to over-consume sweets, stimulates digestion and is a natural energiser for the body.

Physical exercise

It is an integral part of the general treatment of menopause in women and has rapid effects in relieving troublesome symptoms but also in preventing osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease or some types of cancer. This includes dynamic forms of exercise: running, swimming.

Meditation, yoga exercises

With very good effects in maintaining general health but also in relieving menopausal symptoms: meditation, yoga postures, tai chi, etc.

Dr. Violeta Pîrvu

Specialist in family medicine

Competence in aphytotherapy, ayurveda