Perimenopause and menopause affect women in different individual ways.
A herbalist will identify the specific symptoms affecting the patient and work towards reducing and alleviating the discomforts and improving life enjoyment. These may include irregular bleeding, hot flashes, vaginal dryness or atrophy, urinary incontinence, mood changes, sleep disturbance, pain and aching joints, brain fog, memory disturbance et cetera. Plant medicine offers a wide range of actions and properties to counteract these.
Alongside symptom response, a herbalist will plan a management protocol to incorporate body systems support. This would include selecting herbs for hormonal normalisation, cardiovascular/vasomotor, and musculoskeletal support. This aims to address, amongst others, the effects of palpitations, possible hypertension, inflammation, arthritis, loss of bone density… A programme might provide phyto-oestrogens and other herbs for hormonal balance (not uniquely related to oestrogen). The strategy also seeks to aid metabolic processes – including adrenal support which in turn supports hormone production – and other issues that may arise such as excess cholesterol.
An accompaniment that encompasses aiding digestion and supporting the liver is helpful, not only because good digestion creates overall wellbeing and often slows down in menopause but additionally to encourage good elimination of waste materials and the processing of hormones through the liver pathways. Bitter & other specific herbs may be added for this purpose.
Treatment goals can call for uterine tonics as well as nervine, adaptogenic, sedative, anxiolytic, antidepressant and mood stabilizing herbs for emotional and sleep rescue.
Lifestyle and dietary changes usually feature.
Important considerations and next steps:
Contact me to discuss your unique needs and make an appointment for consultation.
Keep a symptom diary: Track your specific symptoms, when they occur, and their intensity. This will help you and I to tailor the herbal plan.
Be patient: Allow time for the herbs to work, and be consistent with your chosen remedies.
Re-evaluate regularly: Your needs may change over time, so regular check-ins are important to adjust the plan as needed.
Evidence-based + Holistic 
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