By: Kirsty Richards DipHomNZ
As a woman, I’ve often heard Menopause referred to as something to be dreaded. Positive menopause stories seemed hard to find - but tales of sleepless nights, vaginal dryness, lack of libido, mood swings, weight gain and drenching sweats are all too common.
Of course, these are very real symptoms and some women do experience some, if not all of those. Some women turn to medications such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to feel “normal” again, and who would blame them, certainly not me! However, HRT is not suitable for everyone, and there are other options available that don’t have any potential unwanted side effects.
Who Shouldn’t Take Hormone Replacement Therapy?
If you have these conditions, you may want to avoid HRT:
Heart, liver, or gallbladder disease
Known or suspected pregnancy
Breast cancer, endometrial cancer or other cancers that are dependent on hormones
undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
untreated uterine lining thickening
raised risk of thrombosis
coronary heart disease, stroke or dementia
blood clots in the legs or lungs
untreated high blood pressure
What Are the Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy?
As with all medications, HRT comes with side effects. Some of the well known ones include:
Sources:
Homeopathically, there are numerous options available to help with the unwanted effects of menopause. But before I get into those, let’s dive into menopause a little deeper and explore this incredible time of transition for women.
Menopause heralds the end of the fertile phase for women. The body is no longer a vessel for new life. But that does not mean the end of life for the woman! Often around menopause, women who have had children are also encountering changes in their physical lives - children growing, perhaps leaving home, or maybe becoming a grandparent.
Relationships with significant others may change. For some women, this time of their lives is a time of tremendous change. The old ties and responsibilities are no longer there, which can lead to some feelings of sadness or grief.
This coupled with the physical changes, can feel overwhelming
It can be a time of re-discovery for women. They may have put their wants and needs on the back burner, prioritizing children, spouses, careers and family responsibilities, over their own desires. What an incredible time lies ahead!
In today’s society, mid-life is not considered “old.” A woman in her mid years has gained wisdom, experience, a greater sense of what is wanted and what is not, greater courage and insight.
While it is the end of one phase of life - it is the beginning of another.
https://www.positive.news/society/why-women-entering-the-menopause-should-embrace-their-inner-crone/
Homeopathic remedies that can help during Menopause
Listed below are some of the most commonly used remedies to help with Menopausal symptoms. There are many others, and for some women, their constitutional remedy would be most beneficial.
Sulphur
Sulphur is a very “hot” remedy. Women needing Sulphur may experience the following:
Intolerant of hot, stuffy conditions and gets rapidly overheated
Exhaustion with a constant need to lie down
Feet are particularly hot in bed, needs to push them out of the covers
Itchy skin worse for becoming heated
Weak, shivery, faint feelings occur before a flush
Sepia
Sepia is traditionally known as a “woman’s remedy” with affinities for numerous female complaints including pregnancy, premenstrual issues and menopause.
Women needing Sepia tend to be more irritable and can be averse to partner and loved ones.
Other indications for Sepia include:
Low energy with a feeling of gloom/depression
Although exhausted, energy levels improve after exercise
Symptoms are drooping or sagging in nature such as prolapse
May be irritable and snappish
Hot flushes with drenching sweats
Pulsatilla
Pulsatilla is another remedy with a strong affinity for female patients. The traditional Pulsatilla
description is of a weepy, plump blonde, but that’s not always accurate. If a woman fits the
overall symptoms and is neither blonde nor plump - then Pulsatilla is worth trying.
Changeable symptoms - moods change rapidly and pains shift
Alternates between feeling too hot and too cold, hard to get comfortable
Gets overheated at night, cannot stand heavy bed covers
Night sweats with perspiration and waves of heat
Better in cool, fresh air, always has windows open
Constant sensation period is imminent
Lachesis
Strong dislike of clothing that is tight or constricting, especially around the neck
Severe problems with hot flushes, depression and circulatory conditions such as high blood pressure
Anxiety and depression on waking
During a flush, head may be very hot while hands are feet are cold
Fear going to bed
Left sided symptoms
Folliculinum
Abdominal heaviness/weight gain before cycle
Fibroids
Heavy periods
Restless and hyperactive, they feel worse when resting
Extreme sugar cravings
Particularly suited for women who have lost themselves, feel downtrodden
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