Peri-menopause reframed

Peri-menopause is something that happens to all women eventually.

Most women in their forties already have an overflowing plate, so it’s not surprising that perimenopause can be a mental, physical and emotional challenge, with or without kids.

For women who became a mother in their late thirties or early forties (like me), energy can be incredibly depleted post-partum, and hormonal fluctuations can feel like the last straw.

Hormonal birth control and IVF put a heavy burden on the liver, which can be another underlying cause of hormonal imbalance.

A course of homeopathy provides effective treatment to soften and ease the process.

Even troublesome symptoms respond beautifully to a natural approach.

“I started seeing Tracy about three months ago to help treat symptoms of the peri-menopause and some urinary tract issues and I can honestly say that I feel so much better. My energy levels have transformed, hormones are way more stable and the urinary tract issues have gone completely. I’m so happy I found Tracy, I would recommend her to anyone.”

You don’t need to stop being yourself

We all want to feel good about ourselves, and that doesn’t change as we get older.

When I look at my list of women role models and icons I realise one thing they have in common is that they are comfortable in their own skin,  unafraid to express themselves for who they truly are.

I also see that they continued being themselves all through their life. They didn’t suddenly stop at menopause.

Deborah Harry is one of my favourite examples. I saw her perform when she was over sixty and she was incredible.

Early signs of peri-menopause

For most of us though, the peri-menopause can feel like the rug is being pulled away from under our feet.

There you are, a grown woman with roles and responsibilities, and managing them pretty well, at least most of the time.

Then suddenly you start feeling tired, overwhelmed and maybe a bit snappy, and not only when it’s just before your period.

When you are also getting hot and bothered about things, you realise it’s your hormones.

When it doesn’t go away you start to wonder whether you’ll ever feel like yourself again.

Peri-menopause symptoms

The truth is that there are a long list of symptoms associated with peri-menopause.

Changes to the period cycle often happen before hormonal mood swings become a major problem.

Typically the bleed starts to become lighter, but as the hormonal pendulum swings, they can get heavier for a while and that’s not so easy to manage.

Heavy periods at their worst can be alarming, not to mention limiting as it can be hard to be away from home if you’re worried about where the toilets will be.

Hot flashes and night sweats are the other distressing symptoms.

I see all of these symptoms in my practice. Luckily, homeopathy can help.

“I used to wake up exhausted even after a good night’s sleep, dragging myself from one commitment to the next. Within a month of taking remedies skillfully selected by Tracy, I felt so much better. Even my partner who thinks it’s placebo admitted he noticed a change.”

Change or opportunity?

When you take a moment to think about it, peri-menopause symptoms are just a signal from your body that change is underway.

One way to re-frame those symptoms is that they offer a chance to take stock.

It’s impossible to take anything for granted once you turn 40.

Gone are the days when you can get away with ‘running on empty’ – staying up all night and surviving on toast, wine and chocolate for weeks on end.

That might have been ok while you were in your twenties or thirties, but not anymore.

DIY strategies for a calmer peri-menopause

1. Eat more fresh food, organic wherever possible: vegetables, protein, and good fat.
2. Add as much variety to your diet as you can and try to eat with the seasons.
3. Take magnesium and Vitamin D.
4. Increase hydration with water and herbal teas.
5. Practice saying ‘No’. Or at least, ‘When do you need to know by?’
6. Get more sleep, especially before midnight.
7. Create more ‘downtime’.

These are all things you can do for yourself.

At least, you are the only person who can decide to do them.

This does mean putting your well-being on your to-do list.

Professional support

Hormonal change is worsened when the liver is congested, especially if there are too many stress hormones floating about.

Hormonal birth control, fertility drugs, painkillers, antihistamines, and antibiotics leave an imprint on the body that your liver struggles to fully erase.

Gentle liver detox and adrenal support provide the building blocks needed to settle the hormonal system. [Related post]

• mood swings stabilise
• anxiety settles down
• insomnia subsides
• memory picks up
• so do energy and libido
• nails get stronger
• skin regains radiance

You will start to feel the impact within weeks, although I always recommend a course of treatment to benefit fully.

Mother nature

As humans, we are part of nature, and hormones respond beautifully to a natural approach.

Homeopathy and botanical herbs work like preventative medicine against stress, depression, and overstimulation.

Perimenopause is a time when you need to prioritise yourself.

When you make some space in your busy daily life, your friends, family and work colleagues will thank you for it.

So will you.

If that sounds like what you need, I’m happy to help.

Everyone is different so I take care to ensure you have the homeopathic and homeobotanical medicines that are the best fit for you.

“Tracy is a kind and warm person and I really enjoyed our sessions where she showed empathy and understanding to anything I came up with and I found it very helpful. Her holistic approach did not only tackle my immediate symptoms but also worked at increasing my general well-being, something I can feel even months after the treatment.”