Balancing hormones naturally
In my previous blog ‘Menopause and Homeopathy for Women’s’ Health I introduced the topic of menopause and listed various symptoms of this natural sequence of events. Why do many women experience these symptoms? I’ll explain why and suggest ways to support our bodies and navigate emotions at this often difficult time of change with homeopathy and self-help tips.
Emotionally and Mentally
At this stage of life, women already have many physical and emotional demands on them whether women have children or not. Many changes take place with realigning relationships, coping with teenage or young children, empty nests, elderly parents needing extra care and attention, challenges at work, coming to terms with getting older and establishing a new identity.
Physically at perimenopause/menopause
The main causes are changing levels of progesterone and oestrogen. Dwindling hormonal stimulation of the pituitary gland of the ovaries causes an intermittent production of oestrogen by the ovaries which gives rise to irregular periods until they cease completely. At perimenopause our hormone levels can return to the fluctuating hormones of puberty before oestrogen levelled out from the late teens. High oestrogen can be opposed by low progesterone and then it can drop dramatically. During these years a general reorganisation of the endocrine system, other glands and notably the adrenal glands takes place.
TOXINS and STRESS make this reorganisation more difficult.
Fluctuations in hormones are worse when the liver is congested and our adrenal cortex out of balance.
Our adrenals take over the role of producing oestrogen in reduced amounts at perimenopause and compensate for the less active ovaries, if we have stresses in our life the adrenals are going to struggle to make oestrogen, and cortisol levels will increase. The natural lessening of physical energy from our late 30s/40s and the pressure from ourselves and society can add stress and women can feel overwhelmed and unwell. Remember, our adrenals are our fight-flight-fright mechanism and amongst other functions, they help to regulate our response to stress, our immunity, metabolism, blood pressure and more.
Our liver helps to balance hormones and becomes over burdened in peri/menopause by toxins, (causing hot flushes for example). 1 of its jobs (out of over 500) is to cleanse our blood and break down hormones-natural or synthetic – like hormonal birth control, IVF and stress hormones, as well as toxins-medication, pain killers, anti-histamines, alcohol, and antibiotics. All these make its job harder.
A gentle liver detox provided by a course of homeopathic remedies and nutritional and lifestyle changes goes a long way to ease symptoms. Nourishing and supporting the adrenals and whole body with homeopathy and using the tips below will help ease your feelings of being so wired and tired, depressed/anxious and stressed. Do not underestimate lifestyle changes!
Top 10 Self help ideas
- REST. This is the best thing you can do. It boosts the adrenals. Make time and prioritise yourself every day. This means doing nothing at all. Try Yoga nidra.
- Improve nutrition– Eat a wide variety of fresh colourful plants, 30-plus per week, especially berries, cherries, pomegranates, dark leafy greens (a plate a day to re-mineralise) and brassicas. Eat a clean unprocessed organic varied diet that includes nuts, seeds, whole grains, protein and healthy fats, as free from sugars and excess carbohydrates as possible. Increase phytoestrogens and fermented foods
- Eat or supplement Omega 3 rich foods flax/linseeds, walnuts and oily fish, take Vitamin D, add Magnesium (oil spray or gel) topically.
- Hydrate – Drink more water-1.5-2 litres daily and herbal teas.
- Cut out -caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine depletes the adrenals and alcohol is toxic to the liver.
- Sleep – Try and get more, go to bed before 11 pm if possible.
- Laughter – Have fun, watch comedy, and socialise.
- Exercise – move your body, your liver loves this. Yoga, Pilates, dance, walking. It doesn’t have to be extreme, it should be gentle and restorative. Get outside in nature. Even 5 minutes a day helps (best first thing for circadian rhythms). Weight and strength training strengthen muscles.
- Meditation, breathwork, mindfulness, journalling. *Try https://www.katecodrington.co.uk/the-perimenopause-journal-unlock-your-power-own-your-wellbeing-find-your-path/
- Get creative.
Homeopathic Support
These suggestions and homeopathy and homeobotanical blends can help to settle hormones and:
- improve sleep
- ease mood swings
- increase energy
- clear brain fog and improve mental clarity
- lessen anxiety
- relieve hot flushes
We cannot lay all the blame for menopausal symptoms solely at the feet of changing oestrogen levels, perimenopause is an optimum time to address other underlying or unresolved issues which affect our bodies and emotions. There are many possible causes from unresolved relationship problems to unhealed trauma or grief, exhaustion or insomnia. Homeopathic treatment offers a safe and natural approach to supporting women with these challenges and these natural approaches to diet and lifestyle will help optimise your health and menopause.
If you would like support with gently supporting your hormones or easing stress I am happy to help. Book a free 20-minute call here if you are thinking of working with me: https://calendly.com/janebence-homeopathy/book-your-20-min-introductory-call
I practice from The Practice Rooms in Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3ED, face to face and online worldwide, Monday to Wednesday here: https://thepracticerooms.co.uk/room-rental/centres/bristol-westbury-on-trym
*Further help and resources on the menopause journey can be found from: Lara Briden https://www.larabriden.com/ Kate Codrington https://www.katecodrington.co.uk/ Karen Newby https://karennewby.com/
