The menopause is marked by the complete ending of menstruation and is a natural part of aging in women. This is preceded by perimenopause – the phase where your body gradually starts to produce less oestrogen and progesterone. These natural hormonal changes cause the body to gradually cease ovulation, and in turn menstruation. The rate at which this happens is unique to each woman, as everyone is different, and changes can occur at different times and for different lengths of time. Some women may experience perimenopause for a year or two, and others for as many as 10 or 12.
The first sign that you are beginning perimenopause is usually irregular periods. You may miss one, have them more frequently, or have periods of regular menses followed by irregularity. During the final one or two years of perimenopause, oestrogen levels drop at a faster rate, and this usually brings about the menopause. Typically, this occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 years, when a woman’s oestrogen levels begin to decline, although it is not uncommon for women to begin menopause before 40.
Oestrogen stimulates serotonin and beta-endorphins which are associated with positive mood states.
It makes sense that as the hormone levels fluctuate, many women feel the effect strongly, and can feel depressed, anxious and experience mood swings.
The following symptoms are common
- Depression, anxiety, mood swings.
- Memory lapses / poor concentration.
- Night sweats
- Hot flushes
- Sleep problems
- Hair thinning
- Vaginal dryness and pain/discomfort
- Reduced sex drive
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Thinning and weakening of bones
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
Effects such as:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Cancers
- Type 2 diabetes,
- Osteoporosis
- Muscle strength loss
- Dementia.
Homeopathy is a safe, complete system of medicine that can be very effective in the treatment of hormonal symptoms. Homeopathy works by promoting the body and the mind’s own healing capacity, and sees symptoms as interconnected, working towards improving the overall health of the patient.
When it comes to menopause, as well as taking into account the exact menopausal symptoms you are experiencing, the homeopath will look at you as a whole, and base the treatment on your whole picture.
Calcarea Carbonica
This homeopathic remedy is prepared from the pure white portions of shell between the interior and exterior surfaces of the oyster shell.
Some of the many indications for this remedy during menopause would be:
- Hot flushes moving upwards
- Hot sweats and perspiration on face and hands
- Palpitations, chills.
- Flooding during menses
- Vaginal bleeding during and after menopause
- Backache, joint pain, weakness
- Swelling of joints / fingers, osteoporosis, arthritic lumps.
- Yeast infections, cervical erosion, varicose veins.
- Anxiety.
Symptoms are likely to be worse before menses and during menopause they may be fatigued and cold with little apparent reason.
Calc Carb may be quite anxious, and could be particularly worried about her health, and also of her family and feel a great deal of responsibility and duty. There could be memory difficulties, confusion, irritability and weepiness. Physically they could be prone to constipation (which they may actually enjoy or feel better for), weight gain, be quite chilly for no apparent reason, and be quite weak.
Lachesis
This homeopathic remedy is prepared from the venom of a South American snake known as the bushmaster or Surukuku snake.
Some of the many indications for this remedy during menopause would be:
- Sudden hot flushes with clamminess in the day
- Hot flushes in the face, red face
- Heat and burning in the top of the head
- Flooding during menses (thick, black, offensive blood)
- Migraines
- High blood pressure, palpitations, sensation that heart is too large, dizziness
- Fibroids, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea
- Heavy bleeding – nose bleeds, vaginal bleeding, haemorrhage.
- Perspiration of genitals
- Convulsions, weakness, vertigo, tinnitus
- Feeling of constriction – for example, sensations that clothing is too tight, that nothing can be worn around the neck.
Generally symptoms will feel much worse upon waking after sleep (many people needing lachesis may say they went to bed fine and got up feeling terrible), and also for any suppression whether it be emotional, mental or physical, as well as just before menses. As soon as the flow begins, symptoms can improve.
They may also feel better when they eat and swallowing food.
This is also a great remedy to consider if HRT has been started and there has been an adverse reaction.
A person needing this remedy could be quite suspicious and jealous, and have quite a high sex drive. They are likely to be very talkative and can become over-excited quite easily.
Physically, they could be very tired and faint and could just generally not feel, or have been well at all since the hormonal changes began.
Like this there are many more medicines for menopausal periods.
Tags: HOMOEOPATHY Menopause
