Reframing the Menopause: Embracing Midlife and Beyond

The menopause and peri-menopause can wreak havoc in a woman’s life: ‘symptoms can have a big impact on your daily life, including relationships, social life, family life and work. Common mental health symptoms include low mood, anxiety, mood swings and low self-esteem, and problems with memory or concentration (brain fog). Common physical symptoms include hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, night sweats, palpitations, headaches, muscle aches, changed body shape and weight gain, dry and itchy skin, reduced sex drive, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, recurrent urinary tract infections and sensitive teeth and gums. Symptoms can last for months or years, and can change with time’ (www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause).

No wonder many women feel despairing about the menopause! Currently 15% of women aged between 45 and 64 are using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), which can bring welcome relief to many of these symptoms. HRT is seen by many women as an answer to their prayers, but it is recommended to take HRT for no more than five years, and once you stop taking it symptoms can return.

Are there more natural alternatives to HRT? Yes! Some herbs have been traditionally used to treat menopausal symptoms, such as Red Clover for hot flushes, and Valerian Root for sleep disturbances, but while herbal remedies may offer some symptomatic relief, buying these off the shelf can lead to disappointing results. Homeopathy offers a fantastic alternative, tailored to your individual symptoms and needs. It is safe, effective and long-lasting, and can both alleviate symptoms and encourage you to enter this new phase of life with confidence and hope- and what’s not to like about that?!

Homeopathy is a holistic medicine, that understands that we are complex beings- body, mind and spirit, and that these different aspects of our self are interconnected. You may need help with specific symptoms such as night sweats, insomnia or brain fog, but it is important to understand you as a whole person, including your history and current circumstances. Menopause comes at a time when women may be facing issues such as children leaving home (or grown up children still living at home!), looking after elderly parents, dissatisfaction with relationships, challenges with career. All these can contribute to a feeling of stress, frustration and hopelessness, on top of any physical symptoms.

Homeopathic consultations allow all these things to be considered- the first appointment is ninety minutes, follow up appointments are sixty minutes. It can feel life changing, to be really listened to and understood, and to feel you can get some control back over your life, both physically and emotionally. Homeopathy can be very empowering.

There are many excellent remedies that can help with menopausal and peri-menopausal symptoms, a remedy is carefully selected for you as a unique individual. Here is a brief picture of just three remedies, to illustrate the subtleties that can be addressed (which may not feel very subtle when you are experiencing them!):

• Sepia: low libido, vaginal dryness, prolapse. Insomnia, physically and mentally worn out. Sad and gloomy, weeping, worse for consolation. Better for dancing and vigorous exercise.

• Lachesis: palpitations, hot flushes, flooding, headaches. Restless sleep with night sweats. Anger, jealousy. Depression, worse since the menopause. Better for warm baths, open air, loose clothing.

• Cimicifuga: heavy flow, flooding. Sore muscles, sleeplessness. Indifference, apathy, as if a black cloud over everything. Restless, feels trapped, suffocated by demands of other people. Better in the open air, for warmth, rest and eating.

If you would like to learn more about how homeopathy could help you, I would love to talk to you. Homeopathy could be the first step on an exciting new journey!

Lilli May

October 2025