Menopause

Menopause literally means the last day of your last period although the term is usually used more loosely to describe the various symptoms that occur in the years before and after this event. It can happen at any time between the ages of 45 and 55, with around 52 being the average in the UK.

As you enter your forties, egg production starts to slow down and levels of oestrogen, the hormone produced by the ovaries during childbearing years, start to drop. In each menstrual cycle oestrogen thickens the lining of the womb in preparation for receiving a fertilised egg. Oestrogen is also necessary for maintaining strong bones, a healthy heart and a sharp brain.

As oestrogen levels drop still further, usually around the age of 50, many women start to experience unpleasant symptoms, which can last for months or linger for years.

Symptoms

• Hot flushes
• Night sweats
• Loss of libido
• Mood swings/ irritability

Herbal helpers

For hot flushes and night sweats try Black Cohosh or Sage
For irritability try Agnus Castus
For mood swings try St John’s Wort
For loss of libido try Horny Goat Weed

St John’s wort can be found in Karma - A traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of slightly lod mood and mild anxiety based on traditional use only.
 

Black Cohosh can be found in MenoHerb - A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of symptoms of the menopause such as hot flushes, night sweats and temporary changes in mood based on traditional use only.

Agnus castus can be found in PremHerb - A traditional herbal medicinal product used to help relieve symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome based on traditional use only.