24/10/2024
A great post about Menopausal symptoms from Karen, thank you for taking the time to put this together 🙌
New blog post:
Homeopathy for Menopausal Hot Flushes
Hot flushes are often the first sign of hormonal changes occurring during perimenopause, and a significant proportion of women experience them at this time. Your body’s temperature regulation mechanism is controlled by the hypothalamus - which is the part of your brain which acts as the ‘control centre’ for your endocrine or hormonal system. As oestrogen production declines, it changes the way the hypothalamus regulates temperature, making it more sensitive to small changes in body temperature.
Hot flushes typically come on suddenly, usually with heat in the torso, neck, head and face. This may be accompanied by redness of skin, sweating, and sometimes elevated heart rate. Flushes can alternate with chills, and are sometimes associated with mood changes, especially anxiety. Frequency and duration vary, with some women experiencing hot flushes multiple times every day.
As the production of oestrogen in the ovaries is downregulated, the adrenal glands pick up production, and post menopause, the adrenals become the body’s main source of oestrogen. If our adrenals are already overburdened before menopause, due to long term stress or chronic illness, for example, symptoms will be more likely to occur. Cortisol is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, and this hormone is prioritised over oestrogen. This means that if we are experiencing stress, hot flushes may become worse.
Conventional treatment for menopausal symptoms including hot flushes, is with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). For those who wish to take a more natural approach, or are concerned about side effects, there are many natural ways of restoring and maintaining a better hormonal balance as you move through perimenopause and into menopause. Alongside homeopathic treatment, these include:
Stress management and exercise (eg walking, yoga, Tai Chi or Chi Gung; meditation)
Wear natural fibres (to wick moisture and regulate body temperature)
Nutrition and supplements (Increase healthy fats, especially Omega 3 fatty acids; increase magnesium; Vitamins C&D; phytoestrogens, such as red clover extract).
Homeopathy takes a highly personalised approach to treatment, considering your hormonal history and the way you experience disruption during menopause. Remedies prescribed are selected according to each woman’s individual symptom profile.
Amyl nitrosum
Amyl nitrosum is a remedy used in cases where hot flushes may start in the face or stomach, and are accompanied by deep facial reddening and a sensation of fullness and throbbing in the face and head. Flushes are typically followed by profuse drenching sweats, and then in some cases, cold clamminess. Women who will benefit from Amyl nitrosum will have a strong desire for fresh air, and may want a window open even in cold weather. Amyl nitrosum is among the main remedies for anxiety in menopause, with a feeling that something is going to happen. It is also one of the main remedies for palpitations in menopause.
Glonoinum
This remedy has flushes of heat that characteristically rise to the head, with throbbing and pressure in the head. Symptoms come on suddenly, and the hot flushes are often accompanied by nausea and vertigo. Women who will benefit from Glonoinum will sometimes experience palpitations and swelling of feet alongside the hot flushes.
Lachesis
Lachesis is one of the main remedies for symptoms of all kinds that come on at menopause, and is also noted as one of the main remedies where periods cease suddenly from emotional trauma. Hot flushes may typically occur on falling asleep at night, or on waking in the morning. It is one of the main remedies for hot flushes that come on at night and disturb sleep, and flushes may be accompanied by a rush of blood to the head, and drenching sweats. One of the key things about Lachesis in hot flushes is a strong aversion to being around sources of heat, with a general feeling of being uncomfortably hot.
Sepia
Sepia is a well known homeopathic remedy for symptoms arising during menopause. The hot flushes typically rise upwards from the chest, come on suddenly, and are accompanied by faintness and feelings of weakness. There may be perspiration which is either momentary or drenching. The symptoms may also be associated with anxiety or irritability (especially with partner). Sepia is one of the main remedies for irregular bleeding in perimenopause.
Crotalus horridus
Crotalus horridus is a remedy is the same group as Lachesis, and is another remedy which has a strong affinity to the circulatory and endocrine systems. In menopause Crotalus horridus has hot flushes with sweating, and sensations of fullness and throbbing in the head, which may be accompanied by vertigo. Like Amyl nitrosum, it is also one of the main remedies for palpitations occurring alongside hot flushes during perimenopause and menopause.
Sulphuric acid
This remedy is sometimes indicated in cases where hot flushes are very frequent. There can be a feeling of being constantly rushed and hurried. Especially characteristically, there may be a sense of vibration or tremor that accompanies the hot flushes.
If you are wondering if homeopathy might be a good option for your menopausal journey, and you want to find out more - I offer a free 30 minute discovery call so you can ask me some questions and get a feel for the homeopathic approach. If you would like to book a discovery call or appointment, you can do so via my online calendar (link in comments).
