Victoria O'Sullivan and Associates

Menopause

Menopause is intended by nature to be the gradual reduction of oestrogen by the ovaries with limited side effects. Around 90% of women deal with some menopausal symptoms, most only last a year or two and are not severe enough to interrupt their lives. Symptoms can be a result of thyroid imbalance, vitamin deficiencies, lack of exercise and deficient nutrition and exhausted adrenals.

Many women put up with insomnia, low libido, hot flushes, irritability and mood swings. This occurs in menopause or after a total hysterectomy. As a result many women have taken Hormone Replacement Therapy. If you have listened to the media you would have heard a lot of controversy about synthetic hormone replacement, and man-made oestrogen’s.

Unfortunately a potential side effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy is the destruction of Vitamin E in the body, making the risk of heart disease larger.

If you suffer from any of the following:

• Insomnia


• Dry skin


• Poor circulation


• Increased appetite


• Depression


• Low libido


• Fluid retention


• Night sweats


• Joint pain


• Mood swings


• Localised fat deposits

If you experience more than three of the symptoms mentioned above early menopause or menopause may be occurring and the good news is that natural relief options are available.

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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a condition associated with cysts in the ovary or ovaries. It is estimated to affect between 4 to 10%% of reproductive aged women. Ultrasound sounds have made the detection of PCOS much easier. Some women have normal cycles and periods and experience no symptoms whilst others may endure a variety of symptoms such as irregular periods or absent periods all together.

Some of the symptoms of women with PCOS include:

• Menstrual cycle disturbances which result in lack of ovulation, irregular menstruation, or absent periods


• Infertility


• Miscarriage


• Obesity


• Excess androgen production leading to acne, male pattern hair growth (facial hair, hair around the nipples and navel)

Naturopathic treatments for PCOS

Supplements – Balance Your Blood Sugar Levels with nutrients like Magnesium, Chromium, and zinc Herbal Medicine – Peony, liquorice, cinnamon, sage, chaste tree, fenugreek, gymnema are some of the herbs traditionally used to balance the hormones. Correct Your Vitamin D Deficiency Refer to my article on Vitamin D.

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