What Are Common Symptoms of Menopause?
A natural decline in sex hormones in a woman’s 40’s and 50’s, including estrogen and progesterone, gives way to menopause – the cessation of menstruation. Menopause symptoms can present without warning or explanation, and may even be confused with symptoms related to other conditions like adrenal fatigue.
Menopause commonly has a physical and psychological effects on women, including:
- Frequent feelings of anger or frustration
- Hair loss
- Intolerance to cold
- Lack of mental focus
- Weight gain and expanding mid-section
- Feeling that life is “too hard”
- Frequent infections
- Decreased energy levels
- Difficulty coping with stressful situations
- Acne
- Craving salt
- Low blood pressure
- Lightheadedness on standing
- Anxiety, mild depression
- Waking at night
- Difficulty getting up in the morning
- Constantly feeling tired, despite getting proper sleep and rest
Reflexology and the menopause
Reflexology is a very supportive treatment for women experiencing hormonal imbalance around the time of peri menopause, menopause and post menopause. It is a successful hormone balancing therapy when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle. Apart from offering relaxation, it can also boost blood circulation, helps balance hormone levels, helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and improve sleep patterns.
Stress has a significant impact upon our hormones and chronic stress may cause the body to produce stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. The increase in stress hormones slows the production of other hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone which leads to the symptoms of hormone imbalance such as hot flushes and poor sleep. As your body reaches menopause the ovaries stop producing oestrogen and oestrogen production is then solely relegated to the adrenal glands. However stress can deplete the adrenal glands and inhibit their ability to boost sex hormones which may result in adrenal fatigue causing an increase in menopausal sypmtoms.
Reflexology will help to reduce the stress that can cause a lot of these symptoms, achieved by working on the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus and the adrenal reflex points. At Chamomile therapies I can provide a calming, nurturing environment in which to relax, unwind and revitalise. Reflexology will help put hormones back into balance whilst reducing stress and restoring harmony to the body and mind.
I also encourage clients look at additional ways to support this process by looking into the
Five Pillars of Menopause
1. Sleep – how can you achieve your 8 hours?
2. Exercise – weight-bearing, strength, flexibility, aerobic and balancing
3. Relaxation – deep relaxation allows the body to heal and repair
4. Diet – which foods will optimise your health?
5. Purpose – find your flow!
Research into menopause reflexology
The effect of foot reflexology on vasomotor complaints
The effect of foot reflexology applied to women aged between 40 and 60 on vasomotor complaints and quality of life. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 24: p 78-85
Gozuyesil E, Baser M (2016)
The effects of Reflexology on sleep disorder in menopausal women
Maryam Asltoghiria, Zahra Ghodsi (2011)
The effects of foot reflexology on depression during menopause
A randomized controlled clinical trial (2011)
Fatemeh Mahdavipour, Zahra Rahemi, Zohreh Sadat, Neda Mirbagher Ajorpaz