Menopause is a phase of life that all women go through and indicates the end of a woman’s reproductive years: the result of declining estrogen levels and a woman’s ovaries that slowly stop producing eggs. Menopause can happen to a woman as early as her 40s or as late as her 60s. Typically it happens between the ages of 45 and 55. The transition phase toward menopause is called perimenopause.
For many women, menopause arrives with complex physical and emotional changes such as hot flashes, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, forgetfulness, palpitations, vaginal dryness and reduced libido. Mood swings and depression are common too.
If you’re more receptive to natural remedies, specific essential oils can help you manage your perimenopause and menopause. Essential oil benefits menopausal woman because they induce feelings of calmness and lessen the severity of physical symptoms as research has shown.
Geranium essential oil is known for its ability to relieve stress, anxiety and depression in menopausal women. It is often used to restore hormonal balance.
Another essential oil such as rose is known to support and strengthen the uterus and improves menstrual cycles while reducing hot flashes. Hot flashes are characterized by a sudden warm feeling in the upper body and usually over the face, neck and chest. It looks as if you are blushing and is often accompanied by uncomfortable and profuse sweating.
While you may recognize lavender essential oil as a general calm inducer, it can be used effectively for reducing hot flashes as well. A study in 2016 showed that women who received a lavender treatment reported a significant reduction in hot flashes by lowering stress levels. Women suffering from flushing should inhale lavender which is a safe and effective method of menopausal therapy.
Therefore, getting a massage with essential oils of rose, lavender, rose geranium and jasmine was found to be helpful to a group of menopausal women in Korea in reducing their menopausal symptoms of hot flashes, depression and pain.
Clary sage essential oil works well for hot flashes too. Rubbing clary sage diluted with carrier oil across your feet or back is one method. Inhaling clary sage using a handkerchief works as well too during moments of hot flashes. It helps with relaxation so it’s an excellent essential oil to apply before you sleep.
Basil essential oil can be just as helpful in managing menopausal symptoms as it contains an estrogen hormone-like component and helps women’s bodies adjust to changing estrogen levels. It can be used like clary sage – apply it to the back or on your feet.
Jasmine essential oil is also useful in lifting moods and for anyone suffering from bouts of depression. Its stimulating and activating effect is helpful in times when you want to be more alert.
For women with reduced libido and sexual function, a meta-review of studies suggests that using neroli or lavender essential oils or a combination of fennel, geranium, rose and lavender has helped.
Ylang-ylang essential oil is supportive of lagging libidos. Just like lavender and clary sage, ylang-ylang helps stabilize cortisol levels.
Thyme essential oil is great for regulating progesterone levels. While menopause is often linked to low estrogen levels, progesterone levels do impact estrogen. Regularly using thyme essential oil helps you improve your hormonal balance as well.
If you are often forgetful, inhaling peppermint essential oil clears brain fog while bergamot, grapefruit, orange, lime and lemon essential oils quickly work on energizing the mind, body and spirit on days when you feel sluggish.
As women, we go through many phases in life – and menopause is one of them. It doesn’t have to be a feared experience if you know that there are ways to manage the symptoms that accompany menopause. For a non-medical approach, essential oils can be a wonderful supplementary add-on.
Use aromatherapy together with meditation, exercise, lifestyle changes, healthier food options and reduced alcohol intake. As one of the safer and more effective methods, aromatherapy enables you to transition towards the next phase of womanhood with calm, acceptance and composure.
