Managing your menopause with naturopathy: is it possible?

A period of hormonal upheaval and various inconveniences and discomforts for many menstruating people, menopause has no real treatment other than taking hormones to limit its impact and symptomatic management. Hot flashes, intimate dryness, menstrual pain, hormonal acne: the symptoms of menopause are numerous. To respond to them other than with medication, you are certainly looking for natural solutions. Naturopathy and its solutions are one of them. Let's discover together how naturopathy can help you manage your menopause symptoms , as well as its limitations.

Understanding what menopause is

Before going further into the solutions that naturopathy provides for menopause , let's start by quickly recalling what menopause is and the symptoms it causes.

What is menopause?

Menopause is the period in the lives of menstruating people when their periods stop. It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but about 1% of women experience early menopause, before the age of 40. This is a natural phenomenon: ovarian follicles produce a limited number of eggs (usually 300,000) during the fertile period of menstruating people. Once this number has passed, ovulation and the menstrual cycle stop: this is menopause.

However, menopause does not occur instantly, and periods do not stop instantly. This period of 2 to 4 years during which the menstrual cycle stops is called “perimenopause.” It is marked by irregular ovulation (and therefore irregular cycles) and hormonal disruptions that cause and are caused by this irregular ovulation.

Hormonally, perimenopause and then menopause are marked by a gradual decline in estrogen and progesterone levels. They are at their lowest at menopause.

Symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause

Perimenopause and menopause are marked by various symptoms that increase or decrease during menopause. Beyond the cessation of menstruation, 80% of women experience at least one other symptom of menopause. Because of their connection to the rise and fall of hormone levels, these symptoms are quite similar to those that menstruating people may experience during their menstrual cycles during their fertile period. Their occurrence and intensity vary depending on the individual menstruating person:

• Hot flashes: This is a sudden feeling of intense heat. It may be accompanied by sweating and redness of the face and neck.
• Night sweats: This symptom refers to excessive sweating during the night, often linked to hot flashes.
• Menstrual irregularities / cessation of periods: During perimenopause, cycles are irregular, marked by irregular ovulation. This does not in any way indicate infertility: some women can become pregnant during this time. At menopause, periods stop permanently.
• Vaginal dryness: The decline in hormone levels and the thinning of the vaginal wall during menopause can lead to decreased vaginal lubrication and pain during intercourse. Vaginal dryness affects 1 in 2 women during menopause.
• Mood swings: As with menstrual cycles, some women may experience emotional fluctuations, such as irritability, anxiety, or even depressive episodes. This can be especially pronounced as people in perimenopause find themselves faced with the aging of their bodies or even giving up on their dream of having children.
• Sleep problems: Some people in perimenopause and menopause have difficulty falling or staying asleep, often due to hot flashes and/or night sweats. For some, menopause causes insomnia . The anxiety and stress that accompany this time can also be a factor.
• Weight gain: Due to hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopause and menopause, some women may experience weight gain or changes in fat distribution.
• Dry skin and hair loss: Skin and hair may become drier and more fragile.
• Disruption of libido: These periods can cause an increase or decrease in sexual desire in some women.

Let's remember what naturopathy is

Naturopathy is a gentle form of medicine that differs from conventional medicine. It is based on different practices and principles. However, this practice has several limitations that need to be addressed before going any further: we discuss these at the end of this section.

What is naturopathy?

Naturopathy is a holistic approach to health and wellness that emphasizes promoting the body's natural healing through the use of various techniques and methods. These include nutrition, herbalism, phytotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, stress management, and traditional Chinese medicine. Naturopathic practitioners consider the body as a whole, emphasizing balance between mind, body, and spirit.

Principles of Naturopathy

The practice of naturopathy is based on different principles:

1. The healing power of nature: Naturopathy believes in the body's ability to heal itself when the right conditions are present. This often involves the use of natural remedies such as medicinal plants, herbs, vitamins, minerals, and lifestyle changes.
2. Identify and treat the underlying cause: Rather than simply treating symptoms, naturopaths seek to identify and treat the underlying cause of a disease or imbalance in the body.
3. Primum non nocere (Latin for “first, do no harm”): Naturopathy aims to use treatment methods that are as gentle and non-invasive as possible, avoiding harmful side effects as much as possible.
4. Treating the whole person: Naturopathic practitioners consider the whole person, taking into account all aspects of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. This is why it is generally referred to as a holistic approach to health.
5. Listening, educating, and empowering the patient: Naturopathic practitioners are known for taking time with their clients, a time that traditional general practitioners may not be able to afford. Naturopaths seek to educate their patients on how to take charge of their own health and encourage them to play an active role in their healing process.

These principles, as well as the associated health practices, however, depend on the schools from which naturopathic professionals come. Not all naturopathic professionals practice in the same way. Since the naturopathic profession is not currently regulated in France, these points can be fluid.

Points of vigilance on naturopathy

While naturopathy is an interesting health practice that will provide you with valuable insight and a variety of answers, we cannot continue this article without explaining its limitations. It is important to keep these limitations in mind when consulting a naturopath.

1. Lack of a specific diploma: as we mentioned earlier, no specific diploma is necessary to practice the profession of naturopath, since it is not regulated. In other words, anyone can claim the title of naturopath. This is why it is essential to find out in advance about the background, diplomas, and specialties of the naturopath you wish to consult. Find naturopathic professionals recommended by members of our community in our directory.
2. No reimbursement: A naturopathy consultation is most often billed between €60 and €100 and is generally not reimbursed (some mutual insurance companies may cover this type of appointment). To avoid unpleasant surprises, check with the selected professional and your mutual insurance company in advance.
3. Patient guilt: Patient empowerment is interesting because it allows us to pinpoint areas that the patient can change to feel better, yet it can be very guilt-inducing. Indeed, illnesses are not necessarily linked to lifestyle or bad behavior… Genetics, bad luck, or even external causes (lack of means, place of residence) can lead to illnesses. If your healthcare professional makes you feel guilty, it may be worth getting a second opinion.
4. Substitution for medical treatment: Naturopathy cannot replace medical treatment. It can be a support, a backup, an additional tool, but you should always continue to follow the feedback from your general practitioner and your gynecologist. Furthermore, a naturopath cannot, according to French law, claim to treat you or provide you with treatment. These claims are against the law.

How naturopathy can be a valuable aid during menopause

With this in mind, naturopathy can be particularly useful in addressing your health issues during menopause. While it won't be of much help in addressing the cause of menopause, it can help you limit its symptoms. Here are the symptoms for which naturopathy can be of great help.

Reduction of symptomatic medications

There are two ways to reduce menopausal symptoms: by directly addressing their cause (hormonal fluctuations) or their consequences.

Currently, there is no evidence that diet can affect hormone production. Similarly, no scientific studies have proven that vitamins and herbs can regulate hormone levels. Therefore, given the current state of research, naturopathy does not appear to be able to address the cause of menopause.

However, it can be of valuable help in responding to the symptoms created by perimenopause and menopause: sleep disorders, stress, menstrual pain, intimate dryness, etc. Thus, naturopathy can help you reduce the discomfort linked to perimenopause and menopause.

Hot flashes / Night sweats

While hot flashes and night sweats are caused by hormonal fluctuations, diet can exacerbate them. By helping you better control and understand your diet, naturopathy can alleviate these bothersome symptoms of menopause.

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Stress and anxiety management

Mood swings and mental health are major issues that naturopathy can address—irritability, chronic stress, and anxiety, among them. Diet, as well as herbal medicine and sophrology, can provide answers to these issues.

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Intimate dryness

Intimate dryness is an extremely common symptom of perimenopause and menopause. It affects approximately 50% of women. 50% of menopausal women experience pain in their daily lives and during sexual intercourse. The treatments and solutions provided by naturopathy can address these issues.

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Sleep disorders

Sleep disorders are multifactorial. Your sleep can be disrupted by physical pain as well as anxiety or stress. Naturopathy can address these issues and provide solutions.

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Weight gain

Weight gain that can occur during menopause can be a source of stress and discomfort for women during menopause. By providing guidance on diet and essential nutrients, a naturopath can be a valuable ally in limiting this weight gain and promoting a better self-image.

Decreased libido

Among the less pleasant surprises, there is often a drop in libido. Don't panic, it's more common than you think, and above all, there are solutions!

Between the hormonal roller coaster, fatigue, and discomforts like intimate dryness, it's normal for desire to take a short break. But the good news is: naturopathy can also give you a helping hand to rediscover that flame that lies dormant within you.

Pay attention to what's on your plate: As you've probably guessed, what you eat plays a huge role! Foods rich in zinc (hello, pumpkin seeds and oysters!) and magnesium (hello, walnuts and dark chocolate) can help rebalance your hormonal system. And if you add a little salmon or flax seeds to boost omega-3s, you'll give your vitality a boost.

Use plants that awaken: Nature is full of treasures. Maca, for example, is nicknamed the "ginseng of the Andes" for a reason: it helps restore energy and desire. Tribulus terrestris is also a great ally for reviving libido. Let a naturopath guide you in choosing what's right for you.

Learn to manage stress: It can't be stressed enough: stress is the number one enemy of desire. So, take the time to pamper yourself with meditation, breathing exercises, or even a walk in the forest. You'll see, everything seems lighter when you let go of the pressure.

Libido and menopause: natural treatments >

Naturopathic Solutions for Managing Menopause Symptoms

Naturopathic practitioners have many tools and advice at their disposal to help you manage the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. They may practice and provide them themselves or refer you to professionals practicing other professions. Don't overlook: since the training and background of naturopaths are very personal, consider finding out in advance about the knowledge of the professional you are consulting, based on the expertise you are seeking.

Food and nutrition

Naturopaths are generally well-versed in everything related to nutrition: the macronutrients, minerals, and vitamins contained in each food, as well as their effects on the body. They also understand how foods interact with each other and with the body.

💡Did you know? Detox has no scientific basis. The liver is the organ responsible for detoxification in the body, and it is sufficient to supply it with water (between 1 and 2 liters per day) and minerals on a daily basis to allow it to do its job. Fasting or detoxing is not necessary.

Phytotherapy and herbalism

Depending on their training and knowledge, naturopaths are also knowledgeable about herbal medicine and the effects of plants. They may be phytotherapists and/or herbalists. Plants have demonstrated, over time and across cultures, their multiple effects and effectiveness, particularly on the symptoms of menopause.

✋ Be careful here: just because plants are not traditional medicines does not mean they cannot be harsh on the body (arsenic kills after all). Plants and herbal treatments are not to be taken lightly and consider asking your doctor/pharmacist for a second opinion if you are taking different treatments at the same time.

Homeopathy

Some naturopaths use homeopathy . Homeopathy works according to two major principles: the memory of water and the principle of similarity (from the Greek homoios "similar" and pathos "disease"), that is to say, treating with what is similar to the disease. A bee sting causes sudden swelling, inflammation and/or a burning sensation, which is why, in homeopathy, bee diluted in water is prescribed to treat these symptoms. No study has yet proven the effectiveness of homeopathy beyond the placebo effect (hence its recent delisting by Health Insurance in France).

Stress management

Naturopaths may be trained in stress management techniques. There are various techniques, such as mindfulness meditation, sophrology, breathing methods, breathwork , etc. Not all of them have proven their effectiveness, but all can help you, occasionally, overcome your stress and combat anxiety.

Acupuncture

Naturopaths can finally be trained in acupuncture , a Chinese alternative medicine that works by compressing specific points on the body, called “acupuncture points”. This stimulation can be physical: implantation of needles, acupressure devices, application of suction cups, magnets, lasers… Several symptoms and discomforts could be relieved by this medicine, however no study has yet proven the effectiveness of acupuncture beyond the placebo effect.

Naturopathy is an interesting avenue to explore to lessen the effects and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. It offers a holistic approach and has many tools that can support you. Furthermore, practitioners will take the time to listen to you to best relieve your pain. Keep in mind, however, that this practice is expensive and not reimbursed, and it should not replace your traditional medical treatments.