Navigating Menopause The Natural Way: A Personal Journey to Wellness in Body, Mind and Spirit

Menopause – a word that carries various connotations and elicits a spectrum of emotions. For some, it signifies the end of an era, a shift into a new phase of life filled with uncertainty and change. For others, it represents liberation from the monthly cycle and a newfound sense of freedom. Regardless of how we perceive it, menopause is an inevitable journey that every woman will embark upon at some point in her life. 

As I navigate through my own experience of menopause, I find myself reflecting on the multitude of emotions, physical changes, and societal perceptions that accompany this natural transition. It's a journey filled with ups and downs, moments of empowerment and vulnerability, and a continuous quest for understanding and acceptance. 

For me it all started 3 years ago. I couldn’t work out why I was feeling so anxious all of the time. I would wake up in the middle of the night close to having a panic attack for no particular reason. I would fly off the handle about things I normally would have been quite tolerant about. My body was constantly aching and the things I used to do to stay in shape no longer seemed to work. 

During a (virtual) GP visit I was advised to start taking some anti-depressants. “Obviously the world events were catching up with me”. At not stage was it suggested that maybe these symptoms could be menopause related nor were any blood tests done. Three months later I decided to wean myself off the medication. Not only was it not helping, it left me emotionally stunned. The two different spectrums of the scale left me sad and confused. (please refrain from altering any medication regime without prior consultation with a healthcare professional). 

At this stage I had an inkling that menopause may be a factor and I went on a rollercoaster journey of the ‘Google library’, trying all sorts of supplements, creams, and of course… down the rabbit hole of the Facebook Algorithm. The latter sent me even further into emotional turmoil. 

Then came the question, to HRT or not HRT. With a family history of breast cancer and having survived a serious melanoma health crisis I was reluctant, however, living my life in the state I was in seemed to outweigh the risk of side effects of HRT. At this stage I wasn’t only feeling like a wreck physically, my mental health took a massive dive. Dealing with the physical issues was one thing, but feeling like I turned from an intelligent, on-to-it person to someone who literally was feeling stupid, dumb and could not string a normally sentence together sent me further down into a state of despair. HRT it was. I was quietly hopeful. I had read that it was life changing for so many women like me. Could it offer me the same? 

Initially I started feeling somewhat better, I started to feel hopeful again that the past few years could be left in the past and I could return to my normal self and lead a happy, productive life again. Most of all I could be the patient, calm, tolerant mother again my then 10-year-old son needed and deserved. Sadly a few months later any hope turned into hopelessness as my body took a turn for the worse again. My breast swelled up like two balloons, I could not find a bra that was comfortable. Painful swelling, looking like I was pregnant and the weight piled on even more. I hardly ate anything and at night, my trusty glass of wine was the only thing that could give me some ‘head rest’ and help me to sleep. 

I went to see, yet another Specialist who suggested I stop my Progesterone for 1 month (please don’t do this yourself without medical advice). Within a couple of weeks I felt myself again. Aches and pains gone, slept better and a number of other symptoms slowly disappeared. Turns out… I was Progesterone intolerant and apart from some drastic gynaecological intervention I was left with no other alternative… no more HRT for me. I had to stop my Oestrogen as taking that without the Progesterone could cause some other serious health issues. Back to square one! 

Desperate, but not giving up on myself, I decided to take a leaf out of my own book and go deep within. For the past 3 years I had been fighting this thing called menopause and all it entailed for me. It was time to acknowledge where I was at and do some emotional and mental work around it. From the state of Fight/Flight and ultimately Freeze I was unable to connect with my intuitive side. It was time to face my shadows. It was time to clear any unresolved emotions, fears and traumas that had been pushed into the depths. 

Once I stopped resisting and fighting against myself, resources and support seemed to appear out of thin air, connecting me with my intuition and back to the person I knew I was underneath all of the menopause ‘packaging’. 

The conclusions I came to on a practical level were:

• Clear limiting beliefs and emotional baggage around the perception of menopause; that which you resist persists.

• Heal your gut; Healing your gut can have a significant impact on alleviating menopause symptoms due to the intricate connection between gut health and hormonal balance.

• Cut alcohol, processed food and sugar; I decided to do a full metabolic reset and focused on nutritious food to support my immune system, liver and gut health

• I engaged a good friend who is a naturopath – I had to support my nervous system and body with nutrients and the wisdom of ancient healing; not being able to take HRT led me to find natural ways of supporting these two aspects.

• I started on a full spectrum magnesium supplement to combat stress and sleep issues

• Instead of intense gym workouts to compensate for the weight gain (on days were I was able to get there), I gave myself a break and just went for regular walks. Instead of forcing myself into weight loss I decided to just start moving in a peaceful way. Walking gave me the opportunity to connect with nature, connect with my body in a gentle way and it enabled me to take time out from my busy day, disconnect from people and Social. Again a big step to supporting my nervous system and reducing cortisol levels.

• I started daily meditation; not long, just 10 minutes here, 20 minutes there. Just to acknowledge my thoughts and feeling and to make sure I was in my creative flow rather than my resistance flow.

As always, please consult your health practitioner before making any changes to your diet, medications or supplementation.

Finally things started to shift. Two months later I had released 9kg and pretty much all my symptoms have disappeared. I get the occasional hot flash, but it is normally because I haven’t consistently taken my herbal tonic or supplements. 

I know this stage is an evolving thing, but I have come to the conclusion that ultimately the body knows intrinsically how to heal itself, we just need to trust and allow it to emerge out of any not sufficiently supportive vibrational state it is in. We can’t connect with our intuitive side from a state of Fight/Flight, let alone Freeze. We need to down regulate ourselves to a state of calm, where then we can connect with the wisdom within. 

So, whilst the journey was rough, frustrating and at time depressive, it is nice to now have uncovered the wisdom and resilience that lie within this stage of life. Menopause is not just an ending; it's also a beginning – a chance to redefine ourselves, embrace our bodies, address the hidden issues, and reclaim our sense of self. It's an opportunity to prioritize self-care, nurture our well-being, and celebrate the wisdom that comes with age. 

So, whether you're on the brink of menopause, in the midst of it, or have already traversed its terrain, I hope that this blog serves as a source of support, inspiration, and empowerment. Together, let's embrace the change and embrace ourselves as we navigate this extraordinary journey through menopause. 

For those of you interested, here are some links to some of the products I used.

Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. I only recommend products and services that I have personally used or thoroughly researched and believe will add value to my readers.

Digestive Enzymes: You can eat the healthiest diet in the world, but if your body doesn't process it's nutrients properly you simply don't get the health benefits from them; including building muscle, boost energy, detoxify your body and more.

Probiotics: All health, including mental health, starts in the gut.  GOOD bacteria is the answer to reversing your health imbalances and feeling great again

Magnesium: Notice a sense of calm, relaxation as your nervous system and stress levels are soothed

Meditation: I have been a Clinical Hypnotherapist for 12 years.  At this link you will find some free resources to help you calm your mind and connect with your innate wisdom which will help you heal you body and soul.

I highly recommend you find a local naturopath to conduct a full assessment of your health issues and assist you in preparing the correct herbal formulation to aid you in recovering your body to a state of balance.

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** The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.

The content shared here is based on my own experiences and research and is intended to inspire and inform. However, everyone’s body and health needs are different, so what works for one person may not work for another. If you are considering making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or health care regimen, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional first.

Use of any information provided on this blog is solely at your own risk. The blog and its authors are not liable for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of the suggestions, products, or procedures discussed in this blog.