Seed Co-Founder and Yoga Teacher, Kate Kirrane, speaks to some of Seed’s experts to explore the more natural ways to manage the menopause:
As women, we know as we move through our 40’s, we are heading into the rocky, unchartered waters of the menopause.
As a 40 something woman myself, I have witnessed friends struggle against the inevitable tide of physical, emotional and hormonal change. And with the relentless debate about potential health risks associated with HRT continuing to headline in our media, it’s little wonder that many women are left feeling confused about what they should or shouldn’t be doing or taking to help manage their symptoms effectively.
From mood swings to night sweats and memory loss to fatigue, navigating this transitional time can be incredibly challenging. But imagine if we were able to find a way to embrace rather than dread this epic midlife shift – a way to help us manage the menopause?
We asked our experts to give their input on how we can take the edge off the physical and mental symptoms of peri menopause and menopause more naturally and restore a sense of ease, balance and calm to help us reclaim our mojo in midlife.
Dr Ashvy Bhardwaj, Seed’s Functional GP explains “The menopause is bound to cause a few issues considering the huge amounts of hormonal changes that are happening. But I don’t think we should be suffering to the extent we are.
Being a doctor for over 15 years, I have spent a lot of time observing women at their extreme reproductive ages and I have to admit; the degree to which women suffer from hormonal issues seems to be largely correlated to their lifestyle.
It’s not just the menopause, but any female hormonal issues from acne, PCOS, thyroid issues, irregular, heavy or painful periods, endometriosis, fibroids, loss of libido and even the development of cancer can be somewhat or other related to lifestyle.
Whether that be excessive stress, too little sleep, the wrong foods or exercise, too much unhappiness as well as our toxic lives, we need to address these root causes. Often it can be as simple as improving our sleep. So, heading down the traditional HRT route needn’t be something you all have to delve into.
If you work with a naturopath or functional doctor; your symptoms can often be reduced by making small changes. If you’re still suffering, there are a myriad of gentler and safer options that do not involve pills, lotions and potions; which can help not just your menopause symptoms but the rest of you too!”
Sarah Taylor – Mindset, Mindfulness & Breathwork Coach
Are your thoughts calming, motivating and flowing with ease? Do they support your desired lifestyle and goals? Or is your mind feeling jumbled as you navigate this new chapter?
As a mindset and mindfulness coach I’m not focused on what you think, but how you think. If you can shift your mindset and perception around menopause, this is a powerful way to reset the scene for your thoughts and emotions.
As a coach, I focus on helping to rewire your mindset, supporting you to find that calm space, and how to use the breath to restore inner equilibrium.
Emma Burwash – Naturopath
With 17 years of naturopathic experience covering many modalities such as nutrition, acupuncture, herbs, kinesiology, vitamin and mineral supplementation and diet and lifestyle advice, I help many women successfully manage the menopause more naturally.
Firstly make sure you eat enough protein at each meal to balance your blood sugars. I always recommend reducing both alcohol and caffeine consumption and use the likes of Macha or Ashwagandha in smoothies to again help balance blood sugar levels, boost brain function and lift your mood.
Supplements that support during the menopause include Sweet Liquorice Plus to support the adrenal glands, Black Cohosh Plus for hot flushes and Agnus Castus to balance hormone levels.
A lot of the reason why we suffer through the menopause is that we are rushing around. A big secret to managing the menopause is to look after yourself. Be mindful of your lifestyle choices and ensure it includes a good self-care routine.
I run a busy clinic in Jordans, Beaconsfield. I see many peri and post menopausal ladies in my clinic and each one leaves me with their own tailored individual diet and lifestyle plan in order to help them reclaim their mojo and manage the menopause their own way!
Adele Wimsett – Essential Oils Practitioner – natural solutions for adults & children
Therapeutic grade essential oils like doTERRA can be hugely beneficial to manage the symptoms of hormonal changes experienced during menopause. For example, ClaryCalm® Monthly Blend, a specially formulated blend of 12 essential oils, can be applied to support with mood imbalances. A spray made with peppermint oil can support you when feeling like you would like to cool down. Lavender can help to ease anxious feelings and support with sleep.
As everyone experiences this transition differently, it is best to have a consultation with an experienced practitioner to explore the best way the oils can support you. These consultations are usually offered free of charge but check with your practitioner on booking.
Using a wellness tool called the Itovi, we can undertake a simple scan to see which oils will meet your bespoke needs.
Jo Haley – Positive Image Consultant
As a Positive Image Coach, I have a lifelong passion for empowering women to feel like their best selves, whatever age or time in their lives. We go through many changes on our journey which often leads to loss of identity, confidence and self-esteem. My role is to encourage you to love your body, understand your body shape, and know your style personality and colouring. When you have all this knowledge, you really can re-ignite who you truly are, helping you to radiate confidence and transform positively as you move through both menopause and midlife.
My attention is not about on-trend fashion but instead about the uniqueness of each of you – for you to really see and know your body shape, your needs, your lifestyle and your desires.
Helen Evans – Counsellor
As a counsellor I see many clients who are struggling as they begin to navigate the menopause. The menopause often coincides with other milestones and changes in our lives. For instance, if we have children, they can be entering the tricky teenage years. Or we may find ourselves contemplating an ‘empty nest’ as they go off to university or to forge their careers. We may find we have elderly parents who need more looking after; we may be looking at a career change, either forced or planned; or we may have had to deal with an illness or injury.
Whatever our circumstances it is good to be able to look at the whole picture of what is going on in our lives at this time of change. Perhaps we need to take stock of where we are and work on how we navigate this new chapter and explore what options are available to us, as well as really analysing our lifestyles and seeing if they are supporting or hindering us in our quest to feel better about the changes we’re encountering.
Talking about how we’re feeling in a relaxed, confidential and open space can be just the tonic we need to help us find our pathway through the menopause!
On Wednesday 20th November, 7.30pm-9.30pm in Beaconsfield, Seed are holding an event ‘Manage the Menopause & Reclaim Your Mojo at Mid-Life’.
This hotly anticipated event will take a deeper dive into this time of change and provide further helpful tips and advice on how you can navigate the ups and downs of both pre-menopause and menopause most effectively for you.
The workshop will cover topics such as hormonal & physical changes, psychology, mood swings, hot flushes & relationships and how we can manage these in an effective and realistic way and will include the following experts:
GP – Ashvy Bhardwaj
Mindset Coach – Sarah Taylor
Essential Oils Practitioner – Adele Wimsett
Naturopath – Emma Burwash
Please contact info@seedwellness.co.uk for more information or book your space for £20 at http://seedwellness.co.uk/product/menopauseworkshop/
