Menopause can be a new beginning: a time when priorities change, leading to transformation and growth. Unfortunately, until fairly recently, this phase of a woman's life was poorly understood. Can you believe that the hormone oestrogen was only identified in 1929 and it took just over 30 years following that for research into menopausal conditions to begin? 8 out of 10 women in the UK experience some menopausal symptoms. Most common are hot flushes and night sweats but others include: anxiety; palptiations; mood swings; insomnia; poor memory; depression; itchy skin; achy joints; weight gain; hair loss; incontinence; low libido; headaches; dry vagina; tinnitus; dizziness and more. Quality of life can be severely affected and postmenopausal women are at increased risk of a number of long term conditions like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Hormones are extremely influencial in the body (remember how you felt going through puberty?) and changes in their levels can have big effects. The good news is that educated, there is plenty that can be done to help. 

I offer support for menopausal women using reflexology, but part of my role is to educate and empower women to have the best menopause possible, by making small lifestyle changes that can run alongside my treatments to help with symptoms day to day. I will focus on the five pillars of menopause health:

• Diet

• Sleep

• Exercise

• Relaxation

• Purpose

By looking at where improvements can be made, each woman can explore what works for them. If hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the route they want to take, reflexology works well with that too. I am here to support all choices, but feel passionately that my clients should have as much information as possible to do so. Of course, some will prefer to just come for treatments and look at their lifestyle in their own time and way, which is fine. Stress is a major factor when it comes to menopausal symptoms. Oestrogen actually acts as a buffer for cortisol (the stress hormone) in the younger years, but the reduction of oestrogen can make it much harder for women to regulate their emotions when stressors come their way. The combination of regular relaxing treatments and an actionable plan can really help with this. Think about who you want to be for the next phase of your life. I would love to help you achieve this. Treatments cost £50 for 1hour and 15 minutes (with an extra 15 minutes for the consultation at the first session).