This is the third cycle for women, after puberty and the time of childbearing. It is the Moon Pause – the final long pause in the monthly moon cycles. This conjures up different feelings for different women. Certainly, among the new generation of grandmothers, some interesting changes are taking place. Magazines are now full of women’s talk on the menopause, and H.R.T. is widely available, for good or bad. At least society is paying attention to what the menopause means. Potentially, therefore, we would seem to have it all now – H.R.T. for those who want it, herbs for those who prefer an effective alternative, and a more aware society which, through understanding the power and femininity of women, is able to recognize the emotional changes taking place rather than simply another step along the female path.

In my experience with women, the ones who suffer most are those with stress in their lives, which can treble the incidence of hot flushes and other symptoms. Not all women will suffer. It is estimated that as few as 10% go through a really difficult menopause while the rest encounter one or two of these symptoms without too much distress, and at least 20% will hardly notice any change at all.

The menopause is caused by a huge shift in hormonal patterning, which can take place over several years. Eventually, the ovaries no longer release eggs and the opportunity for childbearing is over. However, the menopause can slowly start its journey even before menstruation shows any signs of decreasing, as a very gradual and gentle drop in oestrogen and progesterone occurs. Uncomfortable symptoms, if they occur at all, are due to the fact that the changes come in drops and rushes, similar to the sudden swings associated with puberty. Large amounts of hormones can suddenly be dumped into the bloodstream and emotional and physical swings can follow. No one really understands what causes hot flushes or sweats. However, the nerve centres are affected by blood flow, which triggers the familiar hot, prickly feeling. During the pre-menopausal stage, periods will become less frequent and scantier. Occasionally the opposite is true, sometimes resulting in flooding. This is often due to the body attempting to galvanise the ovaries into activity. Caucasian western women are eight times more likely to suffer calcium loss than other women worldwide; therefore care must be taken to obtain enough calcium and magnesium.

Symptoms experienced can be as diverse as: heart palpitations, depression, hot flushes, vaginal dryness and more frequent vaginal infections, coupled with itching, chronic night sweats, becoming nervous and anxious, irritability, anger, fatigue, aching joints, headaches, weight gain, mood swings.

Finally, H.R.T. can work for many women. However, unlike herbs that can be eventually be discarded once the ‘gap’ has been bridged, when H.R.T. is stopped symptoms may return with a vengeance. It is useful to note that all hormones used in H.R.T. are synthetic and therefore do not have the natural ‘cut off’ switches found in herb hormone precursors. Even the so-called natural versions like ‘Premarin’ (made from pregnant mares urine) can cause blood clots. For those prone to liver disease, thrombosis or heart disease, H.R.T. carries the same risks as the contraceptive pill. A herbal practitioner can help anyone you wants to slowly come off H.R.T., but the transition requires professional supervision to make it a painless and easy one.

Nutrition