In my practice, I often see women struggling with the classic symptoms of menopause – hot flashes,
night sweats, and insomnia. But, there are other symptoms that can accompany this change in a
woman’s life that can often come as a surprise. Many women also struggle with dizziness, anxiety,
palpitations, mood swings and fatigue as a result of declining estrogen levels. These symptoms can
often leave my clients feeling overwhelmed and anxious . As part of our treatment, we discuss lifestyle
changes and a plan of action that can have a huge impact in reducing these symptoms.
Blood Work – Have your doctor do a complete blood count (CBC) at your next exam. Sometimes fatigue,
dizziness and even occasional anxiety can be a result of a low level of vitamin D, iron, or B12.
Eat Your Greens – We all know it is important to eat your vegetables – but do you know why? Leafy
greens such as broccoli, kale, and spinach have naturally occurring phytoestrogens which temporarily
act as estrogen in our body which can ease menopause symptoms. This not only helps to reduce hot
flashes and night sweats, but can slow down the breaking down of bone matter in our bodies. Many
women are susceptible to osteopenia or osteoporosis at this time in their life. Eating leafy greens can
help to curb these conditions as well. Stir spinach into pasta, add chopped kale into your salad and have
broccoli with your eggs. There are also many delicious “green” smoothie recipes that we use in our
practice to boost our clients’ intake of greens which can be an easy and delicious way to increase your
veggie intake.
Exercise – I know that fluctuating hormone levels can leave you feeling exhausted. But it is now more
important than ever to get more exercise. Excess fat cells can wreak havoc on our estrogen and cortisol
levels. Fatty tissue around the liver can also impair its function to metabolize hormones which can
cause a further imbalance with our hormone levels. Exercise also helps us lay a great foundation for
bone health – a must for all women with declining estrogen levels.
Dong Quai – In Chinese Medicine, this is THE herb to help women’s hormone health. It helps to regulate
estrogen and it is a powerhouse of natural vitamins – B12, folic acid, and biotin. It is also great for hair
and skin health. Plus dong quai relaxes the nervous system – need I say more? Try dong quai and reap
its rewards!
Eliminate Hot Drinks – Especially at night! A nice hot herbal tea in the evening might make you feel
calmer, but it can make those hot flashes even more intense at night. When our sleep is interrupted
by hot flashes and/or night sweats, it is harder for us to get the sleep that we need to regulate our
hormones and our moods. Not only eliminate hot beverages at night, but also hot showers or baths and
enjoy better sleep!
Nicole Stern, owner of Dedham Acupuncture, specializes in treatment of hormonal disorders and
symptoms such as fertility issues, perimenopause and menopause. She helps her clients achieve
hormonal balance through natural remedies such as acupuncture and herbs. Her mission is to help
women feel more vital, renewed and refreshed so that they can start to enjoy life and move more
effortlessly through their day and responsibilities.
