Aromatherapy can help to ease the symptoms of menopause, supporting you through this transitional phase of your life. But what are the best essential oils for menopause, and how exactly do they work?
In this article, we'll take a look at the different essential oils that can be beneficial during menopause. We'll explore how each of these works and the benefits that it can offer. We'll also delve into the best ways to include these essential oils in your daily routine, and the safest way to use them.
What is menopause?
Menopause is the transitional time in a woman's life when her ovaries stop producing eggs and her menstrual periods end. Twelve consecutive missed periods officially signals menopause. It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, although it can happen earlier or later depending on the individual.
The process of menopause begins with a gradual decline in the amount of oestrogen produced by the body. This will cause menstrual periods to become more irregular or less frequent, until they eventually stop completely.
Menopause is a natural part of aging. In the UK, the average age for menopause is 51. Once the menopause process is complete, the woman will no longer be fertile, meaning that her ovaries will not release eggs and she will not have menstrual periods.
Symptoms of menopause
During the transition into menopause, there are changes in the body's hormone levels as less oestrogen is gradually produced. This disrupts the delicate balance of hormones that the body needs to function properly, which can cause unpleasant symptoms.
Symptoms of menopause can include:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Anxiety or depression
- Weight gain
- Sleep problems, including insomnia or restless leg syndrome
- Mood swings
- Dry skin
- Loss of libido
- Fatigue
If you begin experiencing any of these symptoms and are wondering whether it could be related by menopause, it's best to see a doctor for a checkup. They will be able to run blood tests to confirm whether your symptoms are related to menopause, or whether there is another underlying cause that needs to be addressed.
How can essential oils help?
Once menopause has been confirmed, you may be offered pharmaceutical treatments such as hormone replacement therapy, or HRT. This synthetically replaces the oestrogen that your body is lacking to ease the symptoms of menopause. However, there are side effects and risks to taking HRT, so it's important to discuss this carefully with your doctor before deciding on the best course of action for your individual circumstances.
Some women prefer to turn to natural remedies to ease the symptoms of menopause or as a complementary therapy alongside hormone replacement therapy. This is where essential oils come in.
Essential oils are powerful natural extracts with many therapeutic properties. Certain essential oils can help to ease the symptoms of menopause, making this transitional period of life easier and more pleasant. But which essential oils are best for menopause? Read on to find out.
Best essential oil for menopause
When looking for the best essential oils to improve the symptoms of menopause, there are several factors that you need to take into consideration. There is no one single essential oil that is appropriate for every individual person. Different people will respond better to different essential oils, depending on their own unique body chemistry.
The best essential oils for menopause will also depend on the symptoms that you are experiencing. The essential oils that help with hot flashes might not be the ones that help with easing anxiety, so you'll need to tailor your regimen depending on the symptoms that you're experiencing.
Essential oils for hormone balance
During menopause, your body will go through many hormonal changes. This can leave you feeling low and depressed, as well as causing the hot flashes and other symptoms that have been discussed.
Hormone imbalance can be a frustrating problem to live with, but essential oils for hormone balance work by supporting the glands responsible for natural hormone production. This helps to restore this delicate balance, reducing the symptoms of menopause.
Here are some of our favourite essential oils for hormone balance:
Geranium
Geranium is a popular essential oil for managing hormonal changes. It helps to balance hormones, restoring balance and reducing the symptoms of menopause. The floral scent of geranium oil is said to be soothing and uplifting, making it a great choice for managing anxiety and depression, too.
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils, and there's a reason for that. Not only can this essential oil help to balance your hormones, but it can also relieve stress and aid sleep, making it a great all-round essential oil for use during menopause.
Essential oils for menopause mood swings
One of the most frustrating symptoms of menopause is the fluctuating mood that many women have to deal with. This may manifest as anxiety and depression, or it might be a more general feeling of irritability.
The best essential oils for managing emotional symptoms during menopause are those with uplifting properties. Most essential oils with a floral scent will be beneficial during this time, as they are calming and mood boosting, as well as some of the citrus-based essential oils.
The following oils are particularly helpful for managing emotional symptoms of menopause:
Clary sage
Clary sage essential oil is one of the most popular menopause essential oils thanks to its impressive range of therapeutic properties. This includes its ability to act as an antidepressant. In fact, clary sage has even been proven to reduce blood pressure in some people, demonstrating its powerful properties when it comes to relaxation.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil has a range of therapeutic properties. Its fresh and floral scent is calming and mood-uplifting, making lavender an excellent choice for those who need some relief from tension and irritability during menopause.
Essential oils for hot flashes
Hot flashes are caused by a sudden change in hormone levels, which leads to an increased blood flow and temperature. This can cause flushing or hot flashes, with the heat being so intense that it may feel as though you're on fire! In some cases, these hot flashes have been known to trigger panic attacks, with the sufferer even struggling to breathe due to the intense symptoms.
The best essential oils for hot flashes are those that have a cooling and calming effect when applied topically. There are also some essential oils that can help to balance your hormones, reducing the chance of hot flashes occurring.
Some of the best essential oils for hot flashes are:
Clary sage
As we discussed in the previous section, clary sage is excellent for balancing your hormones. Because of this, it can also help to reduce the intensity of hot flashes that you're experiencing, making them more manageable.
Ylang ylang
Ylang ylang has a sweet and floral scent that is perfect for calming the nervous system and reducing stress. Ylang ylang essential oil can also help to balance your hormones, reducing the likelihood of hot flashes occurring.
Essential oils for menopause weight gain
While some women experience weight loss during menopause, others may find that they gain more weight than usual. This can be extremely frustrating and upsetting for many women, especially if you're used to being able to maintain your weight with ease.
The good news is that essential oils can help to reduce the likelihood of experiencing weight gain while dealing with menopause.
Some of the best essential oils for managing weight during menopause are:
Juniper
Juniper essential oil has been proven to have both anti-obesity and antioxidant properties. Although more research needs to be done on its effectiveness when it comes to weight loss, juniper essential oil could be beneficial when it comes to maintaining your body weight during menopause.
Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil is great for reducing sugar cravings, as it helps to suppress your appetite. This means that you're less likely to crave unhealthy foods, making it easier to stick to a healthy diet during menopause.
Essential oils for loss of libido
During menopause, many women experience sexual dysfunction and/or loss of libido. Whilst it’s completely normal for sexual desires to vary throughout your life, for some women a loss of libido can be a frustrating symptom of menopause.
Essential oils can be extremely useful for increasing libido and restoring sexual desire.
Some of the best essential oils for libido during menopause are:
Neroli
Citrus-based neroli essential oil has been proven to increase sexual desire in menopausal women, as well as reduce blood pressure and relieve some of the most problematic menopause symptoms.
Essential oils for sleep during menopause
Many women experience difficulty sleeping during menopause, which can lead to restlessness and irritability throughout the day. The lack of sleep and rest can also worsen symptoms and make it harder for you to cope with other symptoms like hot flashes and low mood.
Fortunately, there are a range of essential oils that can help to promote healthy sleep patterns and ensure that you get a restful night's sleep.
Some of the best essential oils for sleep during menopause are:
Chamomile
Chamomile essential oil has been used as a natural treatment for insomnia and restlessness throughout history. This is because it's such a powerful relaxant, helping to calm your mind and body before you go to sleep.
How to use essential oils for menopause
There are many different ways in which you can use essential oils to ease menopause symptoms. The most appropriate method will depend on the symptoms that you are dealing with and the type of essential oils that you choose to use.
Let's take a look at some of the different ways in which essential oils can be used during menopause.
Diffuser
One of the easiest ways to use essential oils to treat symptoms of menopause is by adding a few drops of your chosen oil to a diffuser. This will release a continuous stream of aroma into the room, allowing you to inhale your essential oils as you go about your daily life. If you're experiencing ongoing symptoms such as irritability, mood swings or weight gain, using a diffuser is a great way to add essential oils into your daily routine.
Massage oil
Massage has been proven to reduce stress levels, and combining this with essential oils can heighten the benefits. Studies have shown aromatherapy massage to help balance mood during menopause, and that aromatherapy massage is more effective than massage alone.
Essential oils can be diluted with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or sweet almond oil to create your own massage oil. You can then massage this into your skin, or enlist a partner to give you a relaxing aromatherapy massage. Try combining different essential oils together to create a massage oil that is tailored to your unique needs.
Pillow mist
If you're having trouble sleeping, creating an aromatherapy pillow mist could help. Simply add a few drops of your chosen essential oils (we recommend lavender and chamomile) to a clean spray bottle and top it up with distilled water. Then, spritz the mixture over your pillow and bedding to help you to drift quickly off into a peaceful sleep.
Aromatherapy bath oil
Many women find that the hot steam of the bath helps to ease menopause symptoms, including irritability and low mood. You can create your own refreshing bath oil by mixing a few drops of your favourite essential oils with a tablespoon of carrier oil. Simply pour this into your bath water, then soak up the benefits of aromatherapy as you relax in your bath.
In summary
Menopause is a time of transition in a woman's life and often comes with many symptoms, from hot flashes to mood changes. However, there are a range of effective treatments available to ease the symptoms of menopause, including essential oils.
If you're looking for a natural way to ease menopause symptoms, using aromatherapy can be incredibly beneficial. It can also be used to complement pharmaceutical treatments such as hormone replacement therapy.
In this article, we've explored some of the best essential oils for menopause, from soothing lavender to uplifting geranium. At volant, we stock all of these essential oils and more. What's more, all of our essential oils are 100% pure and organic, so you can rest assured that when you purchase from volant, you're receiving only the highest quality essential oils.
