When I chose to have children at 35, I understood the timeline intellectually, but its full weight didn’t hit me until later. I realized I’d be entering menopause while my daughters navigated their teenage years, a convergence made more intense by Melbourne’s lockdown. My mother’s difficult menopause, marked by severe mood swings and insomnia in her late 40s, loomed in my memory, heightening my apprehension about my own transition. Now, as a medical intuitive, I see how this phase, often around age 50, brings not just hormonal shifts but a collision of life demands—raising teenagers, managing peak career responsibilities, and caring for aging parents—all amplifying the challenges of perimenopause and menopause.
Perimenopause/Menopause Symptoms
For many women, this period involves physical and emotional changes: hot flashes, night sweats, mood fluctuations, sleep disruptions, weight gain, reduced libido, and cognitive shifts like “brain fog.” A 2019 study reported that 75% of 1,500 women aged 45-55 experienced hot flashes, with 40% noting significant sleep issues. For those who delay motherhood, syncing hormonal upheavals with a teenager’s can strain family harmony, adding complexity. A 2020 study in Journal of Family Psychology found that parental stress during menopause increased conflict with adolescents by 15% in 200 families over one year, highlighting this dynamic interplay.
Traditional Treatments
Consulting a general practitioner (GP) specializing in menopause is an option. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can ease symptoms by replenishing estrogen and progesterone levels. Studies have confirmed that confirmed HRT reduced hot flash frequency by 80% in 2,000 women over six months, alongside benefits for mood stability and bone density, though risks like blood clots exclude some candidates. Specialists often recommend gut health support, such as probiotics, to optimize HRT metabolism, minimizing side effects like bloating.
Alternative Therapies for Perimenopause and Menopause
From a functional nutrition perspective, this transition demands more than symptom management, it’s about addressing root causes. I often sense deficiencies in women’s energy fields, like low omega-3s, which can destabilize mood and exacerbate inflammation driving night sweats. If this is the case I would recommend you get screened for deficiencies and see a qualified nutritionist for advice. Incorporating fatty fish, flaxseeds, or algae-based supplements can restore balance, with a 2018 study in Nutrients showing omega-3s reduced depressive symptoms by 20% in 120 perimenopausal women over 12 weeks. Magnesium, found in leafy greens or epsom salt baths, supports sleep and calms the nervous system, while adaptogens like ashwagandha help regulate cortisol, easing stress that fuels hormonal chaos. Getting support for your overall nutritional needs is something I can sense and recommend to you. These choices nourish the body holistically, aligning with its shifting needs.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers another layer of wisdom. In TCM, menopause reflects a natural decline in Kidney Yin, the cooling, nourishing energy that balances the body’s heat. Hot flashes and irritability signal Yin deficiency or stagnant Liver Qi, often tied to emotional suppression or overwork. Acupuncture can shift this. A 2019 study in BMJ Open found that 10 weekly sessions reduced hot flash severity by 36% in 70 women, promoting energy flow and hormonal harmony. I’ve seen clients get relief from this type of treatment. Herbal formulas, like Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan, cool excess heat and support Yin, complementing these effects. TCM views this phase as a “second spring,” a time to cultivate inner vitality, not just endure.
Exercise, breathwork and meditation anchored me through this storm. A 2016 study in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that 150 minutes of weekly aerobic exercise reduced menopausal symptoms by 30% in 80 women over three months, improving sleep and mood via endorphin release. Meditation complements this; a 2020 study in Mindfulness reported that daily 20-minute sessions lowered cortisol by 25% in 60 women over eight weeks, easing emotional volatility. These practices foster resilience, grounding the body amid hormonal flux and I often recommend these practices to my clients if I am guided to.
How Medical Intuition Works to Manage Perimenopause and Menopause
As a medical intuitive, I bring a unique lens to this transition. My process involves tuning into your energy field, often over Zoom, to sense imbalances that intertwine physical symptoms with emotional and spiritual layers. Beyond the physical, I explore emotional roots—anger fueling hot flashes, grief behind weight gain. I also receive impressions about past-life prosecution, particularly the “witch wound,” a collective trauma of female silencing or persecution. For instance, chronic throat issues might trace to a past life of suppressed expression, a pattern I’ve seen in clients who then reclaim their voice. This shedding of ancestral layers—centuries of female suffering and martyrdom—can be profoundly beautiful, a step into power as you release inherited burdens. One client, after addressing a “witch wound” tied to neck pain, reported not just physical relief but a newfound confidence in her 50s, illustrating this transformation. Lifestyle stressors, like overwork, or relationship tensions might surface too, guiding tailored suggestions for balance.
This phase isn’t just a challenge, it’s a gateway to growth. While I provide intuitive insights, partnering with a menopause-specialized GP ensures medical oversight. HRT, functional nutrition, TCM, and health screenings address the body, while my work uncovers emotional and ancestral threads, fostering transmutation of stress into strength. The 50s can mark a reclamation of power, where setting boundaries and shedding societal expectations—like silent suffering—reveal what truly matters, blending science and intuition for a balanced, joyful transition.
Medical Disclaimer: This blog offers educational insights, not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before altering your health plan, especially regarding hormone therapy, supplements, acupuncture, or new symptoms. My role as a medical intuitive complements, but does not replace, professional medical care.
Much love and good health to you!
Peggyx