Power Surges: Homeopathy and Menopause

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By Susy Parker Goins

As with many women’s health issues like pregnancy, labor and delivery, menopause is viewed by mainstream science as a disease, not a natural progression in a woman’s life. Science goes out of its way to suppress the symptoms of menopause.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has gone through the pendulum swing of the “best thing since sliced bread” to “well, maybe it’s not for everyone.” What’s wrong with allowing your body to deal with it? Of course, I haven’t had to deal with it yet, so I may be causing you, dear reader, to pass your coffee through your nose.

Not necessarily homeopathic but useful nonetheless in dealing with symptoms of menopause are regular exercise, good nutrition (proper vitamins, cutting out caffeine and sweets), lots of water and sex. Yeah, I know you’ve all heard those before, but these things will really do you good. And if your symptoms are severe, go see your friendly neighborhood homeopath or naturopath.

The remedies
There are several remedies that are excellent for what ails you during menopause.

Lachesis, homeopathic bush master snake venom, works primarily on hot flashes, left-sided symptoms or those symptoms that start on the left side and travel across to the right. Lachesis can also help you if you are suspicious, talk too much (by whose standards, though?), are overexcited or anxious, or for headaches, migraines, an overall feeling of congestion as if something needs to be pushed out and insomnia. Your symptoms are worse on from drinking hot liquids or bathing in hot water, touch or upon waking. Symptoms improve with the start of your menstrual flow. Lachesis may also be indicated for dizziness and fainting, but I would recommend you check out your blood pressure for these also.

Sepia was developed originally for a man, but has proved to be far more effective for women’s issues. It is quite effective for hormonal imbalances that happen throughout a woman’s reproductive life. Lack of interest in or anxiety about sex, vaginal dryness that causes pain during sex, indifference to loved ones and a tendency toward yeast infections are Sepia symptoms.

But that’s not all! There’s also hot flashes, irregular menstrual flow or flow that is flooding, chills, tearfulness, irritability, even hair loss. Any of these are worse before you start your period, from cold or mental fatigue, being near tobacco smoke, in hot, damp conditions, in the early morning and evening and before a thunderstorm. The symptoms are better from eating and sleeping (but then, I think these cure lots of problems — maybe that’s why I’m overweight but well rested), exercise, hot compresses on the hurting areas and in stormy weather.

Calcarea carbonica from oyster shells can help a particular body type: pale, overweight, short-limbed, cold and clammy hands, curly or thick hair, with a tendency toward sluggishness or apathy. Menopausal symptoms caused by overwork and accompanied by weight gain and panic attacks are the target of this remedy. A lot of Calcarea carbonica’s symptoms involve fear, anxiety or phobias: fear of memory loss, fear of insanity. Having problems concentrating, noises in the ears, sweaty face, yeast infections, backache, varicose veins and swelling in the finger joints benefit from Calcarea carbonica. Thinking of the steadfast oyster from which this remedy is derived may help you identify the balance we hope it achieves.

An excellent overall tonic is Silicea, or silica, a common earth mineral. It is known to help out with hair, skin and nails.

Another hot flash remedy, Sanguinaria canadensis, is interesting in that it helps with those hot flashes that are relieved by burping or breaking wind. This is also for throbbing headaches with red cheeks.

Our favorite remedy of excess, Nux vomica, is indicated for crankiness caused by overuse of caffeine and tobacco. Of course, I’d tell you to cut out the coffee and stop smoking, anyway!

Lycopodium clavatum works for vaginal dryness. If you experience repressed anger and have to have someone near you but then ignore them, consider Lycopodium.

As if this article weren’t enough
And finally, as a firm believer that humor can heal as effectively as any remedy or drug, I recommend you check out www.minniepauz.com for the humorous side of menopause.

© Susy Parker Goins

An informal student of natural health for years, Susy Goins received her certificate in homeopathy from the American College of Health Sciences. The self-proclaimed out-of-the-mainstream mama of three is a writer, belly dancer, actress, costumer and cook and has celebrated 20 years of marriage to her husband.