The menopause (also known as ‘the change’) effects all women in some way and is a natural part of getting older. Many women are now turning to hypnotherapy for menopause to lessen the effects of the symptoms.
Menopause means the last menstrual period. Periods will stop because of the low levels of oestrogen and progesterone.
Hormone levels can go up and down for several years before eventually becoming so low that periods stop. Consequently, these lower levels of oestrogen can cause problematic symptoms.
These symptoms can vary a lot – especially in how long they last, and how mild or severe they are. However, by using hypnotherapy for menopause we can address many of the prevalent symptoms.
Most of all, the impact on your sleep, work and private life can seem overwhelming at times. One of the most common symptoms is hot flushes, these can also happen at night. Many women are unable to use HRT for a variety of reasons. If this is you, read our article on how to stop hot flushes without HRT. Some women try HRT but for whatever reason, it simply does not help. For those women, we have written an article on HRT is not working – What now.
Menopause is defined as the changes a woman goes through just before and after she stops her periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally.
Some women go through this time with few, if any, symptoms, around 60 per cent experience symptoms resulting in behavioural changes and one in four will suffer severely.
Common symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness leading to discomfort during sex, disrupted sleep, decreased sex drive, problems with memory and concentration and mood swings.
What are the 3 stages of menopause?
Hypnotherapy for menopause can help with the three stages:
First, premature menopause. Whether through premature ovarian failure or surgery and cancer treatments, this is menopause that starts before the age of forty.
And then, perimenopause. This will usually start when you reach early to mid-forties. This is the start of menopause and lasts until post-menopause.
Finally, post-menopause. This is when your periods stop, and it is defined as more than 12 months without periods (if your ovaries are still intact), or straight away if you have surgery to remove your ovaries. Your monthly cycle stops, and your ovaries no longer produce eggs. This is usually between the ages of forty-five and fifty-five, and the average age, in the UK, is fifty-one.
Davina McCall has compared her severe menopause symptoms to ‘coming off heroin’ as she felt ‘revolting’ after waking up with a wet pillow.
Hypnotherapy for menopause can help with most of the symptoms
The most common symptoms of menopause include:
- Hot flushes, night sweats and chills
- Sleeping problems
- Headaches
- Palpitations
- Mood swings, anger, irritability and impatience
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Memory and concentration difficulties
- Reduced interest in sex (libido)
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex
- Itchy or ‘crawling’ feeling
- Joint stiffness and aches
- Sore breasts
- Weight gain
According to research, 50% of menopausal women aren’t going for promotion, or they’re taking early retirement. 20% choose to leave the workforce entirely because they find their symptoms unmanageable. It’s fairly apparent now that the menopause is affecting women in ways that have never been considered before.
Clinical hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective in reducing many of the symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, brain fog, and fatigue. Randomised, controlled trials of clinical hypnosis demonstrated the approach was significantly better than a “structured attention” therapy approach in postmenopausal women with frequent hot flashes and more effective than acupuncture, herbal supplements and yoga.
Clinical hypnotherapy for menopause can reduce the effects of many menopausal symptoms, it is especially effective with the hot flushes and night sweats. If you would like to talk to us to find out more about getting help, please contact us.
Michelle Seymour specialises in working with hypnotherapy for menopause. She works from our Wallington, Surrey branch or over zoom for clients further away. if you would like to chat to Michelle drop us a line on our Contact Us form