The word “menopause” simply refers to the permanent end of menstruation and the fertility cycle in a woman’s life.
It is derived from the Greek words for ‘month’ (men) and ‘cessation’ (pausis).
Menopause is not an illness. It is a natural transition in a woman’s life that results from a decrease in the ovarian production of sex hormones – estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. These hormones allow a woman to become pregnant, cause menstruation, and affect many other functions in the body, such as the circulatory system, urogenital system (urinary and vaginal) and the bones.
While some women have no menopausal symptoms, in others the symptoms may last several years, usually between the ages of 40 and 55. Most women can tell if they are approaching menopause when their menstrual periods start changing.
Menopause is confirmed when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. However, when menopause begins and how long it lasts vary from woman to woman.
Evidence-based research has demonstrated…
”There’s growing evidence that you don’t need to take drugs, basically,”
– Professor Martha Hickey
Royal Women’s Hospital & University of Melbourne
A review of all the evidence on non-hormonal treatments for menopause has found Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and hypnosis to be effective treatments.
- Hot flashes are the most common and the most problematic symptom of menopause. And while they are a physiological response, the evidence suggests the mind can help alleviate the experience for women.
- It’s about the integration of mind and body.
- Lifestyle changes such as exercise and relaxation can also improve general health.
“There is a lot of information on the internet about treatments for menopause, but many of these are not supported by high quality research”
– Professor Martha Hickey
Royal Women’s Hospital & University of Melbourne
Hormone therapy can be very effective for some but not all women who are experiencing menopause symptoms. Hypnosis is an effective and safe alternative for women who are experiencing menopause.