Perimenopause (meaning ‘around menopause’) describes the transition into menopause, which women naturally experience from their mid 40’s onwards, with some women beginning the transition a little earlier than this.
In the transition to menopause the ovaries begin to gradually down-regulate their function, and oestrogen levels fluctuate and become more unstable. This transitional phase continues until you have not had a period for 12 months, after which you are considered to be in menopause, a new life stage after your menstrual and reproductive life has ended.
While some women navigate the transition with few uncomfortable physical, mental or emotional symptoms, others will experience profound disruption. There are many contributing factors, including individual susceptibility and family history, stress, smoking and obesity.
Typical symptoms can include the following: irregular periods and heavier flow; hot flushes; hormonal headaches or migraines; insomnia; problems with memory and concentration; loss of libido and vaginal dryness; mood swings and anxiety; heartburn; joint pains; bladder problems and palpitations.
Your perimenopausal journey will be unique to you, and homeopathy can be an excellent support throughout the transition to menopause. Homeopathic treatment supports you in various ways – through whole person remedy matching, which engages your ability to heal and restore at the deepest level, and endocrine specific remedies that provide support where it is most needed.
Here are some of the many possible remedies I might prescribe for you, depending on your unique experience of perimenopause and your prior health history:
Pulsatilla
Pulsatilla is a remedy frequently used in cases of endocrine disruption in women. It is particularly indicated in perimenopause where there are strongly marked mood swings, and temperature dysregulation, especially where she is aggravated by being in warm stuffy environments. Digestive disturbances are also common, with heartburn and nausea often experienced.
Sepia
Sepia is a well known and frequently prescribed remedy for hormonal fluctuations, especially in perimenopause. It is particularly indicated in hot flushes with rising heat, and where there is brain fog accompanied by irritability, aversion to sex, and vaginal dryness.
Oophorinum
Oophorinum is a remedy associated with the ovaries, known as a homeopathic sarcode. It is highlighted in perimenopause as one of the main remedies for acne rosacea.
Sabina
Sabina is a remedy with a strong hormonal focus, and is especially indicated as one of the main remedies for menstrual flooding in perimenopause.
Aristolochia
Aristolochia is a remedy with a strongly hormonal focus, and has a wide range of indications. In perimenopause it is especially marked in cases where the woman has had side effects from taking hormonal contraceptives, and it is also one of the main remedies for hormonal arthritis.
Glonoinum
Glonoinum is a remedy which is used in perimenopause, with a particular focus on hot flushes. Where this remedy is indicated there is typically very intense heat, with throbbing and sensations of fullness in the head. It is also a remedy frequently prescribed for hormonal migraines.
If you are thinking of professional care for perimenopausal symptoms, you can book a discovery call or appointment via this link: https://karenleadbeater.co.uk/work-with-me/
Doctor Karen…I am from India. I am 57 years old female and I have experienced an issue that has been vexing
I do have Vericose veins but the doppler tests have shown that it is not a severe variety. My issue is Swelling in legs. Use of water pills that was prescribed made be deficient in some salts like Magnesium. After much search, I have found that Pulsatilla 30C helps me in reducing the swelling.
My question is 1) how long I can take this medicine, without any further side effects (others medicines like Calcaria Fluorica helped for a couple of days but swelling came back)2) Will I be cured permanently from this leg swelling issue, without medicine
Thx
Bala
Dear Bala, homeopathic treatment can help wth this chronic health condition, however self treatment is not advisable. I recommend you work with a homeopath so that the remedy, potency and dosage can be adjusted according to your personal circumstances. If you are in India you should be able to find a homeopathic doctor to treat you. My best wishes, Karen
I am 63: my hormones got fluctuated because of blood pressure meds . Now I have burning feet sometimes they sweat n a light burning sweat starts in my back. I also get cold flashes
And get tired
Hi Seema, the choice of homeopathic remedies for your pattern of symptoms will depend on all the details of what you experience. The blood pressure meds may make the picture a little more complex, but working with a homeopath you would likely see improvement. Best wishes, Karen
Hello Karen,
A good friend (extended family member), age 80, has congestive heart failure and kidney failure, and now low oxygen levels needing oxygen. However, apart from all of this, he is having nausea from long-term meds and on-going irritating his stomach, and is experiencing difficulty eating much of anything because of the nausea. Nothing seems to appeal, either. He can’t afford to lose any more weight.
My question to you is – in his case, what would be the BEST homeopathic for this type of nausea?
Hi Bonnie, I understand your question, but homeopathics are different from other types of meds because they are a dynamic stimulus, and the body uses that stimulus as it sees fit – so when someone has serious pathology it is always best to have them work with a homeopath, even where the issue you want to deal with is apparently unrelated (eg the effects of drugs, as here). We cannot know if the suggested remedies will have unforeseen impacts on the patient. There are indeed a large number of potential remedies for nausea from meds (including Arsenicum, Nux vomica, Ipecac, etc) but the choice of the best one will be according to the individual presentation and also the patient’s chronic history. You can of course opt to give your friend remedies to try, but I recommend they work with a homeopath for the best outcome. Best wishes, Karen
Hello! Thank you so much for the really valuable information! I wonder if you can say whether any of these remedies helps with severe perimenopausal bloating? Thanks so much, and best regards!
Hi Elizabeth, I am so glad to hear you found this blog post interesting. Yes, some of these remedies, and various others, may be helpful in bloating that starts or worsens with perimenopause. The choice of the right remedy for you depends on the overall pattern of your symptoms. Best wishes, Karen
Hi, I started HRT a year ago and I have been so up & down ever since. Low mood, anxiety, brain fog, I wish I had turned to homeopathy from the beginning is it possible to come off it and try your remedies? Years ago I had candida and homeopathy worked wonders, I am familiar with your remedies. I have lost all my confidence and rely on sugary foods and caffeine and I know I have to quit I just need some help 🙏🏻
Hi Laura, many people begin homeopathic treatment while taking pharmaceutical meds/synthetic hormones. Taking meds isn’t a barrier to receiving homeopathic support and seeing improvements in your symptoms. You are welcome to book a free discovery call with me if you would like to discuss further. Best wishes, Karen
Hi Doc, I am 44 and had a partial hysterectomy 3 years ago due to fibroids and increased anemia. I am now experiencing symptoms which mirror perimenopause but I can’t be sure. I have pimples on my chin, I feel exhaussted all the time and I am gaining a lot of weight even though I follow a balanced diet. upon researching, I think it might be linked to an early perimenopause but I can’t be sure. I also feel irritable all the time. Is it possible for me to have a remedy that fits me in homepathy please
Hi Shu, thanks for your comment. If you would like to consider working with me, you would be welcome to book a free discovery call via my website to discuss further. Best wishes, Karen
Hello Doctor,
Thanks for the detailed post, it is very insightful and elaborating the symptoms & categorising them.
Wanted to know if there is a medication for depression experienced during perimenopause
Dear Aarti, thank you for your question. Yes, homeopathy can help with depression during perimenopause. The choice of medicine depends on the woman’s whole symptom profile, and will vary according to her individual experience. Best wishes, Karen
Hello Doctor,
I wanted to know,is there any medicine to boast metabolism during this phase.I exercise regularly and eat in proportion but still have put on weight and am unable to reduce it.
Thanks
Garima
Hi Garima, there are many possible factors involved in persistent weight gain in perimenopause. Changes in oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels, as well as possible insulin resistance, stress factors, and naturally lower metabolism. Every woman has a different symptom profile, and it is this individual picture that guides homeopathic treatment. Homeopathic medicines are homeostatic – the stimulus of the medicine goes where it is needed to restore the best level of health possible for you. Best wishes, Karen