Menopause: Symptoms, Hormonal Changes & Natural Support
Menopause is a natural stage of life that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. It is officially defined as the point when 12 consecutive months have passed without a menstrual period.
While menopause is a normal biological transition, the hormonal changes that accompany it can affect many aspects of physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Every woman experiences menopause differently. Some experience only mild symptoms, while others notice significant changes that affect daily life, sleep, mood, energy and overall quality of life.
At Elliotti, we view menopause not as a condition to be feared, but as a new life stage that can be supported through nutrition, herbal traditions, aromatherapy and holistic wellbeing practices.
What Happens During Menopause?
During the years leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause, hormone levels begin to fluctuate.
Once menopause is reached, estrogen and progesterone levels remain consistently lower than during the reproductive years.
These hormonal changes may influence:
- Body temperature regulation
- Sleep quality
- Mood and emotional wellbeing
- Skin and connective tissue
- Bone health
- Vaginal and urinary comfort
- Energy levels and vitality
The experience is unique for every woman and symptoms can vary considerably.
Menopause
- Menstrual periods have stopped
- Hormones remain consistently lower
- Hot flashes often become more prominent
- Natural fertility has ended
- Symptoms may become more stable
Common Symptoms During Menopause
Women may experience:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood changes
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Vaginal dryness
- Reduced libido
- Urinary discomfort
- Changes in skin elasticity
- Bone density changes
Not every woman experiences all symptoms, and the intensity can vary greatly.
My Personal Menopause Journey
When I first began experiencing menopausal symptoms, I was looking for natural support that aligned with my holistic approach to health. Over the years, I explored different herbs and traditional remedies before discovering Ginevitex.
While every woman experiences menopause differently, Ginevitex became an important part of my own wellbeing routine and remains one of the products I most often recommend to women looking for natural support during hormonal transitions.
My experience also inspired me to expand Elliotti's menopause collection with herbal extracts, gemmotherapy, adaptogens, nutritional support, aromatherapy, and other holistic approaches that can be tailored to individual needs.
Me (Susann) with my Boston Terrier Divi 💖
Hot Flashes & Night Sweats
Hot flashes and night sweats are among the most recognised symptoms of menopause. They occur when hormonal changes affect the body's temperature regulation system.
Learn more about:
Sleep Problems During Menopause
Many women find that menopause affects sleep quality. Difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking and early morning waking are common concerns.
Learn more about:
Vaginal Dryness & Intimate Comfort
Changes in estrogen levels can affect vaginal tissues, lubrication and overall intimate comfort.
Learn more about:
Bone Health During Menopause
Bone density naturally changes with age and hormonal transitions. Supporting bone health becomes increasingly important during and after menopause.
Learn more about:
Healthy Ageing After Menopause
Menopause may also influence skin elasticity, collagen production, muscle mass and overall vitality.
Supporting healthy ageing involves more than managing symptoms. It is about maintaining strength, resilience and wellbeing throughout the years ahead.
Future topics include:
- Skin elasticity and collagen
- Muscle maintenance
- Connective tissue support
- Healthy ageing strategies
Hormone-Modulating Herbs
Menopause is characterized by the long-term decline of estrogen and progesterone production. These hormonal changes can affect many aspects of wellbeing, including temperature regulation, sleep, mood, cognition, skin, bone health, metabolism, and vitality.
Hormone-modulating herbs have traditionally been used to support women throughout this transition. Different plants are associated with different patterns of menopausal symptoms, ranging from hot flashes and night sweats to emotional changes, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and healthy ageing support.
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, herbal support is often tailored to a woman's individual experience and specific menopausal concerns.
Phytoestrogenic Herbs
Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant compounds that can interact with estrogen receptors in the body. During menopause, they are often explored as part of a broader approach to supporting wellbeing when declining estrogen levels contribute to symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, tissue changes, and bone health concerns.
Different phytoestrogen-rich plants contain different types of compounds and may influence the body in different ways. They are traditionally used to support comfort and wellbeing during the menopausal years rather than to replace the body's own hormones.
Commonly Used For:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Skin and tissue changes
- Bone health support
- Menopausal wellbeing
Herbs:
- Hops (Humulus lupulus)
- Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Herbs for Hot Flashes & Night Sweats & Menopausal Heat
Hot flashes and night sweats are among the most common symptoms of menopause. They are thought to result from hormonal changes that affect the body's temperature regulation system.
Certain herbs have traditionally been used to support women experiencing hot flashes, excessive sweating, flushing, and menopausal heat sensations. Some are valued for their direct association with heat regulation, while others are used to support relaxation, sleep, and overall menopausal comfort.
Commonly Used For:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Sudden heat sensations
- Flushing
- Sleep disruption caused by overheating
- Menopausal discomfort
Herbs:
- Sage (Salvia officinalis)
- Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
- Hops (Humulus lupulus)
- Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
- Dogwood Gemmotherapy (Cornus sanguinea)
Energy, Vitality & Healthy Ageing
Menopause can influence energy levels, motivation, stamina, physical resilience, and overall vitality. Changes in hormone levels, sleep quality, stress resilience, body composition, and metabolism may all contribute to feelings of fatigue or reduced wellbeing.
These herbs are traditionally used to support vitality, nourishment, energy, and overall wellbeing during menopause and healthy ageing.
Commonly Used For:
- Fatigue
- Low vitality
- Reduced libido
- Hormonal exhaustion
- Physical depletion
- Emotional burnout
Herbs:
Nervous System & Emotional Support
Hormonal changes during menopause can influence the nervous system, emotional wellbeing, sleep quality, and stress resilience. Many women experience increased sensitivity to stress, anxiety, irritability, nervous tension, or sleep disturbances during this stage of life.
These herbs are traditionally used to support relaxation, emotional balance, restful sleep, and nervous system wellbeing during menopause.
Commonly Used For:
- Anxiety
- Emotional overwhelm
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Menopausal insomnia
- Palpitations
- Nervous tension
Herbs:
- Hops (Humulus lupulus)
- Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
- Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis
- Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Restorative Herbs for Vitality & Wellbeing
These herbs are traditionally used to support vitality, nourishment, resilience, and overall wellbeing during midlife and beyond.
Many women experience fatigue, emotional exhaustion, nervous system strain, reduced vitality, and a greater need for restorative support during and after menopause. Restorative herbs are traditionally used to help nourish the body, support recovery, and promote long-term wellbeing.
Commonly Used For:
- Physical depletion
- Fatigue and weakness
- Emotional exhaustion
- Female vitality
- Pelvic comfort
- Long-term nourishment during hormonal transition
Herbs:
- Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
- Nettle (Urtica dioica)
- Oats (Avena sativa)
Weight, Energy & Metabolic Health
Menopause is associated with significant hormonal changes that may influence metabolism, body composition, insulin sensitivity, energy regulation, appetite, and weight distribution.
In addition to hormonal changes, factors such as stress, sleep disturbances, reduced muscle mass, and physical inactivity can affect metabolic health during and after menopause.
Certain herbs have traditionally been used to support energy balance, healthy blood sugar regulation, vitality, and overall metabolic wellbeing.
Commonly Used For:
- Blood sugar balance
- Cravings
- Weight changes
- Energy fluctuations
- Metabolic support
Herbs:
Adaptogens for Menopause
Menopause is not only a hormonal transition. It can also influence stress resilience, sleep quality, energy levels, mood and overall wellbeing.
Adaptogenic plants are traditionally used to help the body adapt to physical and emotional stress while supporting balance within the nervous and endocrine systems.
Unlike hormone-specific herbs, adaptogens work more broadly to support resilience, vitality and recovery during life's transitions.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
One of the most important adaptogens for women during perimenopause and menopause.
Traditionally used to:
- Support the nervous system
- Reduce stress-related fatigue
- Improve sleep quality
- Calm anxiety and emotional overwhelm
- Support adrenal balance
- Promote resilience during hormonal transitions
Ashwagandha is especially helpful for women experiencing:
- “Wired but tired” exhaustion
- Sleep disturbances
- Stress-induced hot flashes
- Emotional sensitivity
- Cortisol imbalance
- Nervous system burnout
Holy Basil / Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
A deeply grounding adaptogen traditionally revered in Ayurvedic medicine.
Traditionally used to:
- Calm the nervous system
- Support emotional balance
- Reduce stress tension
- Support healthy inflammatory response
- Help stabilize blood sugar fluctuations
- Promote clarity and calm energy
Tulsi is often well suited for women who feel emotionally overstimulated, overwhelmed, or energetically depleted during hormonal transitions.
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)
A stimulating adaptogen traditionally used to improve mental and physical endurance.
Often used to support:
- Mental fatigue
- Brain fog
- Low motivation
- Stress-related exhaustion
- Cognitive performance
- Mood and emotional resilience
Rhodiola may be particularly helpful during periods of burnout and fatigue, although highly sensitive or anxious individuals may prefer gentler adaptogens.
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)
Known as a longevity and vitality herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Traditionally used to support:
- Stress resilience
- Mental clarity and focus
- Energy and stamina
- Healthy aging
- Liver function and hormone metabolism
- Skin and mucosal vitality
Schisandra is particularly interesting during menopause because of its connection to vitality, endurance, and overall restoration.
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Traditionally used to support stamina, recovery, and resilience during prolonged stress.
May help support:
- Fatigue and low energy
- Physical weakness
- Recovery from stress exhaustion
- Immune resilience
- Overall endurance
Eleuthero is often used when menopause symptoms are accompanied by long-term depletion and low vitality.
Gemmotherapy for Menopause
Gemmotherapy uses fresh buds and young shoots traditionally associated with different aspects of menopausal wellbeing.
Commonly Used For:
- Hot flashes and menopausal heat
- Vaginal and mucosal comfort
- Urinary wellbeing
- Sleep support
- Emotional balance
- Bone health
- Healthy ageing
- Menopausal wellbeing
Bud Extracts:
- Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)
- Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
- White Alder (Alnus incana)
- Linden (Tilia tomentosa)
- Mountain Pine (Pinus montana)
