4 Essential Oils for (Peri)Menopause
Sweat, Hot Flashes, Breast Pain, Leg Cramps, Irritability, Fatigue, Mental Fog, Grief. Depression.
These are just some of the words that my friends and family have used to describe their experiences of perimenopause and menopause.
I personally haven’t come to this female ‘Rite of Passage’ yet, but I know it’s just around the corner. And after years of periods, going through pregnancy and postpartum, I wholeheartedly empathise with anyone going through hormonal changes in their body – it’s not easy!
A few months ago, over coffee, my friend (we’ll call her ‘Liz’) told me about her perimenopause experience. It doesn’t happen overnight, but sneaks up on you slowly.
One of her first signs that perimenopause was upon her was that, at the age of 36 when her son was born, she was unable to produce breast milk. About three years later, Liz and her husband tried for a second child, but they were unsuccessful. She later attributed these inabilities to perimenopause. There was a period of grief, but then acceptance, and appreciation for what she did have.
Her periods became increasingly irregular. The fatigue and brain fog set in. Work became impossible without having to take a nap in the middle of the day. Her breasts hurt. She had leg cramps at night. Going through hormone therapy was helpful, but getting the dosage right was tricky. Too strong, and it sent her into a depression. Too light, and her periods came back with a vengeance.
For my Wisdom of the Earth aromatherapist training, I had studied essential oils that help treat (peri)menopausal symptoms and support hormonal balance. But I wanted to test them out for myself.
So, I asked Liz if she’d be willing to be my guinea pig. She said yes!
Below are the four essential oils that Liz used, with the applications, benefits, and results*.
*This blog is anecdotal evidence. Everyone is different, so some essential oils will work better or differently for each person. Before using essential oils, please consult a certified medicinal aromatherapist or medical professional.
With a sweet, licorice-like scent, Anise Seed essential oil helps balance hormones, while also relieving digestive distress, clearing intestinal parasites, reducing high blood pressure, and invokes calm and relaxation.
Application: Apply on stomach and heart, 5-10 drops, 2x per day.
An enchanting light floral scent, this Australian essential oil helps balance hormones, while also calming and clearing respiratory channels, and alleviating stress and tension.
Application: Apply on heart and back of neck, 5-10 drops, 2x per day or as symptoms arise.
Liz’s Experience for Anise Seed and Fragonia:
These little beauties got me through a horrible month when I had to come off HRT for a bit while we sorted out the right kind of HRT for me to use. I applied both to my stomach and the Fragonia to my neck in the morning and late afternoon. They provided relief from typical perimenopause symptoms like brain fog and reduced stress.
A natural body coolant, Peppermint helps alleviate hot flashes and headaches, and promotes mental clarity and alertness.
Application: Apply on the back of the neck, 5-10 drops, as symptoms arise.
Liz’s Experience:
This little oil is magic for headaches!! I get headaches at least once a month due to perimenopause and peppermint dabbed on my temples helps relieve my symptoms. I HATE taking pills so it's fantastic to have something that provides relief without having to take a pill.
A versatile essential oil, Birch Sweet provides deep bone and muscle pain relief
(analgesic), while also purifies the blood to help relief skin rashes, gout, and pass uric acid. Birch also eases melancholia.
Application: Apply on body areas of pain and cramps, 5-10 drops, as symptoms arise.
*Keep away from sensitive skin areas.
Liz’s Experience:
This oil speaks to my body the most out of all the others and I use it the most. I use it for cramp and breast pain, generally applying it to the skin directly over my ovaries and on my breasts. It causes a warming sensation that relaxes me and takes away the pain I'm experiencing. I also will apply it on my neck near my face so the smell helps relax me as I go about my day-to-day activities. It has a calming effect that helps me get through the day.
Photo by Anna Stampfli on Unsplash