Menopause Naturopath Brisbane
Supporting women through hormonal change – feel balanced, energised, and in control during perimenopause and menopause.
About Menopause & Perimenopause
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, which can start to happen 10 years before transitioning into menopause. During this time, hormone levels fluctuate unpredictably, causing irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep difficulties, mood changes, and changes in energy or skin health.
Many women describe this phase as a roller-coaster- as symptoms can appear suddenly or vary month-to-month. Naturopathic care can help support hormone balance, reduce symptom severity, even out the ‘roller-coaster’, and provide strategies to maintain energy, mental clarity, manage a healthy weight and optimise overall health during this transitional period.
Menopause
Menopause is a natural stage of life marked by the end of menstrual cycles. Menopause is technically when you have no period for 1 year. For many women, this transition can bring a range of physical, emotional, and hormonal changes, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and changes in libido.
Women’s health during menopause is complex, and many women are surprised by the cumulative effects these changes can have on daily life. From fatigue, metabolism changes, and cognitive changes to bone and heart health concerns, menopause impacts the whole body, not just hormones.
Naturopathy can help by investigating and addressing any underlying imbalances that might make this transition harder than it should be, and provide life long strategies to support metabolism, energy, hormone health and provide strategies for disease prevention.
Understanding Menopause & Peri-menopause
Perimenopause and menopause are natural life stages marking the gradual decline of ovarian hormone production. However, factors such as hormonal imbalances, chronic stress, and nutrient deficiencies can make this transition more challenging.
Hormonal Imbalances
Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone affect menstrual patterns, mood, sleep, and metabolism. These changes can cause:
- Heavy or longer menstrual flows
- Shorter cycles (< 25 days)
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Mid-sleep waking or night sweats
- Increased cramps and headaches
- Mood swings and weight fluctuations
- Environmental exposures, poor liver detoxification, and gut health also influence how your body metabolises hormones (Minkin et al., 2019).
Adrenal and Thyroid Function
As the ovaries slow down, the adrenal glands become a key source of hormone production. If you experience chronic stress, this system may already be fatigued, amplifying symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and hot flashes (Stadler & Mayer, 2021).
Similarly, thyroid dysfunction and blood-sugar imbalances contribute to weight gain and low energy during perimenopause & menopause (Moseley et al., 2020).
Nutrient and Lifestyle Factors
Nutrients like magnesium, vitamin D, B vitamins, and zinc play critical roles in hormonal regulation and mood stability (Huang et al., 2022). Adequate sleep, regular movement, and a whole-food diet support smoother hormonal transitions.
Environmental Toxins
Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics, cosmetics, and pesticides may interfere with estrogen metabolism (Zhao et al., 2020). Reducing contact with these substances can support more balanced hormone pathways.
Menopause Treatment and How We Can Help
Naturopathic care takes a holistic approach to supporting women through perimenopause and menopause. We aim to uncover the underlying causes of symptoms and provide strategies to restore balance and optimise overall health.
Step 1 – Initial Consultation
Your first session involves a detailed health assessment, including menstrual and reproductive history, lifestyle factors, diet, stress levels, and sleep. We explore all aspects of health to identify potential drivers of hormone imbalance and symptom triggers.
Step 2 – Testing & Investigation
Testing may include blood panels, saliva or urine hormone profiles, thyroid function tests, and other functional assessments. These investigations help us pinpoint imbalances and tailor a personalised treatment plan.
Step 3 – Individualised Treatment Plan
Treatment is personalised and may include nutritional and lifestyle interventions, herbal medicine, targeted supplementation, stress and sleep strategies, and gut health support. The goal is to improve hormone balance, reduce symptoms, and support long-term women’s health.
Step 4 – Ongoing Support & Monitoring
Follow-up consultations every 4–8 weeks allow us to track progress, adjust treatment as needed, and ensure your transition through perimenopause and menopause is supported optimally.
Your Menopause Questions Answered
When does perimenopause start?
Perimenopause can begin in your 40s, sometimes earlier. It is the stage when hormone levels start to fluctuate, and symptoms may appear months or years before your final menstrual period.
What are the most common signs of perimenopause?
Symptoms can include irregular periods, night sweats, hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and changes in weight or libido. These occur as hormone levels fluctuate during the transition years (Santoro et al., 2021).
How long does perimenopause last?
Perimenopause typically lasts 4–8 years, although this can vary widely. The average age of menopause is around 51 years, but genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors can influence timing (Avis et al., 2015).
What is the difference between menopause & perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, marked by fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone that can cause irregular cycles and symptoms such as hot flashes or mood swings. Menopause officially begins when you have gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period (Minkin et al., 2019).
What are the most common symptoms of menopause?
Hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, fatigue, and changes in libido are common. Every woman experiences menopause differently.
Can naturopathy really help with menopause symptoms?
Yes. Naturopathic care supports hormone balance, reduces symptom severity, and provides lifestyle, nutritional, and herbal strategies to optimise overall health during this transition.
How long does menopause last?
Menopause itself is defined as the point when menstruation ceases for 12 months. Perimenopause, the transition leading up to menopause, can last 4–10 years. Symptoms may continue for several years after menstruation stops.
Are hormone replacement therapies necessary?
Not always. Some women benefit from HRT, while others prefer natural support. Naturopathy can complement conventional approaches or provide standalone strategies depending on your goals and medical history.
Can stress make menopause symptoms worse?
Yes. Chronic stress can increase cortisol and disrupt the balance of sex hormones. During menopause, the adrenal glands help produce estrogen precursors, so if they’re under strain, symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, and sleep disturbances can worsen (Stadler & Mayer, 2021).
Are there natural ways to support hormone balance?
Yes. A nutrient-dense diet rich in magnesium, vitamin D, zinc, and B vitamins supports hormone metabolism, mood, and sleep. Phytoestrogen-rich foods (like flaxseeds and soy) may also help reduce hot flashes (Huang et al., 2022; Baber et al., 2016).
When should I seek support for my symptoms?
If symptoms interfere with your quality of life—such as sleep disturbance, mood swings, or irregular bleeding—it’s important to seek guidance from a qualified health professional. A clinician can assess hormone levels, thyroid function, and metabolic health to develop an individualised care plan (North American Menopause Society, 2022).
Why Choose Us?
Accredited & Experienced Practitioner
You’re in safe hands. As a fully accredited naturopath, I follow professional standards and stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in natural medicine. Your care is guided by expertise and integrity.
Personalised Treatments From A Practitioner That Truly Cares
We understand that health journeys are personal and sometimes challenging. We take the time to listen, understand your unique situation, and provide compassionate, holistic support tailored specifically to you.
Evidence-Based, Results-Oriented Treatments
Our recommendations are grounded in scientific evidence and clinical experience. We combine the wisdom of natural medicine with modern research to create treatments that are safe, effective, and targeted to your individual needs.
Set your body up for success with guidance from Brisbane’s leading hormone Naturopath
REFERENCES:
Avis, N. E., Crawford, S. L., & Greendale, G. A. (2015). Duration of menopausal vasomotor symptoms over the menopause transition. JAMA Internal Medicine, 175(4), 531–539. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8063
Baber, R. J., Panay, N., & Fenton, A. (2016). 2016 IMS recommendations on women’s midlife health and menopause hormone therapy. Climacteric, 19(2), 109–150. https://doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2015.1129166
Huang, S., Chen, T., & Lee, P. (2022). The role of micronutrients in hormonal health of midlife women: A review. Journal of Women’s Health Research, 15(2), 110-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whres.2022.02.005
Minkin, M. J., Shapiro, M., & Hale, G. E. (2019). Perimenopause: Hormone changes and clinical symptoms. Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinics of North America, 46(3), 355-370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogc.2019.04.004
Moseley, A., Brown, K., & Carpenter, J. S. (2020). Thyroid and metabolic shifts in perimenopausal women. Menopause, 27(8), 987-994. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000001542
North American Menopause Society. (2022). The 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause, 29(7), 767–794. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000002028
Santoro, N., Epperson, C. N., & Mathews, S. B. (2021). Menopausal symptoms and their management. Endocrine Reviews, 42(3), 171–194. https://doi.org/10.1210/endrev/bnaa027
Stadler, C., & Mayer, E. (2021). Adrenal function and stress response in the menopausal transition. Endocrine Reviews, 42(5), 678-695. https://doi.org/10.1210/endrev/bnab007
Zhao, L., Zhang, W., & Tang, Q. (2020). Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and menopausal health outcomes: A systematic review. Environmental Research, 186, 109543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.109543