I am deep in the throws of Perimenopause and let me tell you, the combination of hot flashes, stress, mood swings, weight gain and skin issues is no fun!

Others may be having fatigue, irregular periods or heavy bleeding, dryness and itching, or night sweats.

Yay, so much fun to be a woman!

I researched all the different treatments including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), oral contraceptives or antidepressants.

Oral contraceptives are out for me because of my age and the fact that I vape nicotine (I KNOW, I should quit, but at least I kicked a 30 year cigarette habit!)

I asked both my Mom's doctor and mine about HRT and got unequivocal, “don't do it” responses because of the increased cancer risk sooooo…

I have chosen to take a low dose of antidepressants to help me handle my hot flashes and low moods, but there are so many other symptoms that even these don't help. 

So what can we do that won’t jeopardize our health? Essential oils.

Additional Resource :: Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes

Essential Oils For Menopause

There are a number of essential oils that can help. Here is a good starter list, and remember, you can mix oils to cover the symptoms you may be having.

I keep little roller bottles beside my chair and rub them on when I notice a problem.

Lavender

Lavender helps our bodies in so many ways. It’s calming so your mood swings and irritation are addressed. It helps balance your hormones and improves sleep. Diffuse it at night for sleep issues.

Massaging lavender essential oil with a carrier oil into the skin may also promote relaxation during menopausal transitions. Add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil to 1 Tbsp. of carrier oil. Gently massage on pressure points or areas that are tense.

Geranium and Rose

Geranium and rose oils are rather effective for any time in a woman’s adult life – for menstruation, perimenopause or menopause (although avoid if pregnant or nursing!)

Research into the use of essential oils for perimenopause listed geranium and rose with scientific research showing that both helped increase estrogen concentration when inhaled. source Effects of essential oil exposure on salivary estrogen concentration in perimenopausal women

Another study showed that a combination of various aromatherapy essential oils (lavender, rose geranium, rose and jasmine in a carrier oil like almond oil) helped hot flashes and improved their mood swings, as well as night sweats. Use that blend by massaging your neck, temples, and abdominal region. source US National Library of Medicine 
National Institutes of Health

Neroli

Neroli oil inhaled for about 5 minutes has been shown to enhance estrogen concentrations and reduce stress levels.

These findings indicate that inhalation of neroli oil helps relieve menopausal symptoms, increase sexual desire, and reduce blood pressure in postmenopausal women. Neroli oil may have potential as an effective intervention to reduce stress and improve the endocrine system.

source NCBI

Sage

Sage, as opposed to clary sage, is great for hot flashes and night sweats. It helps balance hormones and can help prevent osteoporosis. It’s best taken as a tea, which you can make yourself.

Sage Tea Recipe

Pour boiling water over 3 teaspoons of fresh sage or 1 teaspoon of dried sage and steep for 10 minutes. Strain out the leaves, add some honey and lemon and enjoy! You can also diffuse it for some of the same effects (but watch out for using a diffuser if you have cats!)

Gardenia Oil

Gardenia oil will help increase estrogen levels. The oil contains phytoestrogens that are similar to human estrogen. In some studies, it also helped improve bone structure and health by increasing bone mass density.

Gardenia Tea Recipe

Like sage, you can make a tea from 3 teaspoons of fresh gardenia flowers or 1 teaspoon of dried flowers. Steep in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. A little honey and yum! You can also diffuse, plus it smells heavenly however you use it!

Chamomile

Chamomile is great for mood swings and irritation. It is a soothing, calming effect. Diffuse or drink chamomile tea.

Essential Oils For Menopause Wrapup

As a woman transitioning into menopause, I am SOOO happy that there are healthy and natural remedies that I can use to help control my symptoms of perimenopause.

I am not one of those hard line, never medicine gals, but I don't want to take a million different ones when I can get relief from things like tea, essential oils, roller balls and sprays!