An Herbal Perspective on Menopause
Menopause defined: Menopause literally means ‘stopping menstruation’. The word is made up of Greek meno (monthly) and pausis (to stop). Women won’t know menopause has occurred until a year has passed since the date of the last period—the actual date can only be decided retrospectively. Menopause, then, occurs on one distinct date and is not what most people mean when they describe themselves, or the women who consult them, as ‘menopausal’. The more correct term, the ‘climacteric’, is rarely used; perimenopausal is now the favoured lay and medical term. The peri-menopause is analogous to puberty and the years when the menstrual cycle starts to become established; both are characterised by hormonal and sometimes emotional fluctuations, and menstrual irregularity. Menopause isn’t a disease, it’s a transition, one of the most impactful of a woman’s life. It isn’t something you get cured of and, having other health conditions won’t stop the menopause; if you are diabetic and you bec