Essential Oils for Menopause — Experience The Calm!

By Caryn Gehlmann

Menopause is a natural biological process, but for some women, it means having to endure some unpleasant side-effects. Aromatherapy won’t halt the upheaval but choosing certain essential oils for menopause can make the transition a little easier. Aromatherapy is also a great way to help you to slow down and focus on yourself and your needs. You deserve some self-care!

Menopause isn’t reached until you go 12 months without a menstrual period, so for many women perimenopause, the years preceding menopause, are also challenging. According to the Mayo Clinic, you might experience these signs and symptoms:

• Irregular periods
• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes
• Chills
• Night sweats
• Sleep problems
• Mood changes
• Weight gain and slowed metabolism
• Thinning hair and dry skin
• Loss of breast fullness

Menopausal symptoms vary greatly between women, some can impact your energy and negatively affect your emotional health. It’s interesting to note that some essential oils contain phytoestrogens — plant-based substances that behave in a similar way to the hormone estrogen. There are experts who believe that essential oils that contain phytoestrogens can help balance hormones, but at this point the research is not conclusive.

What is clear is that many women find real relief from menopausal symptoms using essential oils. Let’s explore how essential oils for menopause can be safely used to take the edge off and restore some balance.

Essential Oils for Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are one of the most famous, and frustrating, hallmarks of menopause. A 2016 study indicated that the use of lavender aromatherapy reduced menopause flushing aka hot flashes. It reports, “it would appear that this simple, noninvasive, safe, and effective method can be used by menopausal women with noticeable benefits.” The women who benefited simply smelled lavender for 20 minutes twice a day, over a 12-week period.
Some of our favorite “cooling oils” include German & Chamomile Roman, Geranium, Clary Sage, Lavender, Palmarosa, Rose, and the citrus oils. The following e3 blends are good choices for hot flashes: Female Harmony, Head Soothe, Endocrine Blend, Revitalize. Click here to see the variety of ways you can apply essential oils.

Here’s a recipe for a cooling spray for when you get a sudden power surge:

Hot Flash Aromatherapy Spray

20 drops Spearmint
10 drops Lemon
20 drops Geranium
10 drops Fennel
100 ml Filtered Water
Combine ingredients in a small spritzer bottle. Spritz over your face (avoiding your eyes) and body when you need a quick cool down.

Essential Oils for Sexual Dysfunction

Sex during menopause can be less enjoyable for some women due to reduced libido, vaginal dryness, and other sexual changes. Researchers recently concluded that treatment with essential oils “significantly improved human sexual function.” More studies need to be done but it appears that many found improvement in sexual desire, arousal, pain during sex, and difficulty experiencing orgasm.

Essential oils that can improve libido include, Neroli, Lavender, Fennel, Geranium, and Rose. e3’s Adventurous and Female Harmony blends are other good choices. Click here for application suggestions.

Here’s a recipe to create an aromatherapy massage blend to help you get in the mood:

Revive Libido Massage Blend

2 drops Sandalwood
1 drops Jasmine
4 drops Mandarin
2 drops Ylang Ylang
1 drop Patchouli
50 ml Jojoba or Fractionated Coconut Oil
Combine ingredients and massage over your lower abdomen daily.

Essential Oils for Brain Fog

Many women report that during menopause they feel forgetful or have a general “brain fog” that makes it hard to concentrate. Essential oils that are traditionally used in aromatherapy to stimulate the brain, and help with concentration and memory include: Basil, Frankincense, Lemon, Peppermint, and Rosemary. e3’s blends to help dissipate brain fog would be: Concentrate, Meditate, Rebalance, Courageous. Click here for Application Methods.

Essential Oils for Emotional Stress

Because of the strong hormonal changes during this period of life, many women experience depression, anxiety, irritability, or mood swings. Good mood balancers include the citrus oils, especially Bergamot, as well as Cardamom, Clary Sage, Jasmine, Rose and Ylang Ylang. e3’s blends to help with emotional balance include: Serenity, Mood Rescue, Stress Relief, Peace, Nerve Calming, Transition. Click here for ways to apply essential oils.

The state of your adrenal glands is an influence as to how challenging the menopause ride may be. Two essential oils that assist the recharging of the adrenal glands are Geranium and Vetiver. e3’s Adrenal Support blend is also designed to support the adrenal system during times of extra stress.

Here’s a recipe for a stress-relieving blend you can use in an aromatherapy bath, a diffuser, with massage lotion, or in a spritzer:

Menopause Stress Relief Blend
8 drops Geranium
6 drops Fennel or Melissa
4 drops Sandalwood
3 drops Grapefruit
3 drops Frankincense

The best tip for handling the challenging symptoms of menopause and perimenopause is what I tell all my customers — be kind to yourself. Women in particular, often tend to put the needs of others ahead of their own. Each of us has our own unique journey through menopause so it’s important to listen to your body and find the essential oils that are most helpful to you personally. If you have questions, our team of clinical aromatherapists is here to answer your questions. And if you’d like to come up with your own unique blend, download our free workbook, The Art & Science of Blending Essential Oils, for step-by-step advice and a coupon for your next order.