Women's Health
1: Therapies and Pregnancy
2: Therapies and the Menopause
3: Therapies and Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS)
4: Therapies and Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
1: Therapies and Pregnancy
Is it safe for me to have a treatment during my pregnancy?
Yes it is but there will be times when a treatment will need to be adapted to suit each stage of your pregnancy. There are also certain essential oils that need to be avoided. Throughout your pregnancy you can benefit from a range of treatments including Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Reiki and Aromatherapy Massage.
Can Essential Oils cause a miscarriage?
There is no evidence to prove that essential oils applied externally present a risk of miscarriage. Some ‘Emmenagogic Oils’ have an effect on the reproductive system and are therefore not recommended during pregnancy, however there are many safe oils that can be used that will be beneficial to you and your baby during your pregnancy.
Are there any reasons why I can’t have a massage treatment during pregnancy?
If you have a history of bleeding and repeated miscarriages, massage is best avoided during the first trimester of your pregnancy. If you are in any doubt always seek medical advice from your GP before receiving a treatment.
What are the benefits of using complementary therapies during my pregnancy?
Complementary Therapies help to alleviate a range of symptoms associated with pregnancy including:
Poor Circulation, Depression, Stretch Marks, Morning Sickness, Insomnia, & Anxiety.
As a specialist in massage during pregnancy your therapist will be able to advise you on the best course of treatment for you.
A booklet on Aromatherapy during pregnancy, birth and postnatal is provided free of charge to all clients who book a treatment during their pregnancy.
2: Therapies and the Menopause
What is the Menopause?
The menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive life and can begin at any time from the age of around 40 to 55. Occasionally a small percentage of women start their menopause in there 30’s but this is very rare.
Symptoms include hot flushes or night sweats, mood swings and weight gain, vaginal dryness and headaches. Some women also suffer from poor concentration and insomnia.
As hormone levels fluctuate it can be a difficult time as you make the transition in to the next phase of your life. Emotionally some women feel delicate and can have low self-esteem. Existing roles in life are often re-evaluated and new ones found.
What sort of Complementary Therapies can help through the Menopause?
There are a few treatments that you will find beneficial. Reiki for example could be used to strengthen how you feel on an emotional level. Reflexology pressure points for the endocrine, reproductive and nervous systems can be stimulated to help the body balance your energies.
A number of essential oils in Aromatherapy can also be used to treat some of your menopause symptoms. A special blend of oils such as Frankincense and lavender can be created to suit your individual needs, and your have the choice of a full body massage or a back massage to help you relax and feel rejuvenated.
3: Therapies & Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS)
What is PMS?
Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS) can begin at any time from two weeks to two days before the start of menstruation (your period). Physical symptoms can include fluid retention, weight gain, constipation, breast tenderness, headaches, nausea, skin eruptions and nervous tension. Psychological symptoms include depression, tearfulness and low self-esteem.
A small percentage of women can also suffer from an extreme form of PMS know as Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PDD).(See separate section).
What causes PMS?
PMS isn’t fully understood and some doctors even argue that it is psychosomatic. What is certain however is that the condition is exacerbated by stress and poor diet. Holistic practitioners argue that PMS reflects an imbalance in the hormonal system as well as the emotional insecurity a woman might be feeling about her current position in life.
What sort of complementary therapies will help me cope with PMS?
There are two treatments, which you will find particularly beneficial – Reflexology and Aromatherapy.
In Reflexology, specific pressure points on the feet are stimulated to help the body to balance out the endocrine system, helping you to feel more relaxed and calm. Ideally a treatment should take place at around the middle of your menstrual cycle e.g. between days 10 & 17. A further treatment should be carried out just before menstruation, for example day 24.
Herbal remedies, vitamin supplements and balanced diet and exercise will also help to improve the condition (see the information under PDD).
Aromatherapy massage is extremely beneficial during your menstrual cycle because there are a number of essential oils that have a direct action on the female reproductive system. Frankincense and Geranium are two oils in particular that are recognised as good hormone balancers. Other oils such as Clary sage and Lavender are thought to ease period pain.
4: Therapies & Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
What is PDD?
For the 5% of menstruating women who suffer from Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) the symptoms of the condition are so severe that they can lead to depression and even suicidal thoughts.
In the weeks building up to a period women with PMDD often feel overwhelmed by daily life and unable to function normally at work and at home. They often have increased anxiety levels, mood swings, violent out bursts and a feeling that they are out of control. Other physical symptoms can include an increase in body temperature, palpitations, forgetfulness and difficulty sleeping. Symptoms build up over several days and in a severe attack can leave the sufferer with severe anxiety and suicidal thoughts, yet as soon as a period begins symptoms disappear. Most women suffering from PMDD agree that the most productive and normal week of their cycle is during a period.
With such severe symptoms it is inevitable over time that the condition will affect relationships with husbands, children and work colleagues, which can be distressing for the PMDD suffer.
Diagnosis and treatment
In order for a GP to make a correct diagnosis of the condition the sufferer must first keep a diary of their menstrual cycle for a minimum of three months. A pre-designed diary can be downloaded from the Facts for Health Website at www.pmdd.factsforhealth.org this can be used to track symptoms in detail to show a GP exactly what is going on emotionally and physically at certain points in the cycle.
Once the diary is complete the symptoms can be discussed with a GP, but while most are sympathetic to the condition, conventional medicine is limited in the treatments available, with most suggesting the use of hormones or an anti-depressant such as Fluoxetine.
While a great deal of research suggests that Fluoxetine is successful at treating the symptoms, the drug may need to be prescribed on a long-term basis. Side effects to the drug can include headaches, nervousness, nausea, diarrhoea, itching, and low sex drive. While the manufacturers of Fluoxetine suggest that the side-effects do subside, sufferers of PMDD should question how beneficial it would be to live life on prescribed medication when there are other alternatives available that can alleviate the symptoms.
Treating PMDD with complementary medicine
While complementary medicines are by no means a quick fix to the condition in quite the same way as anti-depressants, if taken regularly symptoms will improve. Here are just a few alternatives that have shown to be beneficial in the treatment of PMDD.
Evening Primrose Oil
This is a safe dietary supplement which when taken in a dosage of 4 grams a day has shown to reduce some of the symptoms associated with PMT and PMDD.
Rhodiola
This is an adaptogenic herb that improves mood by working on the hypothalamus to enhance the transportation of serotonin in the brain.
Vitex Agnus Castus
This herb from the Chaste Tree regulates progesterone levels in the body by increasing luteinizing hormone (LH) and decreasing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the pituitary gland. Study trials of the herb have shown that an improvement in symptoms could be seen after just four weeks of daily use.
Dong Quai
This herb has been used for thousands of years as a tonic for the female reproductive system. It helps to promote uterine health and regulate the menstrual cycle. As an adaptogen Dong Quai will work successfully with either high or low Estrogen levels and can be used in combination with Vitex.
Homeopathic remedies
Sepia and Pulsatilla are successfully used to treat the depression associated with PMDD. A dosage of 30c is recommended twice a day for the 14 days prior to menstruation.
Vitamin Supplements
Taking Magnesium, Calcium and Vitamin B6 as daily food supplements will also help to reduce the symptoms of PMDD.
Reflexology
A gentle foot massage will not only help to alleviate the symptoms of stress and anxiety but it will also help to balance out the hormone levels. A Reflexologist will work on the reflexes of the foot that correspond with the endocrine system, which regulates the body’s hormone levels, and gently massage the reflexes that correspond with the reproductive system. A monthly Reflexology treatment can also be beneficial to women who suffer from severe period pains. Research has shown that after several treatments period pain is substantially reduced.
Exercise
Aerobic exercise is beneficial in regulating hormone levels; it increases the level of endorphins, which are the body’s mood enhancing substances. PMDD sufferers should also try incorporating either Tai Chi or Yoga in to a fitness regime; both combine relaxation techniques with gentle exercise.
Sleep
PMDD sufferers should ensure that they get a full 8 hours sleep each night and try to stick to a regular sleeping pattern even on weekends.
Diet
It is important not to aggravate the symptoms by eating and drinking products, which will have a negative effect on mood. Women with PMDD should avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol, and reduce their intake of salt and sugar. They should increase their intake of complex carbohydrates and protein. One of the side effects of PMDD is over eating, so women with PMDD should try and eat smaller more frequent meals to combat this.
All too often sufferers of the disorder feel as though the symptoms rule their life, but through a balanced diet, gentle exercise, the use of herbal remedies and complementary therapies it is possible to live with PMDD. Learning how to manage the symptoms, and by putting coping strategies in place you can beat PMDD.
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