Essential oils are often used to relieve or decrease the symptoms of menopause and hormone imbalance. These fragrant oils are key elements in many traditional aromatherapy healing practices. And although this ancient healing practice is more than 6,000 years old, aromatherapy has recently increased in popularity as more people search for less invasive and natural ways to heal their body, mind, and soul.
The distinctive smell of essential oils comes from the herbs, flowers, leaves, and tree bark resin from which they are sourced. Do you love the smell of roses, lavender, peppermint, or oranges? Well, those delightful smells come from the aromatic compounds in essential oils.
What Are The Symptoms of Perimenopause, Menopause, and Postmenopause?
Many women are surprised to learn that menopause has three distinct stages—perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Before I describe each phase, it is important to understand that menopause is not a disease or disorder. Instead, it is one of the natural transitions in a woman’s life.
So, what’s the difference between the three stages of menopause? Well, perimenopause is the time when your hormones (estrogen and progesterone) start to decline, and your periods become irregular and erratic. During this time, you may have occasional hot flashes, vaginal dryness or itching, and night sweats. With menopause, you produce very little estrogen and progesterone, and your period has stopped for 12 months in a row. Menopause usually starts around age 50. However, when your mother, maternal aunts, and older sister go through menopause may help to predict when you will go through it. Once you no longer have a period for 12 months, you are postmenopause. Yeah, it sounds a bit confusing. And that’s the reason many women just say “menopause.”
Postmenopausal women often have symptoms such as:
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
- Vulva (vaginal) itching
- Painful intercourse
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Forgetfulness or memory lapses
- Brain fog
- Decrease in sex drive
- Dry skin
- Urinary incontinence
How Essential Oils for Menopause Work
There are several essential oils that are used for menopause and hormone balance. Some work to relieve hot flashes, balance moods, improve sleep, and relieve vaginal dryness.
Essential oils work primarily through our sense of smell to balance the doshas. So, smelling the aromatic molecules in essential oils stimulates the limbic system in the brain. And, here’s the interesting thing. The limbic system is associated with our survival, instincts, emotions, and moods. In short, smelling essential oils temporarily changes our mood and emotions.
They also work quickly when applied to the pulse points. So, what are the pulse points? The pulse points are the areas on the body where the blood is closest to the skin. The seven pulse points are the following:
- Sides of the neck
- Inside the wrists
- Behind the knees
- Inside the elbows
- Top of the groin
- Top of and sole of the feet
- Middle of the chest
Now, you don’t want to miss this. Never apply essential oils directly to your skin since they may burn or irritate the skin. Instead, mix the essential oils with a carrier oil for fast absorption and quick results. Great carrier oils include:
- Avocado
- Coconut
- Apricot
- Grapeseed
- Sweet almond
- Olive
- Argan
- Jojoba
- Castor
- Sesame seed
Some Essential Oils for Menopause
In my research, I found 11 essential oils to use for menopause and hormonal balance. Now, don’t worry about this long list. I have all of them, but you may want to buy just two or three of them. The key is to use them consistently and give them time to work. However, for simplicity, you may want to buy or order a few blends that are already prepared. I create my own blends, and the recipes are listed below.
- Lavender oil
- Clary sage oil
- Peppermint oil
- Ylang-ylang oil
- Orange oil
- Bergamot oil
- Geranium oil
- Holy Basil oil
- Sweet Basil oil
- Rose Oil
- Chamomile oil
Essential Oils to Balance Moods
- Sweet Basil oil
- Holy Basil oil
- Lavender oil
- Chamomile oil
- Ylang ylang oil
- Geranium oil
- Rose oil
- Bergamot oil
- Orange oil
Essential Oils to Relieve Hot Flashes
- Clary sage oil
- Sweet Basil oil
- Holy Basil oil
- Peppermint oil
Essential Oils to Soothe Dry Skin and Vaginal Dryness
- Chamomile oil
- Lavender oil
- Rose oil
How to Use Essential Oils for Menopause
There are several ways of using essential oils to relieve menopausal symptoms. Studies have shown mild to moderate relief with little or no side effects.
Use an Aromatherapy Essential Oil or Reed Diffuser
I love to add one of my essential oil blends to an aromatherapy diffuser. So, an essential oil diffuser is a device in which you put water and a few drops of essential oils. When turned on, it disperses essential oils into the air. I have electric diffusers in my kitchen, bedroom, home office, and work office. For safety reasons, follow the instructions. Also, check to see if the diffuser automatically stops after a given time. For example, I have one that stops after 30 minutes while another one runs continuously until you turn it off. Now, this is really important. For safety reasons, I do not recommend that you keep it running at night. Instead, run it for 30 minutes before bedtime and then shut it off.
You can also use a reed diffuser. Reed diffusers are also very popular because the fragrance lasts a long time. The reeds are placed in a glass jar or bottle with the essential oils blend. The reeds soak up the scent and emit the smell throughout the room. I like to refresh the bottle every week or two.
Inhale from A Bowl of Steam
Hot steam inhalation is another way to relieve some of the symptoms of menopause. Add a few drops of essential oils to a large bowl or pot of hot water. Then, place a towel over your head and inhale the steam for about 5-10 minutes. You can repeat this several times during the day, and it works great at night if you have trouble falling asleep. My Sweet Dreams essential oils blend is great for insomnia. And, guess what? The steam gives a nice mini facial before you apply your moisturizer before going to bed.
Sniff from a Cotton Ball or Tissues
This is one of the most portable and convenient ways to use essential oils. Add a few drops to a folded tissue or cotton ball and sniff a few inches from the nose throughout the day. You can also place the cotton ball or tissue inside your pillowcase before you go to sleep.
Add to Lotion or Oil and Rub on Your Body
Many body oils and lotions contain essential oils. However, you can also make your own by using one of the carrier oils mentioned above. I like to add a few drops of the essential oils to coconut oil, avocado oil, or avocado oil. Interestingly, one of my friends says she adds the essential oils to Vaseline. Then, she rubs the mixture on the souls of her feet, puts on socks, and goes off to sleep.
Add to Carrier Oil for Vaginal Dryness and Itching
For vaginal dryness, add 2 drops of essential oil to four tablespoons of coconut oil or ghee to make a natural lubricant. Store in a clean jar. Apply a small swipe to the index or middle finger and insert it into the vagina at bedtime. Do not exceed the recommended amount of essential oil. If you experience burning, then stop using.
Keep It Tight Sisters’ Essential Oil Blend Recipes for Menopause
I make my own essential oil blends for my diffuser but you can buy blends that are already made. However, check to make sure that they include 100% essential oils rather than artificial fragrances.
Blend 1: Hot Flash Cool Down
- 6 drops clary sage oil
- 4 drops orange oil
- 2 drops lemon balm oil
Blend 2: Hormone Balance
- 6 drops clary sage oil
- 4 drops holy basil oil
- 2 drops peppermint oil
Blend 3: Sweet Dreams
- 6 drops lavender oil
- 4 drops rose oil
- 2 drops chamomile
Now, It’s Your Turn
Well, I hope you feel more educated about how to use essential oils for menopause and hormone balance. Please note that this information is not meant to contradict advice from your healthcare provider. I think you will also enjoy the blog posts on essential oils for anxiety and stress relief, aromatherapy for self-care, adding journal writing to your self-care routine, and box breathing to calm and energize you.
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