“Menopause Isn’t a Problem to Fix—It’s a Transition to Support. Here’s How I Do It (Through the Lens of Classical Chinese Medicine)

Why I Wrote This

I’m of the age—and so are many of my friends. We’re all navigating this change in different ways. I wanted to write this from the heart, and in service, for those looking to move through menopause with more clarity, less confusion, and a lot more support.

There’s a lot of information out there—but not all of it is helpful. The mainstream conversation is still dominated by prescriptions and patches, and too often, the alternatives get dismissed.

But here’s the thing: in 2021, a large-scale clinical trial known as the AIM Study found that acupuncture was more effective than hormone therapy or dietary changes at relieving hot flashes—with fewer side effects.

And yet, acupuncture and other supportive approaches are still rarely part of the conversation. That’s why I wrote this.

Your Liver Is Tired, Not Just Your Hormones

Even if you’re using hormone replacement therapy (HRT)—and sometimes it’s necessary!—your liver still has to process every single drop. And when the liver gets overloaded, symptoms can persist or even get worse. Because the issue isn’t always hormone deficiency. Sometimes, it’s hormone buildup the body can’t clear.

Symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, mood swings, and stubborn weight gain are often signs that the system is under stress—not just running on empty.

That’s why I often recommend:

• Regular acupuncture

• Plant-based remedies

• Essential oils

• Nourishing, anti-inflammatory food

• And most of all: lightening the load on your liver

Before You Add More Hormones, Cool the Fire

Hot flashes, night sweats, restless sleep, irritability, and brain fog are all signs your body may be running hot—internally.

And if your system is already overwhelmed, adding more hormones (even bioidentical ones) can sometimes add fuel to the fire.

Before you reach for a supplement or prescription, try:

• Eating gently cooked, cooling foods (think: leafy greens, cucumbers, wild-caught fish)

• Avoiding spicy food, garlic, alcohol, and ultra-processed meals

• Sleeping more and doing less

• Saying no more often

• Using essential oils like lavender, clary sage, and geranium to calm the nervous system and support hormonal balance

When internal inflammation settles, the body can finally exhale—and your symptoms often ease naturally.

DIM, Detox & Midlife Metabolism

Let’s talk DIM: short for diindolylmethane, a compound found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage. DIM helps your body break down excess or more inflammatory forms of estrogen into safer, easier-to-eliminate ones.

It’s especially helpful when:

• You have signs of estrogen dominance (heavy periods, bloating, breast tenderness)

• Your cholesterol or blood sugar is creeping up

• You’re gaining weight in your midsection despite eating well

This isn’t about "detox" in a trendy sense—it’s about supporting your body’s natural clearance systems. And again, it comes back to supporting the liver.

Real Self-Care: The Kind That Actually Works

Forget the bath bombs. Real self-care is:

• Saying no without guilt

• Eating foods that actually help you sleep

• Moving your body, even if gently

• Getting quiet

• Getting help

• Getting honest about what you need

One of the most powerful rituals I recommend? Foot massage with essential oils.

Why? Because it’s grounding, calming, and helps pull all that pent-up energy down out of your head and into your body.

Use sesame oil as a base, add a few drops of:

• Lavender (calms the nervous system)

• Clary sage (supports hormone balance)

• Geranium (helps with mood and tension)

Massage into the soles of your feet before bed. It’s a small act, but it can help reset your whole system.

My Personal Turning Point

When I had uncontrollable uterine bleeding for over eight weeks, I was exhausted, confused, and frustrated. Western medicine offered me a wait-and-see approach or hormonal intervention, but nothing felt right.

After testing, I learned I wasn’t low in hormones—I was actually estrogen dominant. DIM helped. But what truly shifted things was combining targeted herbal support with deep rest, essential oils, and working with someone who understood the whole picture.

What This Is Really About

This isn’t just about symptom relief. It’s about reclaiming your clarity, your rhythm, your groundedness.

It’s about knowing that you have options.

And it’s about remembering that menopause isn’t the end of anything. It’s a new beginning—a second spring.

Let’s make it a powerful one.