Menopause

Supporting Women Through Natural Balance

At The Natural Way Northern NSW, we provide personalised care to help women navigate menopause with confidence and comfort. With over 20 years of experience, Tama Ballantine offers a holistic approach backed by 45 years of company history, combining natural therapies, nutrition, and lifestyle support. Free consultations are available to create an individualised plan that helps ease symptoms and support long-term health.

What is Menopause?

Menopause is the natural cessation of menstruation, usually occurring between the ages of 40 and 50. It marks the end of fertility as the ovaries become less responsive to stimulation from the pituitary gland. As a result, oestrogen and progesterone levels decline, and normal ovum (egg) development ceases. Even after menopause, women are not completely without oestrogen. While levels are too low to sustain fertility, they are still sufficient to maintain support tissues. The type of oestrogen also changes:

  • Oestradiol – The ovarian oestrogen associated with fertility.
  • Oestrone – The post-menopausal oestrogen, produced by the adrenal glands, which is less biologically active than oestradiol.

Symptoms of Menopause

Most menopausal symptoms are linked to reduced oestrogen production. These may include:

  • Anxiety and insomnia (linked to lowered tryptophan production)
  • Hot flushes
  • Headaches
  • Abdominal cramps or backache
  • Leg cramps or muscle aches
  • Nosebleeds or easy bruising
  • Varicose veins
  • Irritability, nervousness, and mood swings

Oestrogen also affects calcium levels in bones. As oestrogen declines, calcium may be drawn from the bones, contributing to conditions like osteoporosis. While many women experience only a few months of symptoms, others may struggle for several years.

The Effect of Stress

When ovarian production of oestrogen and progesterone declines, the adrenal glands attempt to compensate by producing weaker forms of these hormones. Because the adrenal glands are also responsible for the body’s stress response, high stress levels can place an additional burden on them—often worsening menopausal symptoms.

Treatment Options

Conventional medicine often prescribes Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), which can be effective but is also associated with side effects such as weight gain, lethargy, and, in some cases, increased risks of breast or ovarian cancer with long-term use. Many women today prefer natural alternatives that use phytooestrogens and phyto-progesterones derived from plants. These compounds mimic the structure of natural hormones, helping to restore balance without the risks associated with synthetic HRT.

The Natural Way Formulations for Menopause

  • Natural Woman – Our “natural HRT”, containing phyto-oestrogens and phyto-progesterones to help relieve menopausal symptoms.
  • Formulation E.P. – Promotes wellbeing and relief from mood swings. Contains Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) to support prostaglandin (happy hormone) production.
  • Formulation C-C – Helps maintain calcium levels in the bones and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
  • Formulation C-1000 – Enhances calcium absorption when taken with Formulation C-C.
  • B-Plus Zinc & Passiflora – Supports stress relief and promotes calm during menopause.