Change is inevitable but that doesn’t make it easy (just ask your hormones.) Dry skin, night sweats and brain fog can all play a role in hormonal change. While using clean, toxin free products is an important aspect of menopause, herbs such as Wild Yam can also help to reduce the occurrence of symptoms. 

So if less sweaty, sleepless nights are on your to-do list, let's dive deep on a few Wild Yam crowd favourites from our Menopause & Hormone edit (plus a few Naturopath approved lifestyle tips for good measure.)

Anna’s Wild Yam Cream

Anna’s Wild Yam Cream has cult status for a reason… When it comes to the use of Wild Yam cream for menopause relief, testimonials just keep rolling in! This is due to its Diosgenin content, a powerful phytosterol with the ability to help activate the body’s pathways responsible for oestrogen regulation. Over two decades of customers have loved this product. To use: Massage into the chest, neck, breasts, abdomen, inner arms & thighs alternating the location.

Recommended dosage varies, but key takeaways are:

• Days 7 - 20: use ¼ of a small 2.5ml teaspoon, AM and PM
• Days 21 - 28: use ½ a teaspoon, AM and PM.
• Irregular periods are part of peri + menopausal territory, so if you’re using the product and your period hasn’t arrived, just count to day 7 from where it should and begin again.
• If you’re new to Anna’s and haven't had a period for several months, allocate your start day as Day 7 and follow the above protocol.

For Menstrual Discomfort: Start on Day 12 to 20 with 1/4 small 2.5ml teaspoon am & pm then Day 21 to 28 with 1/2 a small teaspoon am & pm.

For Menopause: Start on Day 7 with 1/4 of a small 2.5ml teaspoon am & pm then as above creating a new cycle if necessary.

NB: Day 1 is always the start of your period.

This cream is TGA listed menopausal symptom support. Always read the label, if symptoms persist consult your healthcare professional.

Metamorphosis by Vanessa Megan

If plummeting hormone levels have led to dry, lax skin, this is where the Metamorphosis skin and body range comes in. Each of the products are cleverly formulated to support peri and menopausal skin, with an all natural ingredients list based on both traditional herbal remedies and green science. There are two hero products in the range containing Wild Yam extract: The Metamorphosis Awaken Hyaluronic Acid Prep Sprit and the Metamorphosis Beyond Rejuvenating Night Cream.  To use: In the AM, spritz onto face, neck and décolletage before your favourite serum and moisturiser In the PM opt for Metamorphosis Beyond Rejuvenating Night Cream at night after your serum application.

Other Natural treatments for menopause

It's not just what we use on our skin that counts. How you live each month actually makes a difference too. Five Naturopath approved ways to support hormonal balance include:

1. Prioritise plant variety: The gold standard for gut health is to consume 30+ plant varieties per week. This will feed your microbiome and boost fibre intake for healthy hormone elimination.
2. Supercharge with supplements: A supplement like Her Balance Hormone Balance or The Beauty Chef Supergenes Menopausal Balance will work double time, to nurture elimination channels as well as supporting healthy hormone production.
3. Feed your gut community: Eating fermented foods can support a healthy estrogen-gut microbe axis, the two way feedback system between oestrogen and gut bacteria which in turn defends against some of those conditions associated with the change.
4. Seek less stress: Studies have found that low oestrogen worsens emotional upset, sleep disturbance and nervous system stress (as if we didn’t notice!) so prioritising mental health regular exercise, magnesium salt baths and meditation is a goer.
5. Limit environmental toxins: Exposure to the phthalates found in conventional fragrances may increase menopausal symptoms. Go for a natural fragrance instead, like the Vanessa Megan Monarch 100% Natural Perfume designed to elevate mood and decrease stress.