With the onset of menopause begins the possibility of radical transformation and great freedom

Please note: the therapy sessions are conducted exclusively in German.

Finally, children and career are no longer the main focus — we could now place ourselves at the center of our lives. We just have to do it! Menopause is a time of restructuring and reorientation, a true phase of transition. I like to call it the "puberty of midlife", as it challenges our capacity for renewal just as much as adolescence once did.

Menopausal symptoms — whether physical or psychological, like hot flashes or estrogen deficiency — force us to face ourselves. They are often demanding and do not necessarily feel pleasant. The climacteric can be a hormonal rollercoaster and a real turning point. But it can also be a chance, sometimes a forced one, to shift our focus from the outside world to our inner needs, from prioritizing family and work to caring for ourselves.

Menopausal symptoms

What actually happens during menopause? It reflects the hormonal transformation in a woman's midlife — but it is neither an illness nor a deficiency. Still, many women experience physical and emotional turbulence. Perhaps you are not — or not yet — affected? Research shows that about one third of women experience no problems, one third have mild symptoms, and the final third moderate to severe complaints.

The most common symptoms include:

• hot flashes
• nervousness
• sleep disturbances
• joint and muscle pain
• depression
• fatigue
• sexual dysfunction
• heart palpitations

Even if this sounds theoretical to you, you may recognize one or two symptoms when you tune in with yourself. That's perfectly normal — just like pimples during puberty or nausea in pregnancy. It would be surprising if such a major transformation came without any signs. The calmer you approach it, the easier it will be.

Treatment options

From a gynecological perspective, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to be the standard treatment. Today, it is referred to as hormone therapy and is prescribed only in severe cases or at the patient’s explicit request due to its potential side effects.

Before taking that step, you have many self-help options:

• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Outdoor activity
• Mental adjustment to this life phase

Support can also come from doctors, naturopaths, or therapists specializing in natural medicine. Homoeopathy, herbal medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and many other traditions offer effective approaches. Time-honored home remedies may also be worth trying.

The most important thing is to accept the transformation of your body — its appearance, its possibilities, its needs. It also means saying goodbye to fertility: the ovaries gradually stop functioning, and pregnancy is no longer possible. If your desire for children is fulfilled, this may not be difficult. Harder might be accepting the softening of your body, the wrinkles, the extra weight.

Socially, menopause is still treated as a taboo or with little respect. Women often receive little understanding for their struggles and — unlike men — are less appreciated as they age. That’s why it’s all the more important to treat ourselves with care and acknowledge the richness of our life experiences.

This can be achieved by engaging with your inner attitude and deciding to embrace this phase. Instead of focusing on what’s lacking, you can shift your mindset and beliefs — and discover the gifts of menopause.

The Wealth of Menopause

No matter how unpleasant this time may feel, rest assured: menopause can lead you into a richer, more fulfilling life — if you embrace it as an invitation to live more consciously and intentionally.

In 2020, the average life expectancy for women in Germany was over 83 years. That means after menopause and retirement, you likely have a whole quarter of your life still ahead. Make this time rich: fulfill your needs, dreams, and goals with the motto “If not now, when?” — and share your acquired wisdom with the world.

I want to inspire you to embrace this phase and support you in discovering your inner wealth.
Everything you need is already within you.