HRT or a holistic path through Menopause?
- gemmamarieayurveda
- Oct 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 20
Menopause is a natural stage in every woman’s life, not something to be feared, but embraced. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), while in some cases helpful for symptom relief, is a reactive approach. When choosing HRT, the root cause of the hormonal imbalance remains unaddressed and its use can lead to lifelong hormonal dependence and potential adverse side effects. In many cases, HRT is preceded by years of hormonal contraceptive use.
“Our modern world has made us forget what we need to be happy and healthy. We medicate everything, even our menstrual cycles. The more you tune in to your unique body and mind through an Ayurvedic approach, the less you will need to fake your wellbeing.” - Catherine
Catherine is an Occupational Therapist from Cumbria, where she lives with her family and dog. Catherine had spent all of her adult life on some form of hormone through the contraceptive pill and the coil. During menopause, she reluctantly turned to HRT because her symptoms became too much and she felt she had no other choice. After working with Gemma and through the practices of Ayurveda she was able to alleviate her IBS symptoms and reverse the use of HRT.
Research shows women in the West experience more severe menopausal symptoms than those in traditional societies[1]. Why? Higher stress, processed diets, endocrine disruptors[2], and the lack of cultural rituals around life transitions. These lifestyle factors deeply affect how we respond to hormonal shifts and our overall wellbeing.
Each year in the UK alone, over two million women are prescribed HRT for their menopause symptoms[3]. In 2019 the MRHA issued a safety update about the increased risk of breast cancer in women using HRT[4]. They found that there is one extra case per 50-70 women who use oestrogen combined with progestogen HRT[4]. This follows HRT being banned after being the first-choice medication for osteoporosis, due to its confirmed cancer risks in 2003[5]. So why is it still used for menopause?
“My mother had taken HRT when she was going through menopause, but then she ended up getting breast cancer. So I was quite anxious about starting on anything hormone related.”
Catherine’s menopause symptoms were both mental and physical. She suffered with depression, spiked emotions, tearfulness, brain fog, unable to think straight and really struggling in work. She also couldn’t sleep and would be thrashing around at night, her joints became uncomfortable and she gained weight despite running three times per week. Breaking point was when it impacted her mood. “My kids were really worried about me and my marriage was under immense strain. I thought we were going to end up splitting up, so it was all pretty horrible,” Catherine continues.
With symptoms like this, it’s understandable why so many women turn to HRT, but we have to be aware that these synthetic drugs can also be harmful to women’s health. In this day and age, women, especially those working and with a family, cannot keep up with the demands of daily life whilst battling some imbalanced symptoms that menopause can bring.
“I think as a woman, you feel under such pressure to perform at work, be a good mum, be a good wife, the homemaker, and also have your own hobbies and interests and show up for yourself. The amount of pressure I put on myself to be all those things, I felt the only way I could do it was by taking HRT. I didn't have time to explore any alternative. It was a quick fix."
She first met Gemma at Feel Good Festival in the Lake District. “I read about what Gemma was offering and made an appointment to see her, and I've never looked back”, says Catherine. She had long history of depression, low mood and issues with her bowel. “My IBS kept getting worse. I tried giving up alcohol and that didn’t make a difference. I went gluten-free and it reduced symptoms initially but when I was pregnant with my last child it became unmanageable”, Catherine continues.
Although HRT alleviated some of her symptoms for a short period, Catherine quickly noticed that she was starting to feel really angry and disconnected with her own body.
After working with Gemma for a few months, Catherine said, “The diet changes and herbs had such a huge impact on my guts, stools and digestive health, it made sense to consider whether the menopause could be managed in a more holistic way too.”
Ayurveda is a gentle and gradual process. Gemma kept Catherine on the HRT while they introduced one of the herbs. Once Catherine felt ready to, she stopped taking the HRT and this was replaced by another herb. “It was quite a relief to rip that patch off. It's taken some adjustment but now my periods are really light and easy to manage and I no longer suffer with the awful symptoms that I had before HRT. I'm much more in tune with my body,” says Catherine.
“My self-care practice is quite embedded now, I self-massage and meditate every day. Shutting the door on all the other people. It's not denying them your love and time. It's enabling yourself to show up for them, rather than just squeezing yourself dry every day and never replenishing your own energy. It's not selfish, it's self-love."
Not only has Catherine alleviated most of her menopause symptoms she has also come off the medication. Due to her body being more in balance, she has seen many other benefits. She says, “I've lost six kilos, I no longer drink coffee, I don’t binge eat anymore and my cravings for cakes and biscuits have gone. I thought I knew what was healthy. When I started eating the right foods for my body, it threw everything I knew on its head.”
Ayurveda is an adjustment, but the results can be life-changing.
“It's easy to think there's a quick fix but there isn’t, and I had to learn that for myself. It does take time and it is a change. It’s about learning what best honours your body and your mind.” - Catherine
Natural healing through Ayurveda
Ayurveda offers a different path. Rather than suppressing symptoms, it supports the body to restore balance, reconnects women with their natural rhythms, and can even re-establish a healthy menstrual flow. With this holistic approach, energy, sleep, digestion, and emotional balance are nourished.
Guided by Gemma, Ayurveda becomes a toolkit for transformation by turning menopause into a sacred rite of passage. It empowers women to show up as their best selves while honouring the profound changes they’re moving through.
Book a free discovery call with Gemma
If you want to find out if Ayurveda is the right path for you and if Gemma is the right person for you, you can book a free discovery call.
References
[2] https://vibrant-wellness.com/blog/the-impact-of-endocrine-disruptors-on-menopause-exposure-testing-and-solutions?
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