A Cuppa with Naturopath Emily Yates

 

Hi Emily, can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background in naturopathy?

I'm a degree-qualified Naturopath with 16 years of experience specialising in all things women and children's health, my favourite thing to do is to move patients from a place of surviving to THRIVING with strategy, supplements, lifestyle changes and support.

 

What sparked your interest in naturopathy and why did you decide to work in women's health, specifically focusing on hormones over the age of 40?

I had my own spectacular health breakdown when I was 20. I was working in corporate law, long days and nights, and underpaid and overworked, and couldn’t keep up. I got glandular fever and then chronic fatigue and felt lost and alone. My mum took me to the local naturopath and I learnt how to nourish myself, worked through some trauma from being heavily bullied in high school and quit law to enrolled in a naturopathy degree that month. The shift was profound and I have been obsessed with everything health since then.

 

Can you explain the significance of perimenopause and menopause in a woman's hormonal journey, and what are the key differences between the two stages?

Perimenopause is very misunderstood and wasn’t actually even a term in our mum's day and age. The research on women and their cycles and hormones only really started in the late 1970s and 80s so we are very behind in research on hormones.  What is emerging now is data that suggest perimenopause is a stage of life where a woman's hormones fluctuate very dramatically well before they hit menopause where the hormones cease being created and cycles stop.  In this peri-menopausal phase, women have the opportunity to upgrade their brain and nervous systems and change pre-existing genetic outcomes.  It can cause symptoms such as brain fog, mood changes, cycle changes, rage anger, fluid retention, breast swelling, anxiety, insomnia, weight gain, and thyroid issues, without the correct support women can really spiral.

 

What are some common hormonal imbalances that women over 40 may experience during perimenopause and menopause, and how can these imbalances impact their overall well-being?

The first hormone to decline is progesterone, this decline causes heavier cycles, breast tenderness, rage, anger, weight gain, blood sugar irregularities, heavier periods, and brain fog shortening of cycles. Women report a lack of confidence and low stress tolerance and can find themselves crying at the drop of a hat in board meetings, which is very unsettling. The new senate enquiry through parliament has suggested workplaces give more support for these women because it can lead to loss of career, and leaving the workplace.

 

As women transition through perimenopause and menopause, what approaches or treatments do you recommend to help manage symptoms?

I have amazing results with hormone-modulating herbs, nervous system support such as B vitamins, magnesium, and essential fatty acids, encouraging more rest and sleep, building muscle mass and a clean diet and lifestyle the tolerance for caffeine and alcohol during this phase is dramatically reduced.

When women move closer to menopause some bio-identical hormone support is super useful too, which is very different to HRT (synthetic hormones).

 

Can diet and nutrition play a role in supporting hormonal balance and minimising symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause? Are there specific foods or dietary recommendations you often suggest to your clients?

Diet and nutrition play a massive role here, it's even more important to be eating clean! By now, the liver is tired and overloaded, and tolerance for alcohol and caffeine is significantly less.  Sugar is a complete no-no because the blood sugars change a lot with the hormonal decline, a focus on high protein, low GI carbs and loads of colours with fruit and vegetables are a MUST, and filtered water.

 

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a common treatment for menopausal symptoms. What are your thoughts on HRT, and do you recommend any natural alternatives or complementary therapies for women seeking relief from menopausal symptoms?

As a first point of call, I start with naturopathic treatment, which holds for a few years and then helps patients navigate bio-identical hormones.

I recommend bio-identical hormones over synthetic hormones like HRT as they can contribute to hormonal cancers uterine, breast, etc.

 

How do you address gut health in relation to hormonal wellness for women over 40, and what role does it play in managing perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms?

The gut microbiome is kept robust and healthy by good levels of oestrogen, so many women, as hormones start to decline, will report gut symptoms and food sensitivities they have never experienced before. Often these women have dedicated their lives to families and careers and are quite burnt out, when we are in fight or flight we aren’t existing in our rest digest and reproduce, so our digestive acids are low, and food sits in the gut and ferments, this causes irregular bowel movements. Treating the gut is also imperative for mood and brain health.

 

Are there specific herbs or botanical remedies that you often recommend to support hormonal balance and alleviate symptoms of perimenopause and menopause in your clients?

Yes, I love withania, chaste tree, rehmannia, clary sage, licorice.

 

Beyond physical symptoms, menopause can also impact mental and emotional well-being. How do you approach supporting mental health and emotional balance in women going through perimenopause and menopause, from a naturopathic perspective?

Yes absolutely, I'm a mindset coach too so often women are tied up in old or destructive belief systems of not being worthy so they engage in health support later than they should and they prioritise everyone else first. I find working with their inherent worthiness helps them to feel better and prioritise their well-being so they can thrive in this next chapter.

 

Are there any misconceptions about perimenopause and menopause that you frequently encounter in your practice?

I think the most common is not making the connection between how they are feeling and their hormones. Many patients are shocked when I mention they are in perimenopause. There is a negative stigma that comes with it, associated with being baron or aging, but once I have shared what I know and educated them, then they feel much more empowered.

 

What advice do you have for women who may be approaching perimenopause or menopause and want to proactively support their hormonal health?

Exactly that, be proactive, get support early, screen your hormones every 6 - 9 months so we can properly monitor levels.

 

What Mayde Tea product are you currently loving?

I'm currently love Mayde Tea's Drinking Chocolate, Sticky Chai and Adapt tea!

 

What are you currently...

Listening to: The Imperfects Podcast

Reading: The New Manhood by Steve Biddulph

Watching: Embrace documentary 

Eating: seed cycling, a seed mix with a teaspoon of coconut oil and honey, chia, pepitas, sunflower and flaxseeds. SO delicious!

 

If you can find more about Emily here or on Instagram.