Menoupausal Symptoms and Aromatherapy

Overview

Aromatherapy is "highly distilled herbs distilled to take advantage of their therapeutic properties". is the science of using concentrated essential oils or essences".Essential oils or essences are obtained from various parts of plants (root, leaves, flowers, bark, fruit) and used therapeutically for physical and psychological well-being. The fact that aromatherapy is a noninvasive procedure and its ease of use allows for widespread use of aromatherapy. Aromatic oils can be applied in four basic ways. These include topical (tap, compress, or bath), internal (mouthwash, vaginal, or anal suppository), oral (with capsules or reconstitution in honey, alcohol, or diluent), and inhalation (direct or indirect, with or without steam, inhalation). ). Essential oils, which can be applied in various ways, can directly reach the neocortex part of the brain through connections extending from the limbic system to the hypothalamus via scent.

As a result of the effect of aromatic oils on the central nervous system, relaxation, sedation or stimulating effects occur and the information flow reaching the brain with the stimulation of the central nervous system. Thanks to this, the energy blockage in the body is broken and as a result, energy is released. With the balanced distribution of the energy flow to the relevant organs, the healing process is supported, and physical and mental well-being emerges . Aromatherapy is used in many health fields as well as women's health. Menopause is a process in which physiological, psychological and hormonal changes occur in the life of all women . The World Health Organization defines menopause as "the permanent cessation of menstruation with loss of ovarian activity" . In addition to physical symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, headache, low libido, fatigue, sleep disorders, palpitations, which occur as a result of the decrease in estrogen and progesterone hormone secretion and its end over time, psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression and mood disorders are frequently encountered . Due to the increase in the number of women in the menopausal period in the world, it is important to reduce menopausal complaints and improve women's health.Studies have shown that aromatherapy is a complementary method used in a wide variety of situations to reduce physiological and psychological symptoms . It is stated that menopausal symptoms decrease in women who smell lavender aroma during menopause . It is important that the symptoms seen during menopause, which is an important part of a woman's life, are reduced and that women can spend this process more comfortably. While the age at menopause is in the range of 50-51 years worldwide, it is reported that the age of menopause in our country is between the ages of 47-49 . From this point of view, women spend about one third of their lives during and after menopause. The trend towards traditional and complementary medicine is increasing day by day in our country. However, in addition to the widespread use of aromatherapy in the world, aromatherapy practices are not common in our country. Diluted and ready-to-use forms of aromatic oils are not only available in pharmacies and herbalists, but also a method that people are curious about and want to use. The fact that the cost of ready-to-use aromatic oils is cheaper than drugs and easily accessible will provide women with a treatment option in the light of new evidence in line with the conduct of the study. In studies in the literature, it is stated that lavender, rose, geranium, and citrus oils are massaged to women in the menopausal period and provide mental and physical relaxation. Therefore, in our study, the use of Peppermint and Lemon oils to reduce the symptoms of menopausal women and increase their psychosocial well-being. is planned. Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) oil has analgesic, immune system strengthening, antispasmodic, antipyretic, anti-nausea and vomiting, anesthetic, helps concentration, increases self-confidence and creative thoughts, and Lemon (Citrus Lemon) oil is analgesic, immune-enhancing, antipyretic. It is thought that it can help relieve the psychological and physiological complaints of women in the menopausal period due to its properties such as helping constipation, reducing nausea and vomiting, increasing sleep quality, relieving stress and antidepressant. For this reason, it is planned to use Peppermint and Lemon oils in our study.