Essential Oils and Menopause: Unlocking Relief from Symptoms

*Please note, this article is for informational purposes only. If you’re considering the use of essential oils as part of your menopause relief plan, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider first.

Are you having trouble sleeping? You’re not alone. Up to 47% of women deal with sleep disturbances during the time leading up to menopause, and that number rises to 60% in postmenopausal women.¹

Fortunately, nature provides gentle, yet effective sleep support in the form of essential oils, which can help you achieve better rest. Understanding how these natural substances work can guide you toward selecting the best essential oils for supporting your sleep during menopause.

Why Are Sleep Problems So Common During Menopause?

Due to hormonal fluctuations commonly experienced during perimenopause and menopause, many women deal with a lack of quality sleep — or lack of sleep in general. Symptoms such as night hot flashes, night sweats, depression and anxiety, as well as diet and other lifestyle choices, can all play a role in disrupting sleep.²

What Are Essential Oils, and How Can They Help During Menopause?

Essential oils are oils extracted from plants using steam or pressure that contain the “essence” of the plant. The practice of using essential oils to support health, known as aromatherapy, dates back thousands of years.³

When you breath in essential oils, scent molecules travel from the nerves in your nose to the brain, where they can impact emotions and physiological functions (such as influencing the release of serotonin or dopamine) based on the oil’s chemical composition.⁴

During the menopausal transition, certain essential oils may be useful for easing physical and emotional symptoms because they act as phytoestrogens, helping to balance hormones.⁵ For example, certain essential oils, like clary sage and geranium, have been shown to relieve depression, and neroli oil may help to improve sexual function.⁶

It's important to note that women with estrogen-dependent cancers or those who can't use hormones should avoid essential oils that contain phytoestrogens. Women in these groups can still employ aromatherapy to help attain better sleep during menopause but should exercise caution and check in with their healthcare providers first before starting anything new.⁷

What Are the Best Essential Oils for Sleep During Menopause?

If your healthcare provider agrees that essential oils are right for you, you can start to explore your options. Throughout perimenopause and menopause, aromatherapy can help make your nights more restful. From inducing relaxation to reducing hot flashes and insomnia, a handful of essential oils can ease a variety of menopausal symptoms. Some of the best essential oils to consider for supporting better sleep during menopause include:

Lavender

There’s strong science supporting the use of lavender for sleep.⁸

Though there’s little research to support lavender as an essential oil for relieving night sweats, it can help with other symptoms. In one study of menopausal women with sleep problems, it was shown that inhaling lavender-infused steam significantly improved sleep and overall quality of life while simultaneously reducing specific menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes.⁹

Chamomile

If you’ve ever experienced the calming effect of chamomile tea, you’ll understand why this essential oil has been shown to help improve sleep, even during menopause.

A 2022 study found that a chamomile essential oil can promote relaxation, soothe frazzled nerves and even help to ease insomnia.¹⁰

Neroli

In addition to its aforementioned potential ability to improve sexual function during menopause, neroli may also help to improve sleep.

A randomized, controlled trial involving 80 menopausal women ages 45-60 found that breathing in neroli essential oil significantly improved sleep quality.¹¹

Rose

Essential oil made from this beloved flower has been found to relieve stress and improve rest.

A 2021 study found that inhalation of rose essential oil significantly reduced feelings of anxiety and improved sleep in a group of 40 emergency room staffers.¹² Because this oil worked so well on a group of people under such intense levels of stress highlights rose oil’s potential to also help menopausal women struggling with anxiety to find their way to better rest.

If you’re struggling to choose the best essential oil for your menopause symptoms, you can try combining a few in a diffuser. Mixing lavender and rose can make for a relaxing floral scent. While mixing neroli and chamomile has a slightly more lively, citrus tone. Try making your own combinations to see what works best for you.

Risks of Using Essential Oils During Menopause

Although using essential oils for aromatherapy is generally considered safe, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Since the FDA doesn’t regulate essential oils, you’ll want to seek out a reputable manufacturer of 100% pure, non-synthetic oils without any added ingredients.
• Because they are highly concentrated, essential oils should always be diluted in a carrier oil such as almond or olive oil. Start with a few drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.¹³
• Before using an essential oil on your skin, do a patch test to check for any irritation or allergic reaction – be sure to wait 24 hours to see if you’ve had any negative reaction prior to use. Additionally, essential oils should not be used internally and should be used with caution in bathwater as they do have the potential to irritate skin, more specifically the urethra and vagina.¹⁴
• Keep essential oils away from children or pets and never consume them orally, as they may be toxic.¹⁵
• Most importantly, be sure to check in with your healthcare provider first before incorporating essential oils into your routine. They’ll be able to let you know about any potential interactions with medications you may be using or potential allergens that may negatively impact your health or exacerbate certain conditions, like asthma.¹⁶

Other Natural Sleep Aids

Essential oils are far from your only option when it comes to more natural sleep support during menopause. Minerals such as magnesium and herbs such as valerian root have been scientifically shown to improve sleep.¹⁷

Hormone-free and plant-based formulations, such as Relizen®, may also be helpful to consider, as they are designed to ease certain sleep-disruptive menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, that so often negatively impact sleep.¹⁸

Bonafide's Solution for Menopausal Hot Flashes and Night Sweats*

Relizen® is a prescription-free dietary supplement designed to decrease the frequency and intensity of menopausal hot flashes and night sweats.*

Learn More Here

Safe Sleep Support During Menopause and Beyond

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s rest, try to remember two things: You’re not alone, and relief is possible. Essential oils offer a gentle yet effective approach to improving sleep during the menopausal transition, but remember, don’t hesitate to consult your healthcare provider if you feel your sleeplessness is negatively impacting your quality of life.

Resources

1. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/women-sleep/menopause-and-sleep
2. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/sleep-problems-and-menopause-what-can-i-do
3. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-essential-oils-work-heres-what-science-says/?gclid=CjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCIlqlM_ydf_fCvBFIslNjD1dn22nLqJ08_RDGDf9IpTYr4GACiWTt7xoCL8sQAvD_BwE
4. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/lavender-oil-might-help-you-sleep/amp/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5944692/
6. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-essential-oils-work-heres-what-science-says/?gclid=CjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCIlqlM_ydf_fCvBFIslNjD1dn22nLqJ08_RDGDf9IpTYr4GACiWTt7xoCL8sQAvD_BwE
7. https://www.accc-cancer.org/docs/documents/oncology-issues/articles/2018/so18/so18-safe-essential-oil-practice-in-cancer-centers.pdf?sfvrsn=ded0f0e2_9#:~:text=Individuals%20with%20estrogen%2Ddependent%20cancers,star%20anise%20(Illicium%20verum)
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4505755/
9. https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/507751
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548163/
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8957651/
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8554138/pdf/main.pdf
13. https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/are-essential-oils-safe
14. https://www.healthline.com/health/are-essential-oils-safe#things-to-consider
15. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317918#tips
16. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317918#tips
17. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sleep-aids#passionflower
18. Winther K, et al. Climacteric. 2005;8:162-170., Elia D, Mares P. Genesis. 2008:135:12-15., Hellstrom AC, Muntzing J. Menopause. 2012;19(7):825-829., and Munoz E. VivaCell Biotechnology GmbH. Internal Report. July 2012