How Lymphatic Drainage Massage Can Help with Menopause Symptoms?

Menopause is a natural transition in every woman’s life, which marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and fertility. Typically menopause occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, even if there are exceptions. Along this time frame, the woman’s body would go through a major change in hormonal balance that can trigger a variety of physical and emotional symptoms which may affect daily life.

As a Lymphatic Drainage practitioner, I get to work with a lot of woman who seek relief from those symptoms with Lymphatic Drainage Massage (also known as Manual Lymphatic Drainage – MLD). This therapeutic technique focuses on stimulating the lymphatic system to improve circulation and can stimulate a deep relaxation feeling.

When do Menopause Symptoms start?

Menopause symptoms start earlier than menopause itself. Indeed, symptoms can begin 10 years or several months before actual menopause, and this is the phase called Perimenopause. Different women, based often on their genetic background and lifestyle, would experience completely different symptoms with various intensities.

But let’s have a look at what those symptoms are like:

• Lack of estrogen (not only during the menstrual cycle days);
• Irregular periods and heavy bleeding;
• Hot flashes (less common than what you think);
• Heavy mood swings;
• Disturbance in sleeping;
• Brain fog, which means difficulty concentrating, feeling mentally foggy, and struggling with simple tasks;
• Memory problems with difficulties in recalling names or words and challenges with verbal memory;
• Anxiety and Depression;
• Fatigue and Low Energy;
• Lightheadedness or dizziness;
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) can also occur;
• Wright gain, even with no change in diet;
• Low libido;
• Change in skin and hair consistency;
• Exceed of body hair, especially facial;
• Joint and muscle pain.

These are some of the most common symptoms, which are often related to a drop in estrogen or changes in other body’s hormones.

What changes between perimenopause and Menopause?

The shift between those two phases is characterised by the fact that the woman would stop ovulating, and menopause starts at the end of the 12 months with no ovulation.

Symptoms can settle as time passes by, but this is a really personal journey, and from what I heard and read, everyone experienced their own journey differently. Per my understanding, thought, an equilibrated lifestyle, which include regular time for sleep, movement (with resistance, so strengthening), and an anti-inflammatory diet, are a key components for balancing those symptoms and improving the menopause experience.

At the end of this blog, I would leave some links to books and podcasts I found (as a man) interesting to undestand better what a woman may go through this time of life.

What is Lymphatic Drainage Massage, and how it works?

Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a specialized form of gentle, rhythmic massage that aims to stimulate the body’s lymphatic system, which is responsible for removing waste, toxins, and excess fluids from tissues. The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in immune function and maintaining fluid balance in the body.

During the treatment, I would with my hands, perform light stretches and gentle pressure on your skin, starting at the cervical area and moving distally from there. The consequence of these light, repetitive skin stretch and pressure would boo the capillary of the Lymphatic System to work faster and harder, consequently collecting more lymph liquid, reducing potential swellings, and improving body fluid circulations.

Only the area that I working on too would be exposed. The rest of the body is covered with a towel all the time.

How Lymphatic Drainage Massage Can Help Alleviate Menopause Symptoms

Many women have found Lymphatic Drainage Massage a beneficial complementary therapy during menopause. Here’s how it may help with specific symptoms:

1. Reducing Fluid Retention and Bloating
   Given the ability of the lymphatic system to collect exceed liquid, Lymphatic Drainage Massage can help reduce water retention and bloatiness, which are common complaints during menopause. Also, when working on the abdominal area, MLD can help in speeding the bell and bludder functions.

2. Improving Sleep and Reducing Fatigue
   The constant repetitive mechanical stimulation of the skin, stimulates the parasympathetic response of the central nervous system, that promote relaxation. This results in contributing to sleep quality and reducing fatigue during the day.

3. Relieving Joint and Muscle Pain
   Along with the stimulation of fluid circulation and the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest mode) lymphatic drainage massage promotes relief of stiffness and reduces discomfort in muscles and joints.

4. Managing Stress and Mood Swings
   The calming effect can help balance mood swings and reduce stress by affecting the cortisol level in the body. Massage has been shown to stimulate the production of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” hormones, which can help elevate mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety or depression.

5. Enhancing Skin Health
   As menopause can cause dry skin, LDM may help by improving blood flow, promoting detoxification, and increasing the delivery of nutrients to the skin. This can lead to healthier, more radiant skin.

6. Supporting Hormonal Balance
   While lymphatic massage cannot directly balance hormones, it can help reduce the toxic load on the body by facilitating detoxification, which may support overall hormonal balance.

Is Lymphatic Drainage Massage Safe During Menopause?

Lymphatic Drainage Massage is generally considered safe for most women, including those going through menopause. However, as already stated on the MLD page of my website, there are a series of contraindications that went to make sure we tick off before commencing any treatment. For more details about those conditions click here.

Melbourne Massage and Treatment Location, Charges and Giovanni’s Lymphatic Drainage Massage Training.

Location:

Currently, my clinic is situated in Fitzroy North at Level 1/175 Holden St. This is right at the corner between Holden St, and St George Rd.
The clinic is wheelchair accessible and has wheelchair accessible toilet too.
To get here, you can use Tram 11 Stop 24, Tram 96 Stop 19 (the 96 Tram is 8 minutes’ walk), or Train Stop Rushall (the Train stop is 10 minutes’ walk). If you are driving, you can find the car park on Barkly St or Pilkington St. Please be aware of parking restrictions.

Service costs

Charges for Lymphatic Drainage Massage are as follows:
60 mins – $ 115
45 mins – $ 100
30 mins – $ 85

Based on the complexity of your presentation, which may involve more than just relieving menopause symptoms, I would suggest a different length of treatment. I would definitely not go for longer than 60 minutes, especially if you are new to this practice, as it can be overwhelming in terms of relaxation.

Giovanni’s (myself) qualifications:

As per highest qualifications, I hold a BCH in Health Science Clinical Myotherapy, and in terms of Lymphatic Drainage, I took my first qualification in Applied MLD in 2021 with the Vodder Academy and a secondary qualification in Lymphoedema management, always with the Voder Academy in 2024.

Books and Podcasts about Menopause

As more and more patients showed up asking for Lymphatic Drainage Massage for menopause symptoms relief, I decided I had to know more about this presentation therefore, I started looking into books and podcasts about the topic. Here is a list of the ones I found more helpful.

Books:

The XX Brain – Lisa Moscone PhD
Cracking the Menopause, While Keeping Yourself Together – Mariella Frostrup

Pod Cast:

ZOE Health and Nutrition Podcast – 12 episodes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Menopause and Lymphatic Drainage Massage

1. What is Menopause?
Menopause is a natural phase in every woman’s life, marking the end of her menstrual cycles and fertility. It typically happens between the ages of 45 and 55, though the timing can vary. This transition brings significant hormonal changes that often lead to various physical and emotional symptoms.

2. What is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the phase before menopause, where women may begin to experience symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, and mood swings. These changes can start up to 10 years before menopause, and the severity of symptoms can vary greatly among women.

3. What Are Some Common Symptoms of Menopause?
Some of the most common menopause symptoms include:

• Irregular periods or heavy bleeding
• Hot flashes (though they’re less common than we think)
• Mood swings and irritability
• Sleep disturbances and fatigue
• Brain fog, including trouble concentrating or remembering things
• Anxiety, depression, and low energy
• Weight gain despite no change in diet
• Dry skin, thinning hair, or excessive facial hair
• Joint and muscle pain

4. How Can Lymphatic Drainage Massage Help Alleviate Menopause Symptoms?
Lymphatic Drainage Massage (LDM) is a gentle, rhythmic massage that stimulates the lymphatic system to help the body rid itself of excess fluids and toxins. Here’s how it can help with some menopause symptoms:

• Reducing Fluid Retention & Bloating: Many women experience bloating and water retention during menopause. LDM can help relieve these symptoms by encouraging lymph fluid flow, reducing swelling, and improving circulation.

• Improving Sleep & Reducing Fatigue: The soothing and repetitive pressure during LDM stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system), promoting relaxation and better sleep quality. It can also help combat daytime fatigue.

• Relieving Joint & Muscle Pain: The lymphatic system is closely connected to fluid circulation, which affects joint and muscle health. LDM helps reduce stiffness and discomfort, making it a great option for women dealing with menopausal aches.

• Managing Stress & Mood Swings: One of the benefits of LDM is its calming effect. It can help regulate cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, which may ease anxiety and mood swings. Plus, it stimulates endorphins, which are the body’s natural “feel-good” hormones, to elevate mood.

• Enhancing Skin Health: Menopause often leads to dry skin, but LDM can help by improving circulation and detoxification, delivering nutrients to the skin for a healthier, more radiant appearance.

• Supporting Hormonal Balance: While lymphatic massage doesn’t directly balance hormones, it helps with detoxification and reducing the toxic load on the body, which may indirectly support hormonal equilibrium.

5. Is Lymphatic Drainage Massage Safe During Menopause?
Yes! Lymphatic Drainage Massage is generally safe for most women going through menopause. However, as with any treatment, there are certain contraindications (like certain medical conditions) to be aware of. It’s always important to discuss any existing health concerns with your practitioner beforehand.

6. How Often Should I Have Lymphatic Drainage Massage During Menopause?
When I treat patients who do not present with a specific presentation related to MLD and come for more of a relaxation treatment, I let them choose the frequency of the treatment. If this is something you benefit from and you find relaxing, well then, when you need to wind down, book your next appointment.

7. What Happens During a Lymphatic Drainage Massage Session?
During the session, you’ll lie comfortably while I would apply light, gentle strokes and skin stretching to stimulate the lymphatic system. The treatment starts at the neck and works down the body, targeting specific areas to reduce swelling, improve circulation, and promote relaxation. While the area that we work on too is exposed, the rest of the body would be covered at all the time.

8. Can Lymphatic Drainage Massage Help with Hot Flashes?
While lymphatic drainage won’t directly stop hot flashes, it can help manage stress and improve circulation, which may lessen the intensity and frequency of hot flashes for some women.

9. Can Lymphatic Drainage Massage Help with Mood Swings and Anxiety?
Yes, absolutely! The relaxing effect of MLD helps reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels, which is linked to anxiety and mood swings. Additionally, it promotes the release of endorphins—your body’s natural mood enhancers.

10. How Should I Prepare for My Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
Before and after your session, it’s a good idea to drink plenty of water to help keep your lymphatic system functioning optimally. You may also want to avoid heavy meals or caffeine right before the session, as these can interfere with relaxation. Alcohol and or any other type of intoxication are not recommended at all, either before or after the treatment, as you could get easily unwell.

11. Are There Any Contraindications for Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
While this therapy is generally safe, there are certain conditions that may not be suitable for this type of therapy. Conditions like active infections, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or some types of cancer are contraindicated. Be sure to read the contraindications on the MLD page, and when filling out the Initial consultation form, report any symptoms or presentations you are experiencing.

12. Can Lymphatic Drainage Massage Help with Dry Skin During Menopause?
Yes! As menopause can lead to dry and dehydrated skin, lymphatic drainage massage can improve circulation, promote detoxification, and help nourish your skin, leaving it feeling healthier and more hydrated.