I’m not sure why, but despite many women requesting that I cover some of the difficulties and present solutions to changes that occur with menopause and perimenopause (the period just prior to menopause when hormone levels begin to change), I’ve not touched the topic. This week I’ll start and every month through to the end of summer, I’ll cover some aspect to try and help the many women experiencing these hormonal changes.Menopause, the end of a woman’s child bearing years, is marked with changes in the levels of reproductive hormones. Levels of the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone change. These hormones regulated the production and release of eggs from the ovaries. This change can happen with very slight or no effects for some women, while others suffer with drastic changes in their body temperatures, anxiety and/or mood swings.Local reflexologist Hayley Bennett has had so many clients coming to her for relief of pre-menopause and menopause symptoms, that she’s produced a paper with information and advice. According to Ms Bennett nutrition can help tremendously.This week Body & Soul features an excerpt from Ms Bennett’s paper for women seeking a natural method of dealing with the changes. Body & Soul also features one woman’s experience with progesterone cream made from wild yams instead of the urine of female horses.