The lymphatic system can change during menopause due to a decline in estrogen and progesterone levels, which can cause the system to lose elasticity. This is known as "Vascular Stiffness" and can make it harder for blood to return to the heart from the lower extremities, especially when sitting or standing for long periods of time.
 
 When lymph flow is blocked or impeded, it can lead to tissue swelling, also known as edema, This can cause a buildup of toxic waste and potentially disrupt nerve synapses. For women going through menopause, this can lead to a number of symptoms, including; Aching legs, Bloating, larger limbs, Tingling, and Difficulty shifting weight. Progesterone is important for hormone balance and the lymph system acts as a delivery system for it, a well-functioning lymphatic system may help reduce side effects of menopause, because sometimes hormones can wreak havoc on our bodies. 
 
"In short, the health of a woman’s lymphatic system will have a direct impact on her ability to move progesterone around the body. Because progesterone is so critical to hormone balance, it may be more important than ever for our lymph to be moving freely, serving as a delivery system for progesterone, to balance out estrogen.”
 
 
Most people don't know that a healthy lymphatic system allows the free flow of progesterone in a woman's body. Our bodies need progesterone because it balances estrogen levels. When the lymphatic system malfunctions, or when progesterone's flow is impeded, excess estrogen builds up.
 
This can lead to high estrogen levels - aka "estrogen dominance" — and a host of other problems like:

Headaches
Sleep troubles
Mood swings
Memory problems
Uterine fibroids
And in the most serious cases, breast cancer
 
A 2017 study in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science reported the effects of lymphatic drainage on women experiencing typical menopausal symptoms including water retention, mood swings, insomnia and fatigue found that after just a single lymphatic massage the stress-related hormones cortisol and DHEA were significantly reduced with positive mental and physical effects being reported.
 
 
Peri & Menopause Symptoms 
 
Hot Flashes - sudden sensation of feverish heat through the body particularly on the face.
 
Night Sweats - associated with hot flashes during the night, they can be disruptive to the sleep cycle. 
 
Fatigue - feeling tired-all-the time making simple tasks difficult and impacting on productivity and mood. 
 
Memory Loss - oestrogen and progesterone are both believed to play a role in memory, therefore decreasing levels may contribute to memory lapses.
 
Loss of Libido - disinterest in sex can occur due to fluctuating hormone levels which can cause pain associated with vaginal dryness and depression which can also affect sexual health. 
 
Vaginal Dryness - due to the decline of oestrogen levels which cause the natural moisture of the vagina to diminish leaving many women in pain during sexual intercourse. 
 
 
Breast Pain – due to fluctuating hormones.
 
Mood Swings - fluctuating hormone levels can affect neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin, which regulates feelings of calm and the pain-pleasure centres of the brain. Imbalance of neurotransmitters can cause erratic mood swings, such as anger to sadness or extreme happiness to hysterical crying.
 
Panic Disorder - debilitating emotional episodes with feelings of dread, rapid heartbeat and shallow breathing. 
 
Urinary Tract Infection - changes in the vaginal bacteria due to low oestrogen levels can cause frequent urinary. tract infections. 
 
Bloating – fluctuating oestrogen levels may cause water retention resulting in feelings of extreme fullness, tightness or a swelling of the belly.
 
Hair Loss due to low levels of oestrogen which is needed to keep hair follicles healthy.
 
Sleep Disorders – eg. insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, night sweats due to changing hormone levels and emotional stress of the transition. Low levels of progesterone have also been linked to sleeping problems. 
 
Dizziness – may last only a few minutes or become extended and frequent increasing the risk of falling • Weight Gain – decreased oestradiol not only affects the metabolism, making it difficult to lose weight, but can also diminish muscle and lean body mass, causing fat to redistribute, often collecting in the abdomen.
 
Burning Tongue – burning sensation on tongue, lips and gums and metallic taste in mouth.
 
Digestive Problems - oestrogen helps keep cortisol levels low, so low levels of oestrogen = high levels of cortisol which can slow digestion, cause bloating, constipation and abdominal pain and discomfort. 
 
Muscle Tension - strained muscles in the neck, back and shoulders.
 
Allergies- hormonal fluctuations can impact on the immune system, which can cause increased sensitivity to allergens, rashes, itchy eyes or dry eyes and sneezing. 
 
Body Odour Change - low oestrogen levels sends false messages to the hypothalamus that the body is hot and therefore increases sweat production to initiate cooling. 
 
Itchy Skin - When oestrogen levels drop, collagen production slows down, leading to thin, dry, itchy skin all over the body.
 
Muscle Tension - strained muscles in the neck, back and shoulders.
 
Depression – low levels of progesterone and oestrogen can result in feelings of sadness that may evolve into depression due to reduced production of serotonin and dopamine.