Lavender Essential Oil for Women’s Health: From PMS to Perimenopause
Women move through many natural hormonal cycles during their lives, from puberty to menstruation to perimenopause and beyond. Each stage brings physical, emotional and psychological changes that can influence sleep, mood, skin health and overall wellbeing.
Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) is one of the most versatile and well-researched oils in aromatherapy. Known for its calming, analgesic and skin-supporting properties, Lavender can be a steady and comforting companion throughout these transitions.
Below, we explore how Lavender essential oil can support women’s health at different life stages, from PMS to perimenopause.
Lavender Essential Oils for PMS & Menstruation
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menstruation can bring cramping, mood fluctuations, headaches, sleep disruption and skin changes. Lavenders relaxing and pain-relieving properties make it particularly supportive at this time of the month.
How Lavender Can Help During Your Cycle
Emotional balance & relaxation
Lavender’s calming aroma helps reduce stress and nervous tension, offering grounding support during emotional shifts. To help relax and unwind, add 4-6 drops of Lavender to a blending oil and add to your bath water to calm the body and mind.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and emotional try using Lavender in a diffuser along with an uplifting essential oil - the citrus essential oils are particularly great for this. The following blend is relaxing, grounding and gently uplifting.
To your diffuser or oil burner add:
- 3 drops of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 2 drops of Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
- 3 drops of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Menstrual Cramps
Lavender contains naturally analgesic (pain-relieving) constituents that can help ease abdominal discomfort. For help managing cramps, add up to 5 drops of Lavender to 10ml of blending oil or try the following body oil recipe.
To 20ml of blending oil, add the following drops:
- 4 drops of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 3 drops of Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
- 3 drops of Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
Warm a small amount of the oil up between your palms, massage over the abdomen and cover with a towel and a hot water bottle for extra relief.
Sleep disruption
Hormonal fluctuations can affect sleep quality. Lavender’s ability to enhance GABA activity, the brain’s primary calming neurotransmitter, helps quieten and overactive mind and prepare the body for rest. To help with sleep changes, add 2 drops of Lavender to the corner of your pillow (away from where you lay your face) before bed.
Hormonal skin changes
Breakouts and sensitivity are common pre-menstruation. Lavenders skin-soothing and repairing properties make it beneficial in skincare treatments.
To help with skin changes, add 2 drops of Lavender to 10ml of blending oil to create a gentle moisturiser or apply after your night-time cleanse to soothe and nourish skin.
You could also try the following blend for PMS skin breakouts:
To 20ml of Jojoba blending oil add:
- 3 drops of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 1 drop of Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Take a small amount and gently massage over your face after your usual cleansing routine, avoiding the eye area. This amount should last a few applications.
Lavender Essential Oil for Perimenopause
Perimenopause, the transitional years before menopause, can unfold over many years with many women beginning to notice changes in their cycle as early as their 40s. Declining oestrogen and progesterone levels influence multiple body systems, as hormone receptors are present throughout the body.
Women may experience:
· Sleep disturbances
· Increased anxiety or overwhelm
· Joint and muscle aches
· Skin dryness or sensitivity
· Cycle irregularity
Lavender essential oil remains a valuable ally during this phase due to its broad therapeutic profile.
Supporting Sleep During Perimenopause
Sleep disruption is one of the most common concerns reported during perimenopause. Lavender can be incorporated into a calming evening ritual by:
· Adding 6-8 drops to a diffuser 30 minutes before bed to create a calming sleep environment.
· Creating a bath blend for pre-sleep relaxation by adding 6-8 drops of lavender to 20ml of blending oil and adding it to your bath.
· Adding 2 drops of lavender to the corner of your pillow (away from where you typically lay your face) before going to bed.
It’s ability to support parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous system activity makes it ideal for winding down.
Skin Support & Repair
Skin changes are common during perimenopause, with skin often becoming drier or more reactive. Add up to 5 drops of Lavender to 10ml of blending oil to create a soothing and restorative body oil. Or, try the following blend for a relaxing and repairing skin treatment, perfect for use as a bedtime moisturiser:
To 20ml of Jojoba blending oil add:
· 2 drops of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
· 2 drops of Frankincense (Lavandula angustifolia)
Aches & Joint Discomfort
Lavender’s analgesic (pain relieving) properties can be beneficial for the aches and pains women report during perimenopause. Combining it with Roman Chamomile in a massage blend can offer soothing support and may bring relief to achy joints.
To 10ml of blending oil add:
· 3 drops of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
· 2 drops of Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
Warm the oil between your palms and apply to sore, tense and achy parts of the body in long, sweeping strokes.
Emotional Wellbeing & Calm
Hormonal changes can heighten stress sensitivity and feelings of overwhelm. Mindfulness practices, meditation and yoga shown to be an effective way to bring calm, and can be enhanced with Lavender essential oil. Research suggest Lavender may enhance GABA activity, supporting a calmer, more balanced mental state. Add 6-8 drops of Lavender to a diffuser or oil burner to enjoy its relaxing aroma.
Why Lavender Essential Oil Is So Effective for Women’s Hormonal Health
Lavenders therapeutic actions include:
· Sedative and calming effects
· Mild pain relieving properties
· Anti-inflammatory support
· Skin-soothing and reparative benefits
· Nervous system regulation
Few essential oils offer this breadth of support across emotional and physical symptoms, making Lavender one of the most valuable oils for women’s wellbeing.
A gentle reminder: Every women’s hormonal journey is unique. Lavender essential oil can provide meaningful support, but is not a replacement for professional medical care. If you are experiencing persistent or severe symptoms, always seek advice from a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Lavender remains a beautifully versatile oil for life’s shifting phases, whether supporting your monthly cycles, navigating midlife transitions, or simply creating moments of calm in a busy world.
We always love hearing how you use your essential oils, so do share your experience with us.
About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as an Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
For more information on Jo Kellett, check out her website or Instagram.
