Let's Talk Menopause

Itchy skin is a symptom that isn’t always discussed in relation to the menopause but it’s surprisingly common. Oestrogen helps to regulate the production of skin oils, helps the body to retain moisture and assists with the production of collagen so when oestrogen levels decline, all of these functions are affected leading to dry and

As oestrogen levels begin to decrease during the perimenopause stage, the urethral and vaginal tissues may begin to thin and as women get older, pelvic floor muscles start to relax. These factors may result in urinary incontinence. You may find that you experience a slight leak when you cough, sneeze or exercise – this is

We’re all used to aches and pains every now and then, especially as we age. Menopause also contributes to this due to the imbalance in hormones. Oestrogen balances out cortisol in your body (also known as the stress hormone) so when the oestrogen depletes, more cortisol is released and the extra stress can cause tension

Did you know that you could be more susceptible to allergies during the menopause? When hormone levels alter, your immune system may react differently to allergens which wouldn’t have affected you previously. The body’s line of defence is to produce more histamine – the chemical that is released by your body if there is an

According to the Mental Health Foundation, depression in women is more likely compared to men. We often hear about fluctuating hormones leading to low mood, anxiety and even depression during the menopause but it is so important we don’t try and normalise depression as just another symptom. The transition itself can bring not only changes

This might be one of the more surprising symptoms of menopause that isn’t discussed as much as your typical hot flushes or night sweats. Burning mouth syndrome, what is it and why does it happen? It has been said that the falling levels of oestrogen and hormonal changes during the menopause can reduce the production

It’s likely you may have experienced some form of breast tenderness during PMS but this is also a known symptom associated with the menopause as hormone levels fluctuate. Whether it’s a feeling of soreness, discomfort or a heavy pain, it can be unpleasant so let’s look at some ways of helping to deal with it…

The likelihood is you have experienced bloating before – that tight feeling in your abdominal area. It’s a common symptom of the menopause most commonly associated with peri-menopause. Oestrogen plays an important role in maintaining the accurate amount of water and bile in the body. As these hormone levels fluctuate, the body is known to

Hot, sunny days and hot flushes – if that isn’t enough to cause excessive sweating, there’s the other menopausal symptoms that are added to the mix, making beautiful sunny, summer days feel unbearable. Fluctuating hormones mean that our bodies are impacted by not being able to regulate our body temperature quite so easily which makes

Having a diet filled with nutrients is important for keeping those menopausal symptoms at bay. Rather than thinking about all the things to avoid, let’s look at some delicious meals we can enjoy while also taking care of our health. Enjoy a calcium rick breakfast In our feature with expert Andrew Petrou on Menopause and

Ever felt faint, like the room is spinning or a loss of balance? Yes, dizziness is another symptom of the menopause. The cause? Fluctuating hormones of course! Changes in our hormone levels during the menopause can affect our circulation and blood pressure which in turn can lead to spells of dizziness or feeling light-headed. If

Nutritional Therapist Emily Fawell wrote a feature for us last year on managing your menopause naturally with supplements and we thought we would share some more of our top picks this month. Collagen As oestrogen hormones decline during the menopause, we may experience changes to our skin such as developing fine lines or dry skin.

If you’re suffering from ‘brain fog’ during the menopause, you are not alone.  Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating and thinking clearly are common symptoms that many women experience, some worry that it could even be dementia when actually it’s those hormones wreaking havoc again. Oestrogen and testosterone have an important role to play with cognition and

Irregular periods are a very common symptom during the menopause, usually occurring during the peri-menopause years (the stage leading up to the menopause which may last up to 10 years). Periods are regulated by oestrogen and progesterone and the decreasing levels of these hormones leading up to and during the menopause can throw everything out

February is National Heart Month, so this seems like the perfect time to talk about about menopause and irregular heartbeat. The decline in oestrogen during the menopause has a lot to answer for! Sea-sawing hormones, stress, anxiety and hot flushes may all contribute to heart palpitations during the menopause. The British Heart Foundation shares how

Weight gain often occurs during menopause and this can be due to several factors related to menopause, genetics and aging. The hormonal changes during the menopause may cause weight gain around the tummy area and genetically, if your parents or other close relatives carry extra weight around the abdomen, you are likely to do the

Shopping in overheated stores, decorating until you drop and cooking a feast for the entire family are all enough to stress anyone out, and that’s without throwing the hormonal shift of the menopause into the mix. As tempting as it might be to hide away and curl up on the sofa watching Christmas movies on

You’ve heard the saying strength in numbers and it’s no different with the menopause. We speak regularly about needing the support of our friends, family and co-workers but what about the support that comes from those who are in the same stage of life as us? Those women that can laugh with us, cry with

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used by many women transitioning through the menopause to replace lower levels of hormones. We’re sure you have all been following the headlines on the current shortages of HRT and many of you may be experiencing the effects of these shortages first-hand. There are around 2.5 million prescriptions of HRT

September is Menopause Awareness Month, an opportunity to educate women about menopause. In the UK, menopause has been a hot topic in 2019.  Lots of wonderful healthcare professionals and celebrities have highlighted the need to talk about it, and for it not to be taboo. For example, therapist, coach and menopause expert Diane Danzebrink 52, has been

We all know the feeling, as well as being hot and bothered, the weight gain around our tummy area can also leave us feeling a little self-conscious and unsure how to dress especially during those summer months. There’s plenty of tricks though to help keep us cool and confident! Preparation is key At least if

For many women the menopause can be exhausting. The physical, mental and hormonal changes during this transition can really take its toll and at a time where rest and sleep is crucial, hot flushes and night sweats can lead to insomnia and sleep disruption. This month we thought we’d share some top tips on helping

The transition into menopause can bring a range of symptoms both physical and emotional and if the hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and anxiety weren’t enough for us to be dealing with, menopause can also affect our hair and nails. Here we look at what changes to expect and some confidence-boosting tips so we

The menopause is known to cause physical, emotional and mental symptoms which can affect everyday life during the transition. As a result of these changes many women feel that the relationships around them are also changing which can be hard to handle on top of everything else. This month we look at some of the

Did you know that anxiety from the menopause can occur in one in three women? We hear a lot about the physical changes that stem from the menopause, but mental well-being is also affected with some women experiencing feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, poor concentration and low energy. Part of the reason these changes happen

How much do you really know about the symptoms of menopause? Hot flushes and night sweats are among the more commonly recognised side effects of this midlife hormonal shift, yet there are plenty of other far less familiar related symptoms. Some more life-affecting than others, but because so many women still don’t feel able to

Who just burst into floods of tears? Was it you or her? As if handling your own menopausal hormonal roller-coaster wasn’t enough, along comes puberty to create the perfect storm. With more women now waiting until their mid-30s before they have babies, the two reproductive stages – menopause and puberty – are clashing in many

February is Heart Month in which the British Heart Foundation (BHF) urges us to make lifestyle changes that can help us live better and for longer. According to Public Health England Over 84,000 people die from heart attacks or strokes each year in the UK, and one in four of these are happening in people

The New Year is traditionally a time for positivity, to set ourselves new goals and get busy making future plans. But for some of the 13 million women in the UK who are approaching or experiencing menopause, the future could be looking a bit bleak as we head into 2019. Research suggests that 60% of

By Annie M, aged 50. I’d heard about the night sweats and prepared myself for the dreaded hot flushes. But I just wasn’t ready for psychological side effects of my menopause. I learned the hard way about fluctuating mood, low self-esteem and anxiety, all of which can be lesser known bi-products of the mid-life hormonal