Let's Talk Menopause

Menopause, a natural phase of a woman’s life, is often accompanied by numerous symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, etc., in addition to other health challenges. But did you know heart health is closely connected with a woman’s overall menopausal journey, from peri to post menopause? Oestrogen, the female hormone has a protective

Hot flushes, a common menopausal symptom, can be particularly unpleasant during the summer months, irrespective of whether it may be mild or severe! However, minor adjustments in diet and lifestyle like avoiding spicy foods, cutting back on caffeine, maintaining optimum levels of good fats (avocados, oily fish etc.), keeping hydrated, practicing self-calming techniques such as

With warm days of summer upon us, it’s that time of the year when keeping cool can be a bit of a challenge, especially for women experiencing menopausal symptoms. However, here some refreshing lifestyle tips to help you stay cool naturally, but more importantly, be comfortable this summer. Rise and shine: Wake up early to

The more you research into the menopause, the more you realise how much the decline in oestrogen plays havoc with your body, leading to many of the uncomfortable menopause symptoms we suffer. Did you know though that these fluctuating levels of oestrogen can impact our gut health? Research has suggested that healthy oestrogen levels promote

Are workplaces doing enough to support menopausal women? As mentioned in a recent GenM report, menopause support must be more than a managerial tick-box training in the workplace. It is vital that it educates the entire workforce on how best to support women during this time. The report found that 35% of workers said they

Struggling with the constant rise in temperatures and muggy nights this summer? Us too! Here’s some of our favourite tips to keep you cool and survive these last few weeks of summer. Did you know our feet and ankles have pulse points which makes them sensitive to heat? This is why they’re the perfect place

All relationships have their ups and downs, but when you add menopause into the mix it can put an extra strain on things. According to the GenM Invisibility Report 93% of women say they would benefit from their partner better understanding what menopausal women experience, so what can you do to help?  We’ve put together

Have you experienced tingling during your menopause journey? Tingling sensation is one of the cardiac effects. This symptom is caused by hormone fluctuations impacting the central nervous system. Although not considered one of the main symptoms, it’s still uncomfortable. If you are experiencing this symptom regularly there are some steps you can take to deal

Has your sexual desire changed? Menopause affects women differently with some experiencing an increased sex drive and others a decreased libido. The decline in oestrogen and progesterone hormones can make it harder for women to feel aroused and vaginal dryness can make sex uncomfortable. If you want to stay intimate with your partner read on

Have you suffered from panic disorders during your menopause journey? Panic disorders are characterised by persistent panic attacks and include both physical and mental symptoms such as: shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, being unable to relax etc. Panic disorders can arise or worsen during menopause due to the decline of ovarian hormone levels. This symptom

Are you suffering from mood swings or a low mood? Changes to your mood are common during menopause, due to the shift in oestrogen levels. This can make you feel like you’re in a constant state of PMS. If this common symptom is bothering you, read on for tips on how to deal with it

Feeling antsy or fretful? Hormone changes during menopause and the side effects you might be experiencing can cause irritability, mood swings, anxiety and depression. In fact, 70% of menopausal women cited irritability as their most common symptom (Healthline 2018). We’ve rounded up some top tips to help you manage it naturally. Stay connected  Having a

Gum problems is one of the many symptoms that can affect women going through menopause. Change in hormones can cause women’s mouths to become very dry. Gums are also more susceptible to plaque, which can lead to infections. This side effect can be very uncomfortable for women, but there are some natural ways it can

Electric shock sensation (ESS) is a side effect some women experience during menopause. It can feel like a rubber band snapping in the layer of tissue between the skin and muscle and can also be felt across the head as a precursor to a hot flush. Although the sensation is fleeting, it can still cause

Digestive problems might not be one of the main symptoms of the menopause, but it still affects many women. Oestrogen helps keep the stress hormone cortisol in check. But when oestrogen runs low, cortisol increases, which in turn has an impact on our digestive system. Common digestive problems include bloating, indigestion, acid reflux, abdominal cramps,

Menopause can leave you feeling exhausted and lacking energy. Whether it’s down to poor sleep, stress, anxiety or fluctuations in your hormones or vitamin levels, it can be hard to find the motivation to get up and get on with your day. Here’s some of our top tips for managing fatigue naturally. Set yourself up

Also sometimes referred to as hormone headaches, the changes in your hormone levels may unfortunately lead to painful headaches. There’s been some suggestions that if headaches were a symptom during your period, it might be more likely you could suffer from them during the menopause too. There are different types of headaches that might rear

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