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 us and experience all the other roller coaster symptoms and emotions that we go through during the menopause.
If you’re struggling to find women to connect with, have you thought about reaching out to the various menopause communities in the UK? It’s a great way to get things off your chest and you may even find new ways of coping. Here’s some of the options that may be perfect for you.
Menopause Café
The founders of the Menopause Café want to make sharing experiences and understanding menopause accessible to everyone wherever they are, so regularly hold meetups where often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss menopause. There’s even a guide on their website on how to run your own menopause café! To find our when and where the latest gatherings are taking place, visit their events page.
The Latte Lounge
Set up in 2016 by Katie Taylor, the Latte Lounge is a virtual coffee shop for all women over 40. It currently has over 16,000 members from 65 countries around the world. They also run an annual calendar of Live Latte Lounge Events for members to meet up, network, learn, relax and have fun. Take a look at the menopause section on their website for advice and guidance.
Menopause Matters
Menopause Matters is the one-stop hub that allows women to learn about all things menopause in a friendly, factual and easy to understand way. It is one of the longest running dedicated menopause online forums and also has a quarterly magazine that you can subscribe to. Founded by menopause expert Dr Heather Currie who comments ““Our goal is to ensure more women are able to make informed decisions about the management of their menopause and have access to accurate, up-to-date information, advice and support.”
Henpicked
Henpicked gives women a place to have their say, sparking discussion, promoting healthy debate and encourages positive change through inspirational life stories, tips and advice for happiness, health and wealth, plus competitions, offers and recommended products and services. There’s a separate section filled with menopause articles to help support you.
Maryon Stewart’s Natural Menopause Programmes
Maryon Stewart is a world-renowned healthcare expert who is referred to as the Pioneer of the Natural Menopause Movement. Maryonstewart.com is a dedicated site covering a range of programmes to help manage menopause symptoms naturally. The site offers a combination of webinars and advise through to 2 week and 6 week programmes where you join a community of women with one-to-one consultations from Maryon herself.
MY Menopause Yoga
Petra Coveney is a member of the British Menopause Society, an experienced and fully qualified yoga teacher and the founder of MY Menopause Yoga which supports women in their 40s and 50s who are going through menopause. Petra holds group workshops across the country, including Dr Louise Newson’s new Menopause Clinic in Stratford Upon Avon. These sessions include a specially adapted yoga practice, a women’s circle discussion and guidance on managing your menopause. A great way to meet other women and exercise at the same time!
MenoHealth
Menohealth combines 24/7 help and advice through an online community along with face-to-face support and exercise at MenoClasses. The combination of talking therapy and exercise to combat menopause-related health problems is a wonderful idea! Each session includes discussion time of talking, sharing and supporting each other followed by 45 minutes of exercise designed especially for people who don’t like exercise, hate the gym or just feel too embarrassed or lacking in confidence to join other exercise groups. Music gets everyone motivated and each exercise can be done at one of three levels (1, 2, or 3 flames depending how hot you want to get).
Peppy Health
Led by the Director of Menopause Services Kathy Abernethy, a Menopause Specialist Nurse and former chairman of the British Menopause Society. Peppy Health offers one to one telephone support from experienced menopause practitioners, empowering women to seek support and help when they need it the most. All advice is in line with NICE Guidance and British Menopause Society recommendations and best of all, it many cases, it is paid for by employers who value their staff and recognise menopause as a time when staff may need confidential and accurate advice.
The Menopause Support Network
This is the closed Facebook page from menopausesupport.co.uk, run by Diane Danzebrink, a menopause counsellor and well-being consultant with professional nurse training in menopause. Diane offers one to one menopause counselling consultations to women and their partners and menopause presentations to businesses and organisations. This private group allows women to discuss all things menopause in a kind and supportive environment.
Fountain Retreats
Europe’s only dedicated menopause wellness retreats for menopausal women (you may have seen our recent feature on the health hub by the founder, Dee). There are retreats all over the world so you can even pick a stunning venue abroad. The retreat consists of an array of activities including yoga, an interactive session with a fully qualified menopause-trained nutritionist and a session with a fully qualified psychotherapist who will help you with anxiety, mood swings, depression and sleep disorders. Take a look at the upcoming retreats.
Hopefully one of the above options could be a great fit for you and can help you connect with other women who are also looking to share their story.