Menopause is often a misunderstood phase of life. There is so much chatter about menopause that I wanted to cut through the noise and get back to the basics.

Menopause is a natural part of aging that every woman experiences. It’s not an illness or a disease, but a transition. A transition that is as unique as each woman herself.

In resent years menopause has, I feel, become part of a bigger agenda and hijacked by celebrities promoting products. The growth in menopause related products has exploded in resent years and it can be difficult to navigate what to do, what to take, when some claims are saying that all your symptoms will magically disappear in 7 days.

This blog will form part of a blog series that will hopefully inform you and inspire you to do menopause your way - by nourishing your body with just what it needs and embracing this transition as a time to celebrate and live your life to the fullest.

The word MENOPAUSE written in red on a white back ground being revealed beneath some torn pink paper.

What is Menopause?

Menopause is a biological process that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. It’s officially diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 months without a menstrual period. While menopause can occur in your 40s or 50s, the average age in the UK is 51.

Premature menopause, also known as premature ovarian insufficiency, is a condition where a woman experiences menopause before the age of 40. It can occur naturally or be induced by certain medical treatments.

Surgical menopause, also known as induced menopause, occurs when a woman undergoes surgery to remove both of her ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy). This surgery causes an abrupt drop in the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, leading to the immediate onset of menopause symptoms, regardless of the woman’s age at the time of the surgery.

Unlike natural menopause, which occurs gradually over several years, surgical menopause can cause severe and sudden menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.

It’s important to remember that every woman’s experience with menopause, whether natural or surgical, is unique and there are resources and help available to help navigate this transition.

Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause is often accompanied by a range of symptoms, which can vary greatly from woman to woman.

There are over 50 reported menopause related symptoms. Some symptoms are physical, some emotional and some can be psychological.

Around 20% of women will go through menopause symptom free, leaving around 80% of women to experience some level or combination of menopause symptoms.

Some of the most common menopause symptoms include:

Hot flushes
Night sweats
Sleep problems
Mood changes
Memory and concentration issues
Vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex

The range of symptoms can be linked not only to the change in oestrogen and progesterone at menopause but also the ripple effect this has on other hormones, such as insulin, cortisol and thyroid hormones. More about this in a later blog.

It’s important to remember that although these symptoms are considered a normal part of the menopause transition, there are various treatments and lifestyle changes that can help manage them. You don’t need to ‘put up with’ menopause symptoms.

If you are wondering if the symptoms you are experiencing are menopausal I have a handy guide you can download here.

Navigating Menopause

While menopause can be a challenging time, it’s also a time of growth and self-discovery. It’s a time to focus on you and take care of your health more than ever. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, quality sleep, rest and stress management can all help ease the transition.

Remember, it’s okay to seek help and discuss your symptoms with a healthcare professional. There are various treatments available, from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alternative therapies, that can help manage menopausal symptoms.

Nutritional therapy plays a crucial role in managing menopause symptoms and promoting overall health during this transition. A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients can help alleviate some of the common symptoms of menopause. For instance, foods high in calcium and vitamin D are vital for bone health, as the risk of osteoporosis increases after menopause. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish and walnuts can support heart health and mood. Additionally, staying hydrated and consuming enough dietary fibre can aid digestion and prevent weight gain. It’s important to remember that each woman’s needs are unique, and a personalised nutritional therapy plan can provide the most benefit.

If you would like to find out how we can work together and how nutritional therapy can support your menopause journey then please get in touch here.

5 things you need to include in your diet Post Menopause

To get you started on your nutrition journey then grab a copy of my downloadable e-book 5 things you need to include in your diet post menopause. The items suggested are readily available in all supermarkets and should form part of your everyday diet.

I focus my work on post menopause women and although this free e-book is focused on this stage of menopause you will find it useful at any stage of your menopause journey.

Next time

Look out for my next blog which will be looking at the hormonal changes at menopause and the relationship between these changes and the wide range of menopause symptoms. You might be surprised at the range of hormones that become out of sync at this phase of your life.

Lesley xx

References:

1: Menopause factfile | Local Government Association

2: Support for people experiencing menopausal symptoms - House of Commons Library (parliament.uk)

3: Menopause in the workplace - NHS England - Citizen Space

4: BMS-Infographics-JANUARY-2023-NationalSurveyResults.pdf (thebms.org.uk)

5: Shattering the Silence about Menopause: 12-Month Progress Report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)