It’s the one thing that every woman will experience – but that doesn’t make it any less daunting.
Each year, millions of women go through the menopause, some suffering crippling symptoms in the process.
Hot flushes, memory loss, joint aches and anxiety are some of the side-effects costing 14 million working days every year, researchers found.
The good news is there are many steps you can take to manage and reduce your symptoms.
1. DON’T RULE OUT HRT
If you are willing and able to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this will quickly resolve your symptoms.
2. SEX DOESN’T HAVE TO BE PAINFUL
Painful sex is a real issue for many women of this age.
HRT may also restore vaginal health. However, if the main menopausal symptom is vaginal dryness, the use of vaginal estrogen can be more effective and indeed, may be needed even if HRT is being taken for symptoms such as flushes.
3. TRY YOGA OR CBT FOR ANXIETY
Anxiety is often one of the first symptoms of an approaching menopause, although it is often not recognised as such.
4. STOCK UP ON SWEET POTATOES…
When it comes to the menopause, overhauling your diet can make a real difference to symptoms.
5. …AND EAT BERRIES EVERY DAY
Are you getting enough vitamin C? This is important as the vitamin has numerous anti-ageing effects.
As an antioxidant, it neutralizes free radicals – harmful molecular fragments which damage tissues and are linked with premature ageing.
