Menopause

When elder wisdom is embraced a woman will feel deeply settled. A natural letting go of the subservience to the ideals and beliefs that indoctrinate women on who and how they should be occurs, and with this a level of detachment transpires that supports her to observe life and bring understanding to all she sees.

Yesterday, 18 October, was World Menopause Day. Led by the International Menopause Society, it's a day to shine a light on the challenges women face during this transition, and on how much better our care can be. There's also so much more to Menopause than symptoms - which deserves much attention also. We will go there too but for now, let's look at symptoms. When most people think of menopause, they think of hot flushes. And yes, hot flushes and night sweats are real and can

A conversation that doesn't happen nearly enough: what can happen to your sex life in menopause? The whole topic of what we ‘thought’ intimacy to be can change. Wrapped up in this can be changes in feelings of desire, body image, physical discomfort and how all of this can bring about change in your intimate partner relationship. If you've noticed changes in your sex life during menopause, whether it's less interest, more discomfort, or just a sense that something's shifted,

For many women, they describe menopause feeling like their emotions have been put in a blender. One minute they’re fine, the next they’re overwhelmed, irritable, or inexplicably sad. Research shows that many women going through menopause experience mood swings, anxiety, and even depression that they didn't see coming.

Perimenopause can bring an unexpected sense of feeling unlike yourself — changes in mood, confidence, motivation and even the way you think. But this transition isn’t only about symptoms or getting back to who you were. It can also be an opportunity to understand what is changing, reconnect with yourself, and make space for this next phase of you as a woman and all that comes with it.

For many women I work with and see in the clinic, they arrive at a point during or on the way to menopause, where they realise that their reproductive years are coming to a close, and that their body is changing in a way that can't be reversed. It’s often an unspoken or quiet sadness that can come up, realising that the fertile years are coming to an end.

The quality of our mental health is also a communication from our body – just like the physical symptoms. It is signalling to us that something needs attention. Here are some of the factors that may contribute to ill mental health during this time, and are worth taking into consideration.

If you’re in your 40’s and you’ve noticed your anxiety starting to creep in, perhaps a racing heart before bed, a feeling of dread you can't quite explain, irritability that feels bigger than the moment calls for, there may be a reason. Many women in their 40s describe this exact shift and wonder how and why it has seemingly appeared ‘all of a sudden’ without any clear explanation that they can pinpoint.

Vaginal dryness is one of those topics that affects a huge number of women – and not only through menopause. Women can also experience these kinds of symptoms during breastfeeding, from taking certain medications, or from other underlying factors - yet it's rarely talked about openly.

If you've noticed some leakage when you sneeze, laugh or exercise or a sudden, hard-to-ignore urge to urinate since your periods stopped, you're far from alone. This is one of the most common and least talked about, symptoms that women can experience with menopause. It certainly doesn’t mean it is ‘normal’ – however, yes it is very common.

Beyond the clinical language, Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause shows up in very ordinary and often very disruptive ways. The encouraging news is that treatment options for GSM are well established and most are simple, low-risk and effective. What works best often depends on symptom severity and how much a woman is prepared to address the underlying factors.

Changes to the vagina and vulva are a far more quiet topic that deserves more awareness and attention. Asking questions like why and how does this happen, as well as what options are available to support are super valuable for us as women.

Studies suggest that up to 60% of perimenopausal women report sleep problems … and night sweats are among the most commonly experienced contributors.

Progesterone is so much more than a reproductive hormone - supporting you with feeling settled and able to sleep.

Getting a restorative night’s SLEEP is such a critical component of our health, wellbeing and weight control.

Many women in their forties notice a shift in their mental health before they ever suspect perimenopause. Here's why the hormonal connection so often goes unrecognised — and what to do about it.